Administration News

I'm writing this fresh from a trip out to Gnowangerup, where GSG held our latest Regional Roadshow Sundowner and it was a real hit! Mrs Julia Bairstow and I headed out with Mr Mat Irving and Mr Matt Bird, and the four of us all had a great time. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a very “friendly” ice-cold blast of air and a sudden need to find every jumper and jacket available to us… a need that clearly didn’t affect the younger crowd, most of whom were dressed as if it were a balmy 28 degrees. Although I’m a born-and-raised Albany local, I seem to have lost my ability to handle single-degree temperatures like I used to.

It was a fantastic evening to catch up with everyone out there (including some of you!) and hear what’s been happening in and around Gnowangerup. We also got to watch some talented young sports players go through their training sessions, all while we served up a classic Aussie cultural icon: the sausage sizzle!

Julia and I adopted our best chef personas and went about serving nearly 100 snags for the night! Does BBQ count as a sport? If so, we are definitely climbing the sausage sizzle ladder.

Thank you to all who could make it along and for supporting GSG as part of your local community. These events are just one of the many ways we actively strengthen and maintain our connection with the Great Southern, and it’s so nice to be part of that. Already looking forward to the next Sundowner, keep an eye out for more details in Term Three when we head to Denmark!

So, Week Ten is here, which means in just a hop, skip and a jump, Term Two will be over, but not before one of the biggest sporting events of the year: Country Week! Please join me in celebrating and cheering on all our CW students who are showing up, doing their best, and giving it their all next week. I know that GSG is a formidable force in any competition, not just in physical performance but also in our strong culture of sportsmanship.

And my final thoughts for the end of Term Two: we’ve now passed the winter solstice as of 21 June and although the depth of winter is still ahead, it’s hard not to feel a little spark of joy knowing that longer days are finally making a comeback. The best is yet to come.

Let’s go!

Ms Andrea Morgan | Boarding Administrator

IMPORTANT NOTICES:

Last Day of Term Two for Students

For students in Year Ten, Year Eleven and Year Twelve, the last day of school will be Wednesday 1 July.

All other year groups will finish school on Friday 3 July.

FRIENDLY REMINDERS:

Leave Submission Deadlines

To ensure smooth processing and timely approval of leave, please note the following requirements:

Weekend Leave: enter into REACH by Thursday.
Long Weekend Leave: enter one week prior.
Holiday Leave: enter two weeks prior.
Travel Outside the Great Southern Region (long weekend or holidays): enter two weeks prior, regardless of leave type.

Host Requirements and Conditions of Leave

To add a new leave host, please email boarding@gsg.wa.edu.au with the host's full name, mobile number, and relationship to the student (e.g., grandparent, family friend, coach).

Local Contact: A local / Albany contact (family member or friend) should be nominated at the time of enrolment for emergency situations (e.g. illness).
Approved Hosts: Families must only nominate adult hosts (18+) for their child. Boarders then select from this list when entering leave in REACH. Please discuss leave plans with your child to ensure you are comfortable with any request submitted.
Host Changes: Only a parent or guardian can request changes to a boarder’s host list. Requests must be submitted in writing to boarding@gsg.wa.edu.au or the Head of Boarding House (email/text).
Leave Duration: Standard overnight weekend leave runs from 3.30pm Friday to 5.30pm Sunday. We ask that boarders return by 5.30pm wherever possible.
Late Returns: If a student returns late, the host must contact the Boarding Supervisor before the expected return time to explain the reason and provide a new ETA. Repeated unexplained late returns may result in follow‑up from the boarding staff.
Changes to Leave: Students are not allowed to contact the bus drivers directly and make ‘on-the-go' changes to their approved leave. Students or families must discuss changes with the Supervisor on duty at their boarding house.