1995 School Magazine

6rrls' 6ramnrar Scllool TGrrgbanp 1995

swimming classes continued at the Spring Hills Baths on Tuesday and Friday afternoons under the watchful eye of Mrs Rorke and a Mistress on duty, who was assigned to the class in the event of a mishap befalling Mrs Rorke during the lesson.

Motivated by the times, a Filst Aid Club was established in 1940 by the Headmistress, Miss Lilley, with 76 successful particlpants. It is an interesting comparison that in 1995, 200 participants successfully completed their Flrst Aid Cenificates, perhaps for dilferent reasons, however with the same aware- ness of community responsibility. During the war years, the responsibility of the Physical Education program fell to Miss Audrey Tomlinson, later to become Mrs O'Dwyer. She was ably assisted with coachlng by teachers such as Miss Marjorie Elliott, and their commitment and effort were greatly appreciated by the students. The position of Physical Education teacher was part time in all Queensland schools durlng this time and it was not until the appolntment of Miss Meg Richie (1ater Mrs Rorke) in 1944, that the position became full time and two lessons of Physical Education were held for the girls. One lesson was devoted to gymnastics and the other to games, with every girl in the school being assessed in gymnastics by the Physicai Education teacher. This program remained in place until the early 1970s. Her fulltime appoint- ment as a physical edr-rcation teacherwas a Queensland first and was another example of the progressive attitude of the Head- mistress and Trustees of the school.

On 25 November,1947 Miss Milisent'lfilkinson, Headmis- tress 1900 to 1972, died in England, and her bequest to the school was " .. on trust to the Headmistress of the Brisbane Gids' Grammar School, Queensland, for the use of the pupils of that school so that they may be able to become fine sportswomen and noted tennis players". A woman ahead of her time, her bequest made in 1948 continues to today and provides a llnk between our past and our future, and once again, reinforces the importance that physical activity and competition play in each girl's life

One of the greatest impacts of the war on the sporting programwas the cessation of ollicial competitions. The athletics recommenced after a break of five years; St Hilda's withdrew lrom the competition in 1942 to re-enter in 7944; no official competitions in netball and tennis were held in 1942-1'913 although schools continued friendly competition. In 1.944, the Brockway and Mc\Thirter Cups were, once again, competed for after a lay off of three years. During these difficult years, the Headmistress, Miss Lilley, continued to sllpport competitive physical activity "... with recognition of the value of sport in developing initiative and self-reliance, to balance the life in a school where scholastic ability is strongly stressed" (1943 H'mistress annual report). The facilities at the school included two netball cor-rrts, four tennis courts , and a gymnasir-rm. In 1.945, the gymnasium floor was refurbished, to the delight of the students, and the

The similarities between the 1940s and 1990s on first appraisal may not be apparent, and perhaps in material terms, there are few; however, philosophically, the essence of physical education at Brisbane Girls' Grammar School, where value is placed on a balance between academic and sporting pursuits, participation, competitiveness, and ex- cellence. is blatantly obvious.

PAULINE HARVEY-SHORT

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