Supporting Each Other in Times of Need

I hope this newsletter finds you well and refreshed in whichever way the recent holiday period worked for you. Over the past weeks, while we have witnessed some tragic stories in our news headlines, I continue to be in awe of the displays of assistance, empathy, support and compassion among people. The invaluable role of our first responders, who bravely step forward in the face of adversity is inspiring. Their dedication and selflessness serve as guiding beacons of hope in challenging times. I believe it is ever more crucial to continue to nurture a culture of empathy and solidarity in our community.

Just recently, as one of our junior school families arrived at the Garnsey campus for a tour, a heart-warming incident unfolded. A senior school student encountered an unfortunate accident on her bike and, without a moment's hesitation, members of this family rushed to her aid. Their swift action, care, and concern exemplify the essence of what it means to be part of our school family.

As educators and parents, we have a profound responsibility to instil these values in our children. We must empower them to become the first responders in their own right, equipped with a readiness to lend a helping hand. It is through nurturing these qualities that we can foster a generation of individuals who are not only academically accomplished but also socially conscious and proactive in serving others.

In our School Community, there are countless opportunities for our students to embody the spirit of service. Whether it's through volunteering initiatives, peer support programs, or simply extending a gesture of kindness to those in need, each act contributes to the fabric of our collective empathy, where reaching out to one another in times of need is second nature.

Life's most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’.
– Martin Luther King Jr.

We hope you had an enjoyable Easter and welcome you back to Term 2. A special welcome to Mabel Fry, Harvey Vanderslik and Mirea Hasler and their families, who have joined us this term. A special shout out to Mabel, who already represented our school during the holidays at the school's equestrian event. Mabel is now off to represent us in Nationals in Tamworth later in the year.

Each year, our campus takes on a focus for our staff and students. This year, we have been encouraging and considering how we can continue to foster and ‘Create Connections’. The interest and willingness of our families and staff to support our school, each other, the wider community and our students is an incredible feat. This is already evident in our first week of Term 2 and planned events throughout the term.

Year 6 Tour and Tea at Garnsey Campus
On Wednesday our Year 6 students and their parents were invited to our senior Garnsey Campus to tour the school and meet some of the staff. The students then stayed to watch a rehearsal of our senior students performing ‘Catch Me If You Can’. Creating Connections with the Garnsey Campus is a valued part of belonging to Gippsland Grammar.
Reuben McInnes reflected: ‘Exploring the different parts of the school was really fun. The play was very entertaining and enjoyable and engaged the audience. I am looking forward to working in the Visual Art and Design Centre and learning how to do different woodwork.’
Isabel Williams said: ‘I enjoyed looking at the different places around the school and thought the library was very quiet. I look forward to spending time in the library looking at all the books. The play had some very entertaining aspects, and I enjoyed the singing and dancing. It had a very professional feeling, and it made me think about what musical I could be part of when I go to Garnsey.’

Cross Country
Without the organisation of our wonderful PE teacher Elisha Froud and the support of our amazing parents, we would be unable to run sporting events like today’s House Cross Country. This event not only builds friendships and resilience amongst the students, it also allows the children to see the power of ‘Community Connections’ with their parents, other adults and staff.

The winning House at today’s event was Blundel Bogong and the other houses were placed as follows:
2^nd: Tisdell Hotham
3^rd: Wellington Binks
4^th: Cranswick Dargo

Grandparents and Special Friends Day
We are looking forward to welcoming our Grandparents and Special friends next Wednesday April 24. Students in Year 3/4 Grevillea have worked hard and look forward to presenting their Fellowship. Grevillea student Hudson Whelan is excited about his grandmother speaking at the Fellowship. Hudson is one of our students who will receive a new ‘Generations Badge’ at this Fellowship, as his mother, grandmother and grandfather all attended Gippsland Grammar. What a remarkable ‘Generational Connection’.

After Fellowship, all students and their special visitors will participate in different activities around the school and then come together for morning tea. Grandparents are a very ‘Special Connection’ to young people’s lives, and this is one of my favourite days in the school year.

ANZAC Day
All students are encouraged and invited to attend the Bairnsdale ANZAC Day community march on Thursday. Our Campus Captains Blake Maxwell and Ayla Buckley will lay a wreath at the Cenotaph and then join with others from our Campus to march down Main Street in the community parade. Our students will then join the ANZAC Day service held at the Cenotaph. Being part of community events and remembering significant commemorations allows our students to ‘Create Connections’ deeply and meaningfully.

Mother’s Day
Our students always look forward to our special Mother’s Day breakfast and Fellowship, which this term will be on Friday May 10. As a staff, we would like to acknowledge the support and hard work our students' mothers and special friends provide daily. The ‘connection’ between our parents, children and school allows our students to achieve their personal best each day.

Academic and extra-curricular fun
Engaging students in their learning and allowing for ‘Educational Connections’ is integral to our school day. Later this term, all students will participate in a House Math Competition and take part in a special Math Incursion.

Recognising and acknowledging our shared history allows students to make ‘Meaningful Connections’. During Reconciliation Week, students will be supported to all come together with kindness and understanding.

Term 2 sees our Year 5 and Year 6 students continuing to prepare and participate for Winter Sports. The students will compete against other schools in netball and soccer. The students look forward to a day of sporting fun and ‘Creating Connections’ with other school students on the day.

Year 5 and Year 6 are also encouraged to develop their team skills and leadership with Tournament of the Minds (TOM). Students start practising vital skills, honing the art of communication, and working together, ready for the TOM challenge down at Federation University during Term 3. Thanks to teachers Penny Rankin and Elisha Froud and the ongoing support of our families, these students create and make ‘Connections’ with not only each other and students from other schools but also gain a glimpse of life at university, as they compete at Federation University, Churchill.

Giving Garden
In Terms 2 and 3 our Giving Garden will again produce meals for others in our community. Each week, under the direction of our creative class teacher Lucy Leeming and some generous volunteers from our local Anglican Parish, groups of students come together to prepare and cook nourishing meals, which are then given to Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House for people in need. Supporting and encouraging students to think of others helps make ‘Connections’ with the wider community and the gift of giving.

How fortunate are our children to be part of so many valuable ‘Connections.’

The Gippsland Grammar Foundation will host a Giving Week next week to raise funds for our School’s Building Fund. Our School relies on the Foundation – our fundraising arm – to raise funds for capital projects which would otherwise be impossible. Recent initiatives supported by the Foundation include the Garnsey Art & Design Centre, the St Anne’s Years 3/4 Learning Centre and the Bairnsdale Campus basketball roof structure. The current fundraising focus is for the new St Anne’s ‘early years zone’, which includes the ELC and Foundation classrooms, as well as other building improvements at our Bairnsdale and Garnsey campuses.

Giving Week donation fliers will be available at each of our Grandparents Day events next week or donations can be made directly via our website at: www.gippslandgrammar.au/community/foundation

Next week we celebrate our grandparents and special friends at events at each of our campuses as part of our Grandparents’ Week celebrations. And in honour of our Centenary year, these occasions will be when we present students whose parents or grandparents (or even great-grandparents) with our new ‘Generations Badge’. This badge will be given to each current student and their Old Scholar family member who also attended our school. To ensure our records are as accurate as possible, we are asking families to let us know of any grandparent or great-grandparent connection, so please email Sarah Guinness at development@gippslandgrammar.au if you have a Generations connection you wish to be recognised in this way. Our most recent edition of Veritas included a list which showed which family connections we have already confirmed.

Our two Centenary books have been hugely popular since they were launched over our Centenary weekend in Term 1. ‘Memories, stories from 100 years of Gippsland Grammar’ by Ann Andrew is a wonderful compilation of 100 stories from students from our earliest years until today; while its companion publication ‘Wheelbarrow’s Birthday’ is a children’s book that reimagines 12 of those stories in a form more suitable for our current youngest students. Both books will be available at our Grandparents’ Day events or online here: https://gippslandgrammar.mysho...