2004 School Magazine

. From The Principal '0, THE HE

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FO HE PRINCIPAL

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I am often asked to describe what it is about Brisbane Girls Grammar School that makes it special and differentiates it from other schools. it is easy to respond by elaborating on our long histo . consistent academic leadership, commitment to single sex education for girls and comprehensive pastoral and co-curricular programmes. it is more difficult to articulate the essence of our defining qualities because these rest within the girls themselves A school is not about the structures that house the students and teachers, but rather a school is actually the community of people In any given year Brisbane Girls Grammar has a unique composition of young women and staff who cons it ate and give life to our School - rid each year we see subtle differences Overall, our girls are deeply engaged with their School7th<;y like o be active in their learning and they like to be involved with decision making. They are confident about expressing their opinions and willing to challenge ideas with a view to better understanding situations and initiating Improvement. They are encouraged o Gritrib t widelyan to th best of t at ability; they are supportive of each other and have a genuine appreciation and regard for their School. n my opinion, the defining feature of these girls is their collective positive and happy approach to life. To walk through the grounds and speak to the girls is a delight and Is constant. reminder of why working with teenagers is such a refreshing experience and an absolute privilege The Year 12s have reflected these positive approaches in their 2004 theme Ge Born! Led by the Head Girls, they have promoted community awareness, change for the better engagement in activities and awareness o others. I congratulate Vanessa Watson and Eininie Will is on their personal commitment in activa ing increased dedication to charity wor and I thankthem rin!y or their support this year They have set a high standard for future student leaders to follow. I also coinmend Mandeep Gill, the Editor of this years School Magazine, and

urnm rely because it represented for everyone the culmination of the much hard work and even more fun, involved in achieving our goal Throughout our school lives, but especially in our final year we have been the grateful recipients of the unconditional support, nurturing and advice of our teachers - our friends. Ms Bell, has always been totally supportive and has always shown immense faith in the girls of the School and their ability to accomplish just about anything. Special thanks goes to our surrogate parents, Mrs MCConaghy and Mr Dale meed we say morel, to Miss Williams, for her support and priceless Assembly comments. and to Miss Hatton. Mr Seaha, and Ms Smith for all that they have done and continue to do it would have been Impossible to accomplish so much this year without the friendship rid ability of Yea 12 to nite in the face of a challenge. Our journey as a cohort has stretched from the innocent days of Bridge Building to becoming the hard-headed young women who I^iced two gruelling days of aCS Through the ard and the good times we have forged a friendship group of 2I9 girls, and countles lifelong memories e have never I^Iiled to be impressed by the ways in which all Grammar girls have generously and uricondi 'on ally embraced the theme Get Born, and as Iways, the spirit o the School in 11 its many dimensions. The successes of this year ar owed to the w o1e School. for by openly giving to the welfare of the wider coinm nity, our lives have been enriched

the committee who have worked so hard to produce this wonderful publication, focusing on the special things about Girls Grammar At t mes our yo rig peop e can be exhausting to k ep pace with in heir desire to bring very new'ide to fruition immediately While the successful accomplishment o1.90als is an important outcome, it is also negessary to establish long-term visions that can continue to be developed and implemented by people un the future. I have encouraged many of our Year 125 this year who feel time has run out for them to complete their prqjects, to hand them on to the current Year I I s with a view to ensuring their Ideas have a life their own time, here. a Girls Grammar pa I have also suggested they remain in touch with the Year I I and provide support and assistance from the outside world While much o todayS change is rapid, not all change needs to follow this fas pace and sometimes a slow evolution of Innovative Ideas will res it in a longer lasting and more significant outcome with benefits reaching far into the future

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References

Moncur M. 11994- 0021. Quotations by author Wriston Churchi11 1874-1975j. in The Quotations Page r 18,2004 from http://MANw. quota- Reinered No nonspage. co q testsir_Wriston_Churchil!/

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