From the Principal

Close Out for the Term

As the term draws to a close, I would like to thank all staff for their professionalism, commitment and energy over the last ten weeks.

To deliver a high-quality education for young people requires shared purpose and collective effort.

Our leaders, teachers, education assistants, student support, administration, business operations, finance, facilities, IT, catering, cleaning, boarding, nurses and bus driving staff are worthy of praise, as they have put others before themselves to support the education of our students.

Please join me in thanking all GSG staff for a wonderful term.

Congratulations

Congratulations once again to our Student Leaders for 2027, who today have been actively engaged in a leadership workshop and planning day as they prepare to lead our school from Week Three next term.

Well done to all Griffins teams that have completed their finals campaigns over the last few weeks. There were a number of wonderful highlights in hockey, soccer and netball, and it was great to witness the GSG community supporting teams at these matches.

I would like to acknowledge Mrs Renae O'Donnell for another fantastic Year Ten Work Experience Week. Our students have had a ball, and it has been wonderful to visit them and hear about their experiences.

Staffing news

In staffing news, I would like to inform you of the following:

In response to the timetable changes and the introduction of IMPACT (pastoral care approach, wellbeing and academic enrichment, life preparation), I have asked Mrs Hayley Ranger to take on an expanded Executive role for the next six months, starting at the beginning of Term Four to support the timetable transition and new programs. Hayley will remain as the Head of the ECC overseeing strategy and culture, while Ms Leah Field will take on an expanded operational role and will be the main contact person for ECC families and staff.
After more than 20 years of service to the school, Ms Penny Simpson, English Teacher (former Head of Middle School) and Mr Darren Hughes, Head of Science, have announced their resignation, effective from Week Three of Term Four as they head off to long service leave and semi-retirement with new adventures ahead. We are deeply grateful for their contribution to GSG and wish them all the best.
Science Teacher (former Farm Manager), Mr Julian Gugenhiem has announced his retirement at the end of 2026. We thank Julian for his ten years of service and wish him all the best for the next chapter in his life.
Ms Amanda Stanborough, the school's Accounts Receivable Officer, will finish her time at GSG effective 8 October 2026. Many of you have come to know her well over the past seven years, and we thank her for her care, understanding and support of families.

I am pleased to announce that the following staff have been made permanent throughout this term:

Mr Matthew Bird - Head of Business Operations
Ms Mandy Mielitz - Facilities and Maintenance Supervisor
Mrs Rochanne Bloor - Year Two Teacher
Mr Mark Weatherill - Mathematics Teacher
Mrs Gemma Sandy - Year Six Teacher
Mrs Tahlia Street - Early Childhood Care (ECC) Teacher
Mr Kane Smith - Design and Technology Teacher
Ms Andrea Morgan - Administration Officer - Boarding
Mrs Brooke Bailey - Cleaner
Miss Ella Irving - Cleaner
Mrs Jodene Skeet - Djinda Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Ms Sibylle Wenger - Year Three Teacher

Policy

Following this week's announcement by the WA Government banning smart glasses in public schools, GSG will also ban smart glasses on campus from the beginning of Term Four.

This ban is in place for all students, staff, parents, contractors and visitors to the school.

We are required to take reasonable steps to protect the privacy and safety of all members of the community. This includes protecting people from harmful online behaviour evidenced by the wrongful use of smart glasses across social media platforms and websites in recent times.

This ban will be embedded in the school's Student Mobile Phone Policy and Codes of Conduct for all community members.

I wish all our community members a safe and refreshing holiday break and look forward to welcoming everyone back on campus at the beginning of Term Four.

Mr Mathew Irving | Principal