Around the School

Having our say about the City

The 2026 Student Leaders and 2025 Semester Two Student Council Representatives recently had the incredible opportunity to take part in the Perth Capital City Plan – Towards 2036 and Beyond engagement sessions, led by consultants from the City of Perth.

Around 30 students from Years 7 to 11 participated in a workshop and pop-up activity, sharing their ideas and aspirations for the future of our city. Their thoughtful and constructive feedback is already helping to shape Perth’s long-term vision as a bold, inclusive, and globally connected capital.

This initiative highlights the importance of giving young people a voice in planning the city they will inherit, while encouraging civic participation among our future leaders. A huge thank you to the City of Perth for inviting our students to be part of this exciting process.

Ms Taryn Sephton

Associate Dean of Students and Wellbeing

The art of talking to an audience

Our annual Oracy Day provides Year 8 students with the opportunity to live up to a challenge, by presenting to an audience of their peers. Last week our Year 8s demonstrated that they understood the difference between talking “at” and talking “to” an audience. Mark Twain once famously quipped that “ It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.” There is much truth in this view. Presenting is a skill that empowers individuals, but it takes thought, consideration and lots and lots of preparation and planning.

Many thanks to Ms Kelly Newbold for her management of the day, which entirely supported our credo that everyone matters here at St George’s. 

It was a joy for me, this year, to take a secondary role and closely observe what happens when you “hand the keys” to creatively minded students. What we got was a veritable smorgasbord of fascinating presentations. Our students covered everything, from tennis, the life of Napolean Bonaparte, walking the Cape to Cape, the history of Dr Who, and fishing lures, to the importance of science fiction. We enjoyed readings from: Harry Potter, Animal Farm, Pride and Prejudice, Dr Suess and Wonder, to name, but a few. 

Our Year 8s embraced this task with imagination and gusto. They, conquered nerves, dealt with technical glitches and were attentive to each other’s presentations for the better part of a full day. 

I believe that is a lot for any 13-year-old to manage in one day. I applaud our Year 8s for the wit, the effort and the imagination that you brought to this year’s Oracy Day. Well Done everyone. 

Mr Damien Kerrigan

HoLA, English and Languages

Science Trebuchet challenge hits new heights

The first round of trebuchet launches is now complete, and the results are in! Half the class have tested their creations, and the engineering feats were impressive. Accuracy was strong across the board, but distances varied dramatically - from a modest 60cm to an astonishing 16.04 metres. A few even managed the unexpected… shooting backwards!

The remaining students will finish building over the course of the next few days, with final launches scheduled after camp. Despite the timing hiccup, the project has been a hands-on adventure in design and problem-solving. Students have sourced materials, mastered tools like saws and drills, and learned that even the best plans need adjustments.

This challenge highlights an essential engineering truth: designs do not always work as intended.  The ability to step back, rethink, and improve is a valuable skill—and one our students are embracing enthusiastically.  Stay tuned for the next round of results. Who knows? We might even see a new record!

Ms Lynda Lane

Science Teacher

A sweet showdown for Great Bake-Off

This week we wrapped up the Great St George’s Bake-Off, the grand finale of our House Week celebrations, and what a delicious journey it has been! The competition unfolded over three mouth-watering rounds and our students (and their cakes) truly rose to the occasion.

Round One kicked off with cupcakes galore! Students brought their best creations to the table, and our judges, the Heads of House and staff, had the tough job of tasting and scoring.

The top 10 bakers then advanced to Round Two: Slices, and the creativity soared once more! Cheesecakes, wagon-wheel slices, and an unforgettable lemon-blueberry slice from Year 8 Mandela student Leilah Pooley had everyone talking. Each entry was a testament to their culinary skill and imagination.

Finally, the Showcase Round gave students free rein to go big and create anything they wanted. After sampling 20 cupcakes, 10 slices, and a final round of show-stopping desserts, our judges crowned the ultimate winner: Ellie Hardy (Year 10, Lincoln)! Congratulations!

Ellie’s masterpiece? A beautifully decorated chocolate cake layered with caramel cream and rich chocolate ganache filling, which scored excellently in taste, texture, and presentation.

A huge thank you to our judges (Heads of House, staff, and the Student Guild) for bravely tackling the sweetest challenge of the year, and, of course, to every student who participated. 

Your creativity and passion made this Bake-Off truly spectacular. 

Bring on 2026!

Mr Vincent Lim

Head of Lincoln and Cake Tester Extraordinaire