GNS Families Gather for a Successful Carnival Evening

On Friday, September 26, the GNS Family Carnival brought together students and families from the Junior, Middle and Senior Schools for an evening of food, games and community connection.

The event, held at Pemberton Woods Campus, featured a mix of activities that kept students of all ages busy and entertained. The bouncy castles were in near-constant use, while the dunk tank drew steady crowds, especially when Middle School Principal Mr. Marston took his turn in the hot seat. He was dunked again and again to the delight of the many students lining up for a chance to hit the target.

Food was another highlight of the night. Chef Leon and his team served up a classic BBQ, with more than 300 people enjoying burgers, hot dogs and sides. Families sat together at picnic tables or spread out across the lawn, taking a break from the games to share a meal and catch up. Meanwhile, the cotton candy machine proved to be one of the busiest stations of the evening, with a steady line of students happy to wait for a pink or blue cone of spun sugar.

Alongside the games and food, the carnival also welcomed special community guests. Members of the Surfrider Foundation were on hand to speak with families about the importance of protecting beaches and waterways. Many GNS students have already joined in Surfrider beach cleanups, and the carnival provided an opportunity to highlight this ongoing connection. Local firefighters and police officers also attended, answering questions from students and joining in the community spirit of the event.

Organizing and running the many games and stations was a team effort involving GNS staff student and parent volunteers, whose energy helped keep things moving smoothly all evening. From prize tables to activity booths, there was always something happening, and families could choose their own pace—whether moving quickly from one station to the next, or spending longer catching up with friends and teachers.

While the carnival offered plenty of fun, what stood out most was the atmosphere. Families from across all three schools mixed together easily, with older students helping younger ones, and parents and teachers enjoying the chance to talk outside the usual school-day routines. The event had the feel of a true gathering, where the simple act of being together was as important as the games and food.

By the time the last hot dogs were served and the last dunk tank splash echoed across the field, the evening had delivered exactly what it set out to: a chance for the GNS community to spend time together in a relaxed and enjoyable way. The 2025 Family Carnival was a success, not because of any single attraction, but because of the way it brought people together.