We have had a busy start to the term with so many events and activities on as we finish off 2024 but plan 2025.

There are a couple of important updates for parents and students

Uniform.

Firstly thanks to all of the parents and students for their feedback on our uniform in the surveys done in Term 2/3 . School council has been working though this and looking at changes. As parents I hope you can understand there are many views and school council listens to all of them and while we would like to meet everyone’s wishes this is not always possible. I would like to make special mention to the Be Bold Be Heard girls group and the SRC for their feedback and drive to ensure student voice is heard.

In 2025 there will be a number of changes

1. We will be introducing an active wear range of uniform. This will replace the current Sport / House polo and tracksuit
2. Students will be able to wear the active wear or the Formal Uniform on any day they want to. Students can wear active wear on every day of the week if they wish.
3. We will be introducing a “girls” short. There will be two types of active wear short a traditional boys cut and female cut. The female shorts will have bike short lining inside them to encourage more participation
4. There will be an activewear house polo. The polo will still have the house colours on them, but we have improved the material and the look of the polo. There will be a short sleeve and long sleeve option.
5. The fleece jacket, rugby jumper, dress and formal uniforms all still exist we have just updated or introduced a few new options for families / students.

The implementation of these new options will be for two years. So, if you have brought a current house polo or tracksuit you can wear this for 2025 and 2026. It is a parent choice to purchase the new uniform, any current uniform can be worn for the next two years.

PSW are intending on having a large sale of current stock and the flyer is attached. PSW are offering discounts on discontinued items such as sport, tracksuit, jumpers, dresses etc 25% off. If you purchase these, you can still wear them for the next two years. The new stock will come online in Winter 2025. The production of the new uniform takes up 12 weeks.

Geelong High School - Discount Flyer

School council have looked at what students are currently wearing, cost for families and what many schools are moving towards which is the active wear uniform. We want kids comfortable and in unform.

I will have sample of all of the new uniform shortly which I will place on the website, compass and front office for display.

School Saving Bonus

Many of you will be aware of the $400 available to parents to cover school expenses. The criteria for the use of this has been set by the Department and not by the school. Information has been sent out earlier in the term to all families. We are expecting this will become available by the end of November. I ask parents to understand that at school we don’t control any of this and it is done by the Department in Melbourne so there are times when we don’t have the answers. We will do our best to find out. I ask parents to check their email address are up to date with the school and information will be sent to you directly.

Captains

I would like to announce our school captains for 2025 are:

Captains; Annabelle Lane and Jackson Barker.

Vice Captains; Matt Aidt and Sandy Khun.

This year the quality of the applications and speeches were amazing. We have some great kids at GHS.

Toilets

I just wanted to update the school community on our toilet upgrade. I have just met with the architects and started the design process of our new toilets. When this is done, I will share with the school community. We have just had the current Winstanley toilet block all painted and new doors installed. We are also replacing all damaged toilet units. This is costing over $30,000. I am sure we all agree we want our students to have clean and fit for purpose facilities.

Graduation

On the 25^th of October we held out Year 12 Graduation this was as very successful evening with over 500 in attendance. Thanks to the Senior School Team for organising this and I hope the students and parents had an enjoyable night and were able to reflect on their time at Geelong High.

Staff news

I would like to make special mention of Ms Jacinta Grills. Jacinta recently was recognised for her 35 years of outstanding work in the Education system. Congratulations Jacinta you should be very proud of this achievement and all the hard work behind it.