From the Head of Secondary

Our student-led Assembly this week was a timely reminder of the rich variety of opportunities our students here are offered. We had reports on the Twenty20 Cricket Carnival, the Arts Camp, the International Women’s Day Conference and fundraiser as well as delightful reports from the Primary School Horizon’s program and Interhouse Swimming Carnival. The Year Twelve student leaders also created a video about respect, featuring staff and students from across the campus. With many of these events running for the first time in several years in some cases, there is much joy and excitement about being able to participate in such a broad range of activities.

NAPLAN season has started well in the Secondary School and I have been impressed with the way students have conducted themselves. I would like to thank all families for your support in preparing students for these assessments. Students have been organised, well-prepared and arrived with serious intent to perform at their best.

International Women’s Day

Our leaders were keen to be involved in International Women’s Day this year. Please see their reports below.

Ava Smith

International Women’s Day is an annual celebration of the women’s rights movement, which continues to raise awareness of current issues including reproductive rights, gender equality and violence and abuse against women.

Last Wednesday, 8 March, marked International Women’s Day 2023. The leadership team proposed to run a fundraiser in support, and now aim to raise awareness of the importance of International Women’s Day. Given our opportunities in a safe, equal and growing school, we decided to support those who are living through less fortunate circumstances in our own community. The Women’s Centre in Albany provides women affected by domestic and family violence, with or without children, a safe refuge and support services. Everyone deserves a safe place to sleep at night, and by helping those escape danger in their own homes, we are embracing equity for women. 

The cake stall last Wednesday raised a total of $400 which will soon be donated to the Women’s Centre on behalf of the school. Stella and I would like to thank everybody for supporting the cause and embracing equity to make the day so successful. A big thank you to those who baked cakes at home or boarding, your kindness and charity was much appreciated.  

Stella Boyce

As previously mentioned, International Women’s Day is all about celebrating women’s rights. As representatives of the school, Maddie and I were able to attend the International Women’s Day conference at the ACCI in Albany. We heard from various speakers and were able to understand their journeys as businesswomen.

My personal favourite speaker was Louise O’Neill. She is the owner and creator of the business Farm Life Fitness. She and her husband created the brand after going through a very difficult time as rural farmers in the Wheatbelt.

She spoke about her journey as the owner of Farm Life Fitness and spoke about her dream to create happier, healthier and more sustainable lives for farmers and their families, living in rural Australia. We were able to meet many more women like Louise and learn all about their lives and achievements.

Maddie Byrne

This year the theme for International Women's Day was Cracking the Code – all about women and producing a digital presence, creating innovation and technology for gender equality. As previously mentioned, Stella and I were invited to the Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry Great Southern International Women's Day celebration. Held at the Hilton, the conference comprised of inspiring women from all over the Great Southern. Stella and I had the opportunity to meet many successful women from the region, women who run and support businesses all around Albany. Stella and I felt privileged to be a part of such a wonderful celebration.

Peer Support

Following last week’s Anchor article, I had some students from both Year Eleven and Year Seven ask to share their thoughts about Peer Support.

Year Eleven - Mia Benson and Elsie Wright

Last Wednesday morning, the Baudin Year Elevens visited the Year Seven Baudin Homeroom. Elsie and I introduced ourselves to a group of students and we asked them about their ‘pits and peaks’ of Year Seven so far. We received many positive responses with their ‘peaks’ of; more sporting equipment and sporting opportunities as they are now highschoolers, increased freedom in the technology areas, eg 3D printers, vinyl cutters and laser cutters, which they found exciting. They are also enjoying the privilege of their new laptops. And minimal ‘pits’ of increased workload and lunchtime being later than in Primary School. Overall, it was enjoyable to talk about their new friendships and connections within the year group and we are looking forward to getting to know the Baudin Year Sevens further across our Peer Support sessions.

Year Eleven - Mary Witham

Peer Support is a great introduction where the Year Elevens get to meet the Year Sevens. Getting to know the younger year groups is a great opportunity to calm any nervous Year Sevens starting out.

Year Seven - Denver Jenkins

I think Peer Support is a great programme because you get to collaborate with older kids. You chat about hobbies and things that you want to achieve, you also get a worksheet to complete.

Year Seven - Sofia Bird

I loved the Peer Support session that we had with the Year Eleven students because we got to know ,each other and it's important to have Peer Support so you can understand people better. All the Year Elevens were very comforting, and they also told us about what they were interested in as well!

Year Seven - Henry Stone

Peer Support was really good on Wednesday. They asked us about how we liked GSG, they asked us about what sport we play and what we do for after-school activities. I think Peer Support is really good, because they help us, and we can ask questions about school and other things.

The Periods, Pain and Endometriosis Program

GSG is pleased to be offering this important educational program to our Year Ten students on Friday 24 March.

Did you know, 1 in 5 Australian teens assigned female at birth aged 16-18 are missing school due to severe period pain?

The Periods, Pain and Endometriosis Program (PPEP Talk®) is a State and Federally funded program that is currently being offered free of charge to all West Australian high schools.

PPEP Talk® is a fun, interactive, one-hour program. Developed by medical and education professionals for Years Ten to Twelve students, the program de-mystifies period pain, pelvic pain and endometriosis.

The program aims to:

Empower and inform young people to recognise symptoms;
Improve health-seeking behaviours that encourage timely intervention;
Provide strategies to manage pelvic pain and minimise interruption to schooling; and
Enhance mental health and general wellbeing.

Mrs Victoria Turnor | Head of Secondary

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