Whole School News
Shaun Tan Art Award
Congratulations to Charlotte Stephens in Year Eleven; her drawing ‘Metro’ has been selected as one of the ten artworks in the Years Ten to Twelve Category. This is very competitive and it is a wonderful achievement to be selected. Charlotte’s artwork will be on display at the Subiaco Library from Monday 7 July to Friday 3 August. Charlotte’s first question was whether Shaun Tan would be seeing her artwork; the answer is a definite yes!!
Possum Puppet Play
We have a group of excited students who expressed interest in being performers and stage crew for our puppet play. Parents will receive further details about rehearsals, which will be happening over Term Three and Term Four. There is still time to complete the Cognito form if you would like to be involved in this beautiful project:
https://www.cognitoforms.com/GreatSouthernGrammar/GSGPossumPuppetPlayExpressionOfInterest
Ms Rachel Mordy | Head of the Arts / Teacher
Wilson Day Tomorrow!
From the School Counsellor
Mental Health First Aid Updates:
This semester has seen the delivery of six MHFA courses to GSG communities, including Youth and Older Persons, as well as all Year Ten students participating in training embedded in Health Education classes. Just a week ago, 18 people were trained in Conversations About NSSI. The participants comprised GSG staff, parents and community members from various service organisations. Both Palmerston and Great Southern Grammar are always heartily acknowledged and thanked with oceans of gratitude and humility as we work towards normalising help-seeking and language fluidity around mental health, and destigmatising unhealthy attitudes around mental health. It is ok to not feel ok and it is ok to ask for help – moreover, it is ok to notice, to support, to advocate for those who are struggling.
Teen MHFA Certificates for Year Ten students are being distributed this week.
Please ask your child to show these to you. They sit very proudly in resumes and CVs, as well as hold students in a positive light when applying for campus living and boarding places. The Year Ten students were a true delight to have trained.
Teen Mental Health First Aid for Year Eight students - Term Three
All Year Eight Health Education classes will be trained in teenMHFA for approximately five lessons across the first half of Term Three.
The topics include:
- The relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviours
- The difference between mental health problems and mental health crises
- What stigma is and how to reduce it
- What help seeking is and how to increase and normalise it
- The action plan – Look, Ask, Listen, Help Connect with an Adult, Friendship
- How to help a friend access the support they need
- Making sure our own self-care is priority
I am a trainer with extensive experience in this field and a passion for what I do. If families have any questions about the course or feel that their child may be emotionally vulnerable, please don't hesitate to contact me at sheryl.moncur@gsg.wa.edu.au
Safety protocols are always maintained throughout the course.
More information can be found:
Teen Mental Health First Aid | Mental Health First Aid Australia
Harvesting Hope and Broadening Optimism
“In a world that seems to be full of doom and gloom, it can be tough to find good news. But luckily, there are plenty of websites out there that focus on positive news stories.
In an interview with Good Good Good, neuropsychologist and New York Times best-selling author, Dr Rick Hanson said that our brains are evolutionarily hardwired with an internal negativity bias.
“Bad news sticks to the brain like velcro,” he said. “And good news slides right off the brain like Teflon.”
Our brains are not naturally seeking good; they’re seeking a means to survive.
This is why it is important that we are intentional about consuming good news. We must slow down, intentionally seek it out, and — most important of all — share it with others to help them find an outlet for hope, as well.
Good Good Good’s mission is to help you feel more hopeful and do more good. In a world full of heartbreak, pain and injustice, Good Good Good shares stories of the people, ideas and movements shaping the world for the better.”
Twelve Best Good News Websites To Leave You More Hopeful
Gem Gathering and Awe Hunting
“Awe… some
What does awe mean to you? To me, I describe awe with words like wonder, sacred, inspire, vast and reverence. Awe is a place, like nature; it is a feeling, like gratitude; it is a gift, like holding a newborn baby. Awe can be many things to many people. The first step in understanding the power of awe is to identify and appreciate what creates awe in our lives. Then it’s important to consider how often we experience it. And finally, and most importantly, does it even matter?
According to the scientific literature, experiencing awe can make a significant difference in our mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health. What is more, you do not need to make a trip to the Grand Canyon. Awe is easy, economical and readily available. But how can it help?
The Health Benefits of Awe
In the scientific literature, awe has been identified as a very distinct positive emotion that can enhance mental and physical health by influencing thought patterns, social behavior, and physiology.
A 2021 study separated older individuals into two groups: walkers and awe walkers. The awe walkers were told to experience awe during their walks by taking photographs and focusing on their surroundings rather than themselves. When compared to the regular walkers, the awe walkers had significantly more positive emotions and less anxiety and depression. Now that’s taking something good, like walking, and making it even better.
Awe shifts our attention and energy outward instead of inward. In this way, awe can help quiet negative self-talk and encourage gratitude and optimism, two emotions that are also associated with better mental and physical health. From a social standpoint, awe can help us be more generous and kinder and feel more connected and compassionate with others, which can also positively influence our health.
Research demonstrates that repeated exposure to awe positively affects our stress response, inflammation, hormonal activity and brain function. Appreciating awe on a consistent basis can also help ease symptoms of depression.”
M-awe (sorry!!) here: Tapping Into the Healing Power of Awe | Psychology Today
And here: How to Find Awe in Everyday Life by Liz D. — CAPPC
Ms Sheryl Moncur | School Counsellor / Teacher
Canteen
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
Denmark Regional Roadshow Sundowner
The great GSG Regional Roadshow Sundowners continue in Term Three! We would love to see all Denmark families and any friends they wish to invite. See details below to RSVP for this event.
Denmark Sundowner
Date: Thursday 7 August
Time: 5.00pm to 7.00pm
Venue: Boston Brewery
WA Student Assistance Payment
Just three weeks left to claim!
The WA Student Assistance Payment helps with school costs, don’t miss out.
- $150 for each kindergarten and primary student
- $250 for each secondary student
Claim now through the ServiceWA app, online or by post in a claim form.
Claims close Friday 4 July 2025.
Visit www.education.wa.edu.au/wasap for eligibility info and how to claim.
