Hello there and welcome to Term Two!

Although there's still another few weeks left of May, it has well and truly felt like winter's hit us already. Has anyone else been lighting their woodfires or cranking their heaters up these past few weeks? I usually don't start doing that until June! So far 2026 has had the weather behave just as unpredictably as the current NRL season (any fellow rugby supporters out there?! Please tell me I'm not alone!).

Something that can be expected however, is the fun and excitement that next week will bring, being National Boarding Week (NBW) - a celebration of all things boarding across the country. We have an action-packed schedule for the week, with a different theme and activity set out for each day. Personally, I'm very much looking forward to Wellbeing Wednesday, for which the planned activity is to "Dress as a Farmer". Can't wait to see the school transform into a sea of flannelette shirts and Akubra hats! All for a good cause of course, with gold coin donations and funds being raised for The Darcy Effect (learn more about this via the link below).

Looking forward to kicking NBW off at the assembly this Monday 11 May. We will also be taking a recording of the assembly for anyone who would like to view it but can't make it in person.

Thanks everyone. Stay warm, stay safe, and I'll see you in the next Buzz!

Ms Andrea Morgan | Boarding Administrator

IMPORTANT NOTICES:

National Boarding Week Assembly - Monday 11 May, 10.15am

We will be organising a recording of the assembly for those of you who wish to watch but can't make it along on the day.

Please send a request to boarding@gsg.wa.edu.au if you would like access to the recording.

Boarding Parent Committee Meeting (BPCM) - Friday 29 May, 1.30pm

An agenda will be circulated in the week prior to the next BPCM set for Friday 29 May.

If you have any issues, topics or queries to be raised for discussion at this meeting, please get in touch with your Committee Year Group representative to bring these along on your behalf:

Alaina Smith - Year Twelve

Kelly O’Neill - Year Eleven

Julie Harries - Year Ten

Jenny Newfield - Year Nine

Veronica Thomas - Year Eight

Kylie Severin - Year Seven

Boarding Bus - Closed Weekend - Saturday 30 May to Monday 1 June

If you will be opting to use the boarding bus service for the closed (long) weekend at the end of this month, please use the links below to book a seat for your child/children.

As usual, we will have two buses in operation: one covering locations to the east and north-east, and the other covering locations to the west and north-west.

If you have any urgent queries in the meantime regarding the bus service, please get in touch and write to us at boarding@gsg.wa.edu.au

FRIENDLY REMINDERS:

Leave Submission Deadlines

To ensure smooth processing and timely approval of leave, please note the following requirements:

Weekend Leave: enter into REACH by Thursday.
Long Weekend Leave: enter one week prior.
Holiday Leave: enter two weeks prior.
Travel Outside the Great Southern Region (long weekend or holidays): enter two weeks prior, regardless of leave type.

Host Requirements and Conditions of Leave

To add a new leave host, please email boarding@gsg.wa.edu.au with: the host's full name, mobile number and relationship to the student (e.g. grandparent, family friend, coach).

Local Contact: a local / Albany contact (family member or friend) should be nominated at the time of enrolment for emergency situations (e.g. illness).
Approved Hosts: families must only nominate adult hosts (18+) for their child. Boarders then select from this list when entering leave in REACH. Please discuss leave plans with your child, to ensure you are comfortable with any request submitted.
Host Changes: only a parent or guardian can request changes to a boarder’s host list. Requests must be submitted in writing to boarding@gsg.wa.edu.au or the Head of Boarding House (email/text).
Leave Duration: standard overnight weekend leave runs from 3.30pm Friday to 5.30pm Sunday. We ask that boarders return by 5.30pm wherever possible.
Late Returns: if a student will be returning late, the host must contact the Boarding Supervisor before the expected return time, explaining the reason and providing a new ETA. Repeated unexplained late returns may result in follow‑up from boarding staff.
Changes to Leave: students are not allowed to contact the bus drivers directly and make ‘on-the-go' changes to their approved leave. Students or families must discuss changes with the Supervisor on duty at their boarding house.

Dates to Remember

Term Two Dates

Term Three Snapshot