From the Heads of Boarding

Welcome to Term Three, we are looking forward to a positive term in boarding. We feel so privileged to live in Albany in Western Australia, enjoying the freedoms and opportunities that many other Australians currently don’t enjoy.  

Chapel

This week in chapel, we have focused on the boarding value, Freedom. Students were encouraged to see ways they can enjoy all the rights and privileges of Australia, whilst simultaneously standing up for the rights of others. It was lovely to hear two of our senior students Bree-anna Burton and Hamish Medway reflecting on what this means to each of them. We were very privileged to welcome a special guest to our chapel service, Reverend Rodney Marsh. He was the School Chaplain for many years, retiring only two years ago. 

The Marsh Awards are a special boarding award, presented to students who obtain 100 points in the four categories of School, Service, Spirituality and Self. The students who obtain these important awards epitomise what it means to be a GSG boarder. This week it was exciting to have Reverend Marsh present Karis Cristinelli and Jasmine Butterworth with their Marsh Awards. We encourage all boarders to work towards achieving this award. 

NAIDOC Assembly

Term Three began with a welcome assembly where we celebrated NAIDOC Week for 2021. This service told the story of Great Southern Grammar’s connection to the Noongar people of the area and celebrated the land on which the school is established. Various young people spoke including Chenae Wreford from Katanning and Mariah Lennard, Jaelan Scott and Zane Cairns all spoke of their connection to their home in Broome and their understanding of the theme, Heal Country, for 2021. There were a number of local elders and distinguished guests from Albany at the assembly and Jaelan’s mum, Janene, was also able to be present for this celebration. 

Injuries

It is a busy sporting season and with the many sports come the risk of injuries. There is growing concern about the impact of concussions in sport throughout Australia. We have reviewed our concussion procedures, and as a result any student that suffers a suspected concussion or has a head knock, will be taken to the Emergency Department for review. It is understood that sometimes the impact of a knock at sport isn’t instantly recognised and we ask that students report any head knock to their coach or boarding supervisor as soon as possible. We will then arrange for the student to be taken for a medical review. Communication of all injuries to boarding staff is very important. 

House Upgrades

The students of Anchorage and Endeavour are enjoying the warmer houses, due to insulation being put in the roof space in the holidays. Painting was also completed in the Year Nine wing in Anchorage in what is the beginning of an update for Anchorage. We are currently investigating the options to improve the phone signal and reception in the senior houses and hope to have this resolved soon.

Weekend Lunches

Weekend lunches when out at sport all day are an ongoing topic of conversation. Each boarding house has the required food items (bread, butter, cheese, spreads, etc) to allow students to make their own lunch and take snacks with them if they are at sport over lunchtime. Students can also order lunch through the Dining Hall for the weekend, this needs to be done by Friday morning through the HOBH. This packed lunch is then ready for them to collect on Friday evening. 

The option of ordering a weekend lunch has not been available in the past so we are asking for feedback form our boarders as to how this works. Some boarders prefer to buy lunch whilst they are out, but we want to ensure each student has the option of a packed lunch. Please let us know how this system is working for your student.

Kingfisher Fair

The Kingfisher Fair is coming around later in the term.  Thank you to everyone who has already donated their items as prizes for the Boarding Chocolate Wheel. Please keep them coming. In the past we have had a theme, this year we decided to leave it up to you. Clean out the present box, regifting encouraged. Chocolates, preserves or vouchers would be ideal, if you are stuck for ideas. 

2022 Boarding Orientation

The Orientation Program for 2022 Year Seven students will be held in November. Due to parent feedback, we have decided move the boarding orientation to the afternoon and night before the day school. This will allow for a sleepover in Michaelmas for the students and more time for students and parents to build connections, prior to the orientation in the day school on the Friday. More information to come in the next Buzz. 

Health Centre

The Health Centre upgrade is moving along quickly and nearly ready. We have been hampered by the need for a path and thus dry weather to commence works. We hope to move our fabulous nurses, Mrs Elizabeth Cosh and Ms Rebecca Davies, in at the end of August. We are currently trialling our IRS supervisors living in Michaelmas, to allow them more privacy. The Dining Hall was planned to be upgraded by now, however there has been a delay with approvals and weather. 

Census

It’s Census time! This Tuesday 10 August we will be completing the census with all boarders and on-campus boarding staff. Tara and Vanessa have undergone training to deliver the census and assist students to competently complete all the forms. Every student in boarding on this evening will be required to go online and fill out the required information. We will assist them to complete this during prep. It would be helpful if you could please remind students of their cultural heritage and where their parents were born. They will be asked to provide their normal home address and details on this form and state that they are studying away from home. 

Regional Events

There are a number of regional events coming up and both Tara and Vanessa are keen to meet parents and prospective parents at these events. Tara will attend the Newdegate Machinery Field Days and the Women in Farming annual seminar in Wagin during September. If you know of someone considering GSG boarding Tara is happy to do home visits while in the area.  Vanessa will be attending the Kojonup and Katanning shows in October and is also keen to meet and visit with any prospective parents. Mrs Julia Bairstow, our Registrar, will be accompanying Vanessa and Tara at each of these events. Going on the road is both an enjoyable and important feature of our role and we are keen to chat with people about the opportunities available at Great Southern Grammar Boarding. 

Closed Weekend

Just a reminder that the Closed Weekend begins at the end of the school day on Friday 20 August.  Boarders can return to boarding after 4.00pm on Monday 23 August.

Upcoming Fundraising Days

Baudin Day

On Thursday 12 August, Baudin House will be holding their Baudin Breast Cancer fundraising day.  Students can wear a pink accessory with their school uniform and bring some gold coins for a cake stall on the day.  

Camfield Day

On Thursday 2 September, Camfield House will be holding a Bling day to raise money for Sor, their Cambodian sponsor child.  Students can wear a Bling accessory in addition to their normal school uniform.  It will be a gold coin donation for students to wear their 'bling'.

Students wishing to watch the staff vs students soccer match will be asked for a $2.00 entry to the Gym (this will include a lolly bag for students to consume whilst watching the match).

Walk to School Day

Thursday 9 September is our Term Three Walk to School Day.  Students can wear a yellow accessory with their normal school uniform on this day.

Whilst your child is home for the Closed Weekend, you may like to send them back to boarding with some bling, something yellow and some gold coins for these fundraisers.

Ms Vanessa Bromhead | Head of Senior Boarding

Mrs Tara Ball | Head of Middle Boarding