The Boarding Buzz

From the Directors of Boarding

2026 Boarding Captains & Thank You Chloe

It is with great joy and excitement that we announce our Boarding Captains for 2026: Zane Cairns and Matilda (Tilly) Norrish. Zane and Tilly have officially joined the GSG leadership team this week, engaging in thoughtful discussions and planning during the leadership retreat hosted by Mr Owenell and Mrs Franklin. 

 

Congratulations to both students—we are confident they will lead with integrity and enthusiasm, continuing the outstanding work of Chloe Climie, who has made a remarkable contribution to our community this year. As Chloe prepares to hand over the reins, we extend our heartfelt thanks for her exceptional leadership, marked by kindness, initiative, and dedication. 

Duty of Care, a Boarding School Staffing Perspective

According to the law, students are owed a duty of care whenever and wherever the staff‐ student relationship exists. This duty of care is not an absolute duty to prevent injury; it is rather a duty to take reasonable care to prevent injury to students, which extends not just to students in your care, but to all students in your vicinity. This operates from 3.00pm to 9.00am weekdays and for the entire weekend period. The duty of care also exists when students are not physically in the Boarding House but are either on or off campus and not signed out by an approved host. This therefore includes students who have gone for a run, shopping or on an excursion. Australian Boarding Schools Association https://www.boarding.org.au/  

 

With this in mind, it is important for families and students to be aware that, unless a student is on hosted leave, the duty of care falls to Boarding. 

 

Students are encouraged to: 

  • Complete an accurate leave request 
  • Include clear and detailed notes, as required 
  • Submit leave requests at least 24 hours in advance 
  • Ensure weekend leave is entered by Thursday evening 

Students must: 

  • Ensure their leave is carried out, as approved. Students are not permitted to make ad hoc changes to their leave arrangements, once leave has commenced. For example, they should not contact bus drivers to request changes to pick-up location. 

Families are encouraged to: 

  • Have conversations with your student/s about pending leave requests, to ensure you are comfortable with the request 
  • Keep your student/s host list/s up to date 

Hosts should: 

  • Collect student/s from the Boarding House 
  • Remain contactable on the nominated phone number 

 

Please note that transport may not always be available for late requests, travel outside our scope, or leave that conflicts with school commitments. We also kindly ask that routine medical appointments, such as annual dental checks, be scheduled during school holidays. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. 

Rocky Road Fundraiser

Following the postponement of the Kingfisher Fair & Open Day, our boarding team quickly pivoted to Plan B for the rocky road fundraiser. In true boarding spirit, we rallied together and sold the delicious treats at school, raising over $600.00. All proceeds were donated to The Darcy Effect charity. 

 

A special thank you to everyone who contributed, especially Chloe and Julieann Climie, whose leadership and hard work brought the project to life. 

Mrs Dianne Franzinelli

Finally, it is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Di Franzinelli will be stepping away from her role as Boarding Administrator and leaving Great Southern Grammar after 15 years of dedicated service. Di’s impact has been profound, she has supported the growth of both the School and Boarding, and built strong, lasting connections with staff, students, and families. 

 

Often the first point of contact for many, Di has always been generous with her time and support. In her own words, she leaves with her “heart full”. We wish Di all the very best in her next chapter and thank her sincerely for everything she has given to our community. 

Di’s final day will be Friday 24 October, following our farewell to the Year Twelve students in Week Two of Term Four. 

Message from Julieann Climie on Behalf of the Boarding Parent Committee

On behalf of all the boarding parents and families past and present we cannot thank Di enough for her loyalty, care, dedication, awesome unwavering work ethic in going above and beyond for GSG, Boarding and the numerous students who have passed through boarding over the many years. 

We have the greatest admiration for Di in helping our parents to be well informed & to feel reassured that our children are looked after and organised. We will miss Di dearly and wish her all the very best in her next endeavours. Thank you, Di.  

With Love from Boarding Families x 

 

Mr Brodie Sarre | Director of Boarding (Senior)

Mrs Nyree Mackenzie | Director of Boarding (Junior)