Secondary School
Rites of Passage
Our Year Nine students spent a beautiful day at Middleton Beach at the Albany Surf Life Saving Club with a parent or grandparent, walking and talking about what inspires them. There was a wonderful turnout of families, who also provided valuable feedback to Mr Irving, which will help shape our Rites of Passage program.
Next term, our Year Nine students will be engaging in community service activities as they continue their Rites of Passage journey. Having spent a term in introspective work and developing life skills at camp, they will now participate in acts of service, recognising themselves as active members of their community with the capacity to make a positive difference. These experiences will help cultivate the values of empathy, compassion and humility.
Country Week
This week, the Country Week coaches met to discuss squad selection. Excitement is certainly building now that trials have concluded and training is about to begin. Squad selections will be communicated to students on Friday evening. Training for some sports will commence immediately, while others will begin at the start of Term Two.
This year, we are also fortunate to be introducing a Speech and Debating Team to our Country Week program. Many schools already offer this, and it will be fantastic to add another layer of interschool competition for interested students. Country Week debating will help us further develop co‑curricular opportunities in this area, adding even more depth and value to our offerings at the School.
Leavers Jumpers
This week, our highly anticipated Year Twelve leavers jumpers arrived! Students were thrilled to receive them and will wear them proudly throughout the year. A huge thank you to Mrs Smargiassi, Mrs Powell and the Year Twelve Leavers Jumper Committee for making this happen.
Mr Jordan Owenell | Deputy Principal - Head of Secondary
Year Eight Camp at Quaranup
At exactly half past seven on Wednesday morning, the GSG Gym carpark buzzed with excitement. Dressed in their House shirts, the Year Eight students boarded the bus, backpacks stuffed with lunches, water bottles rattling and energy running high. For Baudin and Camfield students, bathers were already hidden under shirts, everyone knew water activities were first on the list.
When they arrived at Camp Quaranup, the fresh coastal air set the tone for an unforgettable three days. The students split into House groups and launched straight into adventure. Some took to the water for Princess Sailing and kayaking, learning teamwork as they worked with the wind and waves. Others headed off for a bushwalk, baked damper over a fire, or searched high and low during geocaching challenges.
Thursday brought a change of pace and new faces as students were mixed into different groups. Laughter echoed across the camp as students tried archery, learnt fishing skills, and listened intently to Aboriginal storytelling that connected them to the land beneath their feet. One of the bravest highlights came at the jetty, where cheers rang out as students jumped into the water below, emerging soaked, smiling and proud.
By Friday, back in House groups once more, friendships felt stronger and confidence had grown. Students talked, laughed and supported one another through every challenge. As the buses rolled back into the GSG Gym carpark at around four o’clock in the afternoon, tired but happy faces looked out the windows.
Year Eight Camp at Quaranup was not just about activities, it was about learning new skills, stepping outside comfort zones and growing together. It was an experience none of them will forget.
Mr Neil Ferreira | Head of Baudin House
Year Ten Camp - Blackwood River
This year’s Blackwood River Camp proved to be one of the most challenging yet. The mighty Blackwood was, as always, majestic, but the wind certainly made its presence known. On Day One, forty Year Ten students and their teachers paddled from Chapman Pool on a 13 kilometre journey towards Alexandra Bridge. A couple of sneaky fishing rods did nothing to help Mr Donaldson in his quest to catch the elusive mulloway (they must have seen him coming!).
After reaching Alexandra Bridge, the group continued down the river to the next stop, an open paddock 11 kilometres further along. If one phrase best described this location, it would be “drop toilets.” Technically two words, but accurate all the same!
The final destination was a short six‑kilometre paddle to Molloy Island Caravan Park, where hot showers quickly became the highlight of the day. Add in competitive games of spoons, charades, and “The Sun Only Shines…”, and a great deal of laughter and fun was shared by all.
Throughout the camp, teamwork, leadership, compassion, resilience and humour were essential and displayed in abundance. Everyone should feel incredibly proud of their achievements and will no doubt take away some wonderful memories to share with their families.
Mrs Alexis Stone | Head of Camfield House
Leeuwin Expedition
We boarded the Leeuwin at around lunchtime on Friday, after the standard bus trip from Albany (and accompanied some rather… enthusiastic singing). After a quick briefing and a tour of the ship we headed out of Fremantle Port and motored over to Rottnest Island where we anchored for the night. Early the next morning we raised sails and headed south, under a glorious sky and sparkling water. The trip down the west coast was mainly fine weather and we saw a range of different marine life, including a whale, some dolphins and a shark! During the night watches a yellow half moon shone down on us and we could see the lights of various coastal towns. We passed under the Cape Naturaliste lighthouse on the third night of the voyage.
As we got closer to Cape Leeuwin, the swells got a little larger and the wind a little stronger, but I must say, the students handled the conditions very well! Out on the Indian Ocean, and we made excellent time in a stiff south-westerly breeze. Gerald the pigeon landed on the Leeuwin and stayed for the night, before heading off with a flock of terns. Out here, we were 40 nautical miles off the coast and all we could see in any direction was the endless rolling swells of the Southern Ocean. It’s weird to think that this view is the view across three quarters of the entire planet! We were soon back in view of land however, although this time it was the rocky headland shore of the south coast.
We arrived in King George Sound on Wednesday which gave us an opportunity to swim off the ship at Gull Rock and the students to take command and sail the Leeuwin on Friday. We anchored for the last night in Princess Royal Harbour (where we had a great view of the spectacular light show) before disembarking at lunchtime on Saturday.
Mr Jem Ruggera | Teacher
Paris Tour 2027
Plans for the Paris Tour in April 2027 are currently underway, and it promises to be a wonderful experience. This ten‑day tour will be based in Paris, exploring the City of Lights and all the magic and history it has to offer. Students will also enjoy four days visiting key sites outside of Paris. The tour will provide a rich cultural experience and an excellent introduction to European travel.
Dates
(To be confirmed upon release of the final itinerary)
The tour is scheduled to take place during the April Holidays in 2027, departing on 9 April and returning on 21 April.
The proposed itinerary includes a visit to Mont Saint‑Michel in Normandy, a Parisian cabaret show at the Moulin Rouge, a tour of the Catacombs, a boat cruise along the River Seine, and bike tours of both the Palace of Versailles and Monet’s Gardens. The opulence of the Louis Kings and Marie Antoinette will be on full display at the Palace of Versailles.
Students will also visit key galleries, including the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Musée de l’Orangerie, the Picasso Museum and the Atelier des Lumières. Other highlights include visits to Sacré‑Cœur, the Eiffel Tower and Notre‑Dame, as well as a gourmet walking tour of Paris. The itinerary also features a market visit to the famous Marché des Enfants Rouges and a performance of The Lion King at the Mogador Theatre.
It promises to be an amazing tour filled with history, art and culture!
For further information and for the expression of interest please click link below.
2027 Paris Tour Expression of Interest
There will be an information session on Monday 16 March at 5.00pm in the school Library. (NB this can be attended via Teams). For any queries about the tour, please contact Ms Rachel Mordy by email, rachel.mordy@gsg.wa.edu.au
Ms Rachel Mordy | Head of the Arts