Whole School News
BIG Sleepout 2025 = BIG Success
By Jayde Scott – on behalf of Year Eleven Certificate IV in Business
As part of the Certificate IV Business course in Year Eleven, our class partners with the Albany Community Foundation to organise the annual BIG Sleepout.
The BIG Sleepout is a community event in Albany held each year at the Agricultural Pavilions, with a purpose is to raise funds to support people experiencing homelessness, with money raised put into the Crisis Response Fund to provide support and relief for when those of us in our community are navigating housing stress.
The event relies on the support of the community, whether through donations of food or their time. This year, the event commenced at 4.30pm on Saturday 30 August. Year Eleven students planned and coordinated the event alongside numerous community members, local support agencies and businesses. After many Friday afternoon planning sessions, numerous Word documents, and (quite literally) hundreds of emails, the event day finally arrived, and our collective effort came together to make it all happen.
The night featured yummy food prepared by Rustlers, and Bindi Bean To You. Participants enjoyed engaging with support services vendors, and we all took time to take in the “Couch Conversation”, a deep-dive and informative talk with local frontline workers who are supporting those experiencing homelessness. In between, there was great music from GSG Certificate III Music students and The Shantymen. The formalities wrapped up at 9.00pm, but the event continued for those choosing to stay and experience sleeping out in the cold Albany night.
Overall, the night and fundraising was fantastic. It was so rewarding to see our efforts come together.
So far, we have raised an impressive $42,260.
If you would like to support this worthwhile cause and donate, we are keeping it open a little longer – hopefully to push the final total over $50,000. Donate Here: Community Bank Albany's BIG Sleep Out 2025
If you attended this year, we have one request – could you please take a moment to complete the feedback form? bit.ly/2025bso
Thanks to those who have supported us, and to those who attended. Every effort has been greatly appreciated.
P&F
On behalf of the P&F committee, I would like to thank the many parents/guardians, and students who had already committed to volunteering their time, baking sweet treats, entering a pet in the Pet Parade, running a stall or donating goods at the now-postponed Kingfisher Fair & Open Day.
We look forward to being able to confirm the new 2026 date and putting our full plan into action.
Mr Jason Pages | P&F Coordinator
From the School Counsellor
Dear GSG Community,
We are well into the season of Djilba as described below, a season of change and promise. I have been sifting through some files and resources, keeping newness and relevance front of mind. What has emerged through my spring clean are some enduring messages for us as parents, carers, coaches and champions of youth, which will be shared over the next few weeks.
This week however, is about RUOK Day and a final invitation to join the Youth MHFA course in Week 10. And a beautiful sentiment by Lael Stone, children’s advocate extraordinaire.
Djilba – season of conception (first spring)
August – September
A transitional time of year, with the weather starting to change. Some days can be cold, some rainy and windy, and others sunny.
There are lots of newborn animals on the ground. Woodland birds will still be nesting, with Koolbardie (magpies) and Djidi djidi (willywag tails) protecting their nests.
Traditionally, the main food sources included large grazing animals, but it is also a great time to catch some freshwater djildjit (fish), such as the black bream.
World Suicide Prevention Day and R U OK? Day
Suicide remains the leading cause of death among people aged 15-44, with more than 3,264 suicide deaths occurring in 2023. These are not just numbers, these are families, friends, colleagues and communities that will forever be impacted by the grief of their losses. In Australia, it is estimated that over 7 million adults are close to someone who has died by suicide, or attempted suicide, with 1 in 2 people being significantly impacted by suicide by the time they turn 25.
World Suicide Prevention Day is acknowledged annually on 10 September. This day is a time to reflect, connect and recommit to our shared goal of preventing suicide and spreading hope. The theme for 2025 is ‘Changing the Narrative’. We hope to shift from silence and stigma, to openness, empathy and action. By breaking down barriers, and raising awareness, we can create better cultures of understanding and support.
Thursday 11 September is R U OK? Day, but we know that whether it is a friend, family member, partner, or colleague, the people around us go through life’s ups and downs every day. That is why we want everyone to feel confident to check in with the people they care about and ask R U OK? Any Day.
Our research found that those who are regularly asked, 'are you OK?' report increased feelings of wellbeing and we have learned that a third of Australians say they've been asking others more often over the past year. That means many of us are already showing up for others in meaningful ways, but when it comes to conversations about how we are really going, some people are less confident than others.
It is natural to feel a little hesitant, but the good news is nine in ten Australians report feeling grateful, supported and cared for when someone genuinely asks them if they're OK - and that’s a good reason to give it a go. You might even be having these conversations already without realising.
If you need tips to build your confidence, we are here to help with plenty of free resources to help you feel more confident to check in with someone you care about. You’ve got this, and we’ve got your back.
Ask R U OK? any day of the year, because a conversation could change a life.
Our amazing Student Council facilitated by Mr Craig Emberson is bringing RUOK to the foreground this year – not only is the message spreading but so much activity, compassion and curiosity were obvious today and during the past few weeks. Assembly presentations, interviews about wellbeing with staff and students, cake stall, lunchtime activities, themed dress – all throw light on this critical initiative.
Final note for this week from Lael Stone
The ultimate goal is for our children to feel deeply connected to us so they know it is safe to be who they truly are. When they are safe to be themselves, then they can listen to their intuition, they align with their passions and they can take risks and know that any failures are applauded as loudly as the triumphs. The default becomes – who I am is enough.
Lael Stone | Speaker, Educator, Author
Lael Stone
Please contact sheryl.moncur@gsg.wa.edu.au for further information.
Ms Sheryl Moncur | School Counsellor / Teacher
creARTe - Student Art Exhibition 2025
Join us this Sunday at 2.00pm in the Annette Knight Centre for the Art Exhibition Opening and the launch of our 2025 Grammar Grown wine. This special event also showcases student work from Media and Drama, highlighting the creativity and talent of our senior students. It promises to be a wonderful celebration of artistic expression and community spirit.
Ms Rachel Mordy | Head of the Arts
You're Invited - Valedictory Awards Ceremony
Parents and families are warmly invited to attend the Year Twelve Valedictory Awards Ceremony on Friday 24 October 2025 at 9.45am in the Multi-Purpose Sport Complex.
This is a heartfelt and memorable occasion to honour the Class of 2025. The formal assembly will be followed by a moving guard of honour – a moment not to be missed!
It would be wonderful to see our community come together to celebrate our students’ achievements and the end of their school journey.
Canteen
Specials Week Nine
Recess: Scone, Served with Butter and Jam
Lunch: Salmon Patties, Served with Green Salad
Monday
- Toasted Turkish Roll - Chicken, Cheese, Spinach and Avocado
Tuesday
- Toasted Turkish Roll - Chicken, Cheese, Spinach and Avocado
- Nachos
- Nachos Deluxe
Wednesday
- Butter Chicken - served with Rice and Naan Bread
- Toasted Turkish Roll - Chicken, Cheese, Spinach and Avocado
Thursday
- Pizza - Hawaiian/Vegetarian (GF Option available)
- Toasted Turkish Roll - Chicken, Cheese, Spinach and Avocado
Friday
- Spaghetti Bolognaise - Served with Garlic Bread
Uniform Shop
Term Three opening hours
- Monday: 8.00am to 4.00pm
- Tuesday: CLOSED
- Wednesday: 8.00am to 4.00pm
- Thursday: CLOSED
- Friday: 8.00am to 1.00pm
2026 Gate 2 Plate Challenge Sponsorship
You are invited to partner with us for the 2026 Gate 2 Plate Challenge.
The Gate 2 Plate Challenge is Western Australia’s first beef ‘paddock to plate’ challenge. It is a unique cattle challenge open to all cattle producers in Western Australia. It is 100% commercially focused and assesses cattle only on objective traits that are important for profitability and efficiency through the supply chain allowing producers to benchmark and improve their bottom line. Gate 2 Plate Challenge holds several associated events throughout the competition period of which sponsors are encouraged to be involved with. These events are extremely well received within the beef industry and generate considerable interest. This provides great networking opportunities for sponsors.
More information and for the Sponsorship Prospectus can be found here gate2platechallenge |