Geraldton Grammar School

Secondary Athletics // The Pre-Carnival Athletics events are in full swing on the oval this afternoon, with students running, jumping, and throwing to gain points for their Houses. The Secondary Athletics Carnival is next Friday at Geraldton Athletics Centre. Please look at the Parent Hub for more information and lunch order forms.
https://geraldtongrammarschool.wa.edu.au/parent-hub/parent-information/secondary-information

Technology // The Year 1/2 classes started their Book Week activities with a tech twist! They used digital technologies to control robots and showcase their online coding skills with Scratch Jr. Students took on the challenge of retelling "Jack and the Beanstalk," "Hansel and Gretel," or "The Three Little Pigs" through their Scratch programs and guided a Beebot along a story trail. It was an action-packed morning with our young learners fully engaged!

Outdoor Education // Our Year 12 Outdoor Education students have just returned from an incredible final expedition!
The adventure kicked off on Monday last week with an 8km hike along the stunning Bigurda Trail, followed by a visit to the breathtaking skywalk and a cosy camp setup at Z Bend.
Tuesday brought a challenging 12km guided hike from Four Ways back to Z Bend, showcasing the students' resilience and teamwork.
On Wednesday morning, the journey concluded with a memorable 8km hike on the Nature's Window Loop Trail. The students were absolutely fantastic and a pleasure to have on camp!
A big shoutout to our fantastic Year 12s for their enthusiasm, determination, and positive energy throughout this unforgettable experience!

Canberra Camp // Our Year 6 students had a wonderful opportunity today visiting Parliament House in Canberra. We were welcomed by Melissa Price, toured the facilities and role played reading a bill in the House of Representatives before getting an opportunity of a lifetime to watch Question Time live from the gallery. We were even welcomed by the Speaker of the House (13 mins in on the link below) and got a wave from leader of the opposition Peter Dutton.

https://youtu.be/qYoMZaRi_AI?si=z7ZAp9Jsf6kjd-q-

Perth Camp // Our Year 5 students kicked off their Perth adventure with a visit to the Electoral Education Centre and Parliament House, followed by an exploration of the Herdsman Lake Discovery Centre. It's just the beginning of a busy and exciting week! Be sure to check out the Parent Hub for more photos. https://geraldtongrammarschool.wa.edu.au/parent-hub/student-opportunities/camps/year-5-camp

Canberra Camp // Our Year 6 students have touched down in Canberra, bundled up and ready for an action-packed week. They dove right into the experience with visits to the National Electoral Education Centre, Old Parliament House, and a guided tour of ANZAC Parade. This week is going to be full of incredible learning and adventure. Don't miss out—check the Parent Hub for more photos.
https://geraldtongrammarschool.wa.edu.au/parent-hub/student-opportunities/camps/year-6-camp-canberra

Primary Athletics Carnival // What a spectacular day on the school oval for the 2024 Primary Athletics Carnival! The energy was high, and seeing so many students giving their all and showcasing incredible sportsmanship was amazing. A massive shoutout to the P&F for keeping everyone energized with delicious treats and to Wild Bean Cafe for fueling our parents and staff with much-needed caffeine.

Primary Athletics Carnival // Get ready to show your house spirit. Our Primary Athletics Carnival is happening tomorrow on the school oval. This carnival is all about participation, so every student can join in a sprint and participate in some fun team games.
Remember to wear your house shirt!
Plus, the P&F will sell delicious homemade baked goods for morning tea, and the Wild Brew coffee van will keep everyone energized.
For more information check out the Parent Hub: https://geraldtongrammarschool.wa.edu.au/parent-hub/parent-information/primary-information

Music // Our Senior Concert Band recently made the journey to Perth to showcase their talents at the WA School's Senior Concert Band Festival held at Churchlands SHS. The experience began with an inspiring workshop led by the incredible Dale Pointon, who shared invaluable last-minute tips with our musicians.

The band gave a powerful performance and an exclusive feedback session with the renowned American composer and conductor Randall Standridge – an unforgettable learning opportunity!

But it wasn’t all about music! On Friday, our students sharpened their archery, geocaching, and minigolf skills before ending the trip on a high note with a visit to the Perth Concert Hall. There, they were captivated by the West Australian Symphony Orchestra's stunning performance of Dvorak's 8th Symphony.

Camp Week // While the rest of the secondary students were away on camps, our Year 11 and 12 students enjoyed regular brain breaks from their studies last week. From getting their hands dirty gardening at Greenough Museum to picking up invaluable tips during an Exam Hacks presentation, they kept their minds and bodies active. Add in the energy of Zumba and the excitement of wheelchair basketball with Atlas, and it was a week full of fun, learning, and teamwork.

Camp // Our adventurous Year 8 campers have been exploring the stunning Kalbarri region, soaking in breathtaking views from the Kalbarri Skywalk, marvelling at Nature's Window, and paddling their way up the Murchison River.
After all their exciting explorations, they were treated to some well-deserved fish and chips!

Primary // Today was a special day for our Year 6 students as they proudly wore their leavers shirts for the first time together!

These shirts are more than just fabric; they represent the memories, friendships, and achievements that have shaped their time at our school. As they prepare to embark on their camp to Canberra in a few week's time, let's celebrate their hard work and the bright futures ahead of them.

Camp // After a crisp morning at Nukara, our Year 7 campers enjoyed a memorable walk with the Year 12 students to the Chapman Valley Historical Society Heritage Centre. This visit was a fantastic opportunity to delve into local history and a wonderful chance to forge new friendships.

Chapman Valley Historical Society Heritage Centre

Young Writers // Last week, our avid bookworms enjoyed some time at Champion Bay Senior High School for this term's Young Writers workshop with Sarah Winifred Searle. An award-winning writer and artist of comics and prose from New England but currently based in Perth.

Service // Thursday was a cosy and heartwarming day at school as staff and students arrived in their pyjamas! Don’t worry, we haven't changed our uniform policy; we were raising money for our sister school, Shree Janakalyan, in Nepal.
Your generous gold coin donations, totaling nearly $900, will help purchase vital equipment to enhance the wellbeing of students who walk over an hour daily to school and share a single water tap.
To find out more, see our website: https://geraldtongrammarschool.wa.edu.au/our-school/sister-school

P&F // Last Saturday, the Geraldton Grammar School community came together for a night of fun and excitement at our P&F Trivingo event. The creativity was off the charts, from grannies and nuns to ballerinas and shark-themed tables.
The competition was fierce, with the teacher tables battling it out until the final rounds. A huge congratulations to our Secondary staff for their impressive victory!
A heartfelt thank you to the hardworking P&F team and volunteers for their incredible organization and catering. With the support of generous sponsors and because of your efforts, we raised over $14,000 for our school.

Outdoor Education // Our Outdoor Education trip to Kalbarri was nothing short of spectacular! Recent heavy rainfalls filled the landscape with stunning views and added an adventurous twist to our journey.
Everyone braved the 25m and 35m descents, including the fearless Mr. Waters!
Thanks to Col from Kalbarri Abseil for guiding us through this unforgettable experience.

Beacon // We are excited to unveil the newest edition of our school magazine, The Beacon! Explore captivating stories, celebrate student achievements, and discover exciting school events. This issue is brimming with content showcasing our school community's vibrant life and dynamic spirit.
https://indd.adobe.com/view/cf353461-76a0-4e45-bc7a-8fb45bf49896

Netball // Over the weekend, the Year 5 Geraldton Grammar School netball team took part in the local Midwest Regional Netball Carnival, playing against teams from all over the region. It was a great opportunity for the girls to hone their skills, and did a phenomenal job of representing the school.

Service // We're thrilled to announce a special event to support Shree Janakalyan Primary School in Nepal!

🗓️ Date: Thursday 1 August
💰 Donation: Gold coin
👚 Theme: Wear your school-appropriate pyjamas!

Let's come together, have fun, and make a difference! Your small donation can have a big impact. Remember to wear your comfiest, school-friendly pyjamas and join us for a day of joy and giving.

Operation Wallacea // During the holidays, 20 students participated in Operation Wallacea, travelling to a remote part of Indonesia. They learned to dive, participated in reef ecology courses and science workshops, worked on reef restoration projects, cleaned beaches, visited a Bajau village, and scuba-dived in the Coral Triangle—the world's most biologically diverse coral reef. They collaborated with global experts, including a former UN mission head, professors from UK universities, master's and PhD students, and peers from England and Taiwan. It was an incredible trip, and the feedback we received was that our students were exceptional.

Incursion // Yesterday, we had the incredible honour of hosting Peter Cheong, a talented author and illustrator from Perth. Peter is the creative mind behind the Pow Pow Pig series illustrations, I’m a Hero Too, Nothing Alike, and Freddie Spectator Fact Collector. He's also the author and illustrator of the shortlisted book for the 2024 CBCA Picture Book of the Year, Every Night at Midnight.
During his visit, Peter captivated the Year 3/4 students with his 'meet the author' talk and presentation, sharing insights and stories behind his amazing works.
We are so grateful for this inspiring and educational experience!

Striving for Excellence // Huge congratulations to over 40 of our secondary students for achieving excellence ratings in every affective in every subject on their Semester 1 school reports. Your hard work and dedication have earned you a Striving for Excellence certificate at yesterday's assembly. We're incredibly proud of you all! Keep up the amazing work!

Surfing // What a fun day in the sun at the Midwest Schools Surfing Titles. Our Year 7-10 students faced off against Exmouth SHS, Nagle, and Geraldton SHS in some tough conditions.
Congratulations to Callum Sojan and Bjorn Rothwell for their outstanding performance, winning the Junior Boys Final by narrowly beating Leon Plummer and his partner from Nagle. 🎉🏆
The next stop is the State Finals in Perth at the end of August!

P&F // Open to everyone. From 2-4 PM this Friday, swing by the hall and grab your raffle tickets for the Trivingo P&F event! Take advantage of winning amazing prizes while supporting our community.

HASS // As part of our HASS unit on Ancient China, our Year 7 students channelled their creativity and knowledge into designing unique board games. Inspired by popular games they've enjoyed, they incorporated fascinating information, characters, and events from their studies this term. Seeing their enthusiasm and learning come to life through play is wonderful!

Excursion // Our Year 2 students had an incredible morning at the Geraldton Museum last week, diving into the history of the Batavia shipwreck. They were captivated by the fascinating artefacts and enthralled by Wiebbe Hayes's courageous tale. Thank you to the parents who joined us on this enriching excursion. Your support made it even more special!

Round Square // A small group of our secondary students joined students from 17 schools from around the world attending the Round Square conference in Rockhampton Qld this week, where students met peers from Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Japan, and India. Hosted at the Rockhampton Grammar School's boarding house, the event started with a BBQ dinner and talks on local environmental efforts.

Students participated in a 3-day rotation featuring:
A canoe expedition and tea tree farm tour.
A day on Great Keppel Island with snorkelling and a glass-bottom boat tour.
Ritamada Outdoor Education Centre activities include re-vegetation projects, a giant swing, and surfing lessons.

Round Square conferences offer students adventure and global connections. It was a memorable farewell for Parsa, who is relocating to Melbourne.

Country Week // The Senior High School Country Week team have been playing their hearts out across all sports and have made it into 3 finals being played today. They had a great week of competition with some fantastic sportsmanship, teamwork, resilience in the rain and team success evident. Good luck to all the teams playing today, and well done to coaches and students. Check out the Parent Hub for updates: https://geraldtongrammarschool.wa.edu.au/parent-hub/interschool-sport/shs-country-week