1982 BGGS Magazine

The culmination of the evaluation of the school by itself was the visit in August of nine eminent people from various walks of life. Their task was to consider whether what was written in our own report was in accord with our current practice and in general harmony with the aims and objectives of the school. The group was chaired by Mr Philip Roff, Principal of Scotch College, Melbourne, and a member of the National School Evaluation Committee. It is pleasing to welcome today, as our guest speaker, Miss Helen Lynch, who was a member of that fine team. Miss Lynch brought her experience from commercial life to the school and contributed greatly to our evaluation. At the same time, she became a little, or should we say a lot, wiser about the organisation of an independent school, and particularly about this school and she has, I know, taken this knowledge back into the commercial world. We welcome you, Miss Lynch, and look forward to hearing from you later this afternoon. Some other members of that committee are also present with us today and I would like to take this opportunity to express to them my sincere appreciation for the contribution that they have made to the development of a future plan for this school. Their visit must by no means be seen as the end of the process but rather the beginning of a new stage in our development. We have a lot of work ahead of us at many levels to implement many of the worthwhile suggestions that were forthcoming from staff, students, parents, old girls and administration. Some of the recommendations have already been implemented, while still others are in the pipeline. The committee commended the strong academic tradition of the school which it felt is being evidently and capably maintained and indeed strengthened. It also commended the relaxed atmosphere within the school, the high level of professionalism and the thoroughness of approach of most academic staff which, they believe, contributes to the internal strength and the esteem in which the school is held. The committee further commended the quality and extent of the contribution made by parents to the operation of the school and the foresight and courage of the Board in permitting and encouraging a full scale evaluation to take place. The Committee believed that the range of experiences available to the girls is impressive not only in academic offerings but in the variety of other activities provided. It is significant that while each of the activities provides enjoyment, those responsible for their conduct have identified the educational benefits to be achieved. 3

Changes have also occurred in the academic area. During the year a micro computer facility was installed under the direction of Mr Lynton Bourke. This is housed in the humanities block and provides facilities for girls in various subjects. It has made possible the development of a semester of work in computing for our accountancy students and the introduction of a computer literacy and awareness course in Years 8 and 9. During 1982, it will also be used to facilitate school record keeping under R.O.S.B.A. With the development of this area, Mr Bourke will officially become Master of Computing and School Moderation in 1982, relinquishing his post as Master of Mathematics. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Mr Bourke for his contribution to the development of mathematics in the school and to congratulate him on his new appointment. This is also an appropriate time to thank the Parents' and Friends' Association for its generous donation of $7,000 to provide an extra five computer terminals which will bring the number to nine. A new subject- "Study of Religion"- was introduced at Year II on a trial bas is, bringing to twenty the number of subjects available at senior level. The decision was made in view of the rapidly changing nature of Australian society from one dominated by Anglo-Saxons to one that is rapidly becoming multicultural and pluralistic. This subject will provide students with knowledge of various cultures and beliefs and should be particularly valuable for girls entering service-oriented fields such as teaching, nursing and counselling. All developments in institutions are only as successful as the people in those institutions make them and progress can only occur if there is open and frank discussion by all the people at different levels within the organisation. It is obvious from the demand for places in the school that what we are doing pleases a large number of people but about this we must never become too complacent. Because we recognised this the school undertook a full scale evaluation in 1980/81 to look at its aims and objectives, at what is happening now and, in the light of this knowledge, what directions it should take in the future.