Welcome to our first newsletter for the 2023 school year. As I reflect on the stories, photos and updates contained within this jam-packed issue, I can see why the first couple of weeks of term have flown by.

It was only the beginning of last week we were welcoming our Year 7s to GSSC, supported by our Year 12 cohort who have formed such a valuable part of our new, vertical home group structure. To complement this change and assist our new students to settle in, our Year 12s and 7s have formed a ‘buddy system.’

As I popped into home groups during these first few days, I was so heartened to see students from all year levels mingling and helping each other out. Whether that was in the way of an informal chat, assistance to locate rooms or classes or navigate the timetable, it is what these vertical home groups are all about.

The yards have also been abuzz at recess and lunchtime and I have enjoyed walking around and talking to students about their break and watching them nurture new and old friendships.

Before I provide further updates, I would like to extend my condolences to our school families and local community who have been impacted by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. As the full extent of this impact comes to light, we are reaching out to those students and families who have been affected and offering support however we can. We will continue to do this via our Multicultural Liaison Officers, Wellbeing and Neighbourhood staff and will rally around our community during this very difficult time.

You will read further on in this newsletter an update regarding our two-day Year 12 Immersion held earlier this week at the McIntosh Centre in Shepparton. By all accounts the event was a huge success and is sure to be a regular feature on the school calendar. Not only did the experience provide Year 12s with information about career and wellbeing support available to them for their final year of study, but it allowed us to invite parents to the College for an information night regarding VCE/VCEVM.

As I mentioned in my welcome letter just before the beginning of term, a focus this year is on strengthening our partnership with families and working side-by-side to achieve the best outcomes for our young people. We cannot do it without you!

Furthermore, this week has allowed us an opportunity to meet and greet with our Year 7 families following an excursion to Billabong Ranch dubbed ‘the Big Day Out.’ During this session we were able to introduce families to key College and Neighbourhood staff, provide information on what is different in secondary schooling and what parents might expect over the next six years.

Over the course of the next few weeks, we will hold additional welcome nights for our First Nations, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse and broader GSSC families. Please read on further in the newsletter for specific dates, times and details around these. I hope to meet many of you there.

Our new College and House Captains have jumped straight into their leadership roles with our College Captains hosting our very first assembly for the year last Friday. I have also met with our Captains to discuss expectations for the year, as well as their goals and aspirations. It has been pleasing to see the Captains get to work right away, implementing an ‘ideas box’ designed to capture student voice, suggestions and improvements.

This Monday, some of our College Captains, First Nations student leaders and staff will also be attending the Queens Gardens for an event acknowledging the 15th anniversary of the National Apology. Next week the Captains will take part in a leadership induction day, providing them with the skills and mentorship they need to grow and be successful in their roles. Leadership comes in many different forms and I am looking forward to working with the students to identify their strengths and help them build from this foundation.

On a sad note, we have been sorry to hear of the recent passing of Mr Joe Day. In late 2021, as the Board Chair of Yorta Yorta Nations Aboriginal Corporation Mr Day was involved in the process that led to the use of traditional language in naming the GSSC neighbourhoods. His cultural knowledge and connection to community was greatly respected and appreciated. We wish to extend our condolences to Mr Day’s family and friends.

I would also like to acknowledge the anniversary of the Cummeragunja Walk Off. Many of our First Nations families today will have a deep connection to this historical moment – having relatives who took part in the protest and who were integral to igniting the movement that fought for the rights of the Aboriginal community. I would encourage you to read more on the Deadly Story website.[KD1]

This coming week is proving as busy as the last with our swimming carnival on Tuesday at Aquamoves. On Friday we will come together for our Student Leaders’ Investiture Assembly, formally welcoming our 2023 student leadership team. This assembly will be live streamed via a link which will be posted on Compass closer to the day.

A reminder also that Monday 13 February is our photo catch-up day for those students who did not get their photo taken earlier in the term. It is a requirement for us to have photographs taken of all students for Compass and identification purposes.

I look forward to seeing what else this term has in store for us.

Barbara O'Brien

Executive Principal

for

The Leadership Team

Year 7 Big Day Out