Whole School News
From the P&F
Can you help?
In this re-imagined event, parents are no longer required to design, donate to, and run a class stall, as the focus is now on friend-raising and community engagement over fundraising. But, perhaps you could:
- volunteer to bake sweet treats for the Tea House
- volunteer to organise the famous Pet Parade
- join a group of general volunteers to manage the fun activities we have planned
- oversee the carriage rides
- donate goods to the Market Stall
P&F Tea House
Call out for baked treats and volunteers. Do you have an events or Hospitality background? We are on the look-out for someone who may like to coordinate the Tea House and oversee the setup and decorations etc. There are notes available from previous years so you wouldn't be starting from scratch.
- Sign up to provide specific baked goods, or loan equipment HERE
- Sign up to help out on the day, choose your time slot HERE
General Volunteers - can you help?
Volunteer opportunities for "Kingfisher Fair & Open Day Volunteers" are now open. All time slots are for one hour only.
Volunteer opportunities include:
- Set up and pack down
- General volunteer (to help where needed)
- Wine Bar (RSA required)
- Supervising an inflatable. You will receive an induction and then your role will be to mark off the timeslot on children's wristbands and then time the session. Couldn't be easier!!
Please click on the following web link (or copy it into your web browser if clicking doesn't work) to go to the sign-up sheet:
Market Stall
We will be holding a Market Stall. If you have items you would like to donate on the day (or a little earlier), please let julia.bairstow@gsg.wa.edu.au know. This could be pot plants, home-grown fruit and vegetables, firewood, homemade cards, books, games and toys in good condition, bags of manure, seedlings etc.
Pet Parade
Would your pet like to join in the fun of the Fair? If so, register them for the Pet Parade now for a $5.00 entry fee, which can be paid in advance (cash in an envelope to the main Reception, with your name) or on the day.
On the day, please make sure that your pet is on a leash when on school grounds.
The parade will be held at 1.15pm (meet at the flagpole at the quad) with categories for:
- Best Dressed Pet
- Owner/Pet Look-Alike
- Best Behaved Pet
- Star of the Show
If you have any queries, please email Community Engagement & Enrolments Manager, Mrs Julia Bairstow.
Mr Jason Pages | P&F Coordinator
Book Week
Book Week is one of the most anticipated events on the school calendar, bringing stories to life and reminding us of the joy, wonder, and power of reading. While the costumes, competitions, and activities create excitement, Book Week's true value lies in its ability to inspire children and young people to engage with books in meaningful ways.
Research consistently shows that students who read regularly for pleasure develop stronger literacy skills, broader vocabularies, greater empathy, and increased academic success across all subject areas. Reading introduces us to new ideas, cultures, and perspectives, helping us better understand both the world around us and our place within it. When an entire school community comes together to celebrate books, reading becomes more than an individual activity. It becomes a shared experience that fosters connection, conversation, and curiosity.
This year's theme, 'Symphony of Stories,' beautifully captures the way stories work together to create something extraordinary. Just as every instrument contributes its unique voice to an orchestra, every book adds a new note to our understanding of the world. During library class students have been discussing the theme, unpacking the similarity between a library and an orchestra and all the parts necessary to make a good story.
Positive reading experiences can have a lasting impact, helping to develop reading habits that continue long after Book Week has ended.
As we prepare to celebrate another exciting Book Week, we encourage every member of our school community to embrace the opportunity to read, share, create, and imagine. Whether through a favourite novel, a picture book, a graphic novel, or a newly discovered author, every story has the power to add its own special note to our Symphony of Stories.
Below are some of the activities organised for Book Week.
Daily Hidden Golden Notes: Five Primary School and five Secondary School hidden Golden Notes will be within books throughout the week, with clues on where to find them revealed in Daily Notices each day.
Decorate Your Door Competition: Our Primary School students are already preparing their doors for transformation. Secondary School homerooms are warmly invited to join the fun. Doors must be completed for judging by Thursday morning, in time for our grand Dress-Up Day.
The Great GSG Book Swap: Students have been asked if they have a book in good condition that has already enjoyed its time upon their shelf? Bring it along and exchange it for a new literary adventure. One book earns one swap token; two books earn two tokens, and so forth. Books may be donated from this week onwards, and a token will be issued for each contribution in preparation for the swap starting on Wednesday 26 August. Our industrious Year Five students will be lending their assistance. Best of all, this is a Whole School event, and staff are most certainly encouraged to participate.
Year Five students have already begun visiting homerooms and they have posters up around the school. Their enthusiasm is fantastic.
Dress-Up Day: Mark your calendars for Thursday 27 August, when the halls of GSG shall be filled with characters both famous and fantastical. Kindergarten students are having their own parade on Wednesday 26 August.
Yours in reading
Ms Elinor Couper | Head of Library Services
Kingfisher Concert Tickets
On Thursday 10 September at 7.00pm, talented students from Years One to Twelve will take to the stage for our much-anticipated showcase, celebrating the breadth and diversity of Great Southern Grammar's vibrant music program.
Featuring an exciting blend of jazz, pop, rock, folk and classical music, this year's performance will take audiences on a musical journey from traditional Scottish folk tunes and timeless works by Mozart to iconic hits from INXS, The Hypotheticals and The Spin Doctors.
Audiences will also enjoy performances by our Primary School Choirs, Pipe Band, Concert Band and Jazz Band. With more than 160 students performing, the Kingfisher Concert is the pinnacle of the co-curricular music calendar and a wonderful celebration of dedication, creativity and talent. From heartwarming moments and youthful enthusiasm to impressive musicianship and memorable performances, this concert promises something for everyone.
Bring your family and friends and join us for an inspiring evening celebrating the joy of music and the remarkable talents of our students.
Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased directly through the AEC website here or phone 9844 5000.
Radioactive
Tickets are still available for the Radioactive concert, presented by the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), Great Southern Grammar and Albany Senior High School. The concert will be held on Friday 4 September at 7.00pm.
Tickets can be purchased directly through the AEC website here or phone 9844 5000.
Valedictory Awards Ceremony: Community Invitation
The Great Southern Grammar community is warmly invited to join us as we celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2026 at the Year Twelve Valedictory Awards Ceremony. This special occasion provides an opportunity to recognise our graduating students, reflect on their journey, and wish them every success for the future.
Denmark Regional Roadshow Sundowner
We can't wait to connect with our Denmark families and friends at our upcoming Regional Roadshow Sundowner.
Whether you're a current family, old scholar, prospective family or friend of Great Southern Grammar, join us for a relaxed evening of conversation, delicious refreshments and community connection. It's a wonderful opportunity to meet our Principal, ask questions and chat with members of the GSG team about life at the School.
Date: Friday 28 August 2026
Time: 5.00pm to 7.00pm
Venue: Boston Brewery, Denmark
Interested in Studying Music with WAAPA in Albany?
As part of WAAPA’s visit to Albany, prospective students, families and community members are invited to attend the WAAPA Albany Diploma of Music Q&A
Where: Albany Port Theatre
Date: Monday 31 August 2026
Time: 5.00pm to 6.00pm
Register for free now - https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1616405
Presented by WAAPA and supported by Community Bank Albany and Albany Light Opera and Theatre Company
This free event is open to anyone from the Great Southern interested in learning more about the CUA50820 Diploma of Music, delivered in Albany, as well as WAAPA’s extensive range of performing arts programs available at Edith Cowan University’s stunning new city campus.
Hosted by WAAPA lecturers and Contemporary Music students, the session offers an opportunity to ask questions about courses, auditions, admissions, career pathways and student life. The event is generously co-hosted by our friends at Albany Light Opera and Theatre Company and is free and open to all.