From the Principal

Covid weekend hotline (9844 0590)

With many GSG families travelling out of and visitors entering the Great Southern region, it is important for the School to be aware of any Covid issues.  The School has set up a weekend school phone line that will be directed to the Principal or Deputy Principal.  Please use this number to inform the School of any Covid related cases or seek clarification on related issues.

A reminder that you can access the Great Southern Grammar COVID-19 updates on MyGSG, or by clicking here. 

Catching up

With no assemblies or large gatherings, it can be difficult to get messages across to students.  This week I have begun visiting individual classrooms to show my face, although with a face mask.  My messages have been simple; thank you for wearing your mask as instructed, congratulations to all students on their wonderful start to the academic year and encouraging students to continue to watch out for each other.  It has been a joy to reconnect with students who have been up for all the challenges of Term One.

School Council 

Mr Paul Camins, who served almost three years on School Council and just over ten years on Building and Grounds Committee has resigned.  The School wishes to acknowledge Paul’s contributions over a long period of time and thank him for his service to the School.   Mr Simon Thomas, a current member of Building and Grounds Committee has been elected to School Council.  Simon is a parent of the School and has been a member of Building and Grounds for over two years.  

Griffins new uniforms

Great Southern Griffins will launch new uniforms with a connection to country in the form of a watermark.  The watermark was designed by Year Twelve student, Paige Narkle.  Paige created this design to tie in all aspects of country.  This watermark has very special significance, referencing the land on which our school and boarding houses are built on, with the Kalgan and King rivers meeting close by, and the significance of the Yoorl (paperbark) tree.  The big circles with little circles around them represent a meeting place. This signifies the fish traps, the paperbark land, and the camping grounds that used to be where our school is now built.  The big dots and smaller dots around them are stars. This signifies the stars we have playing for our Griffins Sporting Clubs.  The squiggles in between these designs represent the Kalgan and King Rivers that surround GSG, as well as the fish traps down the river. 

Just down the river from GSG we have our fish traps and this area was used extensively by the Menang people as a hunting ground. The fish traps were used for around six months of the year during the warmer months, before people began migrating inland at the onset of winter to areas around the Stirling Ranges where the was more shelter and warmth. The area was also a corroboree ground, where marriages were arranged, and everyone came together. 

The school also lies on the land of the Paperbark tree. Back in the day when the Menang tribes would build their camp here, they would use the paperbark tree to create shelter and a living space. The paperbark was used as ‘roof tiles’ and bedding, as the bark is soft. All of these aspects of country have a huge significance to the Menang tribe in Albany, Kinjarling.  Paige wants the cultural importance to be taken into consideration behind this watermark design and what it is symbolising when the uniform is worn.  She asked that players remember to play their sport with good sportsmanship and pride while wearing these new uniforms. To the Yalari students who will wear these uniforms, she welcomed them to represent Menang land and tribe with pride, while still standing behind your own land and people.  

We look forward to seeing the uniform on the court!

Year Eight Excursion Day

On Tuesday I travelled to Camp Quaranup to visit the Year Eight Excursion Day.  It is so important that children experience the outdoors with their peers.  The activities enabled students to work as a team, navigate different situations and collaboratively identify each other’s strengths and weaknesses.  I am sure the students appreciated the mask free time as well as the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and different scenery.  Congratulations to Ms Penny Simpson and Mr Adam Scott and the homeroom teachers for developing this program.  

I wish you a safe and enjoyable long weekend.

Mr Mark Sawle | Principal