2005 School Magazine

Co-curriculum

Co-curriculum

Grammar Environmental & Conservation Organisation

The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is a process of personal and social development that is flexible, challenging and aims to give participants a real sense of achievement. Entrants are encouraged to set personal goals and strive to achieve them, while learning more about themselves and about qualities such as perseverance, responsibility, trust and the ability to plan and organise their lives. The design is such that the achievement of an Award is non- competitive with higher level Awards requiring a greater level of commitment. It is more like a marathon than a sprint. There are three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold, and those taking part must complete requirements in each of four sections: Service, Expedition, Skills and Physical Recreation, with Gold Award participants also having to complete an additional Residential Project. Duke of Edinburgh

The Service component is of enormous benefit to the community. Last year alone, Queensland Award participants

This year saw tremendous alterations in environmental protection policy with enormous repercussions for the Earth and its inhabitants. 2005 was also a very active year for the Grammar Environmental and Conservation Organisation (GECO), with its members continuing an ongoing campaign to promote and maintain a growing consciousness for environmental issues and to encourage a willingness to take action. In Term I, while the rest of the country was donning their boots and gloves in an attempt to Clean Up Australia, the Brisbane Girls Grammar School community rallied together at the Interhouse Swimming Competition, equipped with plastic bags in a contest to see which House Area could stay litter-free. This was followed by National Tree Day on 31 July, where GECO launched a Photographic Competition which challenged students to take insightful pictures of various aspects of nature. The competition proved to be one of our most successful campaigns, with pictures flooding in from all grades and the winners receiving prizes every fortnight.

donated 105,000 hours to worthy causes. The Expedition section nurtures a spirit of adventure and discovery by encouraging confidence, a sense of personal accomplishment and an appreciation of the environment. The Skills section fosters the development of social, cultural and practical skills, while Physical Recreation promotes participation in physical activity. Our congratulations are extended to the following girls for achieving their Awards during the last twelve months: Bronze: Antonia Morris (10W), Julia Wills (10M), Rachel Ferris (11R), Priya Kevat (10M), Kimberley Davis (10L), Joanne Marks (12B), Brigid Mulcahy (10L), Lucy Dyer (10L) Silver: Katrina Ham (12B) 2004, Breana Cohen (110), Elizabeth Forrest (11H), Julia Wills (10M) Gold: Briony Lipton (12R), Alison Rae (12O) Ms M McAdam CO-ORDINATOR

With Australia and the United States declining to ratify the Kyoto Protocol and the G8 Summit focusing on global climate change, the world was once again reminded of the devastating impact humans have on the planet as an entity. On Open Day, GECO members distributed green-ribboned pins, heralding each wearer as a proud supporter of environmental conservation. Although the future of the environment may appear grim, with the growing awareness and positive action of a united global community, we can confront these issues and find solutions to repair and preserve our planet in order to ensure a future for ourselves, our children and future generations. Karri Hartley (12M) CAPTAIN

Faith in Action

The members of the Faith in Action Club (FIA) have been putting their Christian faith into action over the past year. Numerous fundraising events have enabled the group to lend financial support to several worthy causes. Members of the group, supported by friends, willingly made delicious biscuits and sweets to sell during a lunch hour. The proceeds were sent to a Christian hearing impaired community in the Philippines who bought two pigs for their pig farm, which has enabled them to generate an income and afforded them a greater degree of financial independence. The popular sell-out gourmet ice- cream stall (a useful exercise in building

Another annual event held for the Year 8 students during Term I was the Ultimate Challenge Games Day. Over eighty students competed in team events with lots of prizes and even more fun. All this excitement is interspersed with meetings where members also have the opportunity to take part in small group discussions on issues related to living according to Christian values. Mrs L Castle CO-ORDINATOR

team skills), raised money for the Christian medical relief organization Project Compassion.

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