It is hard to believe that we are once again at the end of another academic year. Throughout 2023 there have been many examples of our students, staff, families and members of our broader school community demonstrating our School values of Compassion, Leadership, Excellence, Responsibility and Respect, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their commitment and contribution to the life of our school throughout the year. A true reflection of the quality of a School is most often found in the hearts of its people and there is little doubt that the fabric of Gippsland Grammar is woven with strength, courage and love.

In recent weeks many school camp and outdoor education programs have been undertaken, sports teams have competed in various events and our thriving visual and performing arts programs have continued to showcase the unique talents of our students. We have celebrated the graduating Year 6 and Year 12 classes of 2023, welcomed our student leaders for 2024, embraced our new ELC, Foundation and Year 7 students in orientation events at all three of our campuses and will conclude the term with our annual celebration assembly and Fellowship services.

In reflecting on the many opportunities and traditions of our School it seems fitting that next year is our Centenary celebrations. We invite all families to join the many special events that will take place throughout 2024 as part of these celebrations. Pre-orders are currently being taken for our Centenary Calendar, which can be charged to your school account and the calendars will be sent home with students at the end of next week. Pre-order your calendars here: Link for Centenary Calendar Orders

And the official Centenary celebrations will kick-off on Friday February 23 with our Gippsland Grammar Gala evening at Maffco. This event is hosted by the Gippsland Grammar Foundation and we wholeheartedly invite all members of our School Community to join us for this fundraising and celebration event. Book your early-bird tickets here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1133959

Our 2023 School magazine Claresco will be sent home with all students on the last day of term. This magazine is an amazing snapshot of our entire year and Claresco editor Lisa Baker takes great pride in ensuring every single student at our school is featured in some way. Please enjoy reading Claresco over the break but also store is somewhere safe for reflection in years and decades to come.

As we prepare to break for the school holidays, I would like to take this opportunity to extend the best wishes of our community to Mrs Jan Chalmer, Mrs Sherryn Ray and Mrs Joy Hay-Smith on their retirement and to those students, staff and families who are not returning to Gippsland Grammar in 2024.

I wish everyone in the Gippsland Grammar Community a safe, restful and happy holiday season. May the Spirit of Christmas bring you peace, the gladness of Christmas bring you hope and the warmth of Christmas bring you love.