From the 

Executive Principal

Welcome back to Term 4 - a slightly longer term but a busy one, particularly in these early weeks as we prepare to farewell our graduating class of 2023. 

Our Year 12s are spending this time studying and preparing for exams, which begin on October 24. I know many of our teaching and education support staff are also going the extra mile to support our senior students during this time, as are our families at home. The stress can be high for Year 12 students, but I must say, the spirits are still high here at school and I hope as we edge closer to exams our students lean on their support networks should they need. 

We look forward to our whole school, Year 12 farewell assembly next Wednesday, followed by a graduation ceremony with families later in November and the students’ Valedictory dinner. This will provide an opportunity to stop and celebrate the students’ 13 years in education and all that they have achieved in this time. 

This week, during in Home Group, I was able to announce our 2024 College Captains. In Biyala Neighbourhood we have Sabri Ibisi and Reyhaneh Hosseini. Dharnya is represented by Joanna Muli and Isabella O’Dwyer, while our Bayuna Neighbourhood will be headed up by Trinity Drain and Madeline Judd. I know our student body will be well represented by this group and I look forward to working closely with our incoming College Captains.  

What stood out for me when speaking with our 2024 leaders was the common theme of wanting to build aspirations among students of all ages and backgrounds at our school. The group were united in their view that every student at our College has the potential to achieve in their own right and fostering that belief and drive among all young people here at GSSC is a key goal for our College Captains heading into the new school year. The group said through their diversity, they hope fellow students will see themselves represented and know that nothing is out of reach. A pretty inspiring bunch of young people who I know will do great things in their Captaincy roles beyond. 

It was fantastic to kick the term off catching up with some of our families at our Appreciation Day event earlier this week. This was hosted by our Year 10 Food Creations class who prepared a range of hot food and boxes of sweet treats for the special people in their lives who joined us at school for a bite to eat and a cuppa over recess.  

Those heading to the Shepparton Show this weekend may like to stop by the arts and cooking and agricultural displays as we have 118 students with entries into these sections. We look forward to sharing some photos and updates from the event in our next newsletter and via social media. 

Today our Years 7 and 8s are heading out for their Junior Summer Sports Day – always an event that is enjoyed by students and staff and an opportunity to build some healthy competition between our Houses. 

Speaking of which, our PAC Cup is well underway, with our focus remaining on punctuality and encouraging students to arrive to school and class on time. At the end of week 5, we will announce the winning House, with the highest number of positive chronicles for this five-week period and our new focus for the remainder of Term 4. 

I would like to stress that our School day commences at 8:55am with the Home Group session which is vital for all students to attend. It is at this session they are given important information about their study, school events and opportunities outside the college. 

Happy reading. 

Barbara O'Brien

Executive Principal