From the Deputy Principal

International Women's Day

As we approach International Women's Day on this Sunday 8 March, we look forward to celebrating this year's theme, 'Balance the Scales'.  Balance the Scales is a promise that every woman and girl – regardless of background or identity – should be safe, heard, and free to shape her own future. Yet in 2026, millions of women and girls across Australia and the world are still denied that fair go.  Globally, 3.9 billion women and girls live in countries with at least one law restricting their economic opportunities and access to justice.

In reflecting on the theme for International Women's Day, it is important to consider that in order to 'balance' anything, there are two elements: balance and counter-balance.  That is, women and girls can't 'balance' anything by themselves.  As a community, we cannot bring that balance without allyship, friendship and strong, healthy relationships, regardless of gender.  Together, we need to identify and challenge obstacles to women and girls achieving economic freedom and equal access to justice. 

This starts in the smallest of ways, such as reminding ourselves of the impact of stereotypes in language, which shape perceptions about gender roles. When people say 'female doctor,' it suggests that being a doctor is typically associated with men or calling someone a 'male nurse' can imply nursing is primarily a female profession, reinforcing the belief that professions are gender-specific.  When we tell our children to 'man up' when things are tough, or we discuss the parenthood status of female athletes before celebrating their successes: "As a mother of two, her success on the football field is particularly remarkable", we are reinforcing a particular way of thinking about the world.

We welcome the whole community to our International Women's Day Assembly on Monday 9 March, at 10.15am in the Multi-Purpose Sport Complex and invite you to join us for morning tea directly afterwards.

NAPLAN reminder

A reminder that NAPLAN testing will be held for students in Years Three, Five, Seven and Nine commencing Wednesday 11 March.  Practice testing for NAPLAN was held on Wednesday this week and approximately 50% of students did not have the corded headphones required to sit the tests successfully.  

Please ensure your child is prepared to do their best on the NAPLAN tests next week by supporting them to remember a charged laptop and corded headphones on each testing day.  Further information has been provided in the GSG Bulletin, sent home each Tuesday.

Mrs Emma Franklin | Deputy Principal - Head of Teaching and Learning