Around the School

Japanese Exchange visit 

It was with many smiles and a bit of nerves that we welcomed five Japanese exchange students, from the small town of Iwata, to St George’s last week. It has been a while since we have had this opportunity, so their two-day visit was packed with engaging and fun things for them to do and learn.

Besides attending some regular classes with their host brother or sister, the students were treated to special Art, Dance, Cooking, Music and Chinese lessons. 

The hosting students said that they loved having the students stay with them and it was a great experience to learn how to communicate when neither person is fluent in the other’s language. Some wise words from one of our students was “even if you speak different languages, you can still be kind and polite”, which reinforces how important these exchanges and interactions are for all involved.

A huge thank you to the staff who gave their time to take lessons with the Japanese students and also to the families who opened their homes to them and hosted them for a week. We look forward to welcoming a bigger group of students from Iwata Higashi next year as well.

Mrs Danielle de Witt

Coordinator of Languages

Woodwork workshop takes shape 

Over the past nine weeks, an empty basement at the Murray Street Campus has been transformed into a fully functioning woodwork workshop. The space is designed to inspire creativity, hands‑on learning and practical skill development for students across all year levels.

The project began with planning the workshop layout and selecting safe, school‑appropriate machinery. 

New equipment including bandsaws, drill presses, table saw, thicknesser, and dust‑extraction system have now been installed, giving students access to industry‑standard tools. Not to mention the plethora of hand held power tools has created a sense of excitement for all those involved.

Alongside the machinery, the space has been fitted with custom‑built cabinetry, tool storage, and dedicated work zones for sanding, assembly, and finishing.  All of these were designed and made in-house by our resident qualified furniture maker – Joss Timms.  These additions ensure the workshop is not only functional but organised, safe, and ready for daily use.

With the physical space taking shape, attention has also turned to developing a suite of woodwork programmes for Years 7– 10. These projects range from making toy trucks all the way up to designing and making bespoke coffee tables.

A special thank you goes to three students Ben Clark, Brody McManus and Grady McIver, Year 9 students who have contributed to the setup as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award service component. Their help with the preparation of the space has made a great impact in the setup of the space. The workshop is now nearing completion for phase one, the woodwork space.  We are now planning and preparing for phase two, which will be an exciting new space for mechatronics.  Exciting times ahead.

Mr Hiep Nguyen

Coordinator of Materials Design & Technology

Magnificent Maths 

During Maths Week this term, students enjoyed a video of parents explaining how they use maths in their jobs.

Sincere thanks to everyone who took the time to send in a video. Our Maths Department also ran a range of school-based activities, including a new card game.

And there is so much more: see all of this term’s Maths highlights in a fabulous poster by Miss Hewitt here: Plus, if you’re looking for a boredom buster, try this fun golf game over the holidays.

Miss Chloe Hewitt

Head of Mathematics

HASS Week – Know the Past, Shape the Future

Last week was a whirlwind of activity as our school celebrated HASS Week, showcasing the incredible diversity of Humanities and Social Sciences. From deep dives into international politics, paper crafts and art of cake decoration, students across all year levels engaged with the world in creative and meaningful ways.

Week 9 kicked off on Monday with Mr Maddess leading a lively “Trump Talk”. It was inspiring to see so many young people spending their lunch break discussing contemporary world events and asking thoughtful questions about the current political climate. Simultaneously, our Year 7 and 8 students participated in Junior PAWS sessions, traveling back in time to explore the Ancient Wonders of the World while constructing their own impressive paper models.

Tuesday shifted the focus to the world of commerce with a high-energy competition centred on corporate brand names and logos, while Wednesday provided a much-needed and popcorn-filled break with a special screening of Horrible Histories.

Thursday saw students take part in a world flag competition, challenging their geographical knowledge. Senior students also participated in PAWS sessions featuring quizzes and discussions focused on the issue of the use of force by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the United States, encouraging critical thinking around contemporary global issues.

Friday was undoubtedly the highlight of the week, featuring two of our most anticipated activities: the Geography Cake Decorating competition and the Year 7 Ancient History dress-up day.

This year the creativity was at an all-time high. Abbie Byrne took home first place with a stunning and precarious Leaning Tower of Pisa cake, followed closely by Andy Camplin in second and Violet Kazim in third.

Meanwhile, the Murray Street Cafeteria was filled with figures from the past for the Year 7 Costume Competition. Ami Bangura claimed the top spot with a truly impressive Medusa transformation, while Lochy Patten and Frankie Rowcliffe rounded out the winners' circle in second and third place respectively.

A huge thank you goes out to all the students who participated with such enthusiasm and the staff members who dedicated their time to making HASS Week a resounding success. 

Mr Ken Maddess

Head of Humanities