From the Deputy Principal

GSG P&F Colour Run

Today was pure fun!  For the last day of the term, the P&F provided students with a tremendous opportunity to simply be kids; to enjoy the sunshine and the joy of being with each other.  The photos say it all!  Thank you to the P&F President, Mr Jason Pages and to volunteers who helped us run a big event like this.  An especially big thank you to Mr Darryl Hancock, without whose energy and enthusiasm we could not possibly provide the obstacles and water which makes this event a success.  Our Facilities Team worked tirelessly to set up the stations ahead of time and stayed on to pack it all down.  Thanks also to the staff and students who volunteered to set up, run stations, support their peers and bring us together.  It is a great example of what makes GSG such a fun place to learn and grow.  

More photos will be shared next term

Hawaiian Ride for Youth

Last week we welcomed a peloton of riders from the Hawaiian Ride for Youth to Great Southern Grammar.  This extraordinary group of riders and their supporters were raising funds to support Youth Focus and vital youth mental health services in regional areas and are promoting the importance of positive mental health.  The riders covered over 700km from Albany to Perth, stopping in at towns along the way, over four and a half days.  You will have seen the news coverage about the riders but what you won't have seen was the impact the riders made on our students.  

When I spoke to our students after the visit they mentioned how impressed they were with the riders' dedication, how they loved hearing from a rider about her own parent's struggles with their mental health and how important it is that we keep talking about what support is available for times when we struggle with our mental health.  Impressive insights from Year Nines.

I was also very impressed by the work of our student leaders who initiated fundraising to support the ride.  The students also heard from Andrew Wenzel, Manager of headspace Albany, about the services provided to young people - we are fortunate to have this service available to our young people and I urge you to seek assistance from their warm and professional team, if your child is ever looking for support.  As we lined the school driveway to create a guard of honour to farewell the peloton at the start of their journey, I was moved by our students' genuine enthusiasm and support for this very worthwhile cause.

Mrs Emma Franklin | Deputy Principal