Whole School

Careers Week 

This week we celebrate National Careers Week here at GSG. There are a number of people that come into your child’s life that will influence their choices and journey. As parents and influencers, the ever-changing landscape of work, tertiary education, jobs of the future can be quite overwhelming for us. At GSG we offer Careers Education from Years Nine to Twelve to help support the students in their journey of discovery. For the parents at home here are a few helpful tips and links to resources that will help you help your child on their career development.

Kingfisher Fair – Op Shop

We are a VACS group preparing and planning for an op shop stall, Re-store for the Kingfisher Fair occurring on 12 September. We are specifically looking for any spare toys and clothes that you may be able to donate to us. Please send any donations to the Wilson office with Ms Ross in the Pratten Centre. Donations will be taken until the end of Term Two. We request that:

• Clothes and toys are in a good condition that can be resold.
• No personal wear or undergarments such as underwear, bras, socks, bathers.

Proceeds will be forwarded to the P&F. The P&F are a school support group that put money into projects where children are going to benefit. They have put money into the Middle School bridge being built, donated a copious amount to the tennis courts, gym undercover area, guest speakers and many other projects. Any leftover clothes and toys will be donated to other local charities and op-shops. 

Wilson VACS students

Think Tank Challenge

Last Thursday, eight Year Ten students competed in the Think Tank Challenge, held at Hay Park in Bunbury. Organised through the Water Corporation, it focused this year on the idea ‘only use what you need’. Students began the day with guest speakers, including the indigenous representative from the Water Corporation who explained how indigenous cultures had accessed and used water. After hearing from the speakers, students were given four hours, which included a working lunch, to create a solution to the problem of water wastage. Once they had an idea, they had to create a five minute pitch that would be presented to a panel of experts. Our team, which consisted of three farmers, decided to focus on agriculture as they are one of the biggest users of water. Their idea was to create, and fit dam covers, made from polyethylene to help prevent evaporation and thus loss of water. They based this on the traditional method of covering water holes with rocks and sticks to preserve water.

The team was successful in winning their regional round. They have since filmed their pitch and have sent it to Perth to be part of the final judging panel this Friday. Whether they win or not, those who participated showed excellent problem solving and team skills, using the design process to cultivate ideas and experiment with a variety of solutions. 

Upcoming competitions and extension opportunities

National History Challenge: The 2021 National History Challenge is open for submission. This year’s topic is ‘Significance: History Matters’. Students from Years One to Twelve are encouraged to enter, competing in age associated categories. Research can be presented in a variety of formats with further information at http://historychallenge.org.au/ 

Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards: The optional theme for 2021 is ‘Rich and Rare’. Students from Kindergarten to Year Twelve are encouraged to enter, writing a poem of no more than 80 lines. Entries close 30 June and further information can be found at https://www.dorothea.com.au/ 

First Pitch for Kids: First Pitch is Australia’s largest entrepreneurial competition for children. It asks for entrants to film and submit a three minute pitch in the values areas of financial, social, impact or happiness. Further information can be found at https://www.firstpitch.com.au/ 

If you would like to participate in any of these competitions or challenges then please email me your interest via Angelina.ross@gsg.wa.edu.au 

Children’s University

Children’s University is well underway with the school’s 40 participants from Years Three to Six engaging in a range of activities. This month’s online challenge is to create your own song, Eurovision style. I can’t wait to receive the entries for this. A reminder that even with online entries your passport needs to be stamped. I am in the Junior School hallway each Friday lunch so come and see me, and our bear mascot Edith, to get your passport signed. 

Ms Angelina Ross | Learning Enrichment Coordinator- GATE

MSWA Albany Swim - Thank you, GSG Community!

MSWA Albany Swim was held on Saturday 15 May at the Albany Aquatic and Leisure Centre with eight teams making a lot of splashes from 9.00am to 5.00pm. GSG8BKrustyKrabs swam 757 laps, just over 19km, and has raised $4311 for MSWA. 

Each team member worked hard to raise money by asking their family members, relatives, and friends. It was an outstanding effort since most of the members are Year Eight students. On the day, I was supported by the parents of members to supervise the team so I also could swim around 100 laps to contribute. Our team was the only team swimming without any swimming aids such as flippers or kickboard. We got a prize for the team cheering the loudest and came fourth for the lap tally. It was a great day.

To conclude this report, I would like to thank everyone who has donated money for our members. Thank you so much for your generous donations towards helping make a real difference to people living with neurological conditions in the Great Southern region. Thank you.

Kagi Sensei | Head of Languages