From the Deputy Principal

Country Week and student connections

During this week I have had the joy of joining the Country Week team in Perth for part of the week. Yesterday I watched volleyball, hockey and AFL and was pleased to see our students performing really well on the sporting field. Alongside their sporting prowess, they demonstrated collaboration, communication, respect, encouragement and tenacity. They are also refreshingly good humoured! But, more importantly, I was able to join the students at lunch time, on the sidelines of various games, supporting with a bit of first aid and at last night’s dinner. These are the times where connections are made, where building community happens. One of the coaches remarked to me that the actual benefit of Country Week is the connections students make with each other and with their coaches and managers, sitting right alongside the opportunity to compete. I whole heartedly agree; I think we all know this about any shared endeavour, but it has been writ large this week against the backdrop of this sporting gathering. Thank you to all the coaches and managers who have worked tirelessly to make sure our students have an experience they will remember with fondness. We will have a full gallery of photos in next week's Anchor. Thank you to Sian Tebbutt (Year Twelve) for being our Country Week photographer.

Leaders Forum

At a leaders’ forum I attended this week, I heard from Professor Gary Martin (CEO, Australian Institute of Management WA) and Mr Richard Goyder (Chairman, AFL Commission) along with a range of other presenters. Gary started the day by identifying a range of ‘quotients’ or qualities (he also called them ‘intelligences’) required by leaders in the current environment, in and beyond schools. I was interested to hear his thoughts echoed closely by Richard later in the day. Gary explored the importance of IQ (intelligence) and a well known counterpart to that, EQ (emotional ‘intelligence’). He then went further to postulate that leaders also need: 

BQ – body quotient, the capacity to look after themselves; 

AQ – adaptability quotient, the capacity to shift and adapt in a rapidly changing world; 

MQ – moral quotient, ensuring you are working in alignment with strong values

TQ – trust quotient, building strong trust relationships

These all resonated strongly with me as they mirror closely the sort of skills we are teaching and building in students; all students, not just those in leadership positions. It was reassuring to hear that these very important ‘intelligences’ are valued in the world beyond education.

Employment Opportunities

We would appreciate our GSG community helping to spread the word regarding the following employment vacancies:

• Boarding Supervisors
• Bus Drivers
• Cleaners
• Boarding Tutors

The School is particularly in need of Cleaners. Our cleaning team members ensure the School and Boarding Houses are kept hygienic and presentable, contributing to the overall welcoming environment at GSG for boarders, students, staff and visitors. There is great flexibility with this role. Please see the Careers section or visit Careers at Great Southern Grammar - Cleaner (gsg.wa.edu.au) for more information and/or to apply.

Mrs Emma Franklin | Deputy Principal