04

School routines

Modified January 27, 2022
4 min
Modified January 27, 2022

Boarding house routine

From rising time until lights out, life as a GGS boarder is purposeful and active.

A typical daily schedule for a Senior School boarding student is:

7.00amWake and shower
7.30amBreakfast in the Dining Hall
8.15amTidy rooms and prepare for the day
8.30amSchool activities – house assembly, self directed learning or Chapel
8.55amClasses begin
10.40amRecess – morning tea is enjoyed in the boarding house
1.00pmLunch available in Dining Hall
3.40pmEnd of classes
4.00pmSport, co-curricular programme or study time
5.30pmDinner in Dining Hall
7.00pmHouse assembly
7.10pmSupervised Prep
9.00pmJobs and supper
10.00pmLights out – Yr 11 and Yr 12 may study quietly in their rooms

Day boarding routine

A typical daily schedule for a Senior School day boarding student:

8.20amArrive at School
8.30amSchool activities – house assembly, self-directed learning or Chapel
8.55amClasses begin
10.40amRecess – morning tea is enjoyed in the day house
1.00pmLunch available in Dining Hall
3.40pmEnd of classes
4.00pmSport or co-curricular programme or study time
5.30pmDinner in Dining Hall
6.55pmHouse Assembly / Prep
8.30pmStudents depart from School

Regular parts of the day

Academic timetable

We operate on a 10-day cycle of six periods per day, from Monday to Friday. 

Before class on most mornings, students are engaged in school activities, including house assembly, self-directed learning, meeting with the House Mentor, or Chapel. 

Whole school assemblies occur every second Tuesday with a reduced five-period timetable for that day. 

After school

After their academic timetable, Senior School students will either attend sport or co-curricular activities or have free time for additional study before attending dinner in the Dining Hall at 5:30 pm.

Assemblies

House assemblies are conducted every evening by the Head of House or Assistant Head of House to discuss relevant house matters, important dates on the calendar, and upcoming events with students. 

Chapel

All boarding students attend Chapel twice each week. Senior School boarders attend Chapel together each Sunday evening and on one weekday according to their year level. Day boarders attend Chapel once during the week.

Jobs

We ask every student to contribute in an emotional and practical sense within their boarding house. Boarders are expected to assist with small routine jobs around the house, such as tidying the kitchen, washing up and maintaining a tidy space around them. Jobs are completed after Prep and on Sunday nights.

Prep (supervised homework)

Prep (short for ‘Preparation’) is quiet study time to prepare for the following day’s schoolwork and assigned homework tasks. All students complete a session of Prep each weeknight in house. Year 11 and 12 students are permitted to ‘sign out’ of house during Prep to attend the Library or Art School. Although there is scheduled Prep time, it is essential that students also work independently and consistently on weekends.