2000 School Magazine

beyond the CIOssroom

GECO

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The Grammar Environmental Conservation Organisation, GECO, launched into a successful year with the interest and contribution of over twenty dedicated members. GECO promoted its campaign for 2000 with an insightful skit on Assembly on the correct disposal of rubbish in the "right"bin. This was followed by a speech made by the President of GECO for 2000, Erophylia Castrissios, who outlined the aims of GECO within the school community and briefly on a wider global scale. The organisation promoted "Clean Up Australia Day" with attractive posters displayed around the school. On 19 April2000, GECO organised a uniform-free dress day in which the school body was encouraged to wear a green item to indicate awareness of the environment. GECO raised approximately $1000 which was presented to a representative from Planet Ark at a school assembly after a round of"The Bin is Right!an entertaining quiz show. Preparation for the School Expo was commenced in early Term Three, with an effective after-school tree planting working bee at the GECO shed. On School Day, GECO sold a variety of plants and seedlings to highlight Queensland Arbour Day on 10 October, as well as green ribbons to encourage the theme of "environmental friendliness{ Future plans for GECO consist of planting memorial gardens on both the school campus and in approved public places. The organisation has had great success due to the enthusiastic commitment of both its student members and staff.

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Erophylio Costnssios President

ROCK CLIMBING

Many thanks go to Sarah Hoyes and HeIen Smith for their contributions to rock climbing this year. They have returned from second year University every Tuesday and Wednesday, to assist Mr Greatorex in the supervision of the climbers. We must not forget to extend thanks to the volleyballers, who shared the gym floor and their'music'with us. Theiringenious point scoring system was much appreciated when large, white balls flew towards our heads - they gained ten points for every rock climber hit. Special thanks must be expressed to Mr'G'for his time and effort. He has also shown great patience with all climbers particularly the inexperienced junior students.

Rock climbing this year has brought many new climbers including new members from Years 8 and 9. All climbers have enjoyed climbing and have improved greatly since the beginning of the year. Newly purchased 'acenders' aid in climbing up a single rope attached to the yellow beams along the gym roof, although this process proved a lot easier going up, than down. Four new ropes were also purchased in the middle of the year adding a bright aspect to our wall; we still haven't recovered from the shock of the fluorescent green ropes. Several of the climbs were altered over the Christmas holidays to provide a different route to climb. The hardest climb in the gym is known as 'Cat's Walk Many of our senior climbers have now successfully completed this climb, with the more ambitious climbers trying the face alone. Francesca Wardell was the first to achieve this hard climb followed by Sally Bates and Dimity Teloar. Another difficult climb, 'Deadset Legend'- using blue holds only, was achieved by Allana Chiu, much to the astonishment of the Boys Grammar climbers. During the JuneUuly holidays, Sally Bates and

Francesco Warden amityTreloo, Sally Bores, Allano Chiu Year I I Rock Climbers 2000

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Janet Smith succeeded in climbing at Kangaroo Point. This proved to be very

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challenging and fun. Another excursion took place in early September in preparation for the September holidays Adventure Camp to Imbil.