Whole School News
Art Focus Day
Year Eight students had a fantastic day on Wednesday, with each student participating in two art workshops. We had seven guest artists offering a range of fabulous workshops, including Nathan Bray, who guided students in creating beautifully crafted and stencilled ceramic cups and Duncan Moon, who showed students how to carve into Mount Barker spongelite stone (approximately 38 million years old). There was significant focus on the use of mallets and chisels.
Rachel Falls Williams had students use shibori techniques to create beautiful patterns and dyes on fabric. Andy Dolphin captivated students with his cartooning techniques, while Tony King introduced them to the wonderful world of songwriting, with some new works even being bravely performed! Simon Woodward had students spellbound with improvisation and theatre techniques, while Julieanne Dwyer took students into the world of film and theatre makeup, teaching them how to create fake bruises and wounds for film sets. It was a wonderful day!
Ms Rachel Mordy | Head of the Arts
Wilson Day Celebration
On Friday 27 June, our school came alive with colour and energy as we celebrated our annual Wilson Day, a much-loved event dedicated to recognising the spirit and values of Wilson House.
This year’s theme, “Wear Your Colours,” saw students and staff embracing the chance to dress up in their favourite sports team uniforms, club jumpers, or simply their most-loved colours.
The vibrant display created a sea of school spirit across the grounds and hallways, adding to the excitement of the day.
At lunchtime, we sold an impressive 420 ice creams, a welcome treat on what turned out to be a perfect, sunny winter’s day. The ever-popular Wilson Year Twelve students vs Staff European Handball match also took centre stage in the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex. It was a fiercely contested game, with plenty of competitive spirit on display. Despite a strong effort from the Year Twelve students, the Staff team managed to hold onto their winning streak once again.
Most importantly, Wilson Day raised a whopping $1041, which will be proudly donated to the Albany Youth Support Association, an organisation doing vital work in our local community.
A huge thank you to all the students, staff and volunteers who contributed to making this year’s Wilson Day such a success. Your enthusiasm, teamwork and generosity truly reflect the Wilson House values. Well done!
Mrs Penni Berryman | Teacher / Head of Wilson House
From the School Counsellor
Mental Health First Aid Updates:
This semester has seen the delivery of six MHFA courses to GSG communities, including Youth and Older Persons, as well as all Year Ten students participating in training embedded in Health Education classes. Just a week ago, 18 people were trained in Conversations About NSSI. The participants comprised GSG staff, parents and community members from various service organisations. Both Palmerston and Great Southern Grammar are always heartily acknowledged and thanked with oceans of gratitude and humility as we work towards normalising help-seeking and language fluidity around mental health, and destigmatising unhealthy attitudes around mental health. It is ok to not feel ok and it is ok to ask for help – moreover, it is ok to notice, to support, to advocate for those who are struggling.
Teen Mental Health First Aid for Year Eight students - Term Three
All Year Eight Health Education classes will be trained in teenMHFA for approximately five lessons across the first half of Term Three.
The topics include:
- The relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviours
- The difference between mental health problems and mental health crises
- What stigma is and how to reduce it
- What help seeking is and how to increase and normalise it
- The action plan – Look, Ask, Listen, Help Connect with an Adult, Friendship
- How to help a friend access the support they need
- Making sure our own self-care is priority
I am a trainer with extensive experience in this field and a passion for what I do. If families have any questions about the course or feel that their child may be emotionally vulnerable, please don't hesitate to contact me at sheryl.moncur@gsg.wa.edu.au
Safety protocols are always maintained throughout the course.
I advise both parents and students to read the attached information, which can be accessed via the following links.
06. Teen MHFA What Parents need to know - 7-9 Editable (1)
More information can be found:
Teen Mental Health First Aid | Mental Health First Aid Australia
Harvesting Hope and Broadening Optimism
“In a world that seems to be full of doom and gloom, it can be tough to find good news. But luckily, there are plenty of websites out there that focus on positive news stories.
In an interview with Good Good Good, neuropsychologist and New York Times best-selling author, Dr Rick Hanson said that our brains are evolutionarily hardwired with an internal negativity bias.
“Bad news sticks to the brain like velcro,” he said. “And good news slides right off the brain like Teflon.”
Our brains are not naturally seeking good; they’re seeking a means to survive.
This is why it is important that we are intentional about consuming good news. We must slow down, intentionally seek it out, and — most important of all — share it with others to help them find an outlet for hope, as well.
Good Good Good’s mission is to help you feel more hopeful and do more good. In a world full of heartbreak, pain and injustice, Good Good Good shares stories of the people, ideas and movements shaping the world for the better.”
Twelve Best Good News Websites To Leave You More Hopeful
Gem Gathering and Awe Hunting
“Awe… some
What does awe mean to you? To me, I describe awe with words like wonder, sacred, inspire, vast and reverence. Awe is a place, like nature; it is a feeling, like gratitude; it is a gift, like holding a newborn baby. Awe can be many things to many people. The first step in understanding the power of awe is to identify and appreciate what creates awe in our lives. Then it’s important to consider how often we experience it. And finally, and most importantly, does it even matter?
According to the scientific literature, experiencing awe can make a significant difference in our mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health. What is more, you do not need to make a trip to the Grand Canyon. Awe is easy, economical and readily available. But how can it help?
The Health Benefits of Awe
In the scientific literature, awe has been identified as a very distinct positive emotion that can enhance mental and physical health by influencing thought patterns, social behavior, and physiology.
A 2021 study separated older individuals into two groups: walkers and awe walkers. The awe walkers were told to experience awe during their walks by taking photographs and focusing on their surroundings rather than themselves. When compared to the regular walkers, the awe walkers had significantly more positive emotions and less anxiety and depression. Now that’s taking something good, like walking, and making it even better.
Awe shifts our attention and energy outward instead of inward. In this way, awe can help quiet negative self-talk and encourage gratitude and optimism, two emotions that are also associated with better mental and physical health. From a social standpoint, awe can help us be more generous and kinder and feel more connected and compassionate with others, which can also positively influence our health.
Research demonstrates that repeated exposure to awe positively affects our stress response, inflammation, hormonal activity and brain function. Appreciating awe on a consistent basis can also help ease symptoms of depression.”
M-awe (sorry!!) here: Tapping Into the Healing Power of Awe | Psychology Today
And here: How to Find Awe in Everyday Life by Liz D. — CAPPC
Ms Sheryl Moncur | School Counsellor / Teacher
Uniform Shop
Term Three opening hours
Week One
- Monday 21 July: 11.00am to 3.00pm (Pupil Free Day)
- Tuesday: CLOSED
- Wednesday: 8.00am to 4.00pm
- Thursday: CLOSED
- Friday: 8.00am to 1.00pm
Week Two
- Monday: 8.00am to 4.00pm
- Tuesday: CLOSED
- Wednesday: 8.00am to 4.00pm
- Thursday: CLOSED
- Friday: 8.00am to 1.00pm
Denmark Regional Roadshow Sundowner
The great GSG Regional Roadshow Sundowners continue in Term Three! We would love to see all Denmark families and any friends they wish to invite. See details below to RSVP for this event.
Denmark Sundowner
Date: Thursday 7 August
Time: 5.00pm to 7.00pm
Venue: Boston Brewery
Employment Opportunities
For more information and to apply, please visit: Careers at Great Southern Grammar -
