2005 School Magazine

From the Head Girls

From the Principal

The 2005 edition of the School Magazine documents the many ways our girls make a difference, value the opportunities available to them and make the most of their ability to contribute to the School and the wider community. I commend Anna McGahan, this year’s student editor and the Publications Team, on an excellent outcome. It is a difficult responsibility to manage the final year of schooling and edit a major publication. It involves

Today, schools are expected to provide many things for the benefit and development of their students including excellent teaching, dedicated pastoral care, wide-ranging co-curricular activities, sound personal growth, confidence, social awareness, integrity and leadership opportunities. So much is written about leadership theory, models and styles in management publications that we can often overlook the core ingredient of successful leadership - positive and inspiring human interaction. Student leadership opportunities at Brisbane Girls Grammar begin in Year 8 House Groups and incrementally develop through to the senior years where positions take on a whole school responsibility. The Year 12 leaders tend to work in pairs, collaborating, sharing and encouraging each other. Together, working as a team, these girls feel confident to confront large audiences with their ideas, take on challenges, solve difficult issues, learn about delegation and ultimately achieve full school support and worthwhile outcomes. This year the Student Executive has included the new roles of Service Captains. Charity work, community service and a sincere awareness of global aid requirements informed the need for the establishment of these new positions to lead the School in these critically important endeavours. The achievements this year by the Service Captains have built upon the endeavours of last year’s student leaders and have complemented those of the 2005 Head Girls and Student Executive, improving the overall momentum and profile of service in the School. This year’s student theme of “Be the Difference” reinforces these sentiments. The Head Girls and their Student Executive have encouraged every girl in the School to be part of their initiatives – to great success. We have seen this leadership also underpin the genuine support of each other in co- curricular activities and service projects. Leadership is about communicating the vision and encouraging others to commit to its realisation. This year, our student leaders have successfully imparted the message to “Be the Difference” and achieved new levels of awareness and change. I especially thank the Head Girls, Lydia Elsworthy and Georgina Horsbourgh, for their ideas, commitment and work throughout the year.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1924) stated that “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us”. It was with these words that we introduced ourselves to the School community in February. Little did we realise how these words would resonate throughout the year. 2005 was never going to be a year that could be easily themed and packaged. It was the year we celebrated the School’s 130th Anniversary and the year we challenged each girl to “Be the Difference” - to invoke daring, passion and commitment in her pursuit of individual and collective goals. The focus of Term I was on turning words into actions. The Student Executive’s first Blue Day saw a celebration of all things Grammar with the School festooned in blue streamers and balloons, swimmers wearing flippers and live karaoke. Coinciding with QGSSSA Swimming and Cricket finals, the day’s success culminated in a significant improvement in numbers of supporters at the swimming. The Term’s afternoon leadership forum that included Years 8, 9 and 10 House Prefects in conjunction with the Student Executive, was the vehicle for lively discussion and goal setting for the year. This began the development of a stronger student voice during a term in which the excitement of the 130th celebrations balanced commitment with fun. “Get Out of Your Comfort Zone” was the message for Term II. The inaugural Grammar Idol uncovered some extraordinary talents with Shiraz Tilley (12R) earning her place in Grammar history as our first winner. The Executive’s Random Act of Kindness Golden Ticket Scheme, led by outstanding Service Captains, Madeleine Cameron (12L) and Meera Srinivasan (12W), reminded us to “Be the Difference”. Term II also saw the first Retro Formal Fashion Parade, in which our model Year 12s took to the catwalk in the glorious gowns of yesteryear – those worn by our teachers at their formals in years gone by! Another successful Blue Day was held – this time with our Cross Country Runners, Future Problem Solvers, Musicians and Artistic Gymnasts in mind.

Much of the focus of Term III was on laying the foundation for the revival of the Student Representative Council. Comprising elected members from each Year level, the Council aims to channel the opinions of 1100 students to effect positive change in the School. The Year 12s returned after the September holidays with just 40 school days remaining. We realised that we had to make the most of this time and aptly dedicated Term IV to Making the Most of It. The commencement of the Student Representative Council, the continuation of Blue Day and Grammar Idol and Live Aid with Brisbane Grammar School were all opportunities to live the term’s theme. As the year comes to an end and the class of 2005 prepares to depart, we would like to acknowledge the efforts of all staff and volunteers who have supported us since our arrival in 2001. We particularly appreciate Ms Bell’s leadership and guidance while Mrs McConaghy has seen us at our best and our worst, has stood by us and always been there with words of wisdom and encouragement. Our senior year would not have been as memorable without the enthusiasm and hard work of Ms McGarry. We are also very grateful to Mr Dale, Mr Seaha, the Heads of House and our wonderful House Group teachers. We know that we won’t be the first Head Girls to have said this – but we believe that we are part of an amazing group of girls whose journey through the School has seen us grow together in spirit and actions. The footprints we will leave have been borrowed from those who have gone before us, but are inscribed with the individual hopes of every Year 12 girl. A colourful, energetic and diverse group, we will say our goodbyes and take with us, forever, the common bond of being Grammar girls; these are ties that will bind us across borders and through time. How fortunate we are.

liaison with many teachers and students, developing a thematic approach to the creative elements and ensuring the end result is a comprehensive, consistent entity that does justice to Year 12, the student body as a whole and the traditions and innovations of the entire School. Brisbane Girls Grammar School has celebrated this year the education of so many young women over 130 years. While the archives will record 2005 as a special year because of its anniversary, we should also see the year as a moment in the time continuum – a slice of our heritage that says so much about student, staff and school leadership in ways that matter. Ms A Bell

Georgina Horsburgh (12O) & Lydia Elsworthy (12E)

School Magazine 2005 Be the Difference 5

Reference: Emerson, R. W. (1924). In M. Pinkney (Ed.), Pocket Positives (1996), Victoria, Australia: The Five Mile Press.

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Brisbane Girls Grammar School