Junior School 

From the Head of Junior School

We have enjoyed a tremendous finish to an extraordinary year. The final few weeks of term have been full with swimming lessons, inquiry learning, concert rehearsals, and Christmas activities. It’s certainly been busy, but an enjoyable busy. Everyone can move into the break period feeling very proud of their efforts in 2022.  

Children’s University

Last Thursday 1 December, Junior School students who have been part of the Children’s University programme throughout the year attended their ‘Graduation’ at the Albany Entertainment Centre (AEC) before family and friends. The Children’s University programme, in its second year of operation, is supported by Edith Cowan University and the University of Western Australia to promote the value of extended learning opportunities for young people, particularly in regional areas. During the year students worked through a learning passport where they accrued hours of learning for various activities and projects they chose to explore and learn about. Students could choose creative activities, sporting endeavours, research topics to investigate, visiting museums, galleries, exhibitions and tourist information centres listed on the Children’s University site. Any source of learning was valued and acknowledged.

On Thursday afternoon, students enjoyed the sense of occasion of a graduation, putting on academic gowns and then processing across to the AEC before crossing the stage to be presented with their Children’s University certificate. It was a lovely occasion where the value of learning was celebrated and acknowledged. This has been a very successful programme that is sure to be offered again in 2023.

Year Six Celebration and Learning Exhibition

Last Friday 2 December our Year Six cohort hosted their Celebration and Learning Exhibition for family and friends, celebrating their culminating event from the Junior School. Eliza and Levi shared reflections of their time from Kindergarten to Year Six, together with class teachers Mr Paul Osborne and Mrs Marina Gordon offering their own reflections and well-wishes for this incredible cohort. Each student was presented with a leavers pack from Principal, Mr Mark Sawle, as a memento of their completion of Junior School, and enjoyed watching a video highlight package of Year Six 2022. The finale of the ceremony was the much-loved Baby Photo Recreation video where each student thoughtfully chose their favourite childhood photograph and then recreated the photograph as faithfully as they could in the present day. This is always a great spectacle and a reminder of how quickly time passes for these young people. 

After the celebration component of the evening was complete, families moved across to the Junior School building to view the Learning Exhibition from their final inquiry of the year, ‘Who we are’, an exploration into our sense of self as young learners in transition from Junior School to Year Seven. The Junior School building was filled with displays from each student, where they confidently shared insights about their character development and particular aspects of their lives that have helped shape who they are at this particular stage of their lives. It was a fitting finale for our Year Six cohort and one their families will treasure.

Junior School Awards Ceremony and Christmas Concert

On Tuesday 6 December, the whole Junior School gathered with their families to celebrate 2022 together in the Multi-Purpose Sport Complex. Opened by the stirring sounds of the GSG Pipe Band, the Awards Ceremony recognised the significant achievements of students with Class Awards, Learning Area Awards and Special Junior School Awards. We farewelled our Year Six cohort as a whole community, lead in song and blessings from School Chaplain – Mrs Naomi Cooper. To close the ceremony, House Leaders for 2023 were announced and the overall winning House for 2022 – Mokare. 

Shortly after the Awards Ceremony, and a quick costume change from formal uniform to Christmas outfits, we reassembled in the Multi-Purpose Sport Complex for a festive Christmas Concert to close out 2022. Each class performed an item in front of a packed audience with parents, grandparents and special friends enjoying the occasion. Everyone was wonderful, with a mixture of performances ranging from classic Christmas carols to more contemporary interpretations of the festive spirit. It really was a special treat and a lovely way to close out 2022 wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.   

Preparations for 2023

Primary School Workbooks and Stationery Lists are now online via MyGSG in the Junior School tab. Parents are welcome to click on those links and commence those pre-orders now, with the Workbooks needing to be ordered prior to Friday 9 December. 

I would like to conclude by offering my sincere thanks to our Junior School community for your generous support and enthusiasm for all the activities, events and programmes we make available for students and families to enjoy. Whether it's part of Horizons, Music, special events and occasions, or Sports, our Junior school is always well-represented with keen students and wonderfully supportive families. 2023 promises to be an exciting one for Great Southern Grammar marking our 25 year anniversary as a school. This will also be complemented by some structural changes with Years Seven to Twelve becoming the Secondary School and Pre-Kindergarten to Year Six becoming the Primary School.

I would like to extend my very best wishes to the incoming Acting Head of Primary – Mrs Leah Field. With over ten years as a staff member, Mrs Field has a deep connection to Great Southern Grammar and is a parent of the school with her son in the Early Childhood Centre. She will share her passion for teaching and learning with the Primary School and brings a strong understanding of our community. 

Thank you for the generosity and kindness you have shared with my family during our time at Great Southern Grammar. We have many fond memories to treasure, which we will be forever grateful for.

With warmest regards, and as always, appreciation, 

Merry Christmas,   

Mr Ken Raven | Head of Junior School

Junior School Awards

• Endeavour Award
  • for consistent effort throughout the year
  • one student from each class from Year One to Six
• Amity Award
  • for excellent citizenship skills, showing respect and concern for others
  • one student from each class from Year One to Six
• Academic Award
  • for outstanding academic achievement across all learning areas
  • one student from each of Year Three, Year Four and Year Five
• Special Learning Area Awards (see over page)
  • for Year Six students only
  • specialist teachers to enter student names for Languages, Visual Arts, Performing Arts and Physical Education 

Special Learning Area Awards: Year Six only