From the Head of Secondary

Week Two has been quite an adventure in Secondary School. The week started with our formal Student Leader Induction Ceremony which is a highlight every year. Having the whole community together was very special and choosing a favourite moment from this year’s event was particularly challenging; the Year One students receiving their badges probably wins the cutest moment, welcoming Mia Hawke back and hearing her words of wisdom vied for proudest moment along with acknowledging the 2023 Year Twelve cohort. Celebrating the 2023 student leadership team is one of the key moments of the year for this group of students and I am excited by their energy and enthusiasm.

The Year Twelve leaders met with the school chaplain, Mrs Naomi Cooper and Sustainability Coordinator, Mrs Karen Bradbury as part of their planning for the year. They are organising a fundraiser to help raise awareness for Hearing difficulties in coming weeks as well as planning for this year’s 'World’s Greatest Shave'. Please look out for several of our leaders at this week’s P&F Sundowner and feel free to chat with them about their plans for the year.

Year Nine leaders are excited to support House activities, recess and lunch distribution, and running their own initiatives. They also have this year’s GRIP conference to look forward to.

Our new Homerooms are taking shape and as I walk around in the morning I am enjoying hearing the laughter, chat and positive energy emerging from each room. I have seen card and board games, table tennis, older students helping younger ones with preparations for their day, students singing along to songs to raise motivation and energy for the day, and gratitude books with the highlights of the week being written about.

On Wednesday we had a variety of activities for students at a year group level.

Year Seven students spent some time working through all the upcoming events and how to prepare for them.

Year Eight students rotated through four mini-workshops to help them in their journey of becoming more independent and successful Year Eight students. The workshops were on study skills and effective diary use, how to be a good friend, team building, and keeping an eye on the big picture; maintaining perspective.

Year Nine students had their Camp briefing with Outdoor Education Group who are the providers for the Year Nine experience in Margaret River.

Year Ten students enjoyed an engaging talk from Mr Tom Mitchell who is the Head of St Thomas More College. He talks to students about taking charge of their own destinies.

Year Eleven students worked with the Elevate team, please see more information below.

Year Twelve students met with Mrs O’Donnell and Mr Sawle and looked at how to collate their digital career portfolios and some of the opportunities available to them now beyond school.

Week Two has also been the start of Music lessons and ensembles, sign-up for Countryweek (Years Ten to Twelve), VACS Arts and Culture activities (Years Seven to Nine) as well as Swimming Carnival pathways (Years Seven to Nine). The Mokare student leaders visited Homerooms to encourage participation in the upcoming Carnival.

Excitement is also mounting for our Year Twelve students as they prepare for the Ball on Saturday night. Please keep in touch with Homeroom teachers if you feel that you need any more information or support with any part of the events that have happened this week!

Elevate

Since 2001, Elevate has been transforming the way study skills programs are run across Australia. Drawing upon over 20 years of research into the habits of the country’s top students, Elevate's high-impact seminars & workshops help students improve their study techniques, increase motivation, build confidence, and lift exam performance.

On Wednesday, Elevate came to Great Southern Grammar and ran workshops: 'Study Sensei' and 'Time Management' with our Year Eleven students and the Study Skills Kickstart programme with our Year Nine students.

A key to the success of Elevate is the young, dynamic team of presenters that Elevate employ. Please ask your child about their session.

Elevate offer a series of resources for parents and families:

Wednesday 15 February How to Help Get (& Keep!) Your Child Motivated

Click here to register for free

Here’s what Elevate will be covering on the night:

✅ What impact does praise and reassurance have on your child’s motivation?

✅ What are the best types of goals to be setting with your child?

✅ How can you help your child create meaningful and lasting motivation?

NAPLAN

A leaflet specifically for parents and families has been given to each Year Seven and Year Nine student this week; please check school bags and diaries if you have not yet received yours! I asked boarding students to take photos of the leaflets and send them home.

The assessment schedule for Secondary School students is:

	Year Seven	Year Nine
Writing	Wed 15 March, 10.15 am	Wed 15 March, 9 am
Reading	Thur 16 March, 9 am	Thur 16 March, 11.15 am
Language Conventions	Fri 17 March, 9 am	Fri 17 March, 9 am
Numeracy	Mon 20 March, 9 am	Mon 20 March, 9 am
Catch-up	Fri 24 March, 9 am	Fri 24 March, 9 am

Students have been working on preparation activities during class time. Please use this link NAP - Public demonstration site if you would like to have a look at some NAPLAN resources at home.

Mrs Victoria Turnor | Head of Secondary

From the Head of Transition

On Thursday last week, the Year Seven students participated in an excursion at the Fish Traps, adjacent to the school grounds on Oyster Harbour.

The students walked from our school grounds and were met by a group of Menang Elders, who welcomed us onto the land. Aunty Vernice, Aunty Avril, Aunty Lynette and Uncle Lester spent time talking to the Year Seven students in small groups and teaching them about the history and importance of the Fish Traps, and they shared their stories and knowledge with the students.

Chef Nick supplied lunch for everyone by cooking a delicious fish burger from local fresh fish and Ms Mordy provided fresh fruit from the Nicklup Orchard.

Our visit to the Fish Traps is always a really special way to start the year with Year Seven, and the perfect opportunity for the students to get to know each other, their teachers and Heads of House, and to understand how special the land on which our school is built.

A big thank you to all of the parent helpers who came out to meet us down at the Fish Traps and helped with the cooking and cleaning-up of our lunch, Chef Nick, our Elders, and to Ms Mordy who always does a wonderful job organising this event.

Mrs Penni Berryman | Head of Transition

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