From the Principal
Welcome to 2026!
It is a great joy to celebrate the first week of the new school year.
The campus has come alive and the energy from students and staff is palpable. The feedback from parents has been great, sprinkled with relief that school is back!
A very warm welcome to the new students, families and staff joining the GSG family.
We have had an increase of 8% in enrolments across the school, reaching a total of 697 students, 91 of whom are boarders. We have a record 28 students commencing Djinda (three-year-old program) throughout the year, taking total enrolments to 725.
GSG is going from strength to strength and it a very exciting time of growth and renewed confidence, coupled with the continuation of high-quality learning, teaching and pastoral care.
Theme for 2026
Our School Theme in 2026 is Growth = standards + actions.
Growth can be defined as a lifelong journey of self-improvement.
To set us on a path to growth, we must uphold high standards and take intentional actions, doing what we say we will do. This gives us meaningful goals to pursue in and out of the classroom, in our community and in our relationships with one another.
To grow is to live a life of imagination, determination, persistence and mastery.
- Imagination – to have an open mind and come to know who we are;
- Determination – to be motivated and take responsibility for our growth journey;
- Persistence – to be resilient and never, never, never give up; and
- Mastery - to build new knowledge and skills, practice and apply them to new situations.
This year at GSG, we will live growth, breathe it and call it out when we see it and sometimes, when we don’t. Our collective growth is a choice we make!
Growth is never by mere chance: it is the result of forces working together
- James Cash Penney
I am excited about the year of growth ahead as all students and staff seek to make a positive and lasting impact in our community.
New staff
The school has been fortunate in securing talented new staff for 2026. Please join me in welcoming them to GSG.
Executive
Mr Matt Bird: Head of Business Operations
Finance
Mrs Pearl Prior
Facilities
Ms Mandy Melitz, Ms Tearoha (Lah) James
Gap Assistant – Boarding
Miss Jodi Macpherson
Boarding Administrator
Miss Andrea Morgan
Early Childhood Teachers
Mrs Rochanne Bloor, Mrs Tahlia Street, Mrs Jodene Skeet
Primary School Teachers
Mrs Gemma Sandy, Mrs Elizabeth Hardey
Secondary School Teachers
Mr Ferg Inglis, Mr Kane Smith, Mr Mark Weatherill, Mr Daniel Murray, Mr Steve Maguire (Term One), Mrs Kate Mitchell (Semester One)
Education Assistants
Mrs Rachel Veldman, Mrs Lisa Farrell, Miss Krista Hunter, Mrs Rebecca Western, Mrs Esta Steer
Music Tutor
Mr Lockie Pannell
There are also a few staff changes for the commencement of this year to support staff leave arrangements and new vacancies. These are as follows:
Mr Paul Donaldson – Acting Director of Sport & Head of Health and Physical Education (Semester One).
Mrs Karen Bradbury - Acting Learning Support Coordinator, Secondary (Term One)
Mrs Olivia Orzel – Administration Officer, Sport
Mrs Ruth Speldewinde – IT & Resource Officer (Library Services)
Strategic Priorities 2026
Place
In September 2025, the school engaged the architectural firm TRCB, in conjunction with the local firm H+H, to develop a refreshed masterplan for the campus.
This is due for completion at the end of Term One and will be shared with the community in early Term Two.
This year, we will undertake three infrastructure projects.
- A total upgrade to the Hall with stage one to be completed before Easter.
- The building of a new high-performance gym integrated into the Multi-Purpose Sport Complex; and
- The construction of a new ECC sensory garden.
Experience
Last night, the school launched the new flagship Rites of Passage program for Year Nine.
I would like to thank Mr Jordan Owenell, Deputy Principal - Head of Secondary, for his leadership of this strategic priority with the support of Mr Bryce McLean, Head of Mokare House and Adventure Works staff.
I would also like to thank the students and their families who attended the launch as part of 'the calling' process.
The Rites of Passage program is an intentional and meaningful program to support our young people in their transition to adulthood. Much will be shared throughout the year about this transformational experience for our students walking alongside GSG staff and most importantly, their parents.
Throughout the year, I will share additional strategic priorities and updates with the community, aligned with our core strengths: Place, Community, Learning & Care, Experience and People.
Go well
Mr Mathew Irving | Principal
Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40: 31