1988 School Magazine

Gima Cenvo amd Catherime lMilli[

The ernployment of visiting teachers for electives in the English program has enabled students to work in smaller groups and exposed them to intensive study of a specif ic area of interest which they elBct to explore. Such areas include the analysis and scripting of documentary films; studies of Shakespearean and modern drama; and an exploration of representative classic and modern novels. Cirls in the Communication course in the lntegrated Studies Program devised, scripted, filmed and edited a production in which they also performed. Considerable energy and effort resulted in an exciting and original production which provided the girls with first-hand experience in film production techniques. Many students achieved academic distinction when they were awarded prizes in a wide range of literary competitions. lndeed many of these prize winners have had the satisfaction of seeing their work in print. Cn June 8, a party of twenty-four girls, parents and teachers f lew to London to begin a five and a half week literary tour of Britain, which they dubbed the Brit. Lit. Trip. The focus o{ the travel was to explore the background to the English Iiterature studied in this school, and accordingly visits were made to the homes of Jane Austen, William Wordsworth, Shakespeare, the Brontes, Charles Dickens and others, and to places of Iiterary interest such as the Lakes District, Dickens' London, Regency Bath and Hardy country. Already teachers are noticing rewards in the classroom in increased awareness and interest in the literary masterpieces of the English language. Speech and Drama is an important subject in the curriculum and this year provided the opportunity for many students to be involved in a variety of activities. A record number of girls participated in the lnterhouse Drama Competition with over half the students in the school involved. A group of students won their round of the first Youth Theatre Sports' Competition which was held at La Boite Theatre. This competition willcontinue in 1988 and will form part of the entertainment for Expo 88. Preparations and meetings are already under way for the Youth Performance at Expo. Ten schools from the Brisbane arear including Brisbane Cirls' Crammar School, and one f rom Bundaberg, will be involved in a {ull scale musical production on the River Stage during 1 9BB.

School Day in April allowed students and staff to show members of the wider community of Brisbane a variety of activities which were organised by various groups within the school. On the evening prior to School Day the Music Department produced "An Evening of Early Music" which featured dancers, singers, musicians and players in works from Mediaeval, Renaissance and Baroque periods. This was just one of the many musical f unctions enjoyed during the year. The production of the Vivaldi 'Cloria', together with the school's involvement in the Band Spectacular and the Combined Music Schools' Festival, both organised by Brisbane Grammar School, allowed students the opportunity to expand their musical knowledge and be involved in challenging musical experiences. The initiative of Miss Barbara Hebden resulted in four concerts being presented in the Celebrity Chamber Music Recital Series in the Gehrmann Theatre. The first concert in January welcomed Catherine Milliken and Cina Cervo, old girls of the school who are both presently studying and working in Europe. The final concert in the series featured another old girl of the school, Peta BIyth, a singer with the Australian Opera. Other guests included Jones & Co. and the Brisbane String Trio. Proceeds f rom the series will go towards an endowment f und which has been set up as a foundation to provide a firm financial resource for the future development of the school. o o