From the Directors of Boarding

Welcome back to the start of Term Three, which promises to be filled once again with a wide range of activities across both boarding and day school, keeping our boarders thoroughly engaged.  

So far this term, we’ve held our annual Boarding Quiz Night, a much-loved event on the boarding calendar. We’re also eagerly preparing to welcome several of our Yalari families, who will be flying in from across the state to visit the school and boarding house. They’ll have the opportunity to meet and speak with the Heads of Boarding Houses and other members of staff. These visits are always valuable opportunities to connect with the families who entrust us with the care and support of their children.  

In Week Eight, we are excited to have a strong presence at the Kingfisher Fair and Open Day. Boarding Captain Chloe Climie has reached out to several agricultural machinery companies based in Albany, inviting them to bring equipment for display. This year, we’re also extending an invitation for these companies to discuss career pathways within their sector of the agriculture industry, a fantastic opportunity for both boarders and day students.   We’ll also have a dedicated stand to celebrate and promote all things boarding, giving us the chance to answer questions and engage with the wider community.  

We continue to welcome ongoing feedback from boarders and parents. Occasionally, we hear about issues through second- or third-hand sources, which can make it challenging to address the original concern. We would greatly appreciate it if such information could be communicated to us directly, ideally via email or phone, as soon as practicable. This allows us to respond promptly and take a proactive approach to any concerns.  

Finally, we’re pleased to share some exciting news: Chaplain Levi Cosh, our new school chaplain, will be involved with boarding going forward. Levi will be spending time in the boarding community once a week, rotating between the three boarding houses to interact and engage with students.  

One of the most rewarding aspects so far for Nyree and I has been the ability to provide wraparound support across both day school and boarding, following our time in day school Head of House roles. Levi will be a valuable addition to this support network, as he is also part of the pastoral care team in the day school.  

We recently caught up with Levi to discuss his involvement in boarding, and he’s genuinely excited to connect with the boarders, joining in afternoon activities, chatting about sport and farm life, and building relationships. Levi is a keen footy player here in Albany and grew up on a banana farm up north. He’s also a Great Southern Grammar alumnus and former boarder, which makes his return all the more special.  

We’re looking forward to seeing this develop into another strong pastoral care resource for our boarding students in the months ahead.  

Mr Brodie Sarre | Director of Boarding (Senior)

Mrs Nyree Mackenzie | Director of Boarding (Junior)