Whole School News

The Arts

General and ATAR Drama Performance of Wolf Lullaby

On Friday 24 May, our General and ATAR Drama students, assisted by former GSG Drama student Samuel Jackson, performed selected scenes from Hilary Bell’s confronting and heart-rending play, Wolf Lullaby, in front of an audience of teachers, Year Ten students and selected parents. The production was brilliantly directed and designed by Wendy Farmer (Year Twelve), who also played the role of nine-year-old Lizzie, a child accused of killing another child.

The play focuses on the emotional trauma experienced by Lizzie and the bewildered responses of her separated parents. Lizzie’s mother, Angela, was played by Mischa Collin, who tries to navigate the fine line between tenderness and discipline as she comes to terms with her daughter’s apparent crime. Isabel Miller played Lizzie’s father, Warren and Samuel Jackson played the investigating police officer, who is faced with the awful implications of being the one who has to solve the mystery of a child’s death.

Wendy’s performance dug deep into Lizzie’s imaginative world, leaving her audience oscillating between fear, empathy and horror. The production made compelling use of low-key lighting and movement work inspired by Viewpoints techniques. This was augmented by haunting soundtracks engineered by Hudson Hagnhofer (Year Eleven). Congratulations to our students on an intense and authentic performance!

Dr Giles Watson | English/Drama Teacher

Ceramics Club

We have a group of very enthusiastic Ceramicists meeting every Thursday afternoon to throw on the pottery wheels. They are being mentored by artist Nathan Bray. Their focus is really impressive; and their skills are developing rapidly. They will be starting to experiment with adding some glazes to their work soon!

Ms Rachel Mordy | Head of the Arts

From the School Counsellor

Greetings from deep into Term Two as we approach the luscious manifestations of Makaru (cold and wet time). The weather is becoming more bracing, the days shorter and spirits may flag, as we humans who often attribute our growth to heliotropic influences, find ourselves in shadier and cloudier climes. Our Indigenous people view this season Makaru, June – July, as a time for fertility.

Amber Brock-Fabel (Young Australian of the Year South Australia) has stamped her name and style in political and social justice contexts, especially from her work around youth loneliness.

There are some more study tips/links included this week, as well as the information to register for the Conversations About NSSI.

Lastly, in response to the disturbingly influential trend of incels and misogynists the current face of which is Andrew Tait, the slavishly vociferous broadcast platforms and organs that promulgate his poison, I have included a poem which Rebecca Sparrow references in a recent Instagram post.

Makaru Mental Health Landscape during this fertility season. Indigenous Weather Knowledge - Nyoongar - Makuru

“Makaru sees the coldest and wettest time of the year come into full swing. Traditionally, this was a good time of the year to move back inland from the coast as the winds turned to the west and south bringing the cold weather, rains and occasionally snow on the peaks of the Stirling and Porongurup Ranges.

As the waterways and catchments started to fill, people were able to move about their country with ease and thus their food sources changed from sea, estuarine and lake foods to those of the lands in particular the grazing animals such as the kangaroo. As well as a food source, animals provided people with many other things. For example, 'Yongar' or kangaroos not only provided meat but also 'bookas' (animal skin cloaks that were used as the nights became much cooler). Nothing was left; even the bones and sinews were used in the manufacturing of bookas and for hunting tools such as spears.

Makuru is also a time for a lot of animals to be pairing up in preparation for breeding in the coming season. If you look carefully, you might now see pairs of 'Wardongs' (ravens) flying together. You also notice these pairs not making the usual 'ark ark arrrrrk' that these birds are well known for when flying solo. Upon the lakes and rivers of the South West, you'll also start to see a large influx of the Black Swan or 'Mali' as they too prepare to nest and breed.

Flowers that will start to emerge include the blues and purples of the Blueberry Lilly (Dianella revoluta) and the Purple Flags (Patersonia occidentalis). As the season comes to a close, you should also start to notice the white flowers of the weeping peppermint (Agonis flexuosa) as the blues start to make way for the white and cream flowers of Djilba.”

As we live in this beautiful, sustaining context, being open-minded to and accepting of Makaru as a time of growth, change, migration, pairbonding and such, we can find wisdom and direction in how to navigate these colder times.

As winter envelops us in its cold embrace, the psychological impact it can have can be profound. The shorter days and longer nights often conspire to affect our mood and mental state.

Self-Care: A Blueprint for Mental Well-Being

Developing a winter self-care strategy is crucial for maintaining mental wellbeing during the colder months. As the season imposes its challenges, engaging in activities that promote relaxation and positivity can help manage seasonal depression and anxiety. Incorporating small daily practices like mindfulness meditation, journaling and light therapy can significantly enhance mood and energy levels. Prioritising physical activity, even indoors, further bolsters these efforts, releasing endorphins to counteract seasonal blues. By adopting these self-care ideas, individuals can work to proactively safeguard their mental health.

Moreover, diet plays a pivotal role in mental health. Consuming a balanced diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins D and B12, and antioxidants can support brain function and emotional regulation. These nutrients help stabilise mood and energy levels, which are critical during the sun-deprived days of winter.

Engaging in community activities and socialising with family members or peers can also boost morale and provide a needed sense of connection. Participating in social gatherings helps combat isolation, a common issue during the winter months and enhances emotional resilience.

Inspirational Young Australians

Young people often feel as if change is made for them, around them, about them… without any input or consultation with them. Twice this week, my heart has been lifted by hearing stories about change agents, young people who, with no guide or map, waded into seemingly impenetrable forests of bureaucracy with passion and purpose… and made a difference to their world and the future of their peers.

Amber Brock-Fabel, University of Adelaide’s Bachelor of Arts (Advanced) student majoring in Psychology and Criminology, has been awarded 2025 Young Australian of the Year for South Australia.

Photo credit: Salty Dingo

Amber Brock-Fabel, University of Adelaide’s Bachelor of Arts (Advanced) student majoring in Psychology and Criminology, has been awarded 2025 Young Australian of the Year for South Australia.

The 20-year-old is an advocate for youth and environmental issues as the Founder of the South Australian Youth Forum (SAYF), which is dedicated to bridging the gap between youth and decision-makers.

“Receiving the Young Australian of the Year for South Australia is an incredible honour and a moment I’ll always cherish,” she said.

“It’s a privilege to be recognised among such talented, driven, and inspirational individuals who are making a real impact. I feel energised and excited to keep working alongside these remarkable people as we tackle important issues and build a better future together.

“I’m beyond ready to use this platform to continue inspiring and empowering young people across our state, as well as to amplify and grow the South Australian Youth Forum, creating spaces for young voices to be heard and valued.”

In 2021, at just 17 years old, she founded SAYF, which empowers those aged 14 to 18 to discuss critical issues such as climate change, period poverty, gender equality and youth loneliness.

The insights gathered – including surveys and models of engagement – are then presented to lawmakers and relevant organisations.

Under Amber’s leadership, SAYF has secured partnerships and collaborations with various organisations, gaining both national and international recognition.

SAYF was recently represented at the United Nations Summit of the Future, the National Inquiry into Civics Education and the Australian Conference on Youth Health.

Student awarded SA Young Australian of the Year | Newsroom | University of Adelaide

Changing Australia: Amber Brock-Fabel and giving youth a voice - ABC listen

Challenging the Negativity Biases and Sensation Seeking of the Tabloid Media in all its forms…

Via Rebecca Sparrow Insta – truth telling

I was taken by both the flipping of the headline and the poem, which draws our attention towards what the majority of boys think, feel, say and do, rather than the sensational nature of tabloid media.

REPOST from @holliepoetry

I scribbled this poem after reading the headline '1 in 6 boys have a positive view of Andrew Tate' taken from a You Gov study. This is obviously dire, but not one headline that resulted from this study spoke about the boys who didn't know who he was or didn't like him.

So I wrote this because … the world is full of glorious boys and teenagers who need praise (and validation) once in a while too...

five in six boys think andrew tate is a @@@@@

the headline reads:

one in six boys aged six to fifteen have a positive view of andrew tate

the headline does not read:

five in six boys think andrew tate is a *****

prefer riding their bike into town with their mates

than listening to a grown up angrily shout through a screen

five in six boys think their mum is alright

roll their eyes when she hugs them

will remember the sound of her laugh when she's gone

five in six boys

have baked biscuits

or muffins

do not want to strangle a girlfriend,

think rape is abysmal, want love,

think love is confusing, do not want a fist in their face

five in six boys think their dad's jokes

are occasionally funny, have a friend who likes

the same music they like,

worry about the look of their bodies

in swim shorts

love the feeling of crying

from laughter

five in six boys feel nervous about holding the hand of a crush

privately cry when a person they fancy doesn't fancy them back

…without seeking to hurt them

five in six boys are worried they'll fail their exams

feel stupid sometimes, are scared by the thought of the future

five in six boys think flowers are beautiful

will not use the word beautiful

will be bullied if they use the word beautiful

about flowers

still, five in six boys said thank you for dinner

helped take the plates to the kitchen

smile when a kitten curls up on their lap

and six in six boys sleep sounder when someone

who loves them plants a kiss on their forehead

or just quietly whispers goodnight

More here Building Better Friendships with - Rebecca Sparrow

Further study tips (following Week Four)

You are a busy person, so you need to make the most of every study session.

By now, you should understand the basics of effective studies:

Schedule study time
Study regularly
Minimize distractions
Read for information
Write the important stuff down
Use creative memory tricks
Quiz yourself
Be good to your body and your brain

Put these study tips to good use, and you’ll soon learn that you’ve learned how to study smarter.

More here: 25 Scientifically Proven Tips for Effective Studying [2025 Edition]

New MHFA Course… numbers are filling fast… 

What:    Conversations about Non-Suicidal Self-Injury 

When:   19 June at 9.30am to 2.30pm

Where: Le Grande Motel, Albany Highway 

Why:      This is a coping strategy that requires our attention 

Cost:      Nil - all materials, catering and delivery covered by Palmerston and GSG 

Presenter: Sheryl Moncur (GSG)

For Dietary needs please let Kait Hahn know via the email. 

May you be kind to your nervous system, go glimmer and gem hunting, face triggers with grace and space, revel in pools of awe, hug a beloved two or four legged or a tree, dance, hike, play music, read a picture book, notice bird visitors to your garden, cook a favourite meal for a favourite person… BE KIND.

Ms Sheryl Moncur | School Counsellor / Teacher

Kojonup/Katanning Sundowner

The great GSG Regional Roadshow Sundowners continue in Term Two, with the second being hosted at Kojonup Sporting Complex on Friday 6 June from 5pm to 7pm.

We would love to see all Kojonup and Katanning families and any friends they wish to invite.

Join our staff and other families for a casual chat. Light refreshments and drinks will be provided. To RSVP please click here or email julia.bairstow@gsg.wa.edu.au

Discover GSG - Friday 13 June

We are excited to announce our Discover GSG experience, and we encourage our families to share this fun opportunity with their friends.

The come-and-try day is for Years Five to Eight in 2026, and prospective students are encouraged to invite a friend to attend on Friday 13 June from 9.00am to 1.00pm.

Prospective students in Years Four to Seven can register at https://gsg.to/Discover

For queries, contact julia.bairstow@gsg.wa.edu.au.

P&F Events

Last Friday, the Year Five cohort gathered in the foyer of the Primary School building to welcome the new staff, hear from the year group teachers and discuss the upcoming camp. It was good to see so many families in attendance, thanks to the Year Five P&F Representatives Laleh Wrobel and Tracy Ravenhill.

P&F Term Two meeting - Wednesday 4 June 2025

Please join us for the Term Two P&F meeting next Wednesday 4 June at 6.00pm, on campus, in the Library. If you are unable to attend the meeting in person, please join by accessing the Teams link below.

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/423715024690?p=MkaFWDVUWyQi6WULwD

Mr Jason Pages | P&F Coordinator

Canteen

Weekly Special - Week Five, Term Two

Recess: Raspberry and White Chocolate Muffin

Lunch: Creamy Chicken Pasta Bake (Vegetarian option available)

Specials available from Tuesday to Wednesday

Specials Winter Menu for Term Two

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 Two opening hours

Monday: 8.00am to 4.00pm
Tuesday: CLOSED
Wednesday: 8.00am to 4.00pm
Thursday: CLOSED
Friday: 8.00am to 1.00pm