Secondary School

Hawaiian Ride for Youth Assembly

On Tuesday, we hosted a special Secondary School Assembly to welcome the Hawaiian Ride for Youth to Great Southern Grammar. The ride, which travels from Albany to Perth, raises awareness for youth mental health services and is supported by Youth Focus and headspace.

We were pleased to welcome the Deputy Mayor of Albany, Mr Paul Terry, who addressed our students during the assembly. Around 30 riders arrived on campus as part of the peloton, including one rider who bravely shared her personal experience of accessing mental health support. She encouraged students to reach out to their support networks whenever they feel they are not functioning at their best, before challenges reach crisis point.

Our students, led by the Pipe Band, then formed a guard of honour to send the riders off and wish them well as they continued their journey towards Perth, travelling through towns such as Cranbrook and Katanning, where several of our boarding families reside.

Baudin Pink Day

On Thursday, we celebrated Baudin Day by dressing in pink to show our support for breast cancer awareness. Students hosted a cake stall at recess and at lunchtime. The multi- purpose sport complex was filled with energy as staff and students faced off in a friendly game of floorball.

All funds raised will be donated to the McGrath Foundation, which supports cancer care nurses in regional communities, including here in Albany.

Interhouse Cross Country

On Thursday 2 April, we will hold our Whole School Interhouse Cross Country, our final major event and celebration for the end of term. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to show house spirit, support one another and finish the term together. Points are awarded for participation, reinforcing the importance of involvement and encouragement.

Attendance is compulsory for all students, as it is a normal school day. The event is not optional. One of the key reasons for holding the carnival at the end of term is to encourage families to attend and be part of our school community and we warmly welcome parents to join us.

Students may go home with their parents at the conclusion of the carnival; however, they must sign out with their Head of House. Students are expected to remain for the full event to support their house and peers, rather than leaving immediately after completing their race. Early departure will only be permitted in extenuating circumstances, as requested by parents. The carnival is scheduled to conclude at 2.15pm. Parents intending to take their child home after the carnival are asked to please complete the linked permission form here.

Any illness requires a medical certificate or a note from home. Known absences must be approved in writing by either the student’s Head of House or myself. Students who choose not to attend without approval may risk losing good standing.

Students who do not maintain good standing, or who fail to demonstrate school values and spirit, may be ineligible to represent the school in trips, tours, sporting events and other extracurricular opportunities.

Our school culture is built on participation, collective involvement and positive contribution, you truly get out what you put in. The Interhouse Cross Country, alongside the Easter Service on the final day of term, promises to be a fitting and joyful celebration of our school community.

Mr Jordan Owenell | Deputy Principal – Head of Secondary

DaVinci Decathlon

In teams of eight, select Year Six, Year Eight and Year Ten students recently travelled to Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School to compete in the regional da Vinci Decathlon, an academic competition that challenges students across ten disciplines including Mathematics, Science, English, Code Breaking, Ideation and Creative Producers. It requires students to think critically, work collaboratively and apply their knowledge in complex, unfamiliar and high-pressure contexts. This year, the theme was “time”.

We are proud to present the achievements, reflecting outstanding performances in one of the most demanding academic competitions students can undertake.

Year Six - Loki Henderson, Grace Henry, Charlotte Owenell, Zyana Prasad, Blake Ravenhill, Appin Rivers, Lilly Taylor, Olivia Till. 3rd Overall

1st – Ideation

2nd – Creative Producers, Cartography 3rd – Legacy 3rd Overall

Year Eight - Rosie Bailey, Daniel Cruse, River Duggan, Ava Kaaden, Amy Lee, Annie Newman, Amali Nizam-Wood, Mia Palmer

2nd – English, Code Breaking 3rd – Ideation, Legacy

Year Ten - Sarah Arnold, Lewis Bailey, Leyton Bock, Ingrid Cherry, Myla Griskonis, Hannah Hull, Evie Swann, Edmund Toomey

1st Overall

1st – Mathematics, English, Cartography 2nd – Science, Code Breaking, Ideation 3rd – Legacy

Mr Kyal Rose, Teacher / Gifted & Talented Coordinator

Year Twelve Geography Camp

With scroggin in hand, the Year Twelve Geography class headed to Walpole for an overnighter to study the value of protected areas. We managed to find a break in the weather for a river cruise on the Walpole-Nornalup Inlet with the full bottle (and full throttle!) Gary Muir. At the Walpole Lodge we created clay versions of fossil records and completed a simulation activity planning our own National Reserve System. After a group dinner and a fire, we turned in for an early night.

After an Easter Egg hunt and breakfast we headed for Mount Frankland. We closed our eyes and opened our ears, "observing" the biophony there, before appreciating the views and intrinsic value of the Walpole Wilderness. After a relatively safe descent, our final activity was at the Treetop Walk in the Valley of the Giants.

If you would like to know more about Geography in Years Eleven and Twelve – I would love to hear from you!

Mr Tone Ritchie | Head of Humanities

Gate2Plate Field Day

The Year Twelve Certificate II Hospitality students shone brightly as they showcased their barista skills at their pop‑up coffee stand at Willyung Farm during the annual Gate2Plate Challenge Field Day. They worked tirelessly serving Agricultural College students, cattle farmers, guest speakers and the general public, always with grace, teamwork and warm smiles. Their professionalism and high‑quality espresso earned them plenty of positive feedback from customers throughout the day. Students were also treated to a delicious morning tea, a freshly barbecued steak burger, and the highlight for many, meeting this season’s winning Muster Dog, Blossom, and her owner, Courtney.

This group is truly special; nothing is ever too much for them. Their initiative, cooperation, and cheerful attitude made the event a success, and they represented themselves and our school with pride. They should feel incredibly proud of what they achieved.

Mrs Teresa McAllister | Head of Technologies

VET Music Show One

On Tuesday Night we were treated to an amazing concert from our Year Eleven and Twelve VET music students. This was the first gig in the newly refurbished hall and it was an event befitting the occasion. The talent on display from our musicians was incredible and it was so nice to see the hall packed full of parents and other students who came to see their friends perform. There were too many highlights to name, but one of my main takeaways was that I was so very impressed with how many students tried their hand at multiple instruments, including many students leading a song with the microphone. Students moved from lead guitar, to bass guitar, to drums or keyboards with ease as they played their way through an extensive set list of rock classics. I believe our contemporary music program to be one of the flagship programs of the school and this week’s concert was an incredible show of talent.

Ms Sarah Stopher | Teacher

Interschool Swim Carnival

Winning. Most of us enjoy the feelings that come with a triumphant performance, a feeling we experienced after a wonderful showing from our Great Southern Grammar students at the GSSSA Interschool ‘A’ Division Swimming Carnival on Wednesday 25 March.

For me, winning provides validation. It acknowledges the hard work so many people put in to contribute to the team’s overall performance. But whether we won or lost the carnival, what made me most proud was everything that happened behind the scenes, the attitudes, behaviours, and character our students displayed throughout the day.

Here are just some of the things I noticed:

A student stepping into multiple unexpected events without hesitation or complaint, simply saying, “I’ll get in and have a crack.”
Students bringing their swimmers to school just in case we needed last‑minute replacements.
A brother and sister dominating nearly every race they entered, then spending their spare time supporting others.
Year Twelves, in the middle of a demanding testing period, choosing to represent their school with pride.
A student vomiting after their first race, taking a few deep breaths and a sip of water, declaring “I’ll be right,” before going on to win Champion Boy.
Students who were not required to swim offering to help with roles around the carnival.
A team of students who were organised, self‑motivated, and ready for their events without needing reminders.
Students with just one or two races spending the rest of the day supporting teammates, assisting staff, and then performing brilliantly when it was their turn.
Exemplary sportsmanship from start to finish.
Outstanding performances from our top‑level swimmers—they are very impressive in the water.
Students giving their best in every race.

Winning is nice, and I enjoy that feeling as much as anyone. But what really stood out on the day was the collective effort, the character and the pride our students showed in representing Great Southern Grammar. It is what happens behind the scenes that defines who we truly are as a school.

7-9 Boys

7-9 Girls

10-12 Boys

10-12 Girls

Overall

1st

GSG

380 points

St Josephs

385 points

GSG

259 points