Secondary School
Radio Active
We were fortunate to witness our talented students perform in the Radio Active concert at the Albany Entertainment Centre last Friday. It was a truly inspiring showcase of student talent, hard work and courage.
It was a privilege to see our Year Eleven and Twelve Music students perform alongside students from Albany Senior High School and the WA Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). The quality of the performances and the diverse repertoire, spanning pop, rock, R’n’B, soul, and funk were simply outstanding.
Their musicianship was remarkable, and above all, they had a fantastic time entertaining a packed house. It was wonderful to see so many staff and students in the audience, supporting and celebrating the performers.
As a parent, I saw firsthand the impact this experience had; my daughter left feeling inspired and energised. It reminded me of how powerful music can be in shaping young lives and building confidence. To perform in front of a full house at just 16 or 17 years old takes incredible courage and our students rose to the occasion beautifully.
A heartfelt congratulations to all involved, and sincere thanks to our dedicated Music staff for curating such meaningful opportunities for our students.
Photo Credit: Nev Clarke
Outdoor Ed Camps
This week, our Year Eleven and Twelve students took part in exciting Outdoor Education camps in Margaret River, where they embarked on a mountain biking adventure through stunning trails.
In preparation, students planned their own meals, packed their gear, and worked within a budget, building valuable life skills before even hitting the tracks. Once on camp, they developed teamwork, resilience and even picked up a few first aid tips along the way!
Beyond the physical challenge, these camps offer students a deeper appreciation for nature and the benefits of outdoor activity. Research continues to highlight the importance of Outdoor Education, especially in today’s world. As participation in team sports tends to decline in adulthood, particularly in the 30s, many people lose their primary source of physical activity. This can lead to a drop in overall health and wellbeing.
However, fostering a love for outdoor pursuits like hiking and mountain biking can help students build lifelong habits of physical activity. Studies also show that exercising in nature provides greater mental health benefits than indoor workouts, such as those in a gym.
In a previous place of employment, I had the privilege of working with students and academics from Notre Dame University on a study exploring these benefits and it is encouraging to see more schools investing time and energy into Outdoor Education.
At GSG, we are incredibly well placed to make this a cornerstone of our students’ learning journey, thanks to our amazing location and passionate staff.
Student Reflections
Last week, our Year Eleven ATAR Outdoor Education class embarked on a memorable canoeing expedition along the Murray River. Here is a snapshot of our adventure.
With a worrisome forecast of rain ahead, our class of intrepid adventurers set off north in search of the Murray River. After some introductory skill development in and out of the current, it was not long before one canoe tested its submarine capabilities. Turns out, they work better on the water than in it!
True to the forecast, we had plenty of rain both overnight and while paddling. At one point, we even thought hail might be on the way! But we were well-prepared for the cold, especially in case the rapids at Island Pool, Tom’s Crossing, or Killer Fang Falls caused any chaos. Much to our jubilation, we all remained upright and capsize-free!
We enjoyed each other’s company while cooking up some wicked meals on our camp stoves, from Butter Chicken, Chorizo Gnocchi and Pulled-Pork Tacos to the less gourmet options like freeze-dried Beef Teriyaki and Nutella straight from the jar. Each night’s campfire chat and debrief was a highlight, though nothing beat the surprise hot showers at the Moray Outdoor Ed Centre on our final night. Some even claimed they were too hot. Is that even possible after three days of camping and paddling?
After three days offline, we were especially grateful for DJ Zeb’s awesome playlist on the long drive home.
Highlights
Watching the boys capsize and some of the slips and falls on the muddy riverbanks was like a comedy show in slo-mo.
Sitting in your canoe about to go down the rapid filled me with nerves, but there was also an awesome hit of adrenaline.
We felt a great sense of achievement getting to the end of our journey pretty much unscathed.
We cherished our soft, dry clothes at night and the warmth, both physical and emotional, of sitting around the fire that helped us bond.
We gained a new appreciation for the things we take for granted, while also enjoying an escape from daily routines and constant pressure. It really helped reframe what’s important.
GSSSSA Hockey Carnival
This week, our Year Seven and Eight students participated in the GSSSSA Interschool Hockey Carnival. It was a fantastic day, with both students and coaches enjoying the opportunity to represent GSG. We are proud to share that the boys’ team placed 1st and the girls’ team placed 2nd in their respective competitions. Congratulations to all involved!
Looking ahead, students in Years Seven to Nine will have the opportunity to participate in Interschool Orienteering later this term, followed by an Interschool Basketball Competition for Years Nine and Ten.
We love providing these opportunities for our students to engage in sport, build teamwork and try new things. At the same time, we are mindful of maintaining a healthy balance between time in class and time spent out of school. For this reason, we are encouraging students to choose a maximum of one carnival per term.
We are also examining the delicate balance between providing students with opportunities to explore new experiences and ensuring they have a genuine purpose for participating in a carnival, which will require a commitment to the cause and team training in the lead-up. This is part of the current Sports Review happening at the school.
Student Reflections
On September 2, two keen hockey teams headed off to the GSSSSA Hockey Carnival. With a 10 o’clock start, we played four games each against ASHS, Nashies, Esperance and North Albany.
The boys finished the day with a draw against Esperance, placing first, while the girls came in second , an awesome result!
We all had a fantastic day. A big thank you to Fletcher and Tilly for umpiring and to Mr Brodie Sarre and Mrs Emma Franklin for coaching. Also, thanks to GSSSSA Hockey for organising such a great event!
Luke Altham | Student
On Tuesday 2 September, a group of 17 players and four coaches/umpires headed to the Albany Hockey Fields to represent our school in the GSSSSA Hockey Carnival. We had two teams: one of nine girls and one of eight boys from Years Seven and Eight. Each team played four games and had one bye.
The girls played against St Joseph’s College, Nashies One, Nashies Two and Esperance.
They had a fantastic run, winning three out of four games:
12–0 vs St Joseph’s
13–0 vs Nashies
24–1 vs Esperance
They lost a close match to Nashies One (1–3) and finished second overall, a huge achievement!
The day was a big success and so much fun, from the bus ride (chatting about the hockey game the night before and what we were “missing out on”) to the games and the trip home.
A massive thank you to GSSSSA Hockey for organising the event and to Mrs Emma Franklin, Mr Brodie Sarre, Tilly and Fletcher for making the day possible. It was a blast!
Bo Anning | Student
RUOK Day
Next week we have RUOK Day at GSG. Our Student Council has organised this event. At assembly this week our students presented on the activities throughout the day and showed a video about RUOK Day, which I have added for you. On Thursday 11 September, students are invited to wear a yellow accessory in support of the day. Additionally, a cake stall will be available at recess for gold coin donations.
Any funds raised will go to support Headspace, Abany, a local mental health service for youth. Well done to Mr Craig Emberson and our Student Council for all their work!
Video Credit: Bo Anning, Year Eight, Hannah Hull, Year Nine and Ms Katie Gunning.
Mr Jordan Owenell | Deputy Principal - Head of Secondary