From the Directors of Boarding

As we move towards the end of another busy term, we would like to thank our boarding families for their ongoing support and partnership. It has been a productive and exciting few months across our boarding community, with positive developments in our facilities, dining experience, staffing, and recreation programs.

Thank You to Our Transport Team

We would like to extend a special thank you to the staff who support transport within Boarding. Bill, Wayne, Leigh, and Martin are our dedicated and hard-working bus drivers, while Amber and Conny also assist by transporting students to appointments in town each week. Supervisors and Nurses also provide essential administrative support in making things run smoothly for students. Thank you to all.

Our drivers work tirelessly to ensure students arrive safely and on time, often managing changing schedules and logistical challenges with professionalism and patience. Their commitment plays an important role in the smooth running of Boarding, and we are incredibly grateful for all they do.

Thank you also to the students who submit their leave requests on time and to families for approving requests promptly. This support helps our transport team plan effectively and ensures activities and appointments run smoothly.

The safety of our students is always a priority. We appreciate the way students consistently wear their seatbelts and show courtesy and gratitude to drivers when entering and leaving the vehicles.

Thank you to everyone who contributes to making our transport system safe, efficient, and supportive for our boarding community.

Boarding Parent Committee Update

At our most recent Boarding Parent Committee and Messenger Group Managers meeting, one of the key discussion topics was food and nutrition. Parents raised questions about protein intake, salad options, meal presentation, and the quality of meal saves.

Following these conversations and our regular meetings with the Dining Team, several positive changes have already been implemented:

A new self-serve salad bar now gives students greater choice and flexibility at mealtimes.
Evening meal saves are now packaged individually, ensuring all students receive an appropriate portion while significantly improving presentation.
Increased communication with families about meals being served has helped strengthen connections between home and boarding life and provides greater visibility of students' dining experiences.

The feedback from students has been very positive, particularly regarding the improved meal presentation and expanded salad options. Looking ahead, we will continue working with students, families, and the Dining Team to identify ways to further enhance the dining experience for both boarders and staff.

We would like to thank our Boarding Parent Committee representatives for their ongoing advocacy and constructive feedback:

Year Twelve: Alaina Smith
Year Eleven: Kelly O'Neill
Year Ten: Julie Harries
Year Nine: Jenny Newfield
Year Eight: Veronica Thomas
Year Seven: Kylie Severin

Their collaboration plays an important role in helping us continually improve the boarding experience for all students.

Anchorage House Progress

Exciting progress continues to be made on Anchorage House as we prepare for its opening in 2027.

Current works include:

Installation of new carpet throughout the house.
Security system installation.
Delivery of 25 new bed ensembles during the school holidays.
Construction of a new bathroom for GAP Assistant.

We are also pleased that Anchorage House has been approved for use during our Junior Boarding Orientation program in early December, providing incoming students and families with an opportunity to experience the new facility ahead of next year.

The project remains on schedule, and we look forward to sharing further updates as completion draws closer.

Staffing News

We have recently welcomed two new members to our supervision team, Emily McCormick and Louise Sprigg. Their appointments strengthen our staffing capacity following the departure of several supervisors and help prepare us for the additional staffing requirements associated with Anchorage House next year.

Recruitment is also underway for three new GAP Assistants from South Africa, who are expected to join us at the beginning of 2027. Two of these positions will support students in Anchorage House, while the third will join Breaksea House when Jodi concludes her placement at the end of this year.

As with previous GAP Assistants, we plan to connect our incoming staff with current GAP team members well before their arrival to ensure they feel welcomed, informed, and ready to contribute positively to our boarding community.

Recreation Program Highlights

Our recreation program continues to be a real strength of boarding life, providing students with opportunities to connect, challenge themselves, and enjoy new experiences outside the classroom.

A special thank you goes to Kyle Kovacs, whose enthusiasm and leadership have helped deliver a range of highly successful recreation activities throughout the term.

As we move beyond the winter sporting season, our recreation focus will begin shifting towards a broader variety of activities, including more water-based experiences, which are always incredibly popular with students.

These activities provide valuable opportunities for students to build confidence, develop new skills, and enjoy the unique lifestyle that boarding offers. As always, student safety remains our highest priority, and all activities are carefully planned, risk-assessed, and appropriately supervised.

Looking Ahead

As Term Four approaches, we are excited about the opportunities ahead, including welcoming new students, progressing the final stages of Anchorage House, and continuing to strengthen the programs and facilities that make boarding at GSG such a rewarding experience.

Thank you for your ongoing trust and support. We look forward to another successful term and to continuing to work in partnership with families to ensure every student thrives within our boarding community.

Warm regards,

Mrs Nyree Mackenzie | Director of Boarding (Junior)

Mr Brodie Sarre | Director of Boarding (Senior)