Student Achievements

Congratulations to Year 11 student Fofoa Tunumafono on another incredible achievement in rugby.

Fofoa recently represented Victoria at the Australian Schools & Junior Rugby Union (ASJRU) Championships, held on the Sunshine Coast earlier this month, alongside fellow GSSC student Macayan Tuaopepe, who also proudly represented the state.

Following the championships, Fofoa was once again selected as the only Victorian female named in the prestigious U18 Girls Merit Team. This is the second year in a row she has received this honour, a fantastic recognition of her hard work, talent and dedication to the sport. With only 13 players selected from across Australia, it's an outstanding achievement.

Fofoa's commitment to rugby is clear through her busy training schedule. She trains twice a week with the Shepparton Bulls while competing in the local women's competition, and every Wednesday with the GSSC Athlete Development Program – Rugby Academy, facilitated by the Shepparton Rugby Union Club (SRUC). During Term 3, she'll also represent GSSC in school rugby tournaments against schools from across Melbourne.

On top of that, Fofoa regularly travels to Melbourne to train and trial with the Victorian Women's 15-a-side squad. Following her Merit Team selection, she'll begin training with the squad over the coming months before taking the field later this year.

Her dedication, discipline and willingness to continually challenge herself have played a key role in her rapid development, helping her build the skills and confidence needed to compete at higher levels of the game. Alongside the support of her coaches, teammates, family and school community, Fofoa continues to make the most of every opportunity that comes her way.

Currently in Year 11, Fofoa says New Zealand rugby stars Stacey Waaka and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe are her biggest inspirations. Her dream is to one day play professional rugby, represent Australia, and travel the world doing what she loves.

Congratulations to both Fofoa and Macayan on proudly representing Victoria, and a special congratulations to Fofoa on being selected in the U18 Girls Merit Team for the second consecutive year. We can't wait to see what she achieves next!

Congratulations to Year 10 student Sophie Deith on an outstanding achievement in the pool, recently breaking the Victorian 15-Year-Old S8 Multi-Class Foundation Record in the 50m Freestyle, recording an impressive time of 48.32 seconds.

Sophie has been swimming since she was just six months old and says her love for the sport has always been there. She credits her family for encouraging her to swim from a young age and for the incredible support they continue to provide, saying competitive swimming is a commitment the whole family shares.

Reflecting on her achievement, Sophie is now focused on the Victorian Age Short Course Championships in August and the Victorian Open Short Course Championships in September, where she will compete against swimmers of all ages. Looking even further ahead, Sophie has her sights set on the Paralympic Games and would also love the opportunity to compete at the Commonwealth Games. As she puts it, "I'm aiming for the 2032 Paralympics, and I wouldn't say no to a Commonwealth Games."

Congratulations, Sophie, on this fantastic milestone. We wish you all the very best as you prepare for your upcoming championships and look forward to seeing where your swimming journey takes you next.

The Pollinator Patch \ Danam Thurgoon

The Environmental Leaders are proud to announce the completion of their latest project a First Nations-themed pollinator garden.

Located opposite the Bayuna canteen, The Pollinator Patch 'Danam Thurgoon' features a variety of flowering plants indigenous to the local region. 'Danam' is the Yorta Yorta word for plants, while 'Thurgoon' is the Bangerang word for the Earth.

Designed to attract and support local wildlife, the garden provides a safe habitat for bees, butterflies, birds and other important pollinators. By encouraging these species, the garden helps promote biodiversity and contributes to a healthier local environment.

The garden also celebrates the Traditional Owners of the land our school is located on and is a place for students to reflect on the long history of the First Nations people in our area.

A huge congratulations to our Environmental Leaders for bringing this meaningful project to life and creating a lasting legacy for our school community. A special thank you to Kylie, Environmental Officer from Greater Shepparton City Council, for her support and guidance in helping make this project possible.