Our School – Canterbury Girls Secondary College

Welcome from the Principal

Canterbury Girls’ Secondary College is a school deeply committed to developing confident, articulate, and socially responsible young learners. Strong collaboration between students, families, staff, and alumni underpins the spirit, pride and shared sense of purpose that defines the Canterbury Girls’ Secondary College ethos, fostering a deep sense of belonging, connection, and collective pride for all who join our college community.

As one of the State’s few government all-girls’ secondary schools, Canterbury offers an environment where students are known, valued, and supported to be themselves. Here, students find their voice, develop a strong sense of identity, and experience a genuine feeling of belonging within a community that celebrates individuality while nurturing shared values and aspirations.

At Canterbury Girls’ Secondary College, students are prepared for opportunity through consistent, evidence-informed teaching that drives strong learning growth and VCE outcomes, while ensuring every student is known, challenged, and supported. Learning is shaped by high expectations, curiosity, and care, creating an environment where confidence, capability, and a clear sense of direction flourish. Students are encouraged to think deeply, take intellectual and creative risks, and develop the knowledge, skills and dispositions required to succeed in an increasingly complex and competitive world.

A broad and dynamic curriculum is complemented by rich co-curricular programs including music, sport, leadership, community service, and experiential learning. Together, these experiences foster creativity, collaboration, resilience, and adaptability, while strengthening student voice, agency, leadership, and confidence—preparing students not only for success beyond school, but to shape their futures with intention and impact.

At Canterbury Girls’ Secondary College, every student develops confidence, responsibility, and a strong sense of contribution. Students are encouraged to feel connected to one another and to their school, growing as young people who lead with integrity, purpose, and conviction and who understand the value of belonging to a community greater than themselves.

With a reputation that continues to grow locally and beyond, Canterbury Girls’ Secondary College is recognised for the strength of its culture, the quality of its teaching and the confidence of its graduates. We warmly invite students and families to join our school community and become part of a place where young people are known, supported, and inspired to lead with confidence, purpose, and integrity, and to make a positive contribution to their world.

Julia Niamh
Principal

Welcome from the Principal

Canterbury Girls’ Secondary College is a school deeply committed to developing confident, articulate, and socially responsible young learners. Strong collaboration between students, families, staff, and alumni underpins the spirit, pride and shared sense of purpose that defines the Canterbury Girls’ Secondary College ethos, fostering a deep sense of belonging, connection, and collective pride for all who join our college community.

Julia Niamh
Principal

Welcome from the Principal

Julia Niamh
Principal

Welcome from the Principal

Julia Niamh
Principal

A Government Girls’ School

The educational research has shown the benefits of attending a government school. At Canterbury Girls’ Secondary College, we are very proud of the fact that we are a government school offering a quality education for girls. The strengths of government schools have been shown through a number of studies:

In 2014 a study found that Australian private schools produce no better results than public schools, when students’ socio-economic backgrounds are taken into account. (http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/fourth-study-this-year-confirms-private-schools-no-better-than-public-20141109-11jlgn.html).
Paying private school fees does not guarantee a better job after university, with new research showing there is no long-term employment advantage as public school graduates earn as much in equally prestigious jobs. A research fellow at Canberra University, Jenny Chesters, analysed data from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia project and found private school students were no more likely to get a full-time job than public school students. (http://www.smh.com.au/national/private-schooling-no-better-than-public-in-jobs-market-20140816-104do1.html)
State school graduates do better at university than private school graduates with the same end-of-school tertiary entrance score.(http://theconversation.com/state-school-kids-do-better-at-uni-29155)

Educational research has has also shown that the benefits of attending a girls’ only school include:

Girls who attend a single-sex school are more likely to stay in education.
Students at girls’ only schools make more progress than those in co-ed schools.
Students who are struggling make greater progress if they are in a single sex school.

Further, the research has found that single sex schools create an environment in which students can express themselves freely and frequently and develop higher order thinking skills.

At Canterbury Girls’ Secondary College, we believe that the opportunities available to students maximise their academic achievements, maximise their social and emotional growth and well being, and provide a strong basis as they move beyond school.

Through constant monitoring and evaluation of our programs, we work to ensure that the educational and co-curricular programs enable all students at the College to develop their self-esteem and leadership skills, enhance their understanding of the world around them and undertake an academic program which is rigorous, demanding and reflects the different learning needs of individual students.

A Government Girls’ School

In 2014 a study found that Australian private schools produce no better results than public schools, when students’ socio-economic backgrounds are taken into account. (http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/fourth-study-this-year-confirms-private-schools-no-better-than-public-20141109-11jlgn.html).
Paying private school fees does not guarantee a better job after university, with new research showing there is no long-term employment advantage as public school graduates earn as much in equally prestigious jobs. A research fellow at Canberra University, Jenny Chesters, analysed data from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia project and found private school students were no more likely to get a full-time job than public school students. (http://www.smh.com.au/national/private-schooling-no-better-than-public-in-jobs-market-20140816-104do1.html)
State school graduates do better at university than private school graduates with the same end-of-school tertiary entrance score.(http://theconversation.com/state-school-kids-do-better-at-uni-29155)

Educational research has has also shown that the benefits of attending a girls’ only school include:

Girls who attend a single-sex school are more likely to stay in education.
Students at girls’ only schools make more progress than those in co-ed schools.
Students who are struggling make greater progress if they are in a single sex school.

Further, the research has found that single sex schools create an environment in which students can express themselves freely and frequently and develop higher order thinking skills.

A Government Girls’ School

In 2014 a study found that Australian private schools produce no better results than public schools, when students’ socio-economic backgrounds are taken into account. (http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/fourth-study-this-year-confirms-private-schools-no-better-than-public-20141109-11jlgn.html).
Paying private school fees does not guarantee a better job after university, with new research showing there is no long-term employment advantage as public school graduates earn as much in equally prestigious jobs. A research fellow at Canberra University, Jenny Chesters, analysed data from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia project and found private school students were no more likely to get a full-time job than public school students. (http://www.smh.com.au/national/private-schooling-no-better-than-public-in-jobs-market-20140816-104do1.html)
State school graduates do better at university than private school graduates with the same end-of-school tertiary entrance score.(http://theconversation.com/state-school-kids-do-better-at-uni-29155)

Educational research has has also shown that the benefits of attending a girls’ only school include:

Girls who attend a single-sex school are more likely to stay in education.
Students at girls’ only schools make more progress than those in co-ed schools.
Students who are struggling make greater progress if they are in a single sex school.

Further, the research has found that single sex schools create an environment in which students can express themselves freely and frequently and develop higher order thinking skills.

A Government Girls’ School

In 2014 a study found that Australian private schools produce no better results than public schools, when students’ socio-economic backgrounds are taken into account. (http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/fourth-study-this-year-confirms-private-schools-no-better-than-public-20141109-11jlgn.html).
Paying private school fees does not guarantee a better job after university, with new research showing there is no long-term employment advantage as public school graduates earn as much in equally prestigious jobs. A research fellow at Canberra University, Jenny Chesters, analysed data from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia project and found private school students were no more likely to get a full-time job than public school students. (http://www.smh.com.au/national/private-schooling-no-better-than-public-in-jobs-market-20140816-104do1.html)
State school graduates do better at university than private school graduates with the same end-of-school tertiary entrance score.(http://theconversation.com/state-school-kids-do-better-at-uni-29155)

Educational research has has also shown that the benefits of attending a girls’ only school include:

Girls who attend a single-sex school are more likely to stay in education.
Students at girls’ only schools make more progress than those in co-ed schools.
Students who are struggling make greater progress if they are in a single sex school.

Further, the research has found that single sex schools create an environment in which students can express themselves freely and frequently and develop higher order thinking skills.

Achievements

VCE Class of 2025

The Year 12 class of 2025 at Canterbury Girls’ Secondary College achieved outstanding results in Year 12 subjects. Together as a community we celebrate these achievements.

In addition to those students completing Year 12, a large number of Year 11 students undertook a Unit 3 and 4 subject and they also achieved outstanding results. All students are to be congratulated for their commitment to their studies. Canterbury Girls’ Secondary College achieved a median study score of 31. The median study score is the middle score when all the study scores obtained by students of the school are ranked from highest to lowest. The final results were the culmination of much effort and commitment across a number of years, and reflect the contribution of staff, parents and guardians into the learning of the students.

The VCE results are one measure of the school. They are a measure that is valued as high results provide students with many options for the future. We can be very proud of the students who graduated from Canterbury Girls’ Secondary College in 2025.

One of the characteristics of an effective school is school wide recognition of academic success. We take pride in the results of our students and celebrate their achievements. We celebrate their time at the College and we celebrate the way in which they have left the College. They enter the wider world as resilient young women ready to achieve whatever they set their sights on. On behalf of the whole school community, I wish all students in the class of 2025 all the best for the future and congratulate and thank them for their contribution to the life of the College.

Julia Niamh
Principal

ATAR Scores

Congratulations to Erina O’Doherty, the 2025 DUX, who achieved an ATAR score of 99.6.

The students’ ATAR scores showed that:

23 students (21%) achieved ATAR scores above 90 placing them in the top 10% of students across the State
54 students (50%) achieved ATAR scores above 80 placing them in the top 20% of students across the State.

Study Scores

Canterbury Girls’ Secondary College had 8% of all study scores above 40. The median study score was 31.

Achievements

VCE Class of 2025

The Year 12 class of 2025 at Canterbury Girls’ Secondary College students achieved outstanding results in Year 12 subjects. Together as a community we celebrate these achievements.

One of the characteristics of an effective school is school wide recognition of academic success. We take pride in the results of our students and celebrate their achievements. We celebrate their time at the College and we celebrate the way in which they have left the College. They enter the wider world as resilient young women ready to achieve whatever they set their sights on. On behalf of the whole school community, I wish all students in the class of 2025 all the best for the future, and congratulate and thank them for their contribution to the life of the College.

Julia Niamh
Principal

ATAR Scores

Congratulations to Lucy Liu, the 2023 DUX, who achieved an ATAR score of 99.95.

The students’ ATAR scores showed that:

39 students (28%) achieved ATAR scores above 90 placing them in the top 10% of students across the State
73 students (52%) achieved ATAR scores above 80 placing them in the top 20% of students across the State

Study Scores

Canterbury Girls’ Secondary College had 13% of all study scores above 40. The median study score was 32.

4 students achieved a perfect score of 50. Congratulations to the following students whose results have been published in the media:

Anastasiia Teravska (who achieved 50 in Business Management)
Zoe Martin (who achieved 50 in Food Studies)
Stephanie Temmhoff (who achieved 50 in Food Studies)
Olivia Preston (who achieved 50 in Visual Communication and Design)

Achievements

VCE Class of 2023

The Year 12 class of 2024 at Canterbury Girls’ Secondary College students achieved outstanding results in Year 12 subjects. Together as a community we celebrate these achievements.

In addition to those students completing Year 12, a large number of Year 11 students undertook a Unit 3 and 4 subject and they also achieved outstanding results. All students are to be congratulated for their commitment to their studies. Canterbury Girls’ Secondary College achieved a median study score of 32. The median study score is the middle score when all the study scores obtained by students of the school are ranked from highest to lowest. The final results were the culmination of much effort and commitment across a number of years, and reflect the contribution of staff, parents and guardians into the learning of the students.

One of the characteristics of an effective school is school wide recognition of academic success. We take pride in the results of our students and celebrate their achievements. We celebrate their time at the College and we celebrate the way in which they have left the College. They enter the wider world as resilient young women ready to achieve whatever they set their sights on. On behalf of the whole school community, I wish all students in the class of 2024 all the best for the future, and congratulate and thank them for their contribution to the life of the College.

Dr Mary Cannon
Principal

ATAR Scores

Congratulations to Lucy Liu, the 2023 DUX, who achieved an ATAR score of 99.95.

The students’ ATAR scores showed that:

39 students (28%) achieved ATAR scores above 90 placing them in the top 10% of students across the State
73 students (52%) achieved ATAR scores above 80 placing them in the top 20% of students across the State

Study Scores

Canterbury Girls’ Secondary College had 13% of all study scores above 40. The median study score was 32.

4 students achieved a perfect score of 50. Congratulations to the following students whose results have been published in the media:

Anastasiia Teravska (who achieved 50 in Business Management)
Zoe Martin (who achieved 50 in Food Studies)
Stephanie Temmhoff (who achieved 50 in Food Studies)
Olivia Preston (who achieved 50 in Visual Communication and Design)

Achievements

VCE Class of 2025

The Year 12 class of 2025 at Canterbury Girls’ Secondary College students achieved outstanding results in Year 12 subjects. Together as a community we celebrate these achievements.

One of the characteristics of an effective school is school wide recognition of academic success. We take pride in the results of our students and celebrate their achievements. We celebrate their time at the College and we celebrate the way in which they have left the College. They enter the wider world as resilient young women ready to achieve whatever they set their sights on. On behalf of the whole school community, I wish all students in the class of 2025 all the best for the future, and congratulate and thank them for their contribution to the life of the College.

Julia Niamh
Principal

ATAR Scores

Congratulations to Erina O’Doherty, the 2025 DUX, who achieved an ATAR score of 99.6.

The students’ ATAR scores showed that:

23 students (21%) achieved ATAR scores above 90 placing them in the top 10% of students across the State
54 students (50%) achieved ATAR scores above 80 placing them in the top 20% of students across the State.

Study Scores

Canterbury Girls’ Secondary College had 8% of all study scores above 40. The median study score was 31.

Planning Documents

School Strategic Plan

The Canterbury Girls’ Secondary College Strategic Plan (2023-2027) details the priorities for the next four years in the areas of curriculum development, teaching and learning practices, and student well-being to ensure that the College builds on its strengths and continues to improve. It has been developed through collaboration between staff, parents and students.

School Strategic Plan 2023-2027