Staff Farewells

We take this opportunity to farewell and celebrate the service that Mr Brendan Goggins, Mrs Jane Goggins, Mrs Jenny Colgate and Gap Assistants Miss Mikayla de Nobrega, Mr Dihan Pienaar and Mr Blair Watson have given to Great Southern Grammar.

Brendan and Jane Goggins

We farewell Mr Brendan and Mrs Jane Goggins at the end of this year. Brendan has been a tireless advocate for GSG boarders, leading many positive changes in boarding, including the introduction of the Marsh Award and Chapel Services, broadening recreational experiences, introduction of bus runs at the end and start of each term, and leadership in dealing with the recent pandemic. Thanks also to Jane who has been a support in Anchorage House, a Boarding Supervisor, and provided transport to students. Brendan has accepted a position as Senior Biology Teacher at another school. We wish Brendan and Jane all the best in their new endeavours.

Jenny and Peter Colgate

Jenny and Peter depart GSG boarding after 10 years. Jenny is retiring, while Peter will remain as a Teacher at GSG.  Jenny has been the Head of Michaelmas for two years and, before that, was House Parent in Anchorage House, regularly involved in providing transport to students around Albany. Jenny has a trademark enthusiasm for students and a commitment to GSG. We wish Jenny a relaxing retirement and look forward to working with Peter in 2021.

Blair Watson

Blair Watson, 2019 Alumini and GSG boarder, commenced in Anchorage House as a Gap Assistant at the beginning of Semester Two. Blair contributed to the Junior, Middle and Senior School, Outdoor Education and Physical Education programmes in the day school.  He also volunteered as coach for a school basketball team and in football for an Interschool carnival. Blair plans to move to Perth in 2021 to commence study as a Primary Teacher.  

International Gap Assistants

Mikayla de Nobrega arrived from Cape Town in January this year to provide assistance in Boarding.  Mikayla was based in Breaksea House and contributed to the Junior School, Art and Outdoor Education programmes in the day school.  

Dihan Pienaar arrived from Rustenburg, South Africa, and after 14 days quarantine in Albany, commenced in Eclipse House. Dihan contributed to the Junior School, Outdoor Education, Physical Education, Agriculture and Woodwork programmes.

Our three Gap Assistants all volunteered to travel with the Physical Education staff for camps and supported staff in supervisory duties where there was a degree of risk involved, including canoeing, hiking, mountain biking and snorkelling. Their professional manner towards staff and students meant that they were well-regarded. We wish Mikayla, Dihan and Blair all the best in their future careers and study endeavours.

Mr Mark Sawle | Principal