1984 School Magazine

EDITOR,S NOTE One of the most difficult questions that I could ever be asked would be "What does school mean to you?" The most obvious answer I suppose would include such adjectives as "educational", "essential", "necessary" etc. but as my years at B.C.G.S. have taught me, school consists of that and much, much more. After all, where else can one learn how to carry out successf ul bribes, disguise plagiarism as one's own skilful mastery, or tolerate extraordinarily long "rat's tails"? A few brick buildings do not make a school. lt is the people in it who contribute to its overall lasting impression. My years here have been made so much more enjoyable as a result of the friends and acquaintances that I have made and the hilarious and pleasurable experiences that I have encountered. No-one can destroy my memories of secondary school life for they are firmly embedded in my brain (on which l'm told the rain in Spain mainly fallsl) and yet like most other Year'12's I look forward to the future with great eagerness. To those of you returning in 1985, remember that school life is precious and therefore should be treasured, not only because of the academic but also because of the social experiences that can be enjoyed. P.S. Just think, now I don't have to wear my hat! Ann Harrap

/4;,t, tjtli; ,/r4; ' ltt; "t//i ':ti;; rii; rli,l;: '/ r;

71!h

hitt: tt;, '!.i,t, :,11t;, : E/t :,Nt

FRONT: Samantha Hellen (Sub Editor), Ann Harrap (Editor), Susan Warren (Sub Editor), Nadine Gerrard, loanna Gardiner. BACK: Sandy Ogilvie, Larissa Fitsimmons (Photographer), Genevieve Lilley (Art Editor), Catherine Elms (Art Editor), Liz Kennedy (Photographer), Sue Leggat (Photographer), Sarah Stafford, Mrs Kiolle, Mrs Colwill. Special thanks to Prue Wills{ord and Naomi Kikkawa and Frances Connor.

studies and Mr. Robert Grandin B.Sc., Dip.Ed., Mathematics Teacher, who leaves to take up the position of Principal of St. Barnabas School, North Queensland. Mrs. Debbie King, Dip. T.P.E., Physical Education Teacher, is leaving to go to Sydney. Mrs. E. Knudsen, B.A., Cert. Ed., left during the year and was replaced by Mrs. J. Eberhardt, B.A., Cert. T., M.Soc.Sc. At the end of this year we will farewell Miss B. Paterson, M.A., who developed the course in Multicultural Background at Years 9 and 10. Miss Paterson has given a large portion of her life to this School and has helped to shape the minds of many students of B.G.C.S. We wish her well in her retirement and thank her for her loyalty and service to the School. During the year Dr. Ceorge Fielding resigned from the Board of Trustees after five years of service. His contribution was $reatly appreciated by the School. Dr. Fielding was a government nominee and has been replaced by Dr. M. C. Grassie, our guest of honour today. We are all grateful for the great contribution that our governing body makes to the development of the School and for its foresight and management of the affairs of the School. Without their vision, Brisbane Cirls' Grammar School would not be in the fore-front in education and providing students with courses and activities appropriate to the 1980's and beyond. As we are all well aware, schools are not buildings but people and the success of schools depends upon the relationships that develop between the various Broups of people in them. Parents, friends and old girls co- operate and work together in support of the aims of the School. Fund raising plays an important part in many o{ their activities but through it, the fellowship and good will that is engendered is very great and has a positive influence on the girls in the School. The Old Girls' Association under the President, Mrs. Jean Vallis, continued to support the Schoolthroughout the year and ran another successful Art Show in conjunction with School Day. A highlight of the activities of the Association was a reunion in June when many old girls returned to look at developments in their old School. Prefects conducted tours for those interested and outlined the projected future developments. The Parents' and Friends' Association is actively involved as an executive to oversee the various activities in the Clothing Pool, Bookroom, Tuckshop and Stationery. Funds of over $30,000 have been allocated to school improvements which included landscaping of the area at the rear of the Administration Building, the erection of the Canoe Shed - donated through Mr. D. Webb, landscaping outside the Clothing Pool, provision of gas barbecues and drinking fountains. The Mathematics Department gained a number of small computers for class use with more promised in 1984.

PRtNC|PAL'S ANNUAL REPORT, 1983 It is with pleasure that I present the Annual Report for 1983 during the presentation of which we can all reflect upon the events of the year and consider the firm foundations laid during the year for the School's future. The School commenced on January 26 with 807 students enrolled, of whom some 96 are boarders. A number of new staff were welcomed, including: Mrs C. Kiolle, B.A., Cert. T. .. Mrs. R. Ling, B.A, (Melb.), T.S.T.C. (Vic.), M.A. (Qld.) Mrs. K. Kimber, 8.A., Dip.Ed Mr. R. Grandin, B.Sc., Dip.Ed . Mathematics Mrs. C. Woodford, B.Sc., Dip.Ed Science,/Biology Miss C. Duggan, B.A. (Mus. Ed.) Music Miss S. Burrows, B.A., Dip.T. . Speech & Drama Miss D. Long, B.A., Dip.Ed. .,.. Japanese,/History Mr. P. Miles,8.A., Dip.Ed ,. History,/German Miss C. Jamieson, B.A., Dip. Psych., English English English Mrs. Pauline Short was promoted to Director of Health and Physical Education. Miss Margery Gibson and Mrs. Lorraine Thornquist were seconded to the Board of Secondary School Studies for'semester 2, 1983, Ior involvement with the implementation of R.O.S.B.A. into Phase lll Schools. Miss Gibson was replaced by Miss Kristiansen and Mrs. Thornquist by Mrs. Seckold. Staff leaving at the end of 1984 include Mrs. J. Callaghan B.A., Dip.Ed., Acting Head of Art, who will go on twelve months maternity leave; Mr. Trevor Steele, M.A., Dip.Ed., German Teacher, who leaves to further his Teacher Aide for P/T English/French Health & Physical Dip.Ed. ..... Mrs. K. Davis Education

The Mothers' Group under Mrs. Falconer, worked very hard with f und raising ventures such as the theatre night at the Schonell and the Fashion Extravaganza. The enjoyment the mothers have in preparing for the Extravaganza is evident - but the benefits are not limited to f undraising. It provides girls with an opportunity to gain some work experience in modelling and associated skills. The proceeds of the mothers' activities have provided the ten classrooms in the western wing with curtains and carpeting as well as curtains for the new Chemistry Laboratory at a cost of $5,477. The Fathers'Group under Mr. D. Thompson has worked hard on Saturdays and Sundays to improve the school grounds. Of particular note is the work done in Kalinga Auenue, at the rear of the Administration Building, and to the Canoe Shed. The volunteer labour is much appreciated and will long be appreciated by all those who enter the School. The Music Committee under the chairmanship of Mr. l. Curtis successfully raised funds of over $4,500 and provided the following instruments for the developing Music Department - French Horn, Trombone, scaffold- ing for Q.Y.O. Concert, Bass Recorder. The Music Committee also provided support for the staff at the combined Music Camp at Alexandra Headlands. The help of members is also much appreciated on concert nights in the School. The tapanese Cultural Group under lr4r. Bailey, supporied the Japanese Department with its trip.to Japan. Our sister school,the Hirayama Gakuen, visited in luly and through the efforts of parents in the group enjoyed home stays and outings to various places in and around Brisbane. The Japanese language classes continued to be a success and toprovide parents with the opportunity to learn the language. lt was a pleasure to have Kayoko Sugimoto as a studeni in Year 11. Families f rom the Cultural Group billeted her, helping to provide her with an enriching experience. Her contribution to school life has been great and we will miss her in the year ahead.

scHool AcrlvlTlEs

Music Department: 1983 has been another busy and successful year for the B.G.G.S. Music Department. As well as the normal array of concerts, recitals, community activities and Music Camp, the Music Department conducted a tour as far north as Rockhampton. Perhaps the highlight of this tour was the concert in the outstanding Pilbeam Theatre at Rockhampton. Appreciation f rom the audience of 600 was demonstrated in a letter to the Principal from the Administrator of the theatre who commented "lt was a pleasure to have your School's touring Sroup at the Pilbeam Theatre; not only was the performance entertaining and of a high standard, but the discipline and 'prof essionalism' of the perf ormers was very evident". Other highlights included visits by: 1. Dr. Harry Begain from the University of lllinois - a very successf ul workshop with the Concert Band. 2. Mayne String Trio - 3 workshops with the Orchestra. 3. University of California Choir, with Frank Pooler. Choir sang in B.G.C.S. Auditorium, as well as conducting a workshop for the Grammar Concert Choir. 4. Our participation in competitions this year was limited as a result of the size of our Sroups. Congratulations must go to Christine Duggan and the Year-B Choir who won the Secondary Schools'Choral competition at Pine Rivers. Library: At thebeginning of the year staff and students returned to find the Library re-organised and refurbished with new carpet. The result is increased storage space and better use of existing spaces. During the year over 3,000 books were added to the Library as well as many items of audio,/visual software. The Library display for School Day - "Rhythm of Life" fitted in well with this year's theme for the Red Cross Miniature Carden Display, which we again entered. It was encouraging to see the interest of students in the school relating to book theft and overdues. The S.R.C''s co-operation with the Library Committee to investigate this problem and also to consider the f unctioning of the Library from the students' point of view was much appreciated.

3

Media: A major innovation in the Media Department was the setting up of the new audio-visual store in the Library. New modular storage units and a previewing area contribute to ease of use. lmproved security has resulted from the relocation. The new video format (VHS) was consolidated during the year. The P & F Association bought the first unit ii 1982 and we have added two units since then. Recently, Parents'and Friends'Association generously f unded the purchase of our first Colour Video portapack Unit. Compatible with our other machines, this unit is the basis of what will be extensive portable video production in the school. 1984. brings many challenges. The major task is planning services for the new building programme. This does nol mean just the supply of basic resource for this project alone. lt means a careful evaluation of the school,s present and f uture needs at this important stage of our de.velopm.ent. The results anticipated f rom this planning will be dramatic improvements in essential schoo-l services.

Sport: The Physical Education Department experierr-,0 this year a settling into the R.O.S.B.A. programme at Grade 11 and 12 levels, and saw the introduction of the St John,s Ambulance Certification in Grade 12 Health as part of the general physical education curriculum. This implementation, coupled with the introduction of the new Royal Lifesaving Certificates, has meant new challenges to the lower school within the curriculum. lnterhouse competition was hotly contested with the Swimming Carnival held at the Valley pool and the Athletics Carnival held for the first time at Marist Brothers', Ashgrove. Other events on the interhouse agenda were the Rhythmic and Artistic Gymnastic Competitions and assorted sports held during hectic lunch hours. Our year of interschool and club competition was very f ull, beginning with Waterpolo and Softball i; January,/February and concluding with Grade g and 9 Softball. Our ph_ilosophy is to provide a range of sports for a variety of talent, a phiiosophy *" ir" abie to achieve,with the help of staff and tl-re school community alike. This year, as with previous years, parental and "Old Girl" support has been indispensible. A change in our sports presentation format occurred this year, having two nights - one in each semester - to a.yvald girls with pockets and trophies. photographic displays and videos w€re part' of the evini'ng,s entertainment while parents and girls intermingled during supper. The sportin.g teams did not venture interstate this year and instead were hosts to several New Zealand iirls, Schools such as Hamilton Girls' High and Whangarei Cirls' High, and Oakham, England. ltis hoped that a'tour of New Zealand will be organized for ieveral winter fixture teams in the June/July break in 19g4.

R.O.S.B.A. This year students will receive Junior and Senior Certificates on a new format with exit levels of achievement stated rather than the ratings on a 1to 7 scale, with which you are familiar. ln conjunction with these certificates, we have developed a new reporting system f or students in Year 10 and Year 12. Cirls leaving school at either level to enter the workforce should use these School Reports as information for employers, together with pamphlets recently developed by the Board of Secondary School studies. For students entering Universities or Colleges of Advanced Education, the tertiary entrance score remains the main criteria for selection to quotas. Staff members have risen to the challenge of R.O.S.B.A. and indicated a strong commitment to internal assessment procedures and improvement of the quality of education for students in their care. The contribution they have made to education generally has been great and next year a number of staff will be involved with review panels where their experience as Phase 1 teachers will be most valuable. The success of this year has been largely due to their professional attitudes, interest, enthusiasm and support, together with their desire to maintain high academic standards. New educational initiatives require resources and accordingly, the Board of Trustees called an extraordinary meeting for all parents in late February. Dr. Gehrmann, Chairman of the Board, outlined the planned developments for the future and the methods that would be used to f und them. The planning has been done in conjunction with the school Architect, Mr. Blair Wilson, and an educational consultant, Mr. Philip Roff, using information gathered particularly during the school evaluation in 1980,281. Early in the year the school swimming team coined the slogan "Taking off in '83". That is exactly what B.G.G.S. has done. The school is now committed to a new building programme and reorganisation during 1984 that will allow students access to better faeilities in computing, mathematics, speech and drama, music and the humanities and will provide much needed re- creational facilities for boarders and much needed, improved staff accommodation. This development comes at a time of national concern in education and commits parents to even greater f inancial input than has ever before been requested. Significant changes to national educational policy have been imple- mented because of the great need of this nation to ensure that all children, irrespective of where they go to school, have the opportunity to stay at school as long as possible. By the end of the decade, it is hoped that every Australian child will complete a f ull primary and second- ary education at a satisfactory standard in subject areas that are of importance, relevance and interest. ln 1981 (the latest figures available), only 28.5% of student in government schools who started at Year 1 actually completed secondary schooling while 45.6% of students in Catholic schools and 89.2"/" of students in other non-government schools completed their

Computer Report: Computing has developed in the School as a tool for students, particularly those studying senior Accounting, Mathematics ll and Mathematics in Society. The Parents' and Friends' Association provided us with micro- computing equipment for the Mathematics Department, freeing the Mini-Computer for use by the Accounting Students and Students in Year 8. Next year the P & F proposes to provide further micro computers for the Maths Department, so that a full class will have access to this equipment. The Library will be purchasing an Apple Computer for use by staff in English and the Humanities, so that by 1985 when the new building is open and improved computer facilities are available, most subject areas in the school will have access to a computer as a tool for teaching. Recently the Board of Trustees has provided a Word Processor for my office which will ease the immense workload involved in administration and enrolments. Developments in 1983: Every year improvements continue to be made to the School and this year was no exception. The Board of Trustees replaced the old painted desks with new laminated tables in all classrooms requiring them. As well as this, a number of new chairs were purchased replacing the old wooden ones. The cottages were brought back into service as two classrooms, after having served a number of years as a carpenters'workshop. The carpenters were relocated in the Clothing Shop, the Boarders' Laundry was closed and the Clothing Shop relocated there. Boarders' Laundry is now contracted out at a considerable cost saving to the School and hence to parents. One of the Science Laboratories was remodelled as a senior Chemistry Laboratory. After painting, the Mothers' Group provided attractive blackout cu rtaini ng supplying the finishing touches to a more attractive and useful area. New windows were provided in the top floor western wing classrooms - always a hot box. They have greatly improved the ventilation of these rooms.

schooling to Year 12. At B.C.G .5.,98y" of girls entering in Year 8 complete Year 12. What do these figures mean for Australia and more particularly, to parents and students in this school? As Barry Jones stated in an address at the recent H.M.C.,/A.H.l.C.S.A. Conference in Brisbane - r'4u51- ralia has a split level education system which perpetuates social, ethnic, class and regional divisions in society instead of eliminating them . . . The educational and occupational futures of most Aust- ralian children can be predicted with a high degree of accuracy by asking such questions as: "Where do you live? What school fo you go to? What does your father do?" This split level of education that has been supported through a concept of freedom of choice has helped to create a situation where only a limited group of young people are seen as educable. Girls at this school fall into that group. It has also helped to create a division within our society between those who have and those who have not had access to what is.called a "better" education. Australia is a young, developing nation where such inequalities should not exist. It comes at a time when we are becoming more and more dependent on foreign technology because of the small bank of educated minds that out system has developed. Again, as Barry Jones suggests, "Australia's prospects in developing 'brain based' industries and progression is limited. Previously resource-poor nations such as Switzerland, Denmark, The Netherlands, Japan and Singapore have risen rapidly because of the development of export earnings directly attributable to intellectual input: in- vention, research and development, product inno- vation, design, patents, royalties and copyright." For the situation to improve, the government has determined there must be a re-distribution of money for education on a basis of need. Considering all the facts no one can really successfully argue against this policy. Unfortunately, however, changes to f unding policy have occurred at a very rapid rate and although this school is not presently affected, a number of schools in states other than Queensland have been affected and they have had little time to adjust to the new conditions. The rapidty of change has, I believe, created diviseness between the government and non-government sectors and amongst non-government schools and, at the same time, it is decreasing accessibility to many non- government schools. Last year in my annual report I spoke on state aid and my concern that during 1983 it would be as hot an issue as in the late 60's. This has indeed happened and at a time when we should all be far more concerned with unity of purpose to ensure better educational outcomes for all Australian children. Many of the benef its that should be available to all have been provided by the parents of this school through determination to use your freedom of choice in relation to the education of your children. This school has confidence to plan for the f uture because we know our parents have confidence in us and are prepared to support us.

The reasons you have chosen this school for your daughters are many and varied but in choosing, you show not only a desire for what the school has to offer but also a recognition of the fact that parents know they can have some part in shaping and maintaining the school along desired lines. ln exercising f reedom of choice to educate your child in the school of your choosing, there is however, no automatic right to financial support for that decision. When the choice is made, responsibility accompanies it - a financial responsibility that often carries with is considerable personal sacrif ice, particularly when more than one child is to be educated. Parents contribute, in this school, approximately 62%of the recurrent expend- iture i.e. teachers' salaries, maintenance and equipment. Governments, both State and Federal, provide the balance. When capital works are being considered, input f rom parents is higher - atT5yowith 25% provided by the State Government because this school is a Grammar school. The contribution by parents can only be reduced if the school qualifies for Commonwealth funds under special capital grants, and if funds are available. For the school to continue to provide highly qualified staff, satisfactory, relevant courses and modern facilities, parents must make the bulk of the contribution. The school is indeed grateful for the support we receive from the majority of our parents but we must never forget that the input would need to be greater if governments did not also contribute to the education o{ your children. The girls leaving to-day will be the parents of the f uture and when they come to the time when decisions regarding their childrens' education must be made, I hope they will have planned financially so that their freedom of choice can be exercised but with the knowledge that with that right, there is responsibility - a responsibility that cannot be lightly dismissed.

6

ln conclusion lwould like to address a few remarks to the girls who are leaving today. You have had a very good year under the leadership of Elizabeth Lynch and Catherine Martin. These two girls have worked very hard during the year to set high standards for allto follow. The interest and enthusiasm that they showed in helping to organise school day resulted in one of the happiest on record and I believe it can be attributed to the example and co-operation displayed by all the Year 12 students and in particular the prefects, held girls and house captai ns. The courses that were offered, particularly in the senior school, are aimed to give you a f irm basis for your f uture life and to provide you with opportunities to explore the various options open to you. You are all going into a difficult world, one where unemployment is a reality and career prospects often limited by quota systems. It is also a world of very rapid technological change and skills that are relevant today may not necessarily be relevant tomorrow. We do hope, however, that in our programmes we have been able to alert you to pressures you may face. Secondary schooling is just the end of a short phase of your life that leads you on to a period in which you must make decisions for yourselves in the light of knowledge you have already gained. lam confident that you have the ability to take the challenge before you and to build on what your parents and past members of this school have helped to develop. May I wish you all a happy year and all the best for the future no matter what it might hold.

END OF YEAR ASSEMBLY 18.11.83 ADDRESS Mr. Chairman, Mrs. Hancock, parents and friends of the school, staff and students. I received a letter from Mrs. Hancock some time ago inviting me to address you this afternoon for no more than twelve minutes. I can't remember if the phrase "no more than 12 minutes" was underlined or not but the message was clear enough; as it usually is with Mrs. Hancock! I had an address written but threw it away as a result of a meeting of Deans of the U niversity I attended earlier this week - they are the people who administer bachelors and masters degrees in the university, ensuring that students are properly enrolled and confirming that they have completed their various courses so that they may be admitted to their different degrees. 'Ihey are very important people insofar as students are concerned and it is to them that students take many of their academic problems and it is by them that students may be summoned when the Deans are having concerns over the students'lack of progress. They are in a very good position to get to know students as students. I was surprised to hear some of them comment on students' lack of preparedness for university work, particularly in the Science and Maths areas. I was even more surprised to hear one of them say, that during interviews with students who had been doing badly despite T.E.S' of 980 to 990, he learned that they had not had to work very hard at school to get these scores and they had thought they would not have to work very hard at university either to pass their degree subjects. lf what these students were reported to have said was true, they point to something seriously amiss with the schools they attended.

Some employers make similar complaints about lack of preparedness and lack of application against school Ieavers entering the work force. Even the Prime Minister had a go ar the schools (and the universities) in speeches he made to conferences on technology and on computers a few weeks ago when he complained of a lack of computer literacy amongst school leavers of whom there were too many at age15 anyhow. There is no question that the education system is under attack for going soft and for being out of date. A report published earlier this year in the U.S.A. by the National Commission on Excellence in Education which was set up by the Secretary of Education said "Our society and its educational institutions seem to have lost sight of the basic purposes of schooling and of the high expectations and disciplined effort needed to attain them". So, if it is any comfort, we are not the only nation allegedly at risk. I say allegedly because I have serious doubts about the evidence, at least in this country. Society's expectations of its schools - students and teachers both - were always high. Now they are nearly impossible. Students are expected to ignore the values exemplified in much of the adult behaviour in society outside the school and to continue to work hard for a future that is uncertain. Teachers are expected to keep being as engrossing in both content and relevance as the latest television documentary. It has always been true that when things start to go wrong in society, it is easy for it to turn on the schools and blame them. I would ask you not to use that well known fact from the history of education as an excuse for shrugging off the criticisms being made of you regardless of how ill-informed they may seem to be. Just as it is easy for society to blame the schools, so it is easy for each school, community or family to believe that the criticism is not applicable to their school but it could be to the school down the way. There is as much danger in this approach as there is in permitting ill- informed criticism to be made in public, without attempting to correct it. It can be made to appear as if one section of the education system is indifferent to the reputation and fate of another. When we do that, the public is entitled to take notice because we are in the system and taken to be experts in judging such matters. Much of this derives f rom the ways in which we are funded by governments. lt is not my intention to open up the State aid issue at this point or to lament the underfunding of my own university which has gone on for the last decade. And of course I am not talking here of official statements made on behalf of educational organisations by their recognised leaders. I am talking of the chit-chat that goes on at social gatherings when another guest learns that you are a teacher or a student or whatever. This is how myths and legends are built which can have a more profound influence on what the public comes to believe of this or that school or of the system as a whole, than official statements. At this stage of our educational 8

development - and it is an interesting and challenging and more caring one - careless talk may cost us dearly, to paraphrase a second world war poster. The education system exists to serve the needs of the learners in society whether they have but one talent or ten, whether they are mature-aged or young, whether they are seeking technical or conceptual skills, whether they are male or female, black or white, rich or poor. Our concern is with the quality of social living and endeavours and not with the support of sectional interests. lf we forget that overriding purpose, society itself will be the loser. May I thank Mrs. Hancock f or giving me the privilege of addressing you this afternoon and in conclusion congratulate most warmly all the prize winners and wish the School continuing success for the future. Dr. M. C. Crassie, M.A., M.Ed.St. And., ph.D., F.A.C.E.

ffi .t

@hanhngrvq futu

THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY A Sermon preached by Rev'd Fr. Alan Dale B.A. (Hons.) B.Ed. MACE in the Cathedral Church St. John the Evangelist. t ln the name of God; Father, Son & Holy Spirit. Amen. t This service was advertised as an Ecumemical occasion for the whole school community and as such might be expected to embrace not only the Christian Churches, but other faiths as well. Why then a sermon preached under the invocation of God the Holy Trinity during a decidedly Christian service, in a specifically Anglican Cathedral? We are living in a time when Christians (and most of us come from that background) are not only talking reunion on a number of levels, but also actively practising unity. One of the ground rules for doing this is to becorne involved in each other's traditional forms of worship and to look to what in those traditions is commonly acceptable rather than what divides. lt is in services such as this adopted form of Evening Prayer, that Christiarrs of many denominations are finding or rediscovering an ancient and essential unity. We are living in a time when Christians and those of other faiths are reaching out to discover common ground; learning and gaining f rom other insights into truth; learning to walk together along the way to God. We are still frequently told that this is a Christian Country. This has never been true and it is not true now. Australia is a pluralist, Multicultural society which perceives many paths to truth and it behoves all of us to be aware of, and to come to grips with, that fact. The motto of lndonesia is Unity in Diversity. ln late twentieth century Australia, I believe that we need to develop a similar outlook for two very valid reasons. Firstly, because it is the only positive, practical approach. Secondly, because as a Christian, I believe it is the only way to properly apply the Christian ethic of community. From its foundation, the Girls' Grammar School has stressed liberal education. Liberal education involves exposure to the broadest possible range of cultural experience and as the Modern Historian Arnold Toynbee insists, it is not possible to really comprehend any cultural system at any time in history, unless one understands the core of religious concepts, beliefs and values around which that culture has developed. Unity, be it religious, social, cultural or political, is not achieved by ignoring or denying real differences. lt is achieved by tl're understanding, appreciating and respecting of those differences while at the same time looking for common ground. Unity is not achieved by I would suggest that there are a practical and philosophical reasons so. number of good why this should be

Liberal education demands searching for and discriminating among the things that are real and eternal and true. "Creat is truth and mighty above all things". "The truth shall make you free". So we are directed to focus above and beyond ourselves and the three dimensional limits of our material existence and to enter into relationship with the infinite. Only th us can we be set f ree from the arrogance and self - centredness which leads to despair, and be set free to Iove our neighbour as ourselves. It is only when we are able to share in the unlimited breadth of the divine mind and bottomless compassion of the divine heart that we can begin to enter into relationship with those around us which is tolerant and compassionate. This is what St. Paul had in mind when he wrote to his disciples. "Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus". The Cospel f or today, the story of the Good Samaritan is familiar, but its full impact is often lost. When the good law abiding citizen is mugged, it is not the religious or even the respectable or dutifully charitable who comes to his aid. lnstead, it is the Samaritan, - the total outsider, the socially, politically and religiously unacceptable one . . . It is one thing to legislate for liberal education and to end discrimination on grounds of sex, colour, class, race and cre:ed. lt is another and more difficult task to cultivate the ethos in which it happens. One of the sad things about the history of the Christian tradition, including its present, is that its essence has been obscured or perverted by dogma, intolerance, sanctimonious self-righteousness, exclusiveness and lack of compassion. But the true Christian Community embodies those values which St. Paul enumerates in 1 Corinthians 13. lt does not seek to impose its doctrines and values on others, but it does seek to communicate and commend them. lt maintains its integrity without setting up barriers. lt opens its heart and mind to the beliefs and values of others without compromising its own deposit of f aith. lt actively promotes the expression and discussion of other beliefs and value systems. It maintains the tension of individual rights and comrnunity responsibility. lt sets its heart on goodness. As the nineteenth century Jesuit Frederick William Faber summed it up. But we make his love too narrow By false limits of our own And we magnify His strictures With a zeal He will not own. For the love of Cod is broader Than the measure of man's mind And the heart of the Eternal ls most wonderfully kind. t ln the name of Cod, Father, Son, & Holy Spirit. Amen. t

abandoning one's own foundations nor in neutralizing the enriching strengths of varying traditions in a bland and innocuous uniformity. lt is achieved in the cultivation of tolerance and appreciation gained through enquiry and understanding. Only thus is community strengthened and the individual spiritually and intellectually enriched. But all that is a preface to my main concern on this occasion and that concern is focused on the character of the Christian Community. As already observed, we do not and never did live in a Christian Society and yet most of us have been strongly influenced by the Christian tradition. Nevertheless, as T.S. Eliot insisted, the Christian Community is not necessarily one whose members all hold and practise that faith, let alone one dominated by ecclesiastical institutions imposing uniform dogma. ln fact those societies which have in the past most closely approximated to that situation have as often as not been anything but Christian in their outlook and operations. Consequently we need to be wary of those who in our own time are anxious to impose on society in general their own particular moral and intellectual strictures in the name of "Christianity". A Christian society is one which operates on certain principles and assurrlptions which depend neither on institutions nor on systematic theologies, valid and important as these may be in their places. On my shelves, I have a little book called'Set Your Heart on Coodness' - an approach to the great living religions. I would hope that one thing we all do have in common is just that - that we all do set out hearts on goodness, on fullness, on completeness as human beings. So firstly, the Christian Community is one that sets its heart on goodness. Secondly in that sense B.G.C.S. has always been both a Christian Community and a school ahead of its time. From its foundation, the school set its face against that spirit of sectarian rivalry that bedeviled the educational history of nineteenth century Australia. Furthermore it broke with narrow classical curricula and insisted on a broad based, liberal education for girls, putting them on an equal footing with their brothers. And so we had established our educational community reflecting the often obscured essence of the Christian faith. To achieve its fullness, the Christian Community needs and has only one rule and that is the rule of entry into and growth in positive relationship. "What must I do to have eternal life?" The answer our Lord gives is not a lecture on doctrine or ecclesiastical authority. He is not even speaking as a Christian to Christians or even as a Jew to Jews, but to one person who had got life sewn up to another who hadn't. "You shall love . . ." - love in two ways: Upward and outward. "You shall love the Lord your God and your neighbou r as yourself." "lf you want fullness of life (and note it is an offer and not a command) you must totally involve yourself with that which is not only above and beyond you, but that which is of ultimate importance.

10

LEE MEMORIAL

THE

SCHOLARSHIP

'OAN

JOAN STELLA LEE (Nee ARMSTRONC) (Attended B.G.G.S. 1928-29)

THE fOAN LEE MEMORIAL SCHOTARSHIP

This Scholarship has been made available by Mr. Cyrus- Lee in memory of his wife, Joan, a former student of Brisbane Girls' Grammar School. The Scholarship provides the opportunity of a Grammar education to a"girl who is being supported by a single parent, or who through special circumstances might not otherwise have been able to attend the School. Victoria Moore, a Year 8 student, is the first recipient of the Memorial Scholarship, which constitutes a fitting and practical tribute to the memory of Joan Lee. 11

VICTORIA MOORE

FATHERS' CROUP 1984 has seen a furtherance of the objectives of the Fathers'Group formulated in 1983, namely the supply of labour and knowhow to complete tasks around ihe School, rather than a Fund Raising Body. With this objective in mind and guidance from the Principal, the Fathers'Croup has taken the lmbil Outdoor Education Property as a long term project. On the 4th March, a Croup of twenty-one (21) Fathers and School Staff inspected the site at lmbil for future reference and to have prior knowledge of the area when work is finally commenced on the Site.

Subsequently an "Open Day" was arranged on Bth April, for parents and pupils to visit the property and gain an insight into the area and its potential. It was disappointing that the weather was inclement on that particular Sunday as we were looking forward to entertaining School Families. On the 17th March, 1985 the Fathers' Group will again be hosts for a Parents and Pupils'visit to the lmbil property. On the local scene, the Fathers have cleaned and painted the tuckshop, and continued the na'ing from the area done in 1983 behind the Boarding llouse, to complete the paths and walkway around the flagpole quadrangle. Again this project would not have been achieved without the assistance of a past Father, Mr. Don Webb, who gave his expertise and knowledge, and for this we thank you, Don. Further projects for 1984 include covering the installing of lighting in the Bar-B-Que area and finalizing the painting of the Clothing Shop, and assisting the Mothers'Croup with the "Family Day" in October. Another long term project is the paving and landscaping of the area in front of, and adjacent to, the Boarding House and we will continue to liaise with the Principa-l and School Architects on this. Again a reminder to all school Fathers that we meet on the f irst Tuesday of the month ar 6.00 p.m. at the School for drinks and a mealfollowed by a brief meeting, and all are welcome.

P. A. Wilson Chairman Fathers'Group

MOTHERS' GROUP The Mothers' Croup has had a most successful year, both socially and financially. All of our Meetings were well attended and we welcomed the talks given by Mrs. Hancock, Mr. Bourke, Mrs. Lynch and Miss McAdam. There was a large attendance at our first function of the year - the Welcome to Mothers. ln March a most enjoyable card evening was held' Over 100 guests attended our theatre evening, the play being Agatha Christie's'A Murder is Announced'. Our thanks to Janet Cook who organized an excellent supper after the show. The dancing classes were held in May and these proved to be extremely popular. Girls in Years 9 and 10 were partnered by boys {rom Marist Bros. Ashgrove, C.E.G.S. and B.G.S. Our thanks to the organizers - Jill Cassidy, Lesley Pope, Nanette Swain and Fran Liston. Fashion Extravaganza '84 displayed a total involve- ment of students, parents and staff. A capacity audience gave the models enthusiastic support. Our thanks to Jill Kennison who organized the show; and to the ladies who prepared the Fashion Show supper, especially Diana Falconer and Erica Wiltshire. At the time of writing we are preparing for the Family Day Gala and welcome the assistance which is being given by the Fathers'Group and the P & F Association. bur f inilf unction of the year is an End-of-Year Lunch at Silks' Restaurant, Albion Park. We have allocated f unds to enable new curtains to be provided in the Auditorium. My thanks to all those iadies who have given so generously of their time, thus enabling our functions to be so successf ul' We are again indebted to the office staff without whose support we could not have functioned, and the groundsmen for their co-operatiol ald assistance. I irirl'' n"*t year's committee as much pleasure in their year as we had in ours. Carmel Holmes

# ffi.s wf a 4 w n T ,p

*&

'

_!,

t !l!, tt

,J:,;il, w

\;" :.\ N

I

@ "'&;:.t;. tW,, . .','4

lf, 14. 4i

/n t6, itt t!;i, ffi

:a&:

13

OLD GIRt'S REPORT

At the Annual General Meeting held in conjunction with the Welcome to New Members Dinner at the Cateway lnn on 20th February the following office bearers were elected. 1984 OFFICE BEARERS President: Mrs. Jean Vallis (Genn) Vice Presidents: Senior: Mrs. Lyle Schwarten (White). Junior: Mrs. Susan Firth (Hastie). Secretary: Miss Barbara Lansbury. Assistant Secretary: Mrs. Pam Knudsen (Smith). Committee Members: Mrs. Joan Noon (Allen), Mrs. Jennifer Gray (Vallis), Mrs. Tina Winterflood (Weir), Wendy Spranklin, Cathy Martin. Megan Jenner, Therese Mclaughlan, Andrea Griffith, Mandy Wissler, Mary Hassell, Karen-Anne Cole, Kim Johnson, Dierdre Mahoney, Megan Killiner. Delegate to National Council of Women: Yvonne Bain A highlight of the dinner was a small presentation to Miss Paterson to mark her recent retirement from the school. Other guests were Mrs. Hancock, Mrs. Yates and Miss McNamara. We were heartened by the attendance of a number of new Old Girls, ten of whom joined the committee. We have increased our efforts to keep in touch with Old Girls and have published two newsletters this year, one in April and one in July. The response to these newsletters has been very encouraging and we are always pleased to receive items of interest about Old Girls for inclusion in f uture newsletters. A highly successful reunion was held on 2nd June, attended by 115 Old Girls. lt was particularly pleasing to see representatives f rom each of the last 6 decades. lt was a friendly day when Old Girls were given the opportunity to talk to the present school prefects who not only helped to serve afternoon tea but also conducted tours of the school for those interested. ln the absence of School Day our 13th Annual Art Show was moved forward to 3rd,4th and 5th of August. lt was opened by Miss Nancy Shaw, former Headmistress of the school. Despite the lack of School Day crowds it was still a very successf ul venture. A students'Art display was held in the library in conjunction with our show. Further f unctions planned for 1984 are a stall at Family Day on 13th October at the home of Mrs. Carmel Holmes; a cocktail party on 25th October at the Brisbane Club, the f irst joint f unction with the Brisbane Grammar Old Boys for many years; and an Evening Reunion on 9th November at the school. We hope that all girls leaving the school will join the Association and so keep a bond with the school and its activities, and wish them success in their chosen careers. Once again to Mrs. Hancock and all members of the school community, I would like to extend my thanks and that of the association for their assistance and support during the year, particularly as it is my last year as President. Jean Vallis, President 14 Treasurer: Mrs. Paula McKellar (Purvis). Assistant Treasurer: Miss Lorraine Chesters. Past President: Miss Lorraine Chesters

Former Headmistress, Miss Nancy Shaw with Mrs. lean Vallis Prof essor Cheryl Praeger is the second woman appointed to a Chair in Mathematics in Australia. She specialises in pure Mathematics Research at the University of Western Australia. Rhoda Felgate has been awarded an Honorary Master of Arts Degree by the University of Queensland. This has been given in recognition of her contribution to Drama and Speech .eaching in Brisbane and Queensland. She was a foundation member of Brisbane Repertory Theatre in 1925 and in 1936 founded the Twelfth Night Theatre which she directed until 1961. She was a member of the Australian Broadcasting Commission f rom 1960 to 1972 and of the Queensland Literary Board from 1961 to 1975. Mrs. Una Hollingworth was awarded one of the Lord Mayor's Australia Day Citizen's and Sports Awards for service to Theatre and the Performing Arts. Kay Robertson has been awarded the Federal Aviation Department's Sir Donald Anderson award for the woman pilot who makes the best academic progress towards professional aviation qualif ications. Joan Godfrey was awarded an O.B.E. in the New Year Honours List for her contribution to nursing education in Queensland. Daphne Fancutt was recently captain-manager of an Australian "Over-Fifty" Ladies' tennis team in France. She was selected following her outstanding performance earlier this year in the Australasian Veterans Carnival when she was a member of the winning Queensland over-45 team and won the over-50 mixed doubles without the loss of a set during the entire tournament. Allanah Dobson has been awarded a Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Grant. Allanah has achieved high results at the Conservatorium, and intends to f urther her studies in Music at London University.

OBITUARIES

a/..

':iltiir.!

w

F./Ali'::

W w

v/4.

devoted service she retired from full-time teaching at the end of 1971. Miss Elliott's long and loyal association with Cirls' Crammar extended over most of her lifetime, and she was an Honorary Life Member of the Old Girls' Association. The Majorie Elliott Old Girls' Prize for Health and Physical Education is named in her honour.

Miss Maiorie Catherine Elliott, B.A. (Qld.) Miss Majorie Elliott was affectionately known as 'Babe' to f riends, colleagues and past pupils of Brisbane Cirls' Grammar School, which she attended as a student from 1918-1922. After obtaining a B.A. at the University of Queensland, and a period of teaching at St. Catherine's School, Stanthorpe, Miss Elliott joined the staff of her old school in 1930 as an English Mistress. After forty-two years of Miss Henriette (Ettie) Baird Miss Baird passed away earlier this year. She was the first Grammar Girl to win an Open Scholarship to the newly established University of Queensland, and her name heads the list on th'e School's Honours Board' She graduated f rom the University with Honours in classics ind a medal for Greek. She taught at Spreydon College, Toowoomba (now Fairholme) at Ascham (1918-20) at Lumeah School in Brisbane and at N.E.C.S. lrom 1922 (where she was very highly regarded) until her retirement in 1958. To Miss Baird's family we extend our sincere sympathy.

To her sister, Phyllis, we extend our sincere sympathy.

Miss May Darlington laheY. It has come to our notice that Miss Lahey, the f irst f emale Municipal Courts Judge in Los Angeles, has died in America at the age of 95. She matriculated from Brisbane Girls' Grammar School and was then sponsored by her aunt through Law School in Los Angeles. She specialised in probate law and served on the bench of the Supreme Court until 1946 and then from 1951 until her retirement in 1965. We extend to her family our deepest sympathy.

1934-1984 REUNTON Fifty years ago twenty-one Sixth Form students completed their studies at Cirls'Crammar - in May this year eighteen of "The Class oI '34" went "Back to School" for a reunion. Many had not seen each other in the intervening years, but soon delighted greetings were being exchanged, and the memories came f looding back. A special guest at the reunion was their former Classical Languages Teacher, Miss Miriam Jones. Miss Thalia Kennedy who retired in 1981 after 16 years as Headmistress of lpswich Girls' Crammar School, remembered that students of the School were always encouraged to achieve to the maximum of their potential. Dr. Eileen Harrison (Reimers) was one of only two women among the twenty-one medical students who graduated f rom Queensland University in 1940. She then took up residency at the Brisbane Ceneral Hospital for the princely sum of f5.15.0 a fortnight. As well as raising three sons, Dr. Harrison became a Specialist in Radiotherapy. The Reunion was organised by Mrs. Gladys Hamilton of Aspley, who said she remembered laughing when, as a Sixth Former, someone suggested "We'll meet again in f ifty years !"