Geelong Grammar Junior School awarded Outstanding School Achievement for 2025

Geelong Grammar Junior School (Toorak Campus) has been awarded the Outstanding School Achievement as part of the 2025 Snow Australia Community Sport Awards. 

GGS Toorak delivered a highly successful and inclusive snowsports program in 2025 that significantly expanded student participation and engagement. 

The program began with a nine-week pre-season dryland training program involving 103 students, around one-third of the school, held weekly before classes and followed by a communal breakfast. 

“Our Snowsports program has evolved and flourished through the passion of dedicated students, a small group of parents and teachers, and the support of the school’s management,” said Remo Dipetta, treasurer of the snowsports program. 

“We depend upon, and deeply appreciate, the efforts of many parent volunteers in the program, as well as countless extra hours committed by school teachers and admin staff. 

“Our school can be proud of this achievement, and importantly for so many quiet contributors, this recognition is a terrific way to say ‘thank you, you’re part of something worthwhile’.” 

Designed and supported by a volunteer parent group and school leadership, the program catered to all age groups, with fun balance and coordination exercises for younger students and strength, agility, and roller-skiing sessions for older ones. 

The program successfully grew interest among students new to snow sports, many from non-skiing families. Through pre-season training, “Family Fun” days, and the GGS Cup at Mt Buller, the school created an accessible entry point for families, promoting teamwork, inclusion, and skill development across Cross Country, Alpine, and Snowboard disciplines. 

“Students from ELC to Year Six develop a strong sense of belonging and comradery through the pre-season training program,” Dipetta said. 

“Whether a first-time student who has never seen snow, or a member of a die-hard snow family, all children become excited as the start of the season draws closer. 

“This comradery develops further during the school fun days at Mt Buller, and right through the school’s trials program and Interschools competition. Our program unites our students and promotes the importance of teamwork.”

The school conducted regular information sessions, published event guides, and created a buddy system so that experienced families could assist those with less knowledge. Heavily subsidised coaching sessions supported both beginners and competitive participants. 

“The program includes many different types of balance exercise and training games, both indoor and outdoor,” he said. 

“Whilst strapping on roller-skis can be intimidating for some children, during this year’s program it became such a popular aspect that we had to switch it up. 

“The course had to be re-routed to include more challenges, a leaderboard was established and times recorded. The whole thing took on a life of its own. We even had to scramble to buy additional equipment to keep up with demand!”

Complemented by extensive fundraising, including an annual season-opening event and community auctions, the snowsports program enabled new equipment purchases, subsidised lessons, and staff support, ensuring the program’s sustainability and reinforcing GGS Toorak’s strong, community-driven snowsports culture. 

“We go to great lengths to support families and kids who participate in Snowsports,” Dippetta said. 

“This includes amazing teacher involvement for fun events as well as Interschools competition. Our program introduces new families to the snow, where they quickly learn it is a wholesome, active and unifying family holiday. 

“Snowsports is the ultimate outdoor adventure activity, and as such it is perfectly aligned to the ethos of Geelong Grammar Junior. 

“The school believes in taking children out of their comfort zone, asking them to perform even if faced with challenging conditions such as weather, or tiredness, or terrain, or just fierce competition. 

“Our Junior School Program is a small first step for children who are learning to stretch themselves, and also for families who are learning how to let their children fly.”