From the Principal
Welcome to Term Three
Welcome back for the start of Term Three. I hope you and your family enjoyed the winter break. The students have begun the term with renewed enthusiasm after a busy Term Two. The recent wet weather has not dented their joy for learning.
As a community we have much to be excited about this term including the upcoming P&F regional dinner, Tour Morning and Kingfisher Fair. Please see our Events page for more information and to book your tickets. Please feel free to share and promote these events with your friends and family.
- 29 July - Meet the Principal, Mount Barker
- 29 July - P&F Regional Dinner, Mount Barker
- 13 August - Tour Morning, Great Southern Grammar
- 12 September - Kingfisher Fair, Great Southern Grammar
NAIDOC Week
On Tuesday we held our NAIDOC Assembly, this year’s theme is Heal Country and calls upon all of us to continue to seek greater understanding and appreciation of Country as part of Australia’s national heritage and to equally respect the culture and values of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders. Country is more than a place for the world’s oldest continuous culture, our first Australians. Country is family, kin, ceremony, traditions, and language and it has been this way since the dawn of time.
In linking to our theme, dual naming is the approach whereby geographical features or places are officially recognised by two distinct names. One name is usually of Aboriginal language origin and the other of non-Aboriginal origin. Where a feature is currently identified by an existing non-Aboriginal name, an Aboriginal name can be put forward to be assigned as a dual name and sit alongside the existing non-Aboriginal name. The Aboriginal name shall appear first with the non-Aboriginal name occurring second. Aboriginal people have lived in the Albany region for many thousands of years during which time they gave names to numerous features of their landscape considered important for cultural and practical reasons. Some of these names, such as Yakamia and Nanarup, have remained in use and are well known by all who now live in Albany, while others have unfortunately either passed from general use or have been lost since European settlement began in 1826.
Recently, the City of Albany approved the restoration of 28 dual names for the Albany region. These names have been submitted for approval to the State Government. This project seeks to acknowledge, revive, preserve and support Menang Noongar language, cultural heritage, and history by exploring and promoting place names and stories of our area.
At the assembly, the school congratulated the researchers and local Elders on the Menang Noongar place names. Vernice Gillies, who was an integral part of this project along with Lester Coyne and others.
Semester Two School Counsellor
Ms Sheryl Moncur is currently on long service leave and taking a well-deserved break for Semester Two. Ms Anita Hamersley has been appointed as School Counsellor in a part-time capacity while Sheryl is on leave. Anita is currently a relief teacher; however, apart from her Bachelor of Arts and Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary), she holds a Graduate Diploma in Psychology and is currently completing her Graduate Diploma Advanced in Psychology.
State Interschool Equestrian Championships
Congratulations to the Great Southern Grammar Secondary Equestrian team who were announced as Overall Champion Secondary School, Champion Secondary Rural School and Champion Secondary Show Jumping School at the Awards Presentation Night on Saturday. This secondary team consisted of three riders and this was a significant achievement for such a small team. For more information please refer to the Whole Schools News page.
P&F Regional Dinner
Thursday 29 July | 6.30pm to 9.00pm
Henderson & Hwang Restaurant, Kendenup
An opportunity for Mount Barker and surrounds families to meet members of the School Executive team and enjoy each others company over a delicious local meal.
Mr Mark Sawle | Principal