Secondary School
Welcome to Term Three!
It was wonderful to welcome our students back this week for another action-packed term. We began by celebrating NAIDOC Week and immersing ourselves in a range of Indigenous cultural activities. As students settle back into the post-holiday rhythm of school life, we have intentionally kept co-curricular activities to a minimum this week. It is important that students have the opportunity to reconnect with their teachers and peers and re-establish healthy routines.
I hope families enjoyed the opportunity to connect with teachers during our recent Parent-Teacher Interviews and that these conversations prompted meaningful discussions at home about how students can make the most of their time at school.
We are also looking forward to supporting our Year Twelve students as they celebrate their final full term at Great Southern Grammar. It seems only yesterday that we were welcoming them as student leaders, and now they are preparing for their final examinations and the exciting opportunities that await them beyond school.
This week, I will be speaking with our Year Eleven students about putting their names forward for leadership positions commencing next term, as they prepare to take up the mantle and make their own contribution to the life of the School.
Mr Jordan Owenell | Deputy Principal - Head of Secondary
NAIDOC Week
Kaya,
Happy NAIDOC Week and welcome to Term Three. We began the week with an inspiring dance performance led by Lindsay Dean, celebrating and acknowledging our rising young Menang leaders. Students and staff also heard from Indigenous Student Support Officer Lewis Ward, who shared the remarkable story of his great-great-grandfather, a founder of Western Australia's first Aboriginal political organisation, The Native Union (1926), which advocated for equality for Aboriginal people.
Our Secondary students contributed to the celebrations through a fun and informative Q&A video, testing knowledge of NAIDOC Week, local culture and First Nations role models.
In the Kaaleep Office, Lewis and I are proud to work in partnership with our First Nations students, their families, Yalari and Madalah. We continue to see growth in student numbers from both our local community and scholarship programs. This growth reflects the importance of cultural connection, leadership opportunities and personalised support, and we are proud to walk alongside our students as they thrive at GSG.
Ms Madi van der List | Indigenous Student Support Officer
Canberra Tour
Our Year Nine students returned from an enriching and action-packed tour of Canberra at the end of Term Two, immersing themselves in Australia’s history, democracy, culture and national identity.
Highlights included visits to the Australian War Memorial, Parliament House, Questacon, the National Archives, the Australian Institute of Sport, the National Gallery of Australia, the High Court and the Royal Australian Mint. Students also explored the Botanic Gardens, enjoyed a movie night together and took part in a moving wreath-laying ceremony at the Australian War Memorial.
A particular highlight was an extraordinary behind-the-scenes experience at Parliament House, generously arranged by proud GSG alumna Katie McAllister (2013, Camfield). Students were granted rare access to the Press Gallery and ABC Studios, stepping onto the set where some of the nation's biggest breaking stories unfold and gaining a unique insight into Australian journalism and the inner workings of government in action.
Another special moment came at the Australian War Memorial’s Research Centre, where students viewed an artefact connected to the family of one of our students, a Japanese Army map secretly hidden by his great-great-grandfather while a prisoner of war on the Thai-Burma Railway.
The tour provided countless opportunities for learning beyond the classroom, helping students deepen their understanding of Australia while creating lasting memories with their peers.
The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government contributes funding of $1,250 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.
Planning for the 2027 Tour will start soon. If you are in Year Nine next year, please keep your eyes and ears open for the chance to register your interest!
Mr Tone Ritchie | Head of Humanities
Interested in Studying Music with WAAPA?
WAAPA Albany Diploma of Music Q&A
As part of WAAPA’s visit to Albany, prospective students, families and community members are invited to attend the WAAPA Albany Diploma of Music Q&A at Albany Port Theatre on Monday 31 August at 5.00pm.
This free event is open to anyone from the Great Southern interested in learning more about the CUA50820 Diploma of Music, delivered in Albany, as well as WAAPA’s extensive range of performing arts programs available at Edith Cowan University’s stunning new city campus.
Hosted by WAAPA lecturers and Contemporary Music students, the session offers an opportunity to ask questions about courses, auditions, admissions, career pathways and student life. The event is generously co-hosted by our friends at Albany Light Opera and Theatre Company and is free and open to all.
Presented by WAAPA and supported by Community Bank Albany.
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