Secondary School Awards Ceremony

What a year it has been! I was busy as normal, but I did not think that I would be Acting Head of Secondary School. It has provided me with great knowledge and insight into school operations. The year started with us having a new Principal, Mr Mathew Irving. He introduced a guiding mantra focused on developing Culture, Engagement, and Excellence. This helped inspire a renewed sense of purpose and strengthened the school community bonds.

We were also encouraged to have fun along the way, which we have tried to do. We reintroduced House dress-up days for fundraisers and combined them with friendly Year Twelve vs. Staff sports matches. The Staff won all games; good luck to this year’s Year Elevens. The staff will be looking to go back-to-back with their victories.

The VACS Program was another successful area where lots of fun and learning took place. It offered diverse activities to nurture talents, build friendships, and foster teamwork, highlighting collaboration and create positive cultural impact.

Mr Ian Robson, Head of Cocurricular and Teaching Staff Operations worked hard to develop and launch the Future Tours Program. It began with a student tour to Japan, where students engaged with cultural and linguistic understandings. This tour program sets the stage for future exciting opportunities for students and families.

Another great event was the annual Albany Show, where our wonderful Pipe Band and other students showcased some of their talents. Special thanks to Mrs Julia Bairstow for coordinating the GSG stand and Mrs Teresa McAllister and her team of Year Eleven Hospitality students, who served over 1,600 affogatos, making the GSG stand a popular destination.

The Valedictory Assembly this year will be remembered by many for years to come. Our Head of Physical Education, Mr Paul Donaldson, performed an Opera goodbye song to the Year Twelves. I am sure we won’t forget it.

At Country Week this year, we celebrated the girls' hockey team's third consecutive win, a testament to their dedication, skill, and a great record.

Looking ahead to 2025, we will welcome Mr Jordan Owenell as the new Deputy Principal - Head of Secondary, and I am confident that he will come with great purpose to the role. I will be returning to my role as Head of Baudin House. I would like to thank Mrs Gabbi Dowell, who has helped me in many ways in this Acting role. I would also like to thank my colleagues who have put up with me, and lastly, to the students, thank you for keeping me on my toes.

All award recipients will receive their photographs next week. A link will be emailed to those families of students who received an award during the ceremony.

Wishing all families a Merry Christmas, and I look forward to seeing you in 2025!

Mr Neil Ferreira | Acting Head of Secondary

Please see this year's award winners below

Academic Awards

Year	Award Name	First	Surname
7	Subject Merit - Art	Tessa	Hartley
7	Subject Merit - English	Tessa	Hartley
7	Subject Merit - Health and Physical Education	Owen	Pretorius
7	Subject Merit - Humanities and Social Sciences	Tessa	Hartley
7	Subject Merit - Japanese	Tessa	Hartley
7	Subject Merit - Mathematics	Tessa	Hartley
7	Subject Merit - Science	Tessa	Hartley
7	Subject Merit - Technologies	Abbie	Cameron
7	Certificate of Excellence	Hazel	Bee
7	Certificate of Excellence	Sophia	MacKinnon
7	Certificate of Excellence	Lani	Marsh
7	Certificate of Excellence	Madeleine	Stratico
7	Certificate of Excellence	Abbie	Cameron
7	Certificate of Excellence	Tessa	Hartley
8	Subject Merit - Art	Hannah	Hull
8	Subject Merit - English	Hannah	Hull
8	Subject Merit - Health and Physical Education	Poppy	Ford
8	Subject Merit - Humanities and Social Sciences	Hannah	Hull
8	Subject Merit - Japanese	Hannah	Hull
8	Subject Merit - Mathematics	Lachlan	Evans
8	Subject Merit - Science	Hannah	Hull
8	Subject Merit - Technologies	Grace	Outhwaite
8	Certificate of Excellence	Sarah	Arnold
8	Certificate of Excellence	Ingrid	Cherry
8	Certificate of Excellence	Willow	Coffey
8	Certificate of Excellence	Lachlan	Evans
8	Certificate of Excellence	Hannah	Hull
8	Certificate of Excellence	Sophie	Pearson
8	Certificate of Excellence	Louis	Thompson
8	Certificate of Excellence	Edmund	Toomey
9	Subject Merit - Art	Edward	Baker
9	Subject Merit - English	Grace	Eckersley
9	Subject Merit - Health and Physical Education	Craig	Wiech
9	Subject Merit - Humanities and Social Sciences	Maxwell	Cruse
9	Subject Merit - Mathematics	Ruth	Darmody
9	Subject Merit - Science	Ruth	Darmody
9	Subject Merit - Technologies	Grace	Eckersley
9	Certificate of Excellence	Ruth	Darmody
9	Certificate of Excellence	Grace	Eckersley
9	Certificate of Excellence	Evan	Pretorius
9	Certificate of Excellence	Adalyn	Sharpe

Year	Award Name	Subject Name	First	Surname
10	Subject Merit	English	Audrey	Cherry
10	Subject Merit	Health and Physical Education	Ava	Marmion
10	Subject Merit	Humanities	Ashlyn	Evans
10	Subject Merit	Mathematics	Sophie	Atkins
10	Subject Merit	Science	Milou	Buis
10	Subject Merit	Certificate II in Outdoor Education (Elective)	Willow	Powell
10	Subject Merit	Hospitality (Elective)	Nana	Yeboah
10	Subject Merit	Marine Studies (Elective)	Sophie	Atkins
10	Subject Merit	Physical Education Studies (Elective)	Ava	Marmion
10	Subject Merit	Wood Technologies (Elective)	Mikayla	Baker
10	Subject Merit	Contemporary Music (Elective)	Esther	Barrett-Lennard
10	Subject Merit	Visual Arts (Elective)	Rachel	Turner
10	Subject Merit	Media (Elective)	Willow	Powell
10	Subject Merit	Specialist Music (Elective)	Tian	Bray
10	Certificate of Excellence	Certificate of Excellence	Sophie	Atkins
10	Certificate of Excellence	Certificate of Excellence	Tian	Bray
10	Certificate of Excellence	Certificate of Excellence	Milou	Buis
10	Certificate of Excellence	Certificate of Excellence	Audrey	Cherry
10	Certificate of Excellence	Certificate of Excellence	Kimberley	Duncan
10	Certificate of Excellence	Certificate of Excellence	Madeline	Elllis
10	Certificate of Excellence	Certificate of Excellence	Ashlyn	Evans
10	Certificate of Excellence	Certificate of Excellence	Nyomi	Johnson
11	Subject Merit	Accounting and Finance: ATAR	Colin	Ferreira
11	Subject Merit	Biology: ATAR	Mila	Jeppe
11	Subject Merit	Certificate II in Hospitality	Jocelyn	Cybula
11	Subject Merit	Certificate III Music Industry (Performance)	Genevieve	Roxburgh
11	Subject Merit	Certificate III Sport & Recreation	Hayden	Leo
11	Subject Merit	Certificate IV in Business	Georgia	Arnold
11	Subject Merit	Chemistry: ATAR	Amy	Medway
11	Subject Merit	Computer Science: ATAR	Colin	Ferreira
11	Subject Merit	Computer Science: General	Sebastian	Bock
11	Subject Merit	Drama: ATAR	Wendy	Farmer
11	Subject Merit	English: ATAR	Colin	Ferreira
11	Subject Merit	English: General	Meg	Furphy
11	Subject Merit	English: General	Mischa	Collin
11	Subject Merit	Geography: ATAR	Chloe	Climie
11	Subject Merit	Human Biology: ATAR	Ulrich	Kriek
11	Subject Merit	Human Biology: General	Jocelyn	Cybula
11	Subject Merit	Literature: ATAR	Bianca	Marshall
11	Subject Merit	Marine and Maritime Studies: General	Tahlee	Grinter
11	Subject Merit	Materials Design & Technology - Wood: General	Darcy	Roberts
11	Subject Merit	Mathematics Applications: ATAR	Ulrich	Kriek
11	Subject Merit	Mathematics Essentials: General	Liesel	Freebury
11	Subject Merit	Mathematics Methods: ATAR	Amy	Medway
11	Subject Merit	Mathematics Specialist: ATAR	Amy	Medway
12	Subject Merit	Media: ATAR	Colin	Ferreira
11	Subject Merit	Music: ATAR	Matilda	Comer
11	Subject Merit	Outdoor Education: General	Kate	Carlson
11	Subject Merit	Outdoor Education: General	Mariella	Somerscales
11	Subject Merit	Physical Education Studies: ATAR	Ulrich	Kriek
11	Subject Merit	Physics: ATAR	Colin	Ferreira
11	Subject Merit	Politics and Law: ATAR	Isla	Anderson
11	Subject Merit	Visual Arts: ATAR	Bianca	Marshall
11	Subject Merit	Visual Arts: General	Rif	McNeil-Hanna
11	Certificate of Excellence (ATAR)	Certificate of Excellence (ATAR)	Chloe	Climie
11	Certificate of Excellence (ATAR)	Certificate of Excellence (ATAR)	Colin	Ferreira
11	Certificate of Excellence (ATAR)	Certificate of Excellence (ATAR)	Liesel	Freebury
11	Certificate of Excellence (ATAR)	Certificate of Excellence (ATAR)	Ulrich	Kriek
11	Certificate of Excellence (ATAR)	Certificate of Excellence (ATAR)	Bianca	Marshall
11	Certificate of Excellence (ATAR)	Certificate of Excellence (ATAR)	Amy	Medway
11	Certificate of Excellence (VET and General)	Certificate of Excellence (VET and General)	Meg	Furphy

Year	Special Awards	First	Surname
10	The Australian Defence Force Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award	Eugene	Bird
10	The Australian Defence Force Future Innovators Award	Nyomi	Johnson
11	Values and Christian Service Award	Tahlee	Grinter
10	Values and Christian Service Award	Esther	Barrett-Lennard
9	Values and Christian Service Award	Maxwell	Cruse
8	Values and Christian Service Award	Hannah	Hull
7	Values and Christian Service Award	Cooper	Dixon
9	Boarding Award	Katelyn	Ferry
9	Boarding Award	Matthew	Cant
11	Academic Achievement Award	Colin	Ferreira
10	Academic Achievement Award	Ashlyn	Evans
9	Academic Achievement Award	Ruth	Darmody
8	Academic Achievement Award	Hannah	Hull
7	Academic Achievement Award	Tessa	Hartley
11	Principal's Award	Liesel	Freebury
10	Principal's Award	Charlie	Sprigg
9	Principal's Award	Olivia	Riggall
8	Principal's Award	Willow	Coffey
7	Principal's Award	Macy	Emberson

News from the Careers Centre

Try-A-Trade Day

Over the past few weeks, two small groups of Year Nine students have had the opportunity to attend one of two three-day workshops at Southern Regional TAFE, exploring the many trade areas they have on offer. This is part of the CTF-funded Try-A-Trade program, an initiative developed to allow Year Nine students to explore trade pathways on offer at our local campus and experience life as a TAFE student for a few days.

Students tried their hands at carpentry, building and construction, and engineering. It was so lovely to have the lecturer comment on how respectful and mature our GSG students were and how well they represented themselves and the school. Congratulations to the students who attended. It was such a fabulous experience!

Mrs Renae O'Donnell | VET & Careers Coordinator

For Your Diary

2025 Term One Week One

Week Two