The Code Cadets program was instrumental in developing and fueling my interest in technology. Through experiences like the Code Cadets trip to Silicon Valley, I was exposed to the technology industry and was able to meet professionals in that space, leading me to discover the product management career path. The hackathons and competitions in which we competed at school gave me a significant leg-up in securing the internships I landed at Spotify and Xero while at university.

I think the most valuable thing I gained from Grammar overall was all the opportunities outside the classroom. The Code Cadets program, Rowing and Hockey, leadership roles and community service experiences have all shaped who I am today and given me many foundational life skills. As for the scholarship program, having Peter has a mentor has been fantastic. He's been able to give me advice and guidance, act as a sounding board and connect me with people in the technology industry. Through our conversations, he's encouraged me to push myself and broadened my thinking on what I want to achieve in my career. I'm forever grateful for his time and his donation of my scholarship.

Ben Maliel
Alumni, and Peter Hazleurst Scholar for Science and Technology.

Our two boys, Mark and Chris, did all their schooling at Canberra Grammar School from Kindergarten at Northside to Year 12. In fact, my wife put their names on the school’s intake waiting list only weeks after each was born. Talk about keen!

School life for the family could be described as fairly normal, with the usual ups and downs. One semester might see a book prize earned, and then the next we would have a flat parent/teacher night (assignments late, more effort expected, attention in class down). As committed parents, we took all this to heart, and on reflection worried more than was necessary … as I said fairly normal!

The school seemed to genuinely embrace ideals such as service (as in helping others), integrity, and a holistic approach to each student’s development. Underpinning this we felt was a commitment to excellence.

From Little Things …

An anecdote I have largely kept to myself I would like to share.

This very fence around our beloved oval is a shining example of how a community with a shared purpose can come together to achieve something wonderful, a legacy for generations to enjoy.

The Main Oval of yesteryear however was not as it is today that’s for sure. The grandstand and other seating were good, but the oval itself and surrounds could politely be described as ‘scruffy’. The grass on the oval was always cut too long and only got longer until the next cut, there were no defined boundaries, and the senior cricket nets jutted alarmingly into the oval’s playing area. The Flinders Way end was a jungle of thick bushes, low hanging tree branches, roots, weeds and goodness knows what else, possibly untouched since the school opened.

Mark was a member of the School’s First XI for his final two years. In season 1999/2000 the School qualified as the team to represent the ACT at the Gillette Cup, an annual competition bringing together the best school cricket teams that qualified from each State and Territory. That year the event was held in Sydney at select school grounds and a convoy of our players, coaches and parents drove up. Well, did we all get a shock when we saw the grounds being used! White picket fences galore, proper low-mown couch grass surfaces, manicured surroundings, even electronic scoreboards! For most of us it was the moment we realized just how unloved our main oval was.

On the team’s return the cricket committee decided action was needed.

The green light for the redevelopment was soon given. The Old Boys swung into action with a ‘Purchase a Picket’ campaign that raised about $30,000. The Board approved the proposal, works were commissioned, and in seemingly little time we had the Main Oval we see today. The School Rugby Association was inspired, and later donated a new electronic scoreboard!

The New Auditorium

‘Astonishing’, the gift and legacy Terry has given to the School. That is the word that comes to mind.

Thank you Terry, not only on behalf of those who will get to use and enjoy the new spaces but also others such as ourselves who look on and are inspired by your generosity and vision.

I was given a tour of the new venue recently and the finished product is world class. Quality and excellence are so evident. Marilyn and I are looking forward to the possibility of attending performances in the concert hall over coming years.

Our $20,000 donation is small in overall terms, but we both felt a need to express our feelings in concrete form. This money is donated from our hearts and with our pleasure.

We wish the ‘Towards 2029 Centenary Project’ all the best and trust it culminates successfully. Knowing the school as we do, that outcome is guaranteed.

Mark & Marilyn Francis

Past Parent and CGS Foundation Donor

Having graduated CGS in 2016, I studied a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at the University of Canberra, which has led me to becoming a private-practice physiotherapist, with an interest in sports physiotherapy and concussion rehabilitation. I am looking forward to developing my skills in these particular two areas over the course of my career, to see where in the world it may take me!

Being awarded the Poate Scholarship for Years 11 and 12 was an amazing honour for us as a family. Throughout my time as the recipient we developed a close relationship with the Poate family and have kept in contact ever since. To learn about their deep connection with CGS, Robbie's heavy involvement in school life and post-school career as well as the characteristics he displayed were a reminder of how lucky I was to receive a scholarship in their name. Their devotion and passion towards everything they did both inside and outside of CGS was a quality I wanted to embody in my final 2 years at school, and beyond.

I am very thankful that as part of the Poate Scholarship, I was afforded the opportunity to attend the Global Young Leaders Conference (GYLC) in the USA. This opportunity was a valuable experience to develop leadership and negotiation skills, as well as connecting with many other young leaders from all corners of the world. I am so grateful I got to experience such a trip and its memories will stay with me for a lifetime.

To those thinking of applying for a scholarship, my advice would be to go for it. You never know what life has in stall, it may or may not help you in the trajectory you envisage your life going, but it also may change your thinking and open up new options you never thought possible! Be grateful you are able to have the opportunity at such a school like CGS, as many in life are not afforded the privilege. Embrace opportunities that come your way, and take the experiences that come as a result with you, and use these in your life long learning journey. Life in general, but especially your time at CGS, is too short to wait for things to happen for you, so give it your all, embrace everything and anything that comes your way because who knows where it could lead you.

He has enjoyed events such as 'scholars lunches', house music activities, and various band performances. These experiences have continued to enhance his music and broad skills, and generated a great sense of belonging to the community and desire to serve the community. The application process itself has taught Victor about setting goals and working towards achieving them, which continues to benefit him academically and will be useful for his future life after school.

As parents, we are grateful for Victor to be a part of such a prestigious program. We greatly appreciate the experiences and growth it has offered him. We would encourage the community to support the CGS Foundation so similar scholarships can be continually awarded to deserving students.