Staff Introductions

When communicating with GSG Boarding, please follow this pathway:

For everyday matters, boarding parents are requested to please contact their child’s boarding house first (office or mobile).
For personal matters or concerns, please contact your Head of Boarding House.
For whole of boarding matters, please contact the relevant Head of Boarding.

All boarding contact numbers are listed below, for your easy reference.

Ms Anne Robertson - Head of Anchorage House

Email: anne.robertson@gsg.wa.edu.au

Mobile: 0408 225 366

House Landline: 9844 0321

House Mobile: 0438 182 127

Mrs Tara Ball - Head of Middle Boarding and Head of Endeavour House

Email: tara.ball@gsg.wa.edu.au

Mobile: 0427 634 048

House Landline: 9844 0331

House Mobile: 0438 173 487

Mr Taylor Colton - Head of Eclipse House

Email: taylor.colton@gsg.wa.edu.au

Mobile: 0448 125 919

House Landline: 9844 0476

House Mobile: 0437 924 914

Ms Vanessa Bromhead - Head of Senior Boarding and Head of Breaksea House

Email: vanessa.bromhead@gsg.wa.edu.au

Mobile: 0432 111 949

House Landline: 9844 0421

House Mobile: 0438 217 129

Mrs Dianne Franzinelli - Boarding Administrator

Email: dianne.franzinelli@gsg.wa.edu.au

Office Phone: 9844 0328

Boarding Staff Introductions

We would like to introduce our dedicated boarding staff to you. Our supervisors have many varied skills and hobbies, and we encourage you to introduce yourselves when you see them. Of course, we can’t forget the dogs of boarding, each House has at least one and we find they are perhaps the most effective supervisor when a student is missing home.

Please also find the staff roster so you know who to expect when you enter the House. Sometimes rosters are swapped for various reasons, but mostly they remain the same. We encourage you or your family members, when picking up or returning your child, to come into the house and let the supervisor know you are taking your child. This allows us to hand over the duty of care.

We encourage our boarders to show gratitude to the people who help them throughout their day. It is important for boarders to say thank you to people who do their laundry, bus drivers, nurses, dishwashers, chefs and kitchen staff. There are a lot of people who look out for the students and help them and we encourage them to show appreciation.

Anchorage House

Anne Robertson | Head of Anchorage House

Anne was appointed Head of Anchorage House last year. Anne has previously worked as a Boarding Supervisor at GSG and ASHS Residential College. Anne has an extensive background as an Education Support Teacher. Anne holds a Bachelor of Arts, Primary Education and Bachelor of Education, majoring in children with special needs. Anne enjoys gardening and spending time with her two sons Shefford and Charlie and extended family. Anne recently became a grandmother to lovely little Lucy and is enjoying this new role.

Cheryl Baum

Cheryl started with GSG boarding in Michaelmas and is now enjoying working in Anchorage. She works as an Education Assistant during the day. Cheryl is renowned for her quiet and calm manner and enjoys spending time with her adult children and family. Cheryl’s children previously boarded at GSG, so she understands the highs and lows of boarding.

Alice Nixon

Alice came to GSG as a live-in supervisor last year and has stayed on as a boarding supervisor and now lives on her family farm in the Porongurups. She boarded at St Hilda’s so is familiar with life in boarding. Alice previously studied a Bachelor of Sports Science and is currently studying her Master of Teaching and hopes to teach Physical Education in the near future. As well as working in Anchorage this year, Alice supervises prep with the Year Nines in Michaelmas and is a great tutor in maths and science. Alice is a calm and caring supervisor who our students connect with and trust.

Brodie Sarre

Brodie is an electrician who decided to trade in his trade for a life of teaching. He is currently teaching in the day school in Material Design and Technology, Wood Technologies and Mathematics. Brodie moved to Albany from Perth last year and has recently moved into a home he and his partner built, not far from GSG. Brodie is a well respected supervisor in Anchorage and the boys enjoy his company every Friday morning to get them ready for school.

Mark Jordan

Mark Jordan previously worked as a recreation officer, health and fitness officer and for the Noongar Sports Association and likes to keep the boarders moving. He has also worked in association with State basketball and soccer and the boarders enjoy his varied gym sessions on a Friday night. Mark lives in Mount Barker on a small property with his partner.

Zak Mola

Zak enjoys spending time with the boarders and likes to keep them entertained with his stories of playing football which he is passionate about. He has completed his degree in Health and Physical Education at Notre Dame University and enjoyed playing football whilst doing so.

Jackson Pitman

Jackson is new to the Boarding Supervising position this year and is excited to meet and get to know the students in Anchorage and Eclipse. He will be working on a casual basis to complement his other shift work. Jackson enjoys all that is outdoors and is passionate about health and fitness.

Nelson Stanborough

Nelson has been described as kind and fun, and if you asked the Anchorage boarders we think they would agree. He is capable of calmly letting the boarders know when they have overstepped boundaries. Nelson is passionate about tennis and coaches at many schools in the Great Southern region, there is a good chance you may have seen him at your local school. Nelson is the coach at GSG at Monday afternoon tennis coaching and we are so pleased he fits boarding into his busy schedule.

Roly

Roly is a nine year old greyhound who was a winner in his day with $65,000 in winnings. Roly is old and tired and his bones ache, the boys can’t walk him for long as he starts to limp. Roly is enjoying boarding a lot more than Anne thought he would and is always asleep on the floor in Anchorage.

Endeavour House

Tara Ball | Head of Middle Boarding and Endeavour House

Tara was appointed as Head of Endeavour House in 2019 and Head of Middle Boarding in 2021. Previously her two older children boarded at GSG. She now lives onsite with her children and her husband Glenn travels to Albany from Dumbleyung on the weekend. She has a Bachelor of Education and Master of Education, specialising in Students at Educational Risk. Tara has a teaching background, teaching in various part of the Great Southern including most recently at Nyabing Primary School. She enjoys gardening, catching up with friends and a good latte.

Sienna Ball

Sienna graduated from GSG in 2020 and is currently studying a Bachelor of Nursing at Charles Darwin University. Sienna was a boarder at GSG for four years and is no stranger to the trials and tribulations of boarding. She is a happy and helpful supervisor for Endeavour and enjoys cooking, hockey and being social. The girls seem to be enjoying her company, she has had a lot of practice being a big sister and this is what we like about having young people in the House.

Amber Freeman

Amber has worked at GSG in boarding for ten years and works during the day doing the laundry for Middle School boarders and driving students to appointments. She is bubbly, fun and warm and the girls love her brownies and toasted cheese for Wednesday night supper. Amber often takes the girls out on the bus over the weekend for an adventure. Amber has two adult children and became a grandmother to Indiana last year.

Ciara Franklin

Ciara Franklin has been appointed as Casual Boarding Supervisor and Boarding Tutor. Ciara graduated from GSG in 2021and loves our school community so much she has come back to work with our current students! During 2021 she assisted Endeavour House students with prep. Ciara achieved a high ATAR and is keen to support the learning of younger students and encourage them in their own journeys through GSG. In her spare time she loves to play hockey and dance.

Rachael Colmer

Rachel commenced at Great Southern Grammar in 2019 as a Drama teacher. She holds a Master of Teaching (Primary) and Advanced Diploma of Acting: Theatre. She has eight years of education and hands-on experience in theatre arts. Rachael has worked as Drama Tutor/Mentor at Southern Edge Arts and as radio content maker, producer and presenter for the ABC. Rachael was recently appointed Aboriginal Liaison Officer for 2022. in addition to her work in Endeavour House, she will be working on Tuesdays to aid Aboriginal students and families and to develop the profile of Aboriginal culture and knowledge across all areas of school life.

Lauren Holder

Lauren Holder has been appointed to the boarding team and will commence on Monday. of Week Four. Lauren holds a Bachelor of Sports and Exercise Science and is currently undertaking a Masters of Secondary Education specialising in Health and Physical Education and Outdoor Education. We will introduce Lauren to you in the next Boarding Buzz.

Monty and Molly

Monty and Molly are poodles and they are active and busy. Monty (pictured right) is 12 and is perhaps a little senile as he thinks he is a guard dog. Molly has a beautiful gold colour to her coat. She is still a puppy at two years old and takes the girls' socks, teddies and knitting if she gets a chance.

Eclipse House

Taylor Colton | Head of Eclipse House

This is Taylor's second year with GSG boarding and first as Head of Eclipse House. Taylor also works in the day school as a teacher of Marine Science. Taylor holds a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Health, Physical Education and Outdoor Education. He has a broad educational experience teaching in Years Three to Twelve at numerous schools across Perth. Outside of education, Taylor has spent the last ten years coaching rowing at all levels in Perth and Tasmania, currently developing the Griffin Rowing Club in Albany. An avid sports person, Taylor has represented WA in rowing and was a part of the Australian Swimming team. A passionate DIY-er and spare-time-filler, Taylor will be working on several large and small scale projects throughout the year from boat renovations to hand-made crafts. Taylor enjoys rustic camping trips, cooking up a feast for family and friends, fishing, diving, reading and exploring the coast with his partner Carter and Aussie-shepherd Cisco.

Carter Wight

Carter moved to Albany with Taylor in 2020. Carter holds a Masters Degree in Architecture, and has worked in the residential and commercial fields of both Architecture and Structural Engineering. Carter attended schools in Perth, Cleveland, Baltimore and The Bahamas, with family currently living in both Australia and America. Carter enjoys undertaking creative projects, deep-sea fishing trips with her dad, exploring Albany with Taylor and Cisco, and spending time at the beach.

Mark Bonnin

Mark Bonnin was previously the Head of Senior School and is a great asset to boarding with his knowledge of day school procedures. He has worked at GSG since 2010, many of his roles have been in a pastoral care capacity. This year he is teaching Homeroom and English in Middle School and recently one of our boarders in his Homeroom mentioned that they like Mr Bonnin because he is always has a friendly smile. Mark mastered the art of sheet change last week with the Eclipse boys so can now tackle anything!

Ken Crabbe

Ken started at GSG in 2020 working in both Anchorage and Eclipse Houses. He is a teacher by day and enjoys taking our boarders on outings. Ken also enjoys watching football and keeping active, he is a dad to two young girls.

Samuel Forward

Sam moved to Albany a couple of years ago and since then has worked in many roles in the town. He holds a Bachelor in Exercise and Sports Science and is currently a Surf Coach in Albany. Sam grew up on a farm and spent five years boarding at Hale School in Perth. As a young adult he spent time travelling in a band throughout many countries. He loves the outdoors and water and will be out surfing or camping any chance he gets.

Peta Spinks

Peta Spinks has worked in boarding for 12 years and her husband Jeff was one of the original grounds staff when GSG opened. Peta is friendly, warm and efficient and famous with the boarders for her brownies for supper. Peta is an enthusiastic supervisor, who always has time to chat with every individual.

Cisco

Cisco is a 17-month-old Black Tri Australian Shepherd. She is a loyal and friendly dog who loves the water and a tennis ball. Cisco was a mischief maker as a young puppy with a taste for coffee, pizza dough and fishing hooks! Thankfully she has grown out of those ways to become a best friend and adventure companion who loves a cuddle on the couch.

Breaksea House

Vanessa Bromhead | Head of Senior Boarding and Breaksea House

Vanessa is the Head of Breaksea and Head of Senior Boarding, having moved to Albany in 2020 to be closer to her family, particularly her nephew Brayden who is in the care of her parents. Vanessa has a Bachelor of Education in Secondary Humanities and is undertaking her PhD in the application of Social Emotional Learning in Boarding Schools, at Murdoch University. She has been teaching for 22 years and was previously the Head of Senior Boarding at Knox Grammar School, an all-boys school of 3000 students. She teaches English in the day school. She also loves spending time at the beach, going to theatre performances and spending time with her family, who live locally.

Zaria Church

Zaria moved to Albany from Perth in July 2021 to be the In-Residence Supervisor for Breaksea. She is currently studying a Certificate IV in Youth Work and is trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid. She has worked with young people for the past four years, both in volunteering and paid work and has run programs in over ten schools in the Perth region, including Thornlie Senior High School, Ellenbrook Secondary College and Alta-1 College. She grew up on a large property in Bullsbrook with her two brothers and three sisters, and loves to spend her free time at any of the beautiful beaches or walking trails in the area. Zaria is passionate about young people and has fallen in love with the boarding community here at Great Southern Grammar.

Janet McArtney

Janet McArtney has been appointed as a Casual Boarding Supervisor. Janet’s daughter Rebecca was a student at GSG graduating in 2013. Janet has been an Education Assistant with North Albany Senior High School for over 13 years. Janet holds a Certificate III and IV in Teachers Assistant, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and a Certificate IV in Career Development. Janet will be primarily working in Breaksea on a weekend

Georgina Mullins

Georgina Mullins has been appointed as Casual Boarding Supervisor. Georgina currently works at the Albany Secondary Education Support Centre in the role of Student Services/Behaviour Support/Administration and Senior Teacher. She has an extensive background with children, she holds a Bachelor of Education specialising in English and Society and Environment with a Major focus on Indigenous Education. Georgina will be working in Breaksea this year.

Ella Sloss

Ella is a valued supervisor in Breaksea and recently completed a Bachelor of Commerce. She was President for Curtin Women in Business and is passionate about netball. She currently works as a manager at a local business in Albany but still wants to work in boarding. Ella has lovely connections with the girls and they enjoy her enthusiasm when on shift.

Nicole Scott

Nicole has worked in GSG boarding in Breaksea for 10 years and she is the Recreation Administration officer. Her husband, Adam, is the Head of Middle School and they have two adult children, Riley and Sophie; both GSG graduates. Nicole is friendly, calm and kind. The girls look forward to her coming on shift to sit and chat and take them out for recreational activities on a Saturday.

Peta Spinks

Peta Spinks works across both Breaksea and Eclipse Houses. In addition to her fabulous baking skills she is an expert at flower arrangements. You will see many of Peta's creations at Valedictory events. She is also skilled at making corsages for Year Twelves for the Ball. Peta is a very proud grandparent and has a lot of family time with her grandchildren.

Bailey

Bailey is a two year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and is calm and quiet. He knows when the Breaksea girls are upset and knocks on their door to go in. Bailey gives hugs and loves going to school three days a week to work as a therapy dog. He likes to spend time with Molly in Endeavour, and invites himself over whenever he gets an opportunity.

Michaelmas House

Michaelmas House is the centre for boarding administration and the Health Centre. Additionally, students use Michaelmas for prep four nights a week and staff use Michaelmas to host meetings and social gatherings.

Dianne Franzinelli

Di is our Boarding Administration Officer and is enjoying the peace and quiet of Michaelmas. She has worked at GSG for 13 years, nine of which have been in boarding. Di is very organised and efficient, and we value her hard work. Di enjoys craft, particularly quilting, but will give anything a go. She also enjoys spending time with her extended family. Her husband Martin is a Police Officer and drives the Closed Weekend bus run, her son Bryn graduated GSG in 2020 and is in his second year as an apprentice Chef at Monty’s Leap and daughter Grace is a current GSG student in Year Ten and loves all subjects that relate to the Arts.

Day Staff

Amber Freeman

Jennifer Colgate

Jenny is the previous Head of Michaelmas and she and her husband Peter have worked in boarding at GSG for ten years. She drives for appointments on Fridays during the day. Jenny loves her coffee and a chat, also helping with washing the white school shirts if necessary.

Katrina Marmion

Katrina has supervised in the past and is now enjoying driving during the day on Tuesdays. This is the orthodontist day and is usually very busy. When our day drivers aren’t running students to appointments, they are washing the white shirts and helping our new students organise their washing.

Bus Drivers

Steve Button

Steve has worked in GSG boarding for 15 years, his wife Lee-Anne was the previous Head of Endeavour. Steve is a friendly and helpful bus driver for the after school runs and drives the boarders to all their sport and after school commitments. The bus leaves GSG on weekdays every half hour and picks up in town on the hour. These drivers drive until 10.00pm some nights.

David Elliot

David has worked at GSG driving the bus every Saturday for the past 14 years. This is our busy sport day and he quietly and kindly goes about the business of ensuring every student is at their game on time. David is an engineer and runs his own business during the week.

Bill Van Helden

Bill drives the bus on weekdays and on Sundays, he is very efficient and is always calm. Bill also transports boarders between boarding and home on the Eastern bus run for Closed Weekends. Bill enjoys spending time with his children, grandchildren and dog Ally who is a therapy dog in the day school.

Martin Franzinelli

Martin is a Police Officer and the husband of our Administration Officer, Di. He is also one of our bus drivers. He loves a long drive and is very happy transporting boarders between boarding and home on the Western bus run for Closed Weekends. Martin is a keen hiker and loves searching for and photographing native orchids.