THE
BEACON
SEPTEMBER 2026
In this Issue...
04 14
ATHLETICS CARNIVALS AND SPORT CAMPS AND ADVENTURES
33
LEARNING OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
39
LEARNING AND ACHIEVEMENT
46
ARTS AND TECHNOLOGIES
52 54 56 58 62 66
SCHOOL PRODUCTION BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
SCHOOL FUNDRAISERS MUSIC HIGHLIGHTS LIBRARY AND BOOKWEEK INDONESIAN AND CULTURAL CONNECTIONS STAFF AND STUDENT NEWS
A letter from the Principal This edition of The Beacon captures so much of what makes Geraldton Grammar School such a special place to learn, grow and belong. As I reflect on the experiences showcased in these pages, I am struck by the extraordinary opportunities our students enjoy. Each story highlights not only what our students are doing, but who they are becoming: curious learners, compassionate community members, confident communicators and active contributors to the world around them. A particular highlight is the way our students are developing a sense of service, stewardship and global citizenship. Initiatives such as the Nepal Sister School Fundraiser provide meaningful opportunities for students to consider their responsibility to others and the environment. These experiences align closely with our commitment to developing young people who are academically capable, thoughtful, compassionate and future-focused. This edition also celebrates the value of experiential learning. Through Big Day Out excursions, camp programs and hands-on learning opportunities, our students learn through challenge, adventure and discovery. These experiences build resilience, independence, teamwork and confidence while creating lasting memories. Students from Years 3 to 10 embarked on another highly successful Camps Week, immersing themselves in experiences across Western Australia and beyond. These camps are a cornerstone of learning beyond the classroom, strengthening relationships with peers and teachers while developing resilience, teamwork, leadership and independence. Equally significant was the outstanding success of our production of Beauty and the Beast. More than a performance, the production showcased the remarkable talents of our students on stage and behind the scenes. From acting, singing and dancing to lighting, sound, stage management and technical production, students demonstrated dedication, creativity and collaboration. The overwhelming community support reflected the important role performing arts play in enriching school life and helping students discover and develop their unique gifts. Our House Athletics Carnivals once again showcased the talent, determination and school spirit of our students. Whether standing on the podium, achieving a personal best, representing their House with pride or having the courage to participate, every student contributed to the success of the day. We congratulate all athletes and commend the resilience, sportsmanship and enthusiasm evident throughout the carnivals. These events remind us that success is measured not only by results, but by effort, perseverance and the willingness to challenge ourselves. We are proud of how our students embraced the competition while supporting and encouraging one another. I sincerely thank our dedicated staff for the care, expertise and enthusiasm they bring to these experiences. I also thank our families and wider community for the support you provide each day. Together, we create the conditions that allow our students to flourish. I hope you enjoy this edition of The Beacon and take pride in the achievements, experiences and moments of joy that make Geraldton Grammar School such a vibrant and connected learning community.
Brad Gill Principal
PRIMARY INTER HOUSE ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
What a fantastic day of competition, participation and House spirit at the GGS Primary Athletics Carnival! Blessed with beautiful weather, our students challenged themselves, proudly represented their Houses and celebrated the spirit of athletics. A sincere thank you to our P&F for catering throughout the day and our maintenance team for preparing the track and setting up the carnival. We also thank our staff and student helpers who measured, recorded results and helped each event run smoothly. A huge shout-out to our MC, Mrs Jefferies, who kept the atmosphere energetic and entertaining throughout the day. Special thanks to Mrs Halford, Mrs Bassett-Scarfe and Mrs Routledge for their invaluable support, organisation and willingness to assist wherever needed. Congratulations to Murchison House, our 2026 Overall House Champion! Murchison students demonstrated outstanding effort, determination, enthusiasm and sportsmanship while proudly supporting one another throughout the carnival. Congratulations to all students who achieved Champion or Runner-Up Champion honours. Your hard work and impressive performances reflect the talent and determination within our primary school.
BOYS
GIRLS
RUNNER UP
CHAMPION
RUNNER UP
CHAMPION
PP
Levi Bailey
Jack Wilson
Cali Anick
Airlie Faraone
YEAR 1
Billy Chrystal
Julian Ruiz
Amelie Allan
Lexi Wanklyn
YEAR 2
Beau Maisey
Crew Anick
Ava Clarkson
Mayamiko Banda
YEAR 3
Matteo Ruiz
Tom Van Der Merwe
Marli Ardagh
Ei Phyo
YEAR 4
Tyler Dalton
Cohen Rayner
Asta Falconer
Eden Clarkson
YEAR 5
Tristan Taylor Blair MacDonald
William Davies
Violet Taylor
Faith Maisey
YEAR 6
Digby Hearman Jake Bassett-Scarfe
Zoe Stone
Maya Clarkson
CHAMPION HOUSE MURCHISON
SECONDARY INTERHOUSE ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
What a beautiful, sunny day GGS experienced for the 2026 secondary athletics carnival. Our students put in exceptional efforts in competing in the 100m, 200m, 400m, shotput, discus, long jump and the baton relay events. A big thankyou to our P&F for catering for staff and students, to our maintenance staff for preparing the track and helping set up and pack away all the marquees and equipment and to all of our staff and student helpers for their hard work in measuring, recording and ensuring all the events ran smoothly. A special thank you to our parent helper, Fiona Cosgrove for her professionalism at shotput throughout the day. Congratulations to Irwin for winning the overall House Champion!!!! Wil Burgess congratulations on leading your House for the win in your final year, and you are to be commended on your participation and sportsmanship dressed up as a Banana in Pyjamas. Congratulations to the following students on their achievements.
GIRLS
BOYS
RUNNER UP
CHAMPION
RUNNER UP
CHAMPION
YEAR 7
Samara Penny
Freya Teakle
Lochie O’Brien
Flynn Wilkinson
YEAR 8
Hannah MacDonald
Kiki Bell
Charlie Fong
Jay Simpson
YEAR 9
Elle Dines
Aisha Jones
Regan Lock
Bede Halford
YEAR 10
Aerin Scatena
YEAR 11
Pippa Lin
Imogen Teakle
Levi Beckett
Bodhi Fitzgerald
YEAR 12
Billie Morrison
Indah Rankin
Finn Preston
Luke Roden
Abigail Marsland Marcus James
Noah Brown
CHAMPION HOUSE IRWIN Special mention and congratulations to the following students who broke records at our athletics pre carnival and carnival events. YEAR 7
Freya Teakle
200m
30.45secs
YEAR 8
Jay Simpson
High Jump
1.5m
YEAR 9
Evie Fong
200m
29.37secs
YEAR 9
Bede Halford
Triple Jump
10.89m
YEAR 10
James Taylor
1500m
4:44:00
YEAR 12
Riley Fong
1500m
4:54:00
Country Week got off to a great start on the last week of Term 2, with the bus trip to Perth. Vibes started off great with speakers blaring in the back of the bus. Monday started with an early opening ceremony to officially kick off the week. After our first day of fixtures, we were able to kick back and relax while watching the new Toy Story 5 movie.
SHS COUNTRY WEEK
On Tuesday we headed to the Wembley Driving Range. There were some impressive shots and a few that probably ended up in next door’s car park. Then on Wednesday we had a recovery swim at the Perth High-Performance Centre before finishing the day with a team dinner at Grill’d. Everyone else will talk about the sporting achievements, but what really stood out was the atmosphere. There was so much energy, constant cheering, and everyone backed each other no matter what sport they were playing. It made the whole week a lot more enjoyable and showed what Country Week is about. On Thursday, after a big day of sports, we got to wind down by spending a few hours shopping at Claremont Quarter before heading to the Perth Lightscape. It was a great way to relax, have some fun, and spend quality time together outside of competition. Friday was an exciting finish to Country Week, with 5 out of our 7 teams making it through to the grand finals. At the closing ceremony, our team captains proudly collected their shields, celebrating all the hard work and determination shown throughout the week. The whole week was full of high energy, great sportsmanship, and plenty of laughs. It was an amazing opportunity to build friendships, strengthen team bonds, and create memories that we'll all remember for a long time. Thank you to all the teachers that put the effort in to make this week happen especially Miss Cinanni for her efforts in making sure everything ran smoothly. To all the students for making it such a memorable week for the year 12s considering it's our last year thank you. Wil Burgess & Summer Parker – SHS Country Week Captains 2026 TEAM
PLACE
A Grade Boys Basketball
1st Place
Soccer
1st Place
Netball 1
1st Place
Netball 2
1st Place
B Grade Boys Cricket
2nd Place
Hockey
3rd Place
Volleyball
6 Place
th
PRIMARY INTERSCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY
Sixteen students from Years 3–6 represented Geraldton Grammar at the Greenough Division Athletics Carnival, held at GBSC Sports Park on 7 September. Students had been preparing for the last two terms, training each Friday morning before school in the lead-up to the event. Our students achieved some fantastic results, including Third Place title for Eden Clarkson (Intermediate Girls) and Fourth Place for Tyler Dalton (Intermediate Boys). The consistent performances across all our runners contributed to an outstanding team result, with Geraldton Grammar taking home the Overall Shield for the Greenough Division. Well done to all our students who competed, and a big thank you to everyone involved for your commitment, effort and sportsmanship. What a fantastic achievement!
PRIMARY INTERSCHOOL ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
Geraldton Grammar was proudly represented by students from Years 1– 6 across two exciting days of athletics competition in Term 3. On Wednesday 9 September, students competed in the jumping and throwing events, with many achieving excellent results and securing several podium finishes. On Friday 11 September, 71 students headed to Little Athletics to compete in sprints and team events. Their enthusiasm, determination and teamwork were evident throughout the day. After two days of strong competition, Geraldton Grammar finished 1st overall, taking out the top spot and securing an exciting team victory. A special congratulations to Beau Maisey (Champion Boy) Crew Anick (Runner Up Champion Boy) Eden Clarkson (Runner Up Champion Girl) and Digby Hearman (Runner up Champion Boy), who were recognised with individual medals for their outstanding performances. A big thank you to Mrs Scott, Mrs White, Mr Barham and Mrs Mundy for their support and assistance on the day. Your help was greatly appreciated and contributed to the success of the event. Well done to all our students who competed and represented Geraldton Grammar with such pride and sportsmanship. A wonderful effort from everyone involved!
INTERSCHOOL SURFING Our students enjoyed beautiful conditions at the Think Mental Health Interschool Surfing Titles, hosted by Surfing WA at Shories, Sunset Beach. Competing against students from Exmouth DHS, Kalbarri DHS and Nagle Catholic College, the team achieved some outstanding results. Grace McLernon and Hallie Gamble reached the Junior Girls semi-finals, while Aisha Jones and Evie Fong won the Junior Girls final. Callum Sojan and Riley Fong finished runners-up in the Senior Boys final. Highlights included an excellent opening-round wave from Zak Johnson, demonstrating impressive power and flow. Callum achieved a perfect heat total of 20 with two 10-point rides and was awarded Surfing WA’s Wave of the Day. Following their regional win, Aisha and Evie represented the School at the Think Mental Health State Schools Surfing Finals at Trigg Beach. Competing against some of Western Australia’s best school surfers from 29 schools, they progressed to the Junior Girls semi-finals and placed fourth. Congratulations to all students for representing the School with skill, determination and sportsmanship. Thank you to Ms Cinanni, Mr Jones and the parent spectators for their support throughout the competitions.
EAGLES CUP
Our Year 5/6 Eagles Cup football team enjoyed a fantastic Term 3, demonstrating outstanding teamwork, sportsmanship and respect throughout the six-week competition. The students supported one another, played with enthusiasm and represented Geraldton Grammar with pride.A special thank you to the Taylor family for generously assisting with umpiring and coaching when needed. Well done to all our Eagles Cup players!
GIRLS INTERSCHOOL FOOTBALL Year 7/8 Team Coaches: Mr Poultney and Olivia Clarkson
Despite losing players to injury and playing all four games with no substitutes, the girls never stopped running and tackling. They secured a come-from-behind win against Nagle, thanks to two late goals from Samara Penney, earning a place in the final. After another determined performance, the team finished with a well-deserved silver medal. Captains Kiki Bell, Hannah MacDonald, Milla Teakle, Jemima Beagley and Samara Penney demonstrated strong leadership, while the team showed excellent teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the day. Best Player: Samara Penney (also named Best Player of the Year 7/8 competition) Coaches Award: Jemima Beagley Year 9/10 Team Coaches: Miss Dethlefson and Charlotte McCabe The Year 9/10 girls displayed wonderful teamwork, skill and spirit across four games. With two wins and two losses, they secured second place overall. Best Player: Aisha Jones Coaches Award: Elle Dines Umpires Awards: Kiki Bell and Zara Crofts Thank you to the students and staff who volunteered to coach, umpire and run water throughout the day.
YEAR 3 BIG DAY OUT! KALBARRI
Our Year 3 students recently enjoyed an unforgettable Big Day Out to Kalbarri, an adventure designed as an exciting gateway to the School’s camp program. From the early morning departure to the long journey home, students were encouraged to build independence, resilience and responsibility, while developing new friendships and strengthening connections across the year group. Excitement was high as students boarded the bus and set off on their adventure. Our first stop was the spectacular Hutt Lagoon, where the vibrant pink waters sparkled in the morning light. Students were fascinated by the striking colours and enjoyed the opportunity to take in one of the region’s most unique natural attractions. The journey then continued to Kalbarri National Park, where students explored the impressive Skywalk and admired the breathtaking views across the surrounding landscape. During the visit, a ranger explained how traps are used throughout the park to monitor local wildlife and help protect the environment. This provided students with an interesting insight into the important conservation work taking place within the national park. After a busy morning of travelling and exploring, we headed to Finlay’s for a well-earned lunch. Students also enjoyed time to play, relax and create colourful chalk drawings together. These quieter moments provided a wonderful opportunity for students to connect with children outside their usual friendship groups, share plenty of laughs and form new friendships. Our final stop was the Kalbarri Foreshore, where the flying fox was an instant favourite. Students eagerly challenged themselves, encouraged their friends and celebrated one another’s achievements. It was the perfect way to enjoy one last adventure before climbing aboard the bus for the long trip back to Geraldton. More than simply a fun day out, the experience encouraged students to manage their belongings, cope with a long day away from home, embrace new experiences and look after one another. Throughout the day, they demonstrated enthusiasm, curiosity and a growing sense of independence. The Big Day Out was a wonderful first taste of the adventures, challenges and friendships that await as students progress through the School’s camp program. It was a memorable day filled with exploration, learning, laughter and connection—and one our Year 3 students will undoubtedly remember for years to come.
YEAR 4 CAMP
GERALDTON CAMP SCHOOOL
On Monday, 31 August, the Year 4 students eagerly arrived at Geraldton Camp School to begin their exciting Local History and Arts Camp. Students quickly settled into their dormitories and prepared for a week filled with team-building activities, personal challenges, and unforgettable experiences. Through a variety of engaging activities, students developed their communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills, learning that success depended on working together and supporting one another. Camp highlights included laser tag, archery, mini golf, the Great Geraldton Challenge, a visit to Sun City Play Centre, and a mystery movie night. These activities provided students with opportunities to build confidence, resilience, and friendships while having lots of fun. As part of the camp's local history focus, students explored significant historical sites throughout the region. After learning about the remarkable story of explorer George Grey and his shipwreck experience, students visited the historic Lynton Settlement. They explored Governor Sanford's House and the Convict Hiring Depot and enjoyed following in the footsteps of George Grey across the surrounding landscape. Students also travelled south to visit the Greenough Museum and Gardens, the Hundred-Year Cemetery, and the Greenough Historical Settlement. A historical tour of Geraldton helped students make connections between the region's past and present, deepening their appreciation of the rich history of the Mid West. Camp was a wonderful experience that encouraged students to step outside their comfort zones, try new activities, and develop valuable life skills. The Year 4 students learnt a great deal and created many lasting memories. A sincere thank you to all staff and parent helpers who generously gave their time to support students throughout the camp. Your assistance and encouragement helped make this experience such a success.
The Year 5s enjoyed a wonderful week in Perth this term, packed with handson, learning, adventure and new experiences. We visited many venues, both educational and fun, whilst also building personal resilience and cooperative skills. On the way to Perth, we stopped at Yanchep National Park to learn about local Aboriginal culture and history from a highly informative and engaging local elder. We also toured a cave to learn about these unique ecosystems and the importance of protecting them. Building on our learning in the classroom for Civics and Citizenship, students visited Western Australia’s State Parliament, where we were welcomed by our local representative, Mrs Kirrilee Warr, who happens to be the auntie of one of our Year 5s. There was also a brief sighting of, and a wave from, our Premier, Mr Roger Cook, on his way to meetings. One group had a secret short cut
YEAR 5 CAMP PERTH
through
the
Parliamentary
Library,
meeting
with
two
of
our
local
representatives in the Legislative Council, Mrs Julie Freeman and Mr Rob Horstman. Ms Sandra Carr, MLC, also chatted with some students during the tour of the Legislative Council. Throughout the week, students had further opportunities to build on their knowledge and understanding through experiential learning. This included the Constitution Centre, Perth Mint, Scitech, Perth Stadium, the Maritime Museum,
Fremantle
Prison
(where
our
amazing
guides
captured
imaginations through the story of Moondyne Joe and his multiple escapes), and Herdsman Lake Discovery Centre. The evening activities were a highlight, particularly Escape the Night and caving in a purpose-built system, providing students the opportunity to choose their level of challenge and do something that they wouldn’t normally experience. Many thanks to the support of parents in preparing students so well for their week away from home, and to the accompanying staff and parents who enabled this camp to be so successful. It was an amazing week!
Canberra provided our Year 6 students with an unforgettable exploration of governance, culture, history and science—along with plenty of adventure and fun. Parliament House Our visit coincided with Parliament sitting, allowing students to see the full House in action, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The lively debate captivated the group, although some thought the behaviour resembled a rather unruly classroom! Students also participated in a mock parliament, electing representatives and debating a bill. Congratulations to our student Prime Minister, Daniel!
YEAR 6 CAMP CANBERRA
Corin Forest At Corin Forest, students experienced the fast-paced, 1.2-kilometre Alpine Slide for the first time in the camp’s history. Snow play was another highlight, particularly for the three-quarters of students seeing snow for the first time. A Remarkable Encounter During our visit to Government House, the Governor-General arrived for a highlevel meeting and graciously stopped to speak with our group, alongside Chief of Army Lieutenant General Susan Coyle. Students asked thoughtful questions, including whether the Governor-General could dismiss a Prime Minister, learning that this power has been exercised in Australia’s history. Australian War Memorial At the Australian War Memorial, students explored stories of Australians who served during times of conflict before attending the moving Last Post Ceremony. School Captains Ava and Jonathan had the special honour of laying a wreath, while several students placed poppies beside relatives’ names on the Roll of Honour. Student Highlights Racing down the Alpine Slide Seeing Parliament in action Exploring Canberra’s design and National Triangle Swimming at the Australian Institute of Sport Seeing snow, bushland, birds and wombats Attending the Last Post Ceremony Spending time with friends and making new ones The Year 6 Canberra Camp was a wonderful opportunity to learn beyond the classroom, visit significant national institutions and create lasting memories.
On the first day, we got straight into our tribe groups—the groups we would complete activities with later—before hopping on the buses and travelling from school to Nukara to begin our camp. The drive took about 35 minutes. When we arrived, we were welcomed by the camp owners, Donna and Phil, who gave us a quick tour and spoke to us about the campsite. We then got straight into setting up our tents and settling in. Once our tents were ready, we joined our tribes for our first activity: designing tribe flags.
YEAR 7 CAMP NUKARA FARM
That evening, we enjoyed a delicious meal of spaghetti bolognese before settling in to watch Despicable Me. It was freezing cold, so after the movie, we all rushed into our tents and went to sleep. The following morning, we started the day with a simple but yummy breakfast of toast or cereal. We then formed smaller groups within our tribes and made boats from bark, leaves, string, tape and other materials we could find, ready to race later in the day. Next, we enjoyed a walk across the farmland to the Nabawa Museum, where we learnt about the history of our local area and some of its people. After visiting the museum, we walked back to camp and enjoyed a lovely lunch provided by Donna and Phil. That afternoon, we split into our tribes for five fun activity rotations. These included mini golf with Mrs Halford, songwriting with Mr Stevens, bracelet making with Mrs Hobson, leaf rubbing with Ms Biggins and sailing our handmade boats with Mr Friesen, Mr Da Silva and Mrs Healy. It was all so much fun! We finished the day at the wood-fired pizza oven, where we enjoyed the best pizzas ever! The next morning, after breakfast, we helped Donna and Phil with jobs around the campsite, including picking up sticks and paddy melons. We then packed up our tents and travelled back to school after a wonderful few days at Nukara. By Josie and Ainslie Year 7 Students
During Camps Week, the Year 8 cohort travelled to Port Gregory for an enjoyable and rewarding camp experience. Students were fortunate to enjoy pleasant weather during the day, while overnight temperatures dropped below 5°C. Throughout the camp, students stayed in the school's tents and were challenged to demonstrate the school values in a range of activities and situations. Some of the highlights of the camp included:
YEAR 8 CAMP PORT GREGORY & KALBARRI
A lunch stop at Lynton Station Fishing and beach activities at Port Gregory Walking part of the Bigurda Trail and viewing the spectacular Kalbarri Coastal Cliffs Lunch and activities on the Kalbarri Foreshore Visiting the Skywalk and Nature's Window Enjoying fish and chips while watching the sunset in Kalbarri Visiting the Pink Lake and participating in an informative session about its unique features I congratulate the students on their excellent behaviour throughout the camp and look forward to seeing them finish Year 8 strongly. A special thank you to Ms Walker, Ms Dethlefsen, Ms Clarkson, Mr Chang, Mr Poultney, and Mr Waters for giving their time to attend and support the students throughout the camp.
YEAR 9 CAMP NEWMARRACARRA
Our Year 9 cohort showed themselves to be ready for Outward Bound later in the year, by successfully completing a short camp with a couple of challenges to encourage perseverance. We stayed at a wonderful location nearby in Chapman Valley, Echidna Park, for which we are very grateful to the landowner, Mr Ian Grant for welcoming us. Of course, we ensured students had the opportunity to develop some endurance with a 13.5km walk into Echidna Park through Newmarracarra. This walk, albeit long, was a wonderful way to explore a combination of agricultural land, natural bushland, and in stark contrast, the Defence Satellite Communications facility. At camp, our students were kept busy with cooking their meals, completing a biological field survey, trying their hardest to remain incognito under spotlight, and setting up and packing down camp. The return journey was not as long and less arduous but gave the students time to admire the wonderful Newmarracarra homestead, thanks to Mr Jerry Clune, landowner.
The Year 10 Gateway Camp to Perth is an important part of the Geraldton Grammar School camp program, giving students the opportunity to explore life beyond school. Students travel to Perth for a week visiting all 5 Universities and 2 TAFEs. As well as participating in some activities designed to equip students with some knowledge around WACE (graduation), vocational and tertiary pathways, subject selection students explore the city, enjoy an afternoon of mini golf and some late-night shopping The camp encourages students to think carefully about their goals and the steps needed to achieve them. By combining practical pathway planning with leadership and teamwork experiences, the Gateway Camp provides
YEAR 10 CAMP PERTH
Year 10 students with a valuable transition point as they prepare for the challenges and opportunities of senior school. A big thanks to the staff that helped, Mrs Skewes, Mr Hansen and Ms Richardson.
Students
behaved
advertisement to the school.
wonderfully
and
were
a
great
OPERATION WALLACEA INDONESIA
During the July school holidays, 17 students set off on an amazing adventure, travelling to Hoga Island in the remote Wakatobi National Park, Indonesia. Wakatobi is located in the heart of the Coral Triangle, home to the most biodiverse coral reefs in the world. For the students who took part, the Operation Wallacea experience was far more than a school trip. It was an opportunity to step away from the familiar routines of the classroom and into a living, breathing environment where science, conservation and personal challenge came together. Surrounded by unfamiliar landscapes, wildlife and research teams, students were able to see first-hand how field science contributes to protecting some of the world’s most important ecosystems. The students learnt to dive at either Open Water or Advanced Open Water level and then used those skills to assist researchers and professors or participate in a reef ecology course. One of the most valuable parts of Operation Wallacea was the opportunity to meet people from all over the world, including fellow participants, university students, professors, divemasters, instructors and members of the local island community. Students visited the local Bajau village and gained a greater understanding of some of the challenges the community faces. They also visited Kaledupa, participated in beach clean-ups and lived on a tropical island for two weeks in traditional Indonesian housing. Perhaps the greatest value of the Operation Wallacea experience was the way it broadened students’ perspectives. It reminded them that the world is a big and beautiful place and led to important conversations about conservation and sustainability. Students returned with new knowledge, stronger friendships and memories that will stay with them well beyond the expedition itself.
KINDY CAMPING DAY The Junior Kindy and Four Year Old Kindy classes participated in their annual bush camping day in Week 11 of Term 2. The students enjoyed their special day by participating in activities like fishing, bush walking, storytelling, playdough, tent playing, damper making, cultural face painting, and a sausage sizzle lunch. The classes enjoyed their day outside, and everyone had lots of fun. The Kindergarten classes would like to thank Mr Greenaway and his students for coming to help us set up the tents, Jarmanda Jones for facilitating our cultural face painting, our high school helpers and the other staff members who helped make our day a success.
TAFE TASTERS Our Year 9 students have had some wonderful opportunities experiencing the following courses available at TAFE. These include Bricklaying, Beauty, Engineering – Metal Fabrication, Electrical and Automotive. This hands on experience allows the students to learn within the classrooms, meet the lecturers and participate in a small activity that is relevant to the specific trades and careers.
YEAR 10 - TREE PLANTING On the last day of Term 2, some Year 10 and 12 students undertook community service and fieldwork to conduct a tree-planting day on degraded farmland in Bringo, 10km east of Geraldton. We planted a thousand trees to prevent further erosion, and encourage wildlife to move back into the area. Furrows were dug, which small saplings were placed into, stakes driven into and protective covers placed around, to protect from cold weather, rabbits and sheep. The students worked incredibly hard and enjoyed the vista from the hilltops, looking over the city and ocean. Many hands make light work, and finishing early, we walked along the creekline, and played with the sheep dogs. Thank you to Mr Clune for having us, Mr Riley for the idea, Mr Angelatos for organising and Mrs Felipe, Ms Richardson and Mr Waters for accompanying us. We look forward to planting a thousand more each year.
YEAR 11 GEOGRAPHY - KALBARRI In Week 1 of Term 3, the Year 11 Geography class and exchange students undertook a field trip to Kalbarri to study the physical and economic geography of the area. We took field sketches of Kalbarri from Meanarra Hill, recorded evidence of damage from natural hazards such as bushfires and tropical cyclones, and took part in a whale-watching tour to understand Kalbarri’s tourism industry. We were very lucky to see a massive pod of dolphins as soon as we left the “washing machine” channel, and a mother whale and her calf provided an epic show, breaching, blowing and waving their fins. Other highlights included the bakery and throwing in cray traps. We gained an insight into the topography, geology and changing biodiversity of Kalbarri National Park and the Indian Ocean. The trip left us with a better understanding of the tourism industry and the supporting industries of retail and hospitality. Thank you to Mr Waters for organising the trip, Mrs Skewes for accompanying us, and Reefwalker Tours for having us.
YEAR 11 OUTDOOR EDUCATION During Week 7, the Year 11 Outdoor Education classes travelled to Horrocks to commence their Little Bay Expedition. Students demonstrated excellent perseverance as they walked approximately 4 kilometres along the soft sand in challenging, windy conditions, carrying all of their equipment in their hiking packs to reach the campsite for the evening. Upon arrival at Little Bay, students participated in a range of student-led activities designed to develop teamwork, creativity and campcraft skills. Activities included a sandcastle-building competition, damper making and an evening campfire, which provided an opportunity for students to relax, socialise and warm up after the day’s challenging walk. The expedition provided students with a valuable opportunity to develop their resilience, independence and practical outdoor education skills while working collaboratively in a challenging coastal environment.
YEAR 12 OUTDOOR EDUCATION Our Outdoor Education students recently took on an unforgettable three-day expedition in Kalbarri National Park. After leaving Geraldton at midday, the group stopped to hike the Mushroom Rock Loop Trail, managing to finish just before the rain arrived. From there, we travelled to our campsite near the Z Bend, where students set up camp, cooked their own meals on Trangias, and participated in student-led leadership activities. The evening was made even more memorable by a visit from the resident Chuddich, which seemed very interested in the food they had cooked. The highlight of the camp was a challenging 12km journey through Kalbarri's spectacular gorges from Z Bend to Four Ways. Students tackled bouldering and canyoning sections, showing determination with everyone managing to hang on tight and escape the dreaded drop into the water below. A favourite experience was paddling through the cold gorge waters on rubber tyre tubes, surrounded by stunning orange rock cliffs. After a big day of adventure, everyone was ready for an early night. On the final day, the group packed up camp and completed the iconic Nature's Window Loop Trail before enjoying a well-earned treat at the Kalbarri Bakery. Throughout the expedition, the students demonstrated enthusiasm, perseverance, teamwork, and great communication and amazing care for one another. They were officially named the fastest group to complete the gorge hike in Grammar history! The camp provided plenty of challenges, countless laughs, and memories that will stay with the group for years to come.
KINDY FATHERS DAY DINNER On Thursday, September 3, the Junior Kindy and 4-Year-Old Kindy classes hosted a Father's Day Dinner to help celebrate their special Dads and Grandfathers. The students and their family members spent the evening enjoying some delicious pizza together. It was a wonderful evening, and the Kindy students cherished sharing some special time with their loved ones.
Randolph Stow Awards Geraldton Grammar School is delighted to celebrate another successful year at the Randolph Stow Young Writers Awards. Running since 1989, the awards recognise young writers from Years 3–12 across the Midwest and Gascoyne. With almost 400 entries received this year, it was wonderful to see so many GGS students recognised. A special congratulations to Abbie Cook, who placed third in Upper Secondary Prose and received the Upper Secondary Emerging Young Writer Scholarship—one of only two scholarships awarded. Abbie will receive a complimentary place in The Literature Centre’s 2027 Young Writers Collective Program. Her moving story, Red Dust Promises, was also read aloud during the presentation at QPT. Congratulations to all students who entered and thank you to the staff who supported and encouraged their writing. STUDENT
YEAR
CATEGORY
AWARD
Alina Mohammed
3
Lower Primary Poetry
First Prize
Declan Barrett
3
Lower Primary Poetry
Highly Commended
Ethan Hicks
4
Lower Primary Poetry
Highly Commended
Bailee Thomas
6
Upper Primary Poetry
Highly Commended
Bailee Thomas
6
Upper Primary Prose
Highly Commended
Charlotte Dalton
7
Lower Secondary Prose
Highly Commended
Advait Nambiar
8
Lower Secondary Poetry
Highly Commended
Coden Spencer
8
Lower Secondary Poetry
Highly Commended
Emily Weightman
9
Middle Secondary Poetry
Highly Commended
Ahmed Elgamal
11
Upper Secondary Prose
First Prize
Abbie Cook
11
Upper Secondary Prose
Third Place
YOUNG WRITERS WORKSHOP Young Writers Explore the Art of World-Building Young Writers from Years 6–8 recently had the exciting opportunity to unleash their imaginations during a special workshop hosted by author Bianca Breen. Bianca’s first science-fiction fantasy novel, Made of Steam and Stardust, was recently shortlisted for the WA Premier’s YA Book of the Year Award. Drawing on her experience as a published author, Bianca introduced students to the craft of world-building and plot development. Students explored the ingredients that bring fictional worlds to life—from setting and atmosphere to characters, cultures and the rules that shape imagined places. Through creative activities and discussion, they were encouraged to think beyond the ordinary and develop believable worlds and engaging stories of their own. The workshop was a wonderful celebration of creativity, storytelling and imagination, leaving our budding writers with plenty of inspiration for their future work. We look forward to our final Young Writers Workshop in Week 4 of Term 4.
NUMERO TOURNAMENT We are proud to recognise two teams of talented students who recently represented our school at the Numero Tournament. The competition provided an exciting opportunity for students to put their mathematical thinking, problem-solving skills, quick recall and teamwork to the test. Our first team, The Calculation Crew, was made up of Wen Rui Wong, Storm Wolf, Kevin Yu and Hendrik Lam Cham Kee. Our second team, The Number Navigators, included Abigail Holden, Luke Ibbotson, Tristan Taylor and Aarav Khanna. All students represented our school wonderfully and should be congratulated on their enthusiasm, teamwork and willingness to challenge themselves. Well done to both teams!
MATHS AND SCIENCE International Chemistry Quiz
The International Chemistry Quiz is a challenging competition that allows students to test their chemistry knowledge and problem-solving skills against students from around Australia and overseas. This year we had 15 students from Year 8 – 12 participate. They achieved some excellent results, demonstrating both their enthusiasm for Chemistry and their ability to apply scientific thinking in a competitive setting. We congratulate all the participants and recognise the following notable achievements. Years 8-10
Years 11-12
Keandra Ramaish - High Distinction Felix Andrews - Distinction Reuben Bergen - High Distinction
Isaac Gamble – Distinction Pippa Lin – Distinction Xavier Shiosaki - Distinction Luke Roden - Distinction
Australian Mathematics Competitions The Australian Mathematics Competition is a highly regarded national competition that challenges students to apply their mathematical reasoning, problem-solving and creative thinking skills. Congratulations to our students who took part and achieved impressive results, this year we had 59 students from Year 3 –12 showcasing their persistence, confidence and enthusiasm for Mathematics. Congratulations to all the students who were recognised with certificates of Credit and Proficiency and we recognise the following students who received a Distinction. Well done! Years 3-4
Years 5-6
Years 7-8
Years 9-10
Years 11-12
Akshath Satesh Beau Reynolds
Zeke Da Silva Zoya Hasnain Ivana Gohel Zoe Stone Kevin Yu
Joel Antony Annabelle Panero Hallie Gamble Keandra Ramaish Coden Spencer
Hannah Antony James Miller
Levi Beckett Isaac Gamble Eva Mellow Luke Roden
MATHS AND SCIENCE Junior Science Olympiad Exam The Junior Science Olympiad Exam is a demanding national science competition that challenges students to apply their knowledge across biology, chemistry, physics and scientific reasoning. Congratulations to our students who participated and achieved strong results, reflecting their curiosity, dedication and ability to think critically across a range of scientific contexts. This year we had three Year 8 –10 students participate. We congratulate them all and acknowledge Jessica Holden (Y10) for achieving a Credit and Keandra Ramaish (Y8) for achieving a Distinction. Have Sum Fun Maths Competition The Year 5/6 Have Sum Fun competition gave our younger mathematicians the opportunity to work collaboratively and apply their problem-solving skills in a fast-paced team environment. Our two teams represented the school with enthusiasm, persistence and a wonderful sense of teamwork coming out 3rd and 4th on the day. Congratulations to Zeke Da Silva, Aara Dubey, Liam Dyson, Ivana Gohel, Zoya Hasnain, Abigail Holden, Aarav Khanna, Archy McKay, Zoe Stone, Bailee Thomas, Wen Rui Wong and Kevin Yu.
Youth ANZAAS Conference – Tallis Saraber (Year 11) In the school holidays, Year 11 student, Tallis Saraber attended the Youth ANZAAS Conference in Melbourne. This is a unique science enrichment opportunity that brings together passionate young people to explore current scientific ideas, hear from experts and connect with others who share an interest in science. It provides students with the chance to broaden their understanding of science beyond the classroom and be inspired by future pathways in STEM. This year students from all around Australia and New Zealand visited Monash University, RMITs Advanced Manufacturing precinct, Melbourne University, the Harry Brookes Allen Museum of Anatomy and Pathology, CSIROs Carbon fibre manufacturing precinct, and The Synchrotron. My favourite experience was the Synchrotron, the largest particle accelerator in the southern hemisphere. Unlike the Large Hadron Collider, the Synchrotron does not collide particles, instead it accelerates electrons to 99.99998% the speed of light and uses the visible light emitted in various process including spectroscopy, crystallography and soft tissue imaging. In short, it’s the worlds brightest flashlight.
MATHS AND SCIENCE
Youth ANZAAS Conference The Youth ANZAAS Conference is a unique science enrichment opportunity that brings together passionate young people to explore current scientific ideas, hear from experts and connect with others who share an interest in science. It provides students with the chance to broaden their understanding of science beyond the classroom and be inspired by future pathways in STEM.
The Year 12 Annual Titration Challenge has once again been a highlight of the Year 12 Chemistry year. Students were challenged to put all of the acquired knowledge to the test by titrating a solution of antacid to determine its purity. Students had 50 min to complete the practical challenge and associated calculations. This years winners were Luke Roden and Samuel Koruthu. Well done to all of the students and we wish all Year 12s the best of luck as they graduate and complete their final exams! This term also included National Science Week. The Periodic Table of Staff activity was a fun Science Week challenge that invited students to connect with staff across the school while exploring the familiar structure of the periodic table in a creative way. Students were encouraged to identify “elements” of our school community, ask questions, make connections and celebrate the many different personalities, interests and strengths that make up our staff.
2026 AUSTRALIAN GEOGRAPHY COMPETITION This year, we were delighted to see a significant number of students from Years 7-11 participate in the Australian Geography Competition, demonstrating their enthusiasm for Geography and their willingness to challenge themselves. Students were tested on their geographical knowledge, skills and ability to interpret information and apply their understanding to a range of real-world contexts. We are extremely proud of all students who took part and represented our school so positively. A special congratulations goes to three of our students who achieved High Distinctions, Kendra Ramaish, Will Healey, and Isaac Gamble. Their achievements reflect their excellent geographical knowledge, critical thinking skills and commitment to their learning.
AUSTRALIAN HISTORY COMPETITION HASS students are to be congratulated again for their entry into the Australian History Competition, with more fantastic results to celebrate! The competition challenges students from across Australia to think like historians, testing their ability to analyse sources, interpret evidence and apply their historical knowledge. Our students enthusiastically embraced the challenge and represented the school superbly. Congratulations to all students who were nominated by HASS staff to enter the competition. Special mention must go to five of our students who achieved Distinctions: Annabelle Panero, Allie Wynne, Hafsa Aung, Khalid Saleh and Will Healy. This is an impressive achievement and a wonderful recognition of their strong historical thinking, knowledge and problem-solving skills.
HASS THINKING GLOBALLY: Feeding Eight Billion
With the world’s population now exceeding eight billion people, our HASS students have been exploring one of the biggest challenges facing our global community: how do we sustainably feed a growing population? Working in pairs, students researched a food staple grown in Australia and another country, investigating differences in agricultural production, environmental conditions and sustainability. They were then challenged to take a “solutionary” approach, combining solutions with revolutionary thinking, to consider innovative ways food production could become more sustainable into the future. Students brought their research to life through creative displays, combining geographical knowledge, critical thinking and innovative ideas to tackle an important real-world issue.
YEAR 8 HASS Goldie Locks on Trial!
As part of their Politics and Law unit, Mrs Place’s Year 8 HASS class stepped into the courtroom for a special mock trial! Goldie Locks stood accused of entering the Bear family’s home, eating their porridge, breaking their furniture and sleeping in their beds. Students took on roles including prosecution and defence teams, police, witnesses, jury members and Goldie herself. After hearing the evidence and considering both sides, the jury found Miss Locks not guilty—and she was free to go. Phew… that was close! The activity brought students’ learning to life while exploring evidence, witnesses, the role of a jury and the principle of innocent until proven guilty. Well done to everyone who participated and helped bring the courtroom to life!
ARTS AND TECHNOLOGIES Term 3 has been a wonderful and creative term in Arts and Technologies, filled with imagination, experimentation and plenty of hands-on learning! Our students have embraced new challenges and demonstrated impressive growth in their creative and practical skills. In Arts, students explored a variety of materials, techniques and ideas, producing work that reflected their individuality, creativity and developing confidence. It has been fantastic to see students experiment with new approaches and take pride in their artworks. Year 9s are building terracotta ceramic eggs and wonder what will hatch? Year 10 students are working diligently on their snake ring designs in Jewellery. In Technologies, students have been busy designing, making and problem-solving. They have developed practical skills while learning to plan, test, modify and evaluate their ideas. Collaboration, persistence and creative thinking have been key to their success. Callum Sojan and the other Year 12's have been working hard and are nearing the completion of their coffee tables. Both Year 10 classes are making good progress and have been cutting and shaping the parts for their articulated dog lamp and occasional tables respectively. A particular highlight has been seeing students become more confident in sharing their ideas, trying something different and learning from the process. The quality and diversity of student work this term has been a wonderful reflection of their enthusiasm and commitment. Congratulations to all our students on a fantastic Term 3! We look forward to continuing to inspire creativity, curiosity and innovation as we head into Term 4.
YEAR 10 JEWELLERY
Year 10 Jewellery – Articulated Bracelets During Term 2, Year 10 Jewellery students refined a range of jewellery-making skills, including sawing shapes, texturing metal, drilling holes, working with wire, creating links, soldering, and setting stones and pearls. Students then brought these skills together to design and create their own articulated bracelets. I was incredibly impressed by the students’ attention to detail, creativity and patience, as well as the care they took to refine and finish each piece to a high standard. The finished bracelets are a wonderful reflection of the skills and craftsmanship the students developed throughout the term.
YEAR 11 JEWELLERY Year 11 Jewellery Students Visit Gemara Fine Jewellery Our Year 11 General Jewellery Design students visited Gemara Fine Jewellery, gaining insight into professional jewellery design and how classroom skills are applied in a working studio. Gemma shared the design process, from developing a customer’s idea to creating a finished piece, while considering materials, comfort, strength, appearance and cost. Students also learned about the business side of jewellery making, including marketing, finances and customer communication. Thank you to Gemma and Gemara Fine Jewellery for providing such a valuable and inspiring experience.
YEAR 9 FOOD TECHNOLOGY Our Year 9 Food Technology students have recently taken on an exciting design challenge: Can you create a new product that students would actually want to buy from our school canteen? The challenge began with research. Students investigated the current canteen menu, explored food trends and surveyed their fellow students to find out what they would like to see on the menu. One clear message from the survey was that students wanted more fresh fruit and vegetable ingredients in their food choices. Using this research, students moved through the design process to develop, test and refine their own ideas. They considered the needs of their target audience, selected appropriate ingredients, developed recipes and then put their ideas to the test in the kitchen. The final products included fresh and colourful sushi, veggie burgers and delicious quiches. Each group had to overcome challenges along the way, make changes to their recipes and evaluate how successfully their product met the original design brief. For many students, this was their first experience completing a full Food Technology design challenge, and they did an amazing job. It was fantastic to see their creativity, teamwork and problem-solving skills develop as they transformed an initial idea into a food product. Most importantly, students discovered that Food Technology is about much more than simply following a recipe. It combines creativity, research, nutrition, design, practical cooking skills, teamwork and problem-solving – all while creating something you can eat! So, if these products were added to the school canteen menu, which one would you choose – sushi, a veggie burger or quiche? A big congratulations to all of our Year 9 Food Technology students on their fantastic effort and enthusiasm throughout the challenge. Interested in getting creative in the kitchen, developing your own food products and learning practical skills? Consider choosing Food Technology next year!
INCLUSIVE EDUCATION Staff Professional Learning, Term 3.
This Term staff have been lucky enough to be able to participate in some great professional learning in regard to Inclusive Education, learning difficulties and disabilities. A group of both primary and secondary staff attended a partnership information session with the Western Australian Centre for Rural Health and The University of Western Australia titled, Supporting Neurodiverse Students to Learn and Thrive in the Classroom. Teachers were exposed to the cultural shifts influencing inclusive education, challenged to recognise the characteristics and classroom impacts of common neurodivergences, and encouraged to apply Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to support all learners. Staff were excited by some of the possibilities and somewhat relieved to see that our challenges and barriers are very much a reflection of what is happening in other schools around Western Australia. I am also hosting a series of staff workshops around all of the different acronyms that teachers are now needing to be very conversant with, including SLDs, DLDs, ASD, and the list goes on. This will help to build on the staff's current knowledge and understanding of neurodiversity, and particularly those which present challenges to some of our own students. Early in Term 3, the Inclusive Education Department will be participating in the AISWA Inclusive Education Symposium, where we will get to widen our network of contacts and supports as well as learn from the lived experience of inspiring Inclusive Education teachers and students with diverse needs. Ms Hope Head of Inclusive Education
STUDENT WELLBEING
Term 3 provided valuable opportunities to strengthen student wellbeing and encourage important conversations across the School. We were delighted to welcome Gabbie Lynch back to the Student Wellbeing team. Gabbie worked with Year 3 students through the Emerging Youth Real Friendships program, exploring communication, conflict resolution, friendship changes and positive social connections through practical activities. During Camps Week, Sarah Collins from Anglicare WA delivered Teen Mental Health First Aid to Years 11 and 12. Students learned to recognise signs of mental health concerns, support their friends and seek help from trusted adults. Follow-up drop-in sessions were also offered by Student Wellbeing Officer Grace Higgs—with baked goods, of course! The Years 11 and 12 Protective Behaviours program focused on alcohol and drug harm reduction and the influence of social media algorithms. Red Frogs shared information about their support for young people, including during Leavers, while resources from Teach Us Consent encouraged students to think critically about online content and healthy relationships. Gabbie and Grace also attended AISWA’s Strong Minds, Connected Communities conference, returning with valuable ideas to further support student wellbeing at our School.
SCHOOL HOLIDAY READING RECOMMENDATIONS YEARS 7 & 8
YEARS 9 & 10
YEARS 11 & 12
STAFF
Beauty and the Beast Our recent production of Beauty and the Beast was a truly magical celebration of the talent, dedication and spirit of our students. After months of rehearsals, the cast and crew delivered three outstanding performances that captivated audiences and showcased the incredible performing arts culture at Geraldton Grammar School. This year's production attracted record ticket sales. We were also delighted to present a special Primary School presentation, providing many younger students with the opportunity to experience live theatre and be inspired by the outstanding performances of our secondary students. I could not be prouder of every student involved in the production. Whether they were performing on stage, working backstage, or supporting the production behind the scenes, each student demonstrated commitment, resilience and teamwork. Watching their confidence grow throughout the rehearsal process and seeing them shine on stage was an incredibly rewarding experience.
A production of this scale is only possible because of the generosity of an amazing school community. While there are far too many people to thank individually, I would like to acknowledge the staff, parents, volunteers and community members whose encouragement, expertise and countless hours of support helped bring this production to life. Your willingness to contribute your time and talents made an enormous difference, and we are incredibly grateful. Thank you to everyone who attended and supported Beauty and the Beast. Your enthusiasm created a wonderful atmosphere for our students and helped make this production one they will remember for many years to come. Miss Clarkson Director – Beauty and the Beast
Cast List Belle Beast Gaston Lumiere Cogsworth Mrs Potts Chip Maurice Babette Madame de la Grande Lefou Monsieur D’Arque Bookseller Les Filles De La Ville Narrator Young Prince Enchantress
Aurora Milnes Rawley Duperouzel Levi Beckett Angus Chadbourne Miriam Beckett Chloe Cruickshank Amelia Coaker Connor Jones Matilda Canny Olive Davidson Micah Beckett Oscar Ringwood Craig Miller Mila King, Hallie Gamble and Koby Price Rhea Poligadu Gareth Taylor Synnove Dhillon
Villagers Chorus: Poppy Parsons, Craig Miller, Stella Redbond, Lilly Mouchemore, Allie Wynne, Gareth Taylor, Hafsa Aung, Josie Mackin, Rhea Poligadu, Isabel Taylor, Peyton Teale, Harriet Davies, Sahar Chowdhury, Eva Mellow, Cadence Guilford, Jane Forrester, Isabella Purslow, Lennie Buck & Grace Jolly. Wolves: Mason Edwards, Zahra Holden, Violet Andrews, Lilly Wilks, Aliza Mitchell & Tillie Ringwood Castle Chorus: Elizabeth Hoang, Neve Reynolds, Madi Hunt, Evie Bristow, Lenya Stellmach, Grace Thurkle, Zoe Doncon, Ainslie Pope, Shelby Bennett, Rachel Whitmarsh, Lola Gould, Kaley Owens, Chloe Blackmore, Charlotte Dalton, Riley Dennis, Kara Pothan & Alice McAuliffe.
Production Crew Director Choreography Vocal Coach Lighting Design Sound Technician Set Design Costume Design Lighting and ICT Marketing Manager
Katie Clarkson Olive Davidson Cherith Nelson-Milnes Ewan Stevens Katie Hemana-Scally Russell Jones & Lyndsay Clarkson Karen Benson & Julie Boys Rory Evers & Katie Hemana-Scally Onika Routledge
Backstage Assistants: Chloe Whitmarsh, Stella Bunker, Darcie Gravil, Liam Warhurst, Hollei Gammon, Xavier Gough, Charlie Morrison & Harry Ward. Senior Leadership Team: Brad Gill, Derek Lange, Damon Angelatos, Fiona Angelatos & Marion Nelson Production assistance: Dallas Bruce Hair and Make-up: Duha Shahran, Renee Olsen, Sarah Mouchemore, Grace Higgs, Kim Walkden and many more incredible Production Mums Finance: Sonia Alves & Stacey Morgan With special thanks to The Parents and Friends Association for their assistance with the lolly bar, beverages and production support.
PYJAMA DAY Nepal School Fundraiser
Geraldton Grammar School students swapped their uniforms for their favourite pyjamas for a special K–12 fundraiser supporting our Nepal Sister School. Thanks to the generosity of our school community, PJ Day raised an incredible $1,339.95 for Shree Janakalyan School, a small primary school in a rural community near Pokhara in Nepal’s Annapurna region. Geraldton Grammar School has proudly supported Shree Janakalyan School since 2010, with funds raised helping to improve facilities and provide valuable resources for its students and staff. Thank you to everyone who embraced the PJ Day fun and generously donated. Together, our school community continues to make a meaningful difference—one pair of pyjamas at a time!
WORLDS GREATEST SHAVE Geraldton Grammar Raises $14,733 for the Leukaemia Foundation!
Geraldton Grammar School Secondary students and Principal Mr Gill bravely took part in the World’s Greatest Shave, saying goodbye to their locks and sporting some fresh new looks in support of an important cause. Together, the team raised an incredible $14,733 for the Leukaemia Foundation, helping to support Australians impacted by blood cancer and fund vital research. A huge congratulations to everyone who shaved or chopped their hair, and thank you to the many students, families, staff and community members who donated and cheered them on. A special mention to Service Captain Chloe Cruickshank and Mr Angelatos for their hard work in organising the event and bringing the school community together in support of this important cause. It was an outstanding display of courage, generosity and school spirit!
Term 3 finished with one of the most enjoyable concerts on the IMP calendar: the Primary Promotion Concert. IMP students prepared a short concert especially for our Years 4, 5 and 6 students, with Kindy 3 and 4 also attending as special guests. The concert showcased each of the instruments available to study through the Instrumental Music Program at Geraldton Grammar School. The Concert Band kicked things off with a fantastic rendition of Cantina Band
TERM 3 SECONDARY MUSIC
from Star Wars, followed by solo demonstrations that allowed the audience to hear the unique sound of each instrument. The Rock Band then closed the concert with Weezer’s Island in the Sun. A special thank you to each of the musicians who prepared a solo: Matthew Chaplyn, Tanissha Suppiah, Aurora Milnes, Levi Beckett, Finley Painter, Zahra Holden, Xavier Shiosaki, Kobe Marshall and JB Pickering. Application forms to enrol in the IMP in 2027 will be released early in Term 4. The Primary Promotion Concert coincided with Primary IMP Day, giving our Year 5 and 6 musicians an opportunity to enjoy additional rehearsal time and musical games with their instruments. The day began with an introduction to Queen’s We Are the Champions, marking the first rehearsal in preparation for a performance at the Primary Presentation Night in December. After recess, students were given scores to accompany iconic scenes from Jaws, Creature from the Black Lagoon and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. They were challenged to match their playing to the pace of each scene as it appeared on screen. Not only did students need to follow Mr Stevens’ conducting, but they could also nominate themselves to conduct a scene, doing their best to follow the visuals while leading the band. The day concluded with musical games, including a highly requested and very intense round of musical statues! It was a challenging yet enjoyable day for our Primary musicians, who demonstrated wonderful progress and enthusiasm throughout.
What a term it’s been in the Sheila Flanagan Library. Every day has started the same way — opening up, switching on the music, and getting the space ready for students to drop in before school or between classes. From quiet reading corners to noisy lunchtime chess tournaments, Term 3 has kept the library buzzing from start to finish.
TERM 3 IN THE LIBRARY
Characters That Inspire This term, our focus has been on characters — who they are, what inspires us about them, and how they help us think about our own lives. We explored both fiction and non-fiction books, talking about the difference between the two, and why it’s so important to recognise whether a story is made up or based on real events. These conversations have led to some wonderful reflections from students on the kinds of role models and lessons characters can offer us. Formats That Spark Reading Graphic novels have continued to rise in popularity, with more and more students reaching for them each week. We’ve talked about why they’re such a good reading option — the combination of words and visuals helps stories come alive, making them accessible, engaging, and just plain fun. We also introduced a new range of dyslexia-friendly books, which have been really well received. These specially designed texts, with clearer fonts and layouts, give every student the chance to enjoy reading without barriers. Together, graphic novels and dyslexia-friendly books are proving that there’s no single “right” way to read — every format opens a door to stories. Displays, New Books & an Author Visit Our shelves had some exciting new arrivals this term. From brand-new fiction titles to fresh non-fiction resources, students have been quick to borrow and recommend their favourites to friends. Creative displays helped bring those books to life — whether it was celebrating CBCA Award winners, showcasing Indigenous voices, or tying in with events happening across the school. Another special moment this term was welcoming Mabel Gibson, author of Cry Baby, for a visit. It was especially meaningful to talk with her about her connections to Geraldton and her Indigenous heritage, which gave her stories even deeper resonance.
Indigenous Connections A real focus this term has been building up our local Indigenous collection. With new resources highlighting Wajarri language and culture, students have had more opportunities to connect with stories and histories from right here in Geraldton. One of the most special additions this term was our new yarning mat. This colourful space has already become a favourite spot for students to sit, reflect, and share. More than just a place to gather, it’s a reminder of the first storytellers of this land and an invitation to pause, listen, and connect. Everyday Library Life It’s often the little things that make the biggest impact. Lunchtimes have been filled with chess games, puzzles, and the toy library, giving students a chance to unwind and connect. One of the standouts this term has been seeing students work together on our group jigsaws — tackling the challenge piece by piece, and then celebrating as they moved onto the next puzzle. It’s been a simple but lovely way to see teamwork and patience in action. Looking Ahead As Term 3 comes to a close, I’m reminded once again that the library is more than just bookshelves. It’s a place where curiosity is sparked, creativity is encouraged, and community is built. Next term will bring fresh displays, new resources, and of course, more chances to celebrate reading and learning together. I can’t wait to see what adventures Term 4 brings. Mrs Jefferies Library Manager
A SYMPHONY OF STORIES Book Week
The Sheila Flanagan Library came alive during Book Week as Geraldton Grammar celebrated this year’s theme, A Symphony of Stories. Throughout the week, students explored the many stories, characters, authors and illustrators that enrich our school community. Displays in the Library and Batavia Hall foyer showcased the 2026 Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year collection, alongside award-winning books from previous years. Students also learned what the familiar Winner, Honour, Shortlisted and Notable stickers on our Library books represent.
BOOK WEEK 2026
A highlight was the Book Week Dress-Up Day, Parade and Assembly. Batavia Hall was filled with much-loved characters as Primary students paraded through the Library, Secondary campus and School Office before returning for the assembly. Our Year 12 students joined the parade, creating a wonderful connection between some of our youngest and oldest students, while staff across Admin, Primary and Secondary embraced the day with their own creative costumes. Hosted by our Pre-Primary students, the assembly brought the focus back to the books and stories at the heart of Book Week. Students were introduced to the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year winners, with special guest readings bringing selected stories to life. Library sessions throughout the week also provided opportunities to discover this year’s shortlisted titles. Primary students from Junior Kindy to Year 6 participated by creating personalised Book Week bookmarks and sharing their favourite books, stories or characters. With the help of our Year 12 students, one student from each year group was recognised for their effort, care and creativity. Congratulations to Lucas Greenaway (Junior Kindy), Aurora Jefferies (Kindy), Aditi Dissanayake (Pre-Primary), Violet Southwell (Year 1), Wisher Ufimtsev (Year 2), Adam Elgamal (Year 3), Willow Valenti (Year 4), Frankie Nicholson (Year 5) and Liam Wong (Year 6). The activity was not simply about selecting the “best” bookmark, but giving every student another creative way to participate and share their love of reading. Best of all, students received their bookmarks back to use in their own books. One of the loveliest moments of the week happened naturally in the Batavia Hall foyer. With a piano incorporated into the Book Week display, Secondary students began stopping to play while others browsed the CBCA collection or sat down to read. For a theme titled A Symphony of Stories, it was the perfect scene—music, books and students coming together in one shared space. Book Week reminded us that there is no single way to be a reader. From fantasy and adventure to graphic novels, humour, picture books and stories about real people and places, the Sheila Flanagan Library continues to help every student discover their own connection to reading. Different readers. Different characters. Different voices. Different stories. Together, they created Geraldton Grammar’s own Symphony of Stories.
Despite a busy term filled with camps, sporting events, performances and other activities, students continued to engage enthusiastically with the Indonesian language program. While Year 7 and 8 students were away on camp, Year 5 and 6 students enjoyed a hands-on cultural experience in the Food Technologies room, preparing bakwan jagung—delicious Indonesian corn fritters. With assistance from Mrs Place, students cooked up a storm and received their own recipe to recreate at home. This popular Indonesian street food can be adapted using ingredients such as prawns, cabbage, turmeric or candlenut.
TERM 3 INDONESIAN
In Primary, Mrs Thuijs provided valuable support to the Indonesian program during the term, once again doing an admirable job. The standard of assessment work produced by Year 7 and 8 students this semester has been particularly impressive. Many students began the year with no previous exposure to Indonesian, making their progress and results especially pleasing. Their growing confidence and overall improvement reflect a positive level of engagement with the language. Parental encouragement can also play an important role in supporting students’ success in language learning. Families interested in learning more can read the following article: The Vital Role of Parental Involvement in the Languages Classroom. We look forward to building on this progress in Term 4.
CULTURAL CONNECTIONS NAIDOC WEEK Term 3 provided our school community with an important opportunity to come together to celebrate NAIDOC Week and recognise the histories, cultures, knowledge and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year was particularly significant as NAIDOC celebrated 50 years, with the theme 50 Years of Deadly recognising five decades of strength, resilience, culture and achievement. Across Geraldton Grammar, our celebrations provided opportunities for students to engage with culture in meaningful and ageappropriate ways, while building their understanding of the continuing connection Aboriginal people have to Country, community, language and culture. Our celebrations began towards the end of Term 2 with Primary students, before continuing with Secondary students in Term 3. The Library became an important learning space, with displays, books, artwork and resources encouraging students to explore NAIDOC, local First Languages, Country and culture. Student artwork inspired by Aboriginal artists was also proudly displayed throughout the Library, showcasing some of the learning already taking place in our classrooms. A particular focus this year was helping students better understand our own local connections. Displays explored who the Southern Yamaji peoples are, the meaning behind our school's Acknowledgement of Country, the diversity of Aboriginal Nations and First Languages across our region, and why Wajarri language is an important part of learning and cultural connection in Geraldton.
We also explored the connection between Country and our own school identity through our House names – Chapman, Greenough, Irwin and Murchison. Looking beyond the familiar names of our Houses encouraged students to think about the rivers themselves, the Country they travel through and the Aboriginal peoples, languages, histories and stories connected to these places. We were also fortunate to have Jarmanda Jones, a Wajarri Noongar woman, share her knowledge and culture with our students. Jarmanda visited our Year 3 students as they prepared for their NAIDOC Assembly, sharing her own story, knowledge and connection to culture and Country. This connection is particularly special for our school community, with Jarmanda's daughter Aurora also a member of our school community. Jarmanda also shared cultural face painting with students as part of our celebrations, providing another opportunity to understand that cultural practices carry meaning and connection and are much more than decoration. Students were encouraged to learn about the connections cultural face painting can have to identity, Country, family and community, as well as the importance of cultural protocols and permission. Language learning continued into our Secondary celebrations through the Home Group Wajarri Word Challenge, with Home Groups encouraged to adopt and learn a Wajarri word. Library resources, including a Wajarri Dictionary, First Languages map and Wajarri Translation Audio Pen, provided further opportunities for students and staff to hear pronunciation, explore meaning and learn more about language and culture. Throughout our celebrations, students were encouraged to learn, ask questions, listen and make connections. It was wonderful to see students and staff engaging with the activities and resources and continuing conversations beyond individual experiences. For us here in Geraldton, these conversations provide an important opportunity to strengthen students' understanding of the Country on which we live and learn, to recognise the Southern Yamaji peoples, and to appreciate the rich cultures, languages, stories and knowledge of our region. While NAIDOC Week is an important celebration on our school calendar, the learning and connections it encourages are not limited to one week. Through the Cultural Connections Committee, we continue to look for ways to embed opportunities for students to learn about Country, culture, language and our shared local history throughout the year, building resources and connections that can continue to grow across both Primary and Secondary. Thank you to Jarmanda, our students and staff, and everyone who contributed to and supported our NAIDOC celebrations, helping make them such a meaningful part of Term 3 at Geraldton Grammar School.
STUDENT NEWS Lucy Hollins Crowned Teen Miss Kalgoorlie 2026 Congratulations to Lucy, who recently competed over two days in the Teen Miss Kalgoorlie competition and was crowned Teen Miss Kalgoorlie 2026. Lucy also achieved outstanding results across several categories: 1st – Formal Wear 1st – Eco Wear 1st – Fashion Wear 2nd – Photogenic 3rd – Interview 3rd – Casual Wear An incredible achievement that reflects Lucy’s confidence, creativity and dedication. Well done, Lucy!
Equestrian Success for Leilani Congratulations to Leilani Witt, who recently achieved outstanding results at the 2026 WA Dressage Youth Championships. Competing across both Elementary and Medium Dressage, Leilani achieved: Elementary Dressage 1st – 3.1 3rd – 3.2 Pony Elementary Champion Medium Dressage 4th – 4.1 6th – 4.2 Leilani also continues to develop her skills through jumping training. These fantastic results reflect her dedication and commitment to equestrian sport. Well done, Leilani!
Sportswoman of the Year Congratulations to Eve Bell, who was named Sportswoman of the Year at the Geraldton Residential College Awards Night. This is a wonderful achievement and recognition of her sporting dedication, talent and commitment. Well done!
STAFF & STUDENT NEWS State Titles for Mason Congratulations to Year 10 student Mason Dennis, who finished an exceptional year of Sporting Clays competition by winning two State titles in Harvey on 12–13 September. Mason was named the 2026 Sub-Junior State Aggregate Winner and, for the second consecutive year, the 2026 Sub-Junior State Champion. He will next compete at the SCA English Sporting Nationals in Canberra and the SCA Sporting Nationals in Cooma during the school holidays, before heading to Albury–Wodonga for the FGA Nationals in late October. Congratulations, Mason, and best of luck at the upcoming national competitions! Australian Teacher Aide of the Year Highly Commended – Dianne McBeath Congratulations to Dianne McBeath, who received a Highly Commended Award in the 2026 Australian Teacher Aide of the Year Awards. During her six years at GGS, Di has become a highly valued member of our school community. Working one-on-one and with small groups, she provides dedicated support to some of our most vulnerable learners. Her intuitive approach and deep understanding of each student’s individual needs have earned their trust, respect and affection. This Australia-wide recognition is a wonderful acknowledgement of Di’s hard work, compassion and commitment. Congratulations, Di, and thank you for everything you do for our students and the Grammar community.
Caitlin Represents Country WA Our very own Caitlin Mundy recently travelled to Bendigo to represent Country WA at the National Hockey Championships. In a wonderful recognition of her leadership, Caitlin was also selected as co-captain of the team. Congratulations, Caitlin, on this fantastic achievement and for representing Country WA with pride!