The Anchor

From the Deputy Principal

Celebrating success

One of the things I missed whilst we were not able to have assemblies last semester was the opportunity to share the many successes of our students.  Sometimes, when we think of success we can focus very narrowly on academic prowess or sporting endeavours, on public performance and being in the spotlight.  

 

What I enjoyed very much about this week's assembly was the opportunity to celebrate quieter successes, such as the Year Ten Work Experience program and student participation in areas as diverse as the Gate2Plate Challenge (an award winning video and dinner service), the Australian Geography competition and Duke of Edinburgh achievements.  I really enjoyed hearing about the success of our Year Five students in their Inquiry program How the World Works and the application of concepts about civics and government systems in the creation of new worlds.  Here at GSG we like to celebrate the success of all students, who we encourage to strive for their own version of excellence, each and every day.

Schools Tree Day and a fond farewell

Planting trees is a joy because it is both a gift to the environment and often a way to remember a special occasion.  Today we had the joy of planting a tree to celebrate Schools Tree Day (with our Environment Captain, Lilo Mehta) and mark a special occasion: farewelling a valued member of our Facilities and Grounds Team, Andrew Blake.  Andrew is heading to Sydney to take up a new opportunity and the planting of an oak tree to complement our avenue of oaks seemed an appropriate way to mark both occasions.

P&F Sundowner & Dr Craig Challen

It's been great to see our school community being able to gather together again.  I encourage you to save the date and come along to the P&F Sundowner on 18 August as it promises to be a fantastic evening.  More information below and on the P&F News page of the Anchor.

 

The P&F has been busily arranging an engaging event to bring the GSG community together. A guest speaker, Dr Craig Challen, will be at school on Thursday 18 August, the day before the mid-term break. A joint winner of the 2019 Australian of Year award, Craig was instrumental in the rescue of 13 people from the flooded cave in Thailand in 2018. 

 

On the day there will be a Sundowner from 5.30pm to 6.30pm in the Pratten Centre with Craig speaking at 6.30pm in the Hall. He will also be speaking with students during the day. 

 

Families can make an optional donation in support of Dr Challen’s nominated charity, The Smith Family: Donate To Help Disadvantaged Australian Youth | The Smith Family

 

Please RSVP by Monday 15 August 2022 here: 2022 P&F Sundowner (cognitoforms.com)

Keeping safe

In line with recent government advice, wearing masks indoors is strongly encouraged. We ask that your child wears a mask at school to keep our school as safe as possible. A reminder that masks remain mandatory on public transport, this includes all school bus services, along with buses for school excursions. 

 

We ask for your support to explain to your child the importance of wearing a mask to reduce the risk of transmission in schools and the community. Parents can support GSG to be COVID-19 safe by: 

  • wearing a mask indoors when visiting the school;
  • ensuring your family stays up-to-date with COVID-19 and flu vaccines;
  • testing your child for COVID-19 if they have symptoms or are a household close contact;
  • keeping your child home if they are unwell; and,
  • maintaining good hand hygiene.

An additional allocation of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) is being provided to students (20 per student) which will be distributed this term.    In line with government directives, if your child is a close contact and does not have symptoms, they must return daily negative RATs to leave isolation and attend school, and must also wear a mask when outside their home (usual exemptions apply), as per the testing and isolation protocols.  Further information can be found here .  Close contacts who have symptoms should not attend school.  Please click here​ to read a cross-sectoral letter with further information. If you have any queries, please contact me.

 

Mrs Emma Franklin | Deputy Principal