From the Principal

Welcome to the start of Term Three

A special welcome to the new families joining our community this Semester. We have new families across the school from Kindergarten to Year Eleven.  I am delighted to be back at school after leave. It was an opportunity for personal rejuvenation along with time to visit schools within the region and connect with regional families. Our school has a wonderful reputation throughout our region. Another highlight was the Alumni function held last month in Perth. Our former students speak highly of their experiences and how a GSG education has provided them with a launching platform for further growth. 

Thank you

Could I please thank staff who were in Acting roles during my leave at the end of Term Two.  Mrs Emma Franklin, Acting Principal, Mr Adam Scott, Acting Deputy Principal and Ms Angelina Ross, Acting Head of Middle School.  Thank you for assuming this responsibility and continuing to lead the School so smoothly in my absence.

NAIDOC Assembly

At Wednesday’s NAIDOC Assembly we welcomed Lester Coyne, Vernice Gillies, Ashlee Pinner, Georgie Mullins, Talitha Archer, Annette Eades and Elizabeth Woods as special guests.  This year’s theme was Get Up, Stand Up, Show up.  At GSG we welcome our Indigenous students and friends to our school on Menang land and openly acknowledge the wrongs of the past and pledge a commitment to bridge the gap between.  We celebrate Indigenous contributions to our modern-day society, and school, and admire and respect the love of the land on which we gather as a GSG community.  We know that coming together respectfully has the power to change everything to address the wound in our nation and create a better shared future for all people who call Australia home.  

One of the assembly highlights was the reflection by Year Twelve student, Paige Narkle.  Paige provided a personal account of the impact of educational missions on her family.  Historically, family members were removed to be educated in missions operated by different religious groups.  Paige spoke of the strength and bravery of these First Nations people who continued under these difficult conditions without their family.  She said “it is because of them that we, as Aboriginal people, have our rights today”.

Parent/Teacher Interviews

On Monday we held parent/teacher interviews for Middle and Senior School.  Reading the Semester report with your child is an opportunity to reset goals for the coming term.  With timely teacher feedback, the start of this term is an ideal time to write down the goals which can be monitored throughout the remainder of the year.

New School Council Member

At June’s School Council meeting, Mr Tom Moir was elected as a new Member to the School Council.  Tom is currently the Chair of the Griffins Combined Sports Management Committee and has extensive experience with community Boards and organisations.  Tom was the Regional Development Manager for the WA Football Commission prior to relocating to Albany.  Tom will provide a valuable contribution and expertise to School Council.  

Mr Mark Sawle | Principal