FOUNDATION DAY It’s our birthday

GMAS TURNS 18! It was a special fun filled day celebrating our beautiful school. The significant morning started with a whole school Eucharist, where we reflected back to 2003.

A lovely morning tea was served for our Foundation Students and parents, who had been with GMAS from Kindy.

It was great to see so many courageous performers at the GMAS Talent Search, their peers encouraging and cheering them on in the GMAS spirit.

We are so proud of our history and community here at GMAS and look forward to our continuing journey.

Friday 12 February 2021

“It was brought home to me by Catholic Father Leon Russell who stopped me in my tracks in the main street of Busselton one day in January 1997 with the question ‘when are you going to build an Anglican school?’ ” – REVEREND TOM

2021 LEADERSHIP CAMP

COURAGE AND CREATIVITY PREVELLY, YEAR 6

Students participated in a range of enjoyable and challenging activities together, developing confidence to start their leadership journeys.

Wednesday 20 January to Thursday 21 January 2021

ADVENTURE AND CONNECTION YEAR 9 & 12

Building confidence, resilience and responsibility - turning students into empowered, inspiring leaders.

Wednesday 27 January to Thursday 28 January 2021

2021 Camp Week

ALL ABOARD! 2021 Camp Week was held at the end of Term with students setting off to various locations including Perth, Bridgetown, Rottnest and Fremantle.

Camp Week fosters independence in our young students and allows quality time for forming connections with their classmates, whilst our older students are looking towards the future with confidence and resourcefulness.

29 March - 1 April 2021

YEAR 1’ s AT THE DOLPHN DISCOVERY CENTRE

YEAR 4’ s EXCITED TO GET GOING

YEAR 11’ s IN SOUTH PERTH YEAR 8’ s IN BORANUP YEAR 5’ s IN DWELLINGUP

YEAR 2’ s SLEEPOVER ON CAMPUS

YEAR 9’ s IN FREMANTLE YEAR 4’ s IN BRIDGETOWN

YEAR 10’ s IN QUARANUP, ALBANY

YEAR 6’ s AT WOODMAN POINT

YEAR 3’ s AT SCRIPTURE

HEAD OF PRIMARY SCHOOL

CONOR MARTIN

ACTING HEAD OF PRIMARY SCHOOL

Primary School

This year I have the honor of leading our wonderful GMAS Primary School, with the support of Deputy Head of Primary, Sarah Snow, Administration Assistant, Mrs Karen Beynon, and our amazing Primary staff. As an educational leader, I couldn’t have asked for a better team of professional, committed educators to work with.

As with any busy and vibrant environment, time just seems to fly by, and Term 1 at GMAS has been no exception. Students have engaged in a rich array of academic, cultural, artistic, creative and innovative programs.

The many opportunities offered to our students at GMAS serve to inspire and challenge each individual to reach their unique potential. I look forward to continuing to be a part of their learning journey in the coming terms, supporting them along the way, and to share in their successes.

EARLY CHILDHOOD BEACH CARNIVAL

A DAY AT THE BEACH - FUELLED BY CURIOSITY The Early Childhood Beach Carnival is always a highlight of Term 1. With the picturesque backdrop of Geographe Bay, the Beach Carnival was well attended by our Early Childhood students.

Friday 19 February 2021

JUNIOR INTERHOUSE SWIMMING CARNIVAL

TEAM SPIRIT SOARS ON CARNIVAL DAY Congratulations to all our students for giving their best and competing with great sportsmanship and House spirit. Our Years 3-6 students gave it all they had despite the looming weather approaching. Congratulations to Bunker House who took out the winning place. A huge thank you to the staff and parents who offered their support in ensuring a great day was had by all.

Friday 5 March 2021

I SEE YOU YEAR 5 SCIENCE

INVESTIGATING ADAPTATIONS IN ANIMALS Looking at all classifications of animals using our new animal history and classification resources, Year 5 students investigated some ideas so they can design and build their own ultimate animal.

Friday 12 MARCH 2021

SUCH CREATIVITY EASTER HAT PARADE

AN EGGCELLENT EASTER HAT PARADE Our Early Childhood students showed off their Easter hat creations in front of family and friends for our annual parade. The Easter Bunny had the crowd on their feet dancing to YMCA, and was a hit with the students. The hats were egg-stremely creative and fun, and if the excited squeals were anything to go by the students were very egg-cited.

Tuesday 30 March 2021

HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

LISA NESS

HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

Middle School

Well, here we are at the end of what I think has been the shortest term we have ever had! Losing week 1 to COVID lockdown and the last week of term being camp week, we were left with only 7 weeks of actual school. It is no wonder we often feel that life is in the fast lane and we feel time poor! I must admit it has been a bit of a shock to me after having enjoyed the last 6 months on long service leave. What are the secrets to having a great year?

I believe the single most important factor for having a great year as well as being successful and happy is OUR attitude.

The attitude we bring to every situation has a huge impact on how we see and react to everything we face. If we think of our attitude as we would a camera lens – attitude can affect what we focus on, can act as a filter and there for impact greatly on how we ‘see’ things that happen around us.

We all have a choice when it comes to our attitude. We need to be aware of our attitude and make a choice on how much we will allow situations to impact our attitude. Once we accept this choice we can then decide whether or not to keep it or shape it into an attitude that brings more satisfaction, happiness and therefore allowing more success.

“Learn to ignore what you can’t control and learn to control what you can.” Dr Peter Hanson

Remember – we control our attitude, not the other way around! P16

TALENTED YOUNG WRITERS

A NEW GENERATION OF WRITERS Students were treated to a visit from accomplished author, Diane Wolfer as a part of the Young Writers Collective workshop. Joined by students from Cape Naturaliste College, Dunsborough Primary School, St Mary Mackillop and Busselton Primary School, GMAS students were introduced to superb Australian Authors as well as enabling them to meet and form friendships with other like-minded readers and writers.

Friday 19 March 2021

HOW MANY PALM CROSSES?

OVER 2000! Palm Crosses in CRS classes were distributed to parishes across the Bunbury Diocese. Included were Busselton, Mandurah, Coodanup, Corrigin, Wagin, Manjimup, Margaret River, Bunbury, Dunsborough, Augusta, Boyanup and Kojonup. The palm crosses are used in Palm Sunday services and form part of the life of the diocese for the year. Just before next Lent, parishes will ask the community to bring back their palm crosses which will be burnt to make the ashes for Ash Wednesday services in 2022.

Friday 26 March 2021

Term 1 rapidly gained momentum after a delayed start with all 3 of my subschool year groups on task and focussed on getting to 3 very important finishing lines. Such is Senior School! Year 12 Ball, Outdoor Education, a new group of Year 12 Leaders, Parent Nights, Interim Reports (and more Parent Nights), Open Nights showcasing the school and Camps (our “IGNITE” Program) are just a few of the highlights. Term 2 steps up another gear with Study Skills and other Workshops, Semester 1 Exams and Year 10 students moving towards pathway and course selections for 2022.

STEVE TRELOAR, HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL

Senior School

GMAS STUDENTS SAILING

ENCOURAGING A LOVE FOR THE OUTDOORS As part of the 2021 Year 11 and 12 Outdoor Education Course, we are undertaking a sailing program. We visit the Yacht Club weekly to put our skippering and sail control skills into play before we head off to Shark Bay on The Sea Trek Camp in Term 2. We will sail up the coast, camping and exploring remote areas and National Parks. We have all completed our Recreational Skippers Ticket to assist us on our journey.

As individuals, we are learning how to both skipper and control a sailboat, while also as a class learning how to work in teams and communicate so we can safely and successfully navigate our boats. Though this doesn’t come easily, in our theory classes we have been studying all the parts of a sailboat, understanding how they work as well as learning what to do in the case of an event such as capsizing.

Sailing is a sport for anyone; it is fun, exciting, adventurous and liberating, giving you a different outlook on the ocean and the how you can explore it.

by Tamsin Falconer

YEAR 12 BALL 2021

PULLING OUT ALL THE STOPS FOR A GREAT NIGHT The arrivals began at 5:30pm, with parents, grandparents and friends already lined up watching eagerly as our cars pulled up. The elaborate old and new cars made their way to Palmer Winery, where we exited with the assistance of Ms Fink and Mrs Snelson and strolled down the red carpet, stopping to get a picture by Mr Crossie. Finally we joined the rest of the cohort to watch our fellow peers do the same, after being met by Mr Treloar with a lavish mocktail.

Soon after we made our way inside to the lake, deck and grassed area (which would soon transform into our dance floor). The GMAS group were to take the annual school ball photo by the lake. We then moved on to the introductions and thanks of the night from Year 12 Coordinator - Mr Deroost, Head Boy - Harry Bowden, Head Girl - Emily Hodder, SRC President - Josh Weed and finally grace by Head of Senior school - Mr Treloar.

As soon as the sun set, the girls threw off their heels, and the boys their jackets, and we all hit the dance floor. The teachers were not afraid to join in with; Ms Burns, Ms Fink (even with a dislocated knee), Mrs Best, Mrs Forrest, Mrs Grosse, Mr Barraclough, Ms Verhaaf and Mrs Vogel all going hard, showing the kids how its done. Food was brought out regularly with fantastic service and our DJ (Paul Mac) really turning things up for the crowd. The dance floor was lit with glow sticks a plenty to add to the vibe.

Ending the night at 10:30pm on the dot, the girls collected their shoes and partners and went out to find their rides home. The girls looked gorgeous and the guys looked “absolutely dapper.”

Thanks to Palmer Winery for the fantastic food and service and the beautiful venue. by Emily Hodder and Kira Wood Saturday 20 February 2021

SECONDARY SCHOOL SWIMMING CARNIVAL

FRIENDLY RIVALRY BETWEEN HOUSES GMAS Students are known for their school spirit and enthusiasm - the Annual Secondary School Swimming Carnival, held at the Geographe Leisure Centre, was a fantastic example.

A special thank you to all the students who attended, our passionate P&F crew, GMAS Swimming Club Inc for the wonderful food, staff for their help during the day and to parents who could make the cheer squad.

The much-loved novelty races certainly did not disappoint with plently of laughs and cheers all round.

Well done to the overall winning house - Bunker.

Wednesday 3 March 2021