Welcome back to school! I am honoured to begin my tenure as Acting Head of Secondary School. It’s a privilege to be in this position, one I never imagined I would achieve, but here I am, and I am fully committed to giving it my all.

Before I continue, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Mrs Victoria Turnor for her incredible dedication and hard work. Vic poured her heart into this role, and her impact on the students and the school community is immeasurable. Her tireless efforts and unwavering commitment have set a high standard. Thank you, Vic, for all your support over the years and for helping me transition into this role so smoothly. You have left very big shoes to fill, and I am determined to honour your legacy by continuing to support our students with the same level of care and dedication.

Being part of the Executive Team has already opened my eyes to the immense efforts happening behind the scenes. From meeting with the Council during the holidays to working on the new Strategic Plan for the school, the experience has been both interesting and rewarding. The Strategic Plan, in particular, is an exciting initiative that will help shape the future of GSG, ensuring that we continue to provide a high-quality education and foster a supportive, dynamic learning environment.

The beginning of Term Three has been energetic and engaging in the Secondary School. Our NAIDOC celebrations have created a festive atmosphere, highlighting the rich cultural heritage and contributions of our Indigenous community. This has been a wonderful opportunity for our students to learn, celebrate, and reflect on the theme this year of “Keep the Fire Burning!”

Students in Years Seven to Nine have embarked on new elective subjects, which has infused the school with a sense of enthusiasm and curiosity. We’ve also received the OLNA and NAPLAN results, providing valuable insights into our students' progress and areas for improvement. Additionally, Year Ten students are in the process of selecting their subjects for the coming year, a significant step in their academic journey that will help shape their future studies and career paths.

This week, I’ve had the pleasure of welcoming new students to the Secondary School. These newcomers hail from both nearby areas and farther regions of WA, bringing diverse perspectives and enriching our school community. It’s always exciting to see our community grow and to help new students integrate and thrive in their new environment.

At the end of last term, we celebrated the efforts and achievements of our students in Years Seven to Twelve. Recognising students who are eager to learn, make progress, or bring a positive attitude to class is a highlight of my role. Their positive contributions not only enhance our classrooms but also inspire their peers and contribute to a supportive and dynamic learning environment.

Thank you to all the parents who attended the Parent Teacher Interviews on Monday, whether in person or via Teams. These meetings are invaluable for reflecting on the past semester, setting goals for the upcoming term, and gaining insights from both school and home perspectives. I encourage you to stay in touch with the teaching staff as the term progresses so we can support your child’s journey together. Strong communication and collaboration between home and school are crucial in fostering our students' success and well-being.

At the end of last term, many students travelled to Perth to participate in the annual Country Week. This event is a highlight of the school year, providing students with the opportunity to compete, collaborate, and showcase their talents. Below is a report from our Sports Captain, Tiffany Butterworth. Congratulations to all our students who participated, with a special mention to the Hockey and Soccer girls for winning their grand finals. Your dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship are truly commendable.

As we move forward into this term, I am excited about the opportunities and challenges ahead. I am committed to working closely with our dedicated staff, supportive parents, and, most importantly, our incredible students to ensure that GSG continues to be a place of excellence and growth. Let’s make this term a memorable and successful one. Thank you for your continued support and collaboration.

Mr Neil Ferreira | Acting Head of Secondary

2024 Country Week Report

Country Week is undeniably the best week on the school calendar, this year GSG celebrated several victories!

We were proudly awarded champions of the A-grade girls’ Hockey and B-grade girls’ Soccer! Netball A and Indoor Cricket secured runners-up positions, while the AFL boys concluded the week in 3rd place. The Hockey boys achieved 4th place, and the Volleyball boys placed 6th. The Volleyball girls, Netball B, and Basketball boys secured 7th place, with the Basketball girls finishing in 8th. Great Southern Grammar concluded the week with a solid 5th place in Tier 1.

The week kicked off on Sunday with a long bus trip to our accommodation at Ern Halliday. After a quick unpack we ventured to Karrinyup for some enjoyable games of mini golf, ten-pin bowling, and challenge rooms. Monday commenced our fixtures with multiple wins to start the week strong. Tuesday consisted of more gameplay and an energetic and interactive Bogan Bingo night. Thanks to Will Dal Pozzo, Poet Smargiassi, Jason Le Roux, and Harry Perkins for exhibiting their outstanding air guitar skills.

Wobbly Wednesday posed challenges of fatigue and tiredness. The positivity and strong team spirit gave us the motivation to complete the day of multiple games and a quiz at UWA. Shoutout to Kayde Bessell–Browne for winning the Heads and Tails competition and the YTG Volleyball girls for winning the quiz.

Thursday was another day filled with crucial games ahead of Friday’s finals. Schools, including GSG, flooded Karrinyup Shopping Centre, cherishing some quality shopping time. A late night was considered for packing our bags and preparing for departure. Friday brought fierce determination as we contended in our final games of the week. As a squad, we secured several wins for the day! Finally, we packed the bus and headed back to Albany.

A massive thank you to all the dedicated staff, coaches, bus drivers, players, and above all, our parents for supporting us in this amazing week!

Tiffany Butterworth | Sports Captain

Community News

Parenting Connections Workshops

City of Albany Maritime Festival

Museum of the Great Southern