1995 School Magazine

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6irls' Grammar Scbool /Erigbsne 1995

GEOGRAPIIY

A r Brisbane Girls' Grammar School Geography continues 6-to make its unique contribution to the curriculum by encompassing a very wide range of skills and by integrating various areas of knowledge. It thus necessitates lateral thinking. Proficiency in using computers is promoted. Geographical Information Systems manipulating SEQ2001 dala are used in Years Eleven and Twelve. \flindows software is used in Years Nine and Ten. Field-work is an essential component of studies in Geogra- phy. \fle use our field excursion opportunities for: . observing first hand what we have been studying in the classroom; . measuring and recording primary data; . integrating the educational experience across the level; . accessing input from community experts in the particular field arena. The Year Elevens revisit Imbil and incorporate field meas- urements and observations into their Senior assessment pro- gram. A1l the Geography students, and the Year Eight Introductory Humanities students, completed the Schools' Map Competition, a test of map interpretation. It required intense concentration and the skills of measurement and perception of visual patterns. Entry into the inaugural National Geography Competition by the Year Nines showed them how stiff a world knowledge quiz can be. They nevertheless scored admirably with Lucinda Petroeschevsky-Mayer and Sarah Finch scoring in the first percentile nationally, The magazine will go to press before we know the Map Competition results. HELEN STATHAM (HEAD OF GEOGRAPHY)

some raised voices as the barristers debated the factual relevance of the peasant who was on the witness stand. The same manners and method of communication prevailed until the court was adjourned after four witnesses. In pafi, that involved one witness saying God was wrong, another pleading for help from her lawyer and one barrister in particular being told by various sections of the room, and in no uncertain terms, to "shut up". The second day was much the same only quite a bit silly. The Judge was sick so a replacement had to be found. That day also coincided with "PJ." day, a day when students are allowed to wear pyjamas to class to raise money for Amani. The sight of eighteenth century courtiers next to jury members in P.J.'s clutching Teddy Bears was a sight to behold. Thursday was a little more civilised as the Queen came to the stand and, having perfected her French accent, gave an impressive show. After the Queen a courtier, sounding more African than French, took the stand and more Defence wit- nesses followed. Time ran out from under our feet and the court was once again adjourned "mid-witness" with the expectation of finishing the next day. As Friday approached the barristers were not making very many friends and everyone was wonder- ing who would win. A1l the witnesses were finally questloned amid the click of cameras, (which were not supposed to be invented yet). The astounding dress of Marie Antoinette and the Defence Barrister's loud waistcoats that changed every day, were captured on celluloid for posterity. The jury made some comments but we didn't get time for a fuli report and find out who had won. This meant we had to wait a weekend to find out whether the King was to face the guillotine or live happily ever after. \ff/e leave that particular class there as the verdict of every class differed except to say that we defied the laws of History in many cases. Many people were sad to see the trial end though many were sad to see it start in the first place. If nothing else we perfected our debating skills, our costume sense and our French accents (oh, and our History). rExrE JELL

NORTH STRADBROKE EXCURSION

I t 7:30a.m. Wednesday 23rd August, Year Twelve AC.ogrnphy students departed Brisbane Girls' Grammar School for their final excursion of 1995. Their destination: North Stradbroke Island. Issues concerning the island were studied prior to the date and the students were to obtain a physical and visual aspect of the existing land uses and environments. After a pleasant journey on the ferry the girls reboarded the buses and were driven around to various locations of environ- mental significance. First stop was Brown Lake where the girls observed and identified the features of the perched 1ake. This was followed by a visit to 18 Mile Swamp and a short rest on the beach where the girls enjoyed the sand and the surf, some girls getting wetter than others.

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