From the Principal

2027 planning underway

It is hard to believe that the school is already planning for 2027.

As the school grows and responds to family feedback, a number of strategic and operational improvements will commence at the beginning of 2027. These improvements will continue to safeguard quality learning and teaching at GSG, broaden pastoral support for students, strengthen our approach to wellbeing education, and enrich academic opportunities both in and out of the classroom.

New timetable

A key component in delivering a quality education is a fit-for-purpose timetable that shapes academic culture, deepens student and teacher relationships, creates real-world learning experiences, and prepares our young people to go out into the world and make a long-lasting, positive impact.

The new timetable:

Removes homeroom at the beginning of the day in the Secondary School, ensuring that learning begins immediately.
Increases dedicated literacy and numeracy blocks in the Early Childhood Centre and Primary School.
Reduces the movement of students between classes and specialist areas.
Recalibrates the length of learning periods to maximise curriculum delivery and learning outcomes.
Recalibrates pastoral care structures for year groups and Houses.
Reimagines the VaCS program through the establishment of new wellbeing and academic enrichment programs across the school.
Establishes a strong futures program for senior Secondary School students as they prepare for life after school.
Creates the structures needed to bring the school's vision to fruition.

Staff update

It is with great pleasure that I announce the appointment of a new Director of Sport and a new Director of Outdoor Learning.

Starting next week, Mr Brent Sheridan has been appointed as our new Director of Sport. Brent is currently the Country Competitions Manager for the Western Australian Football Commission. He has extensive experience in state and country football development, leadership, and strategic operations.

I wish to thank Mr Paul Donaldson, Acting Director of Sport and Head of HPE, for his leadership during this transition period.

Starting in 2027, Mr Matthew White has been appointed as our new Director of Outdoor Learning. Matthew is currently a Captain in the Australian Army. He is the Capability Manager of the Multi-mission Phased Array Radar Program at Army Headquarters in Canberra. He has previously held the role of National Operations Manager for Outward Bound Australia.

On Friday 21 August, the school will launch a recruitment campaign for a number of key academic and support roles. These positions reflect the school's growth and the continued advancement of our academic, pastoral, and boarding programs. Information about these roles can be found on the school's website.

Building updates

The school is currently engaged in a number of key building projects, all scheduled for completion by January 2027.

Preparations for the reopening of Anchorage House in 2027 are entering their final stages, with the addition of new furniture and technology.
The Tamungup Centre is being updated in preparation for the relocation of Years Four to Six in 2027.
Construction of a new Pre-Primary classroom in the Early Childhood Centre (ECC) will commence during the Term Three holidays.
Works on the ECC sensory garden will commence in spring.
Planning for Stage Two of the Hall refurbishment is almost complete.
Final drawings for the new High-Performance Gym are currently in the approval stage, ready for construction to commence in early 2027.

REMINDER: Monday 24 August is a pupil free day and the whole school will be closed. This extended weekend provides an opportunity for our boarding students to return home and spend time with their families.

Go well

Mr Mathew Irving | Principal

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Galatians 6: 9-10