2006 School Magazine

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From the Head Girls

nevertheless, as our peers watched, laughing at us dressed in zooties busting some unconventional and uncoordinatedmoves. ThewonderfulthingaboutbeingHead Girls at Grammar is that we are elected by our peers, providing us with enormous peer support, somuch so that we feel as if, corny as thismay sound, we are one big happy family. It seemsasthoughwehavetransgressed fromgroups andsocial hierarchies and have reached the point wherewe are all equal friends. This being said, we each have our quirks but we are still all part of the same building. Some are nuts (or nutters) which are only held together by the supportive bolts. Others arewood (this is no presumption on their IQ), they will give you splinters, but onceworn down and sanded, they are soft and silky. There are also concrete people, dryingquickly toget the jobdone, and the electrical circuit girls who are full of energy but make a strange buzzing sound and cause passers-by to fear

that theymight blowat anyminute. But at the end of the day, this eclectic mix of girls group together to form something great, a building that is bigger and better then the CLC, the very foundations of the Grammar family. Reminiscingon theyear, wewould like to thank the School and staff for all of their outstanding support throughout the year, particularly theYear 12s. For every singleYear 12 student in 2006, the year has been a journey of endurance, bonding and excitement. Somanygoodtimeshavebeenhadby all, andwe are finally able to appreciate the activities that Grammar has to offer, with the knowledge that it is our last time. We decided that images speak louder thanwords, so visit the DVD for a visual expression of our indescribable year.

The seniors of 2006 haveworkedwith enthusiasmandgustothroughout the year to adapt the theme of“Build It Up”to our last year behind thewhite picketfence.Withthecommencement of the construction of the Creative Learning Centre (CLC), as Head Girls for 2006, we thought it appropriate to model our theme for the year to buildingandconstruction. Wewanted you, as Grammar girls this year, to build up the fun, build up the spirit, build up the enthusiasmand build up the friendships. To build up the fun, we needed to show the girls that it was important to step outside their comfort zones and face the fear of judgment because it is in this way that life is lived to the full and the building can be expanded. One of our first initiatives was to invent a“Build It Up”dance to Build Me Up Buttercup. This was a highly embarrassing experience, but fun

contents Editorial 2 FromtheHeadGirls 3 FromthePrincipal 4 Community 5 Faculties 13 Houses 33 Creations 61 Co-curricular 71

L-R back Row: Sally Holzberger (12G), Shona McLean (11E), Lauren Hurcum (11W), Tiara Queen (12B), Nicole Fraser (12H), Irvin Lie (12R), Maria Kazovsky (12G) Front Row: Louise Dark (12W), Imogen Byrne (12G), Melinda Ranson (12R), Tiffany Chih (12R)

CLC you later!

Editorial Eachnewyearbringsnewchallenges, new delights, and new pursuits. This year has been no different. From the constructionof theCreative Learning Centre to the new-look magazine, this year at Brisbane Girls Grammar School has been as unique as each of the individual girls in it. Our 2006 magazinecelebratesthisuniqueness and the achievements of our girls, both individually and collectively. This year you may not immediately find the number of photographs, stories or sections that you are used to. The saying “Never judge a book by its cover”, however, rings true. While physically smaller, this year’s magazine is by far our biggest and most exciting edition yet. It has been amazing to contribute to the preparations for this first ever multimodal, interactive magazine. With this DVD, we hope to include a wider representationof everyaspect of school life, covering every event, every subject and every club to the extent that each deserves. As with the construction of the Creative Learning Centre, our 2006 edition

will no doubt set a precedent for the standard of excellence that Girls Grammar can produce. Each member of the Grammar community has their own view on what has characterised this year and, indeed, what characterises the Grammar spirit. There is no doubt in my mind that it is our choices that define us and our actions that distinguish us. Whether you have managed to “Build It Up” or still need to find the bricks and mortar, I know that each girl can read this magazine with the confidence that she has played her part. Grammar does not just give its pupils the knowledge to realise their dreams, but the skills to achieve them. Whatever the future holds for the outgoing Year 12s, the incoming Year 8s and those who are to remain at the School, we can be secure in the fact that we are prepared for it. Our future is now…

Sophie Matterson and Elizabeth Forrest Head Girls

DVD

Bin it, Bag it, Better it! The Student Executive Council took on the rubbish situation!

Visit the companion DVD to view additional images and related information.

DVD

Melinda Ranson (12R) Publications Captain

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community

From the Principal

L-R Sophie Matterson, Ms Bell and Elizabeth Forrest

The 2006 innovative edition of the Brisbane Girls Grammar School Magazine reflects the dynamic nature of this School – a School proud of its tradition, but unafraid of change and prepared to try new things. The magazine has always been a robust publication, reflecting the character of the girls at a point in time and recording many of the events and highlights of the year. Unfortunately, no single publication can ever quite capture everyone and everything, so this year there is a special DVD accompanying the magazine. At a time when our students remain connected with everyone and everything important in their lives through mobile ‘phones, email, msn, sms and mp3 players the Publications Team decided it was time for part of the School Magazine to go digital. The technology now enables us to supplement the much-loved print

versionwithmanymultimedia images on a DVD, thereby enhancing the relevance, coverage and archival importance of this edition. I would particularly like to thank this year’s student editor, Melinda Ranson, and the Publications Team very much for their enthusiasm and imagination in realising this new concept – one which I am sure will keep pace in the future with the annual happenings of this amazing place far more comprehensively than a single print edition and one which will stay abreast of new communication technologies available in the years to come. The Head Girls, Elizabeth Forrest and Sophie Matterson, have also acquitted their roles wonderfully during 2006 through their energetic and positive leadership of the student body, and in devising this year’s theme of “Build It Up”. Not

only has this edition of the School Magazine been built up, but so has the school spirit. Drawing from the optimistic anticipation associated with the construction of the new Creative Learning Centre, the Head Girls have shown a great capacity to support, enhance and engage with the School on all levels – a challenge never easy in a place of diverse activities and high expectations – a place they have led with distinction. 2006 has been a wonderful year in the life of this great School in all respects; the willingness of the girls to embrace learning and life, the dedication and expertise of the staff, and an actively positive and supportive community, combine together to ensure a happy and exciting future for Girls Grammar.

Ms Amanda Bell

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community

community

TheCreativeLearningCentre

Father and Daughter Dinner This event grows more popular with each year — over 280 fathers and daughters enjoyed a wonderful night in the Ballroom of Tattersall’s Club. With entertainment from Breana Cohen (12O), Samantha Cattach (12R) and Bridget Anese (12G) who won the 2006 Vocal Ensemble section of the Gillies Ensemble Prize. The highlight of the evening was the presentation from Ms Sally McKenzie, professional actor, writer and director. Mother and Daughter Dinner and Debate Mothers and daughters celebrated Mother’s Day with a special dinner and enjoyed a lively debate on the topic, “That girls should be seen and not heard”. Ms Sally Pitkin, Ms Elizabeth Allen and Mrs Marise McConaghy representedtheMothersandargued the negative. The affirmative team wasSophieMatterson (12O),Hannah Statham (12O) and HayleyWall (12W). Thedebatersperformedphenomenally, with theMothers’ teamdeclared the winners. The debate was adjudicated by past student and Dux of 2001, Ms Caitlin Goss.

Careers Evening The2006BrisbaneGirlsGrammarSchool andBrisbaneGrammarSchool Careers evening was attended by over 700 students and parents. This is an important event in the tertiary planning programme for senior students. Twenty-four speakers representing a diverse range of professions provided first-hand accounts of their own career challenges and offered advice on the pathways and opportunities available to students. It’s a wonderful tribute to both Schools that so many professionals drawn from the Grammar community including parents — current, future and past, alumni and partner organisations are willing to be a part of this event and give their time and experience to our current students.

Highlights March 2006 - During site preparations approximately 7000 cubic metres of soil, or 350 truckloads, was excavated. May 2006 - The construction process required 1100 cubic metres of concrete or approximately 220 concrete truck loads. In addition, 150 tonnes of reinforcement steel was installed. July 2006 - The walls, columns and suspended floors were completed for levels one and two. The largest level in the building (level three), approximately 1600m2 was in the final stages of formwork. August 2006 – A further 780 cubic metres of concrete was poured and the lift core and suspended bridge linking level four with the rear of the Main Building were poured. September 2006 – The large K columns appeared which stand 15 metres high and required 30 cubic metres of concrete each. November 2006 – the topping-off ceremony marked the completion of the concrete structure.

DVD

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community

community

ArabianNights Year 12 formal

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community

Spicks and Specks Girls Grammar ran its own version of the well-known television program Spicks and Specks with teachers pitted against students. This event provided great lunch- time entertainment.

Charity Cricket Match Girls Grammar’s First XI, captained by Alice Nicklin (11W), took on the Staff XI, captained by Mr G Bland. The match was a fundraising activity with proceeds going to breast cancer research. It was an exciting match, with former Southern Stars Captain, Belinda Clark AM batting for the Students XI. There were some unorthodox bowling techniques and controversial rulings that saw the match end in a 30-30 draw.

Menopause the Musical In a community first for Girls Grammar, a night at the theatre was held to raise funds for the Creative Learning Centre. Over 500members of the Grammar community — students, parents, alumni and staff enjoyed the hilarious production of Menopause the Musical and raised over $8,500!

OPen DAY

DVD

A Sea of Pink Pink Day spread shades of pink across the School as the girls built up the spirit to raise funds and awareness for women with breast cancer. The day was organised by the School’s Service Captains Emma Burrell (12R)

and Anna Huynh (12E). Funds were raised through the sale of “Think Pink”merchandise, a hot chocolate stall and other music and art activities. It was a wonderful scene of support from the girls for such a worthy cause. All funds will be donated to The Wesley Hospital KimWalters Choices Program.

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VivalasVegas TheYear 11 Charity Event The Combined Brisbane Girls Grammar School and Brisbane Grammar School Year 11 Charity Event was held at the Victoria Park Function Complex. After many hours of discussion and preparation in the weeks before and with our fingers sore from tying countless balloons, the committee saw their plans for the evening unfold.

FAculties

The night was fantastic. The Vegas theme included a cameo appearance from Elvis, a Vegas wedding chapel and dance floor canopy of balloons. The food, the music and the dresses.... all looked good! The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly with the dance floor electric for the duration of the evening. TheYear 11 students frombothSchoolsnominatedQueenslandSurf Lifesaving as their chosen charity. Fundraising began on the last day of Term II when the Year 11 girls mixed with the Brisbane Grammar School boys for a BBQ and Bands lunchtime event to showcase the musical talents from each School. A portion of the ticket price from the charity evening was also donated to make a total of $2000 raised for Queensland Surf Lifesaving.

DVD

Susannah Plant (11E)

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creative Arts

creative Arts

Fresh Cuts in the Creative Arts

Classroom Drama and Music collaborated to create two exciting cross-arts performance opportunities for their students — Cre8tive Connections andYuku Toshi. Yuku Toshi also involvedVisual Art student artwork.

Groups experimented with ideas

Year 8 students rehearse

Cre8tive Connections Year 8 Drama classes focused on developing strong performance skills of focus and energy as well as exploring vocal and movement techniques. Year 8 Music classes explored ensemble singing techniques to support their dramatic movement pieces. The classes then combined to compose a flowing thematic production entitled “Elements in Motion” in response to the theme of water: a life-giving force and a celebration of nature.

Sally Fry (11H).

Sally Fry (11H)

piano, bassoon, percussion, voices and more in this experimental and improvisation based experience. Year 12 students also collaborated in the project, performing a contemporary Australian work.

sounds. The process involved not only the manipulation and synergising of digital technologies but also traditional art skills including composing, editing and colour manipulation. These images were the source of those used in Yuku Toshi.

Year 11 Visual Art students volunteered to adapt their artworks derived from an earlier assessment piece for Yuku Toshi. Each girl was assigned a season as a symbol of the passing of time. The students edited their artwork to fit in with the theme of the production and to matchtheperformances.Theimages were then projected full-size on to the wall of the theatre. They looked amazing! Year 11 Classroom Music students used this performance opportunity to experiment with a different style of music, composed in class using given folk melodies and improvised ostinati (repeated melodic and rhythmic fragments). The girls settled on a final arrangement of the music before performing their compositions live in Yuku Toshi. A wide variety of instruments were used including guitar, saxophone, Sally Fry (11H)

Yuku Toshi Years 9 and 10 Drama students participated in the production of Yuku Toshi — the passing year. The idea was to choreograph representations of the four seasons through various movement styles including contemporary dance, Kabuki and traditional Japanese movements. This was a student-driven production where we worked in small groups to come up with ideas based on image and word based stimulus. We enjoyed the close interaction of our groups, learning about our individual potential and the excitement of performing in front of a live audience.

Stephanie Lloyd (11H)

Mrs Jacqueline Colwill Director

Year 11Visual Art Students undertook a folio task in Term I incorporating digital photography, moving images and soundscapes.Thestudentscompleted innovative photographic shoots based on the concept “in the blink of an eye”. The resulting photographs were altered and enhanced in Photoshop and then imported intoPhotostory3 to be animated using a variety of speed and motion effects. Soundscapes to accompany the visuals were created in Audacity using self-recorded and commercial

Alexandra Phillips (10E) and Stephanie Aroney (10W)

Chang (8L)

Gemma Beckingham (8L) and Ruby provided the background music

Contemporary dance, Kabuki and traditional Japanese movements

Julia Colwill (11G)

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English

English

Ms R Christopherson and her Year 10 English Elective class

QUT ‘Apprentice to Performer’ Project

Literature comes to life As an extension of their study of Alyssa Brugman’s novel, Finding Grace, Year 9 students met three people with real life experiences of neurological trauma: an occupational therapist from the Acquired Brain Injury Outreach Service; Natalia, a young woman who is on the long road to recovery from an acquired brain injury sustained in 2002; and her carer. The students were especially captivated by Natalia’s cheerfulness and determination. Elizabeth Placanica (9M) wrote: “Natalia’s visit was truly inspirational. For someone who has suffered and lost so much, she still remains positive. To her, life is still worth living and the obstacles she faces are not reasons to be negative, but goals to overcome.”The Year 9 students have undertaken fundraising to provide resources for a rehabilitation programme for adolescents with acquired brain injuries.

Ms Rachael Christopherson and her Year 10 English Elective class participated in the QUT ‘Apprentice to Performer’ project in Term III. Entitled, ‘From apprentice to performer in secondary English classrooms’, the project is being undertaken under the auspices of a QUT Teaching and Learning Grant. In the elective unit, Secrets, Survivors and Shadows, the students studied Gary Crew’s Strange Objects and Fireshadow written by Anthony Eaton. Throughout the Term, academics Dr Anita Jetnikoff and Dr Wendy Morgan videotaped classroomexamples of best practice not only for pre-service secondary English education students but also to provide opportunities for our students to reflect on their own learning.

English in 2006: ReVisioning theCriticalandtheAesthetic

2006Writer in Residence: Dr Eva Sallis

Extension Activities

Curriculum Enrichment

The English Faculty ran a series of Shakespeare Competitions for students fromYear 8 to Year 12 as an extension of the World Shakespeare Congress held in Brisbane in July, of which Brisbane GirlsGrammar Schoolwas a sponsor. Prizes were awarded to the successful studentsandincludedTheComplete Works for the winner at Years 11 and 12, Claire Vieritz (11O); a Collection of Shakespearean Soliloquies for the winner at Year 10, Jacinta Livingstone (10R); and a Collection of Shakespearean Sonnets for the winner at Years 8 and 9, Ellen Harrison (9R).

In August the School had the privilege of hosting our 2006 Doris WarakerTownsendMemorialWriterin Residence, Dr Eva Sallis. Dr Sallis completed an MA on the poetry of T S Eliot , has a PhD in Literature and is a Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Adelaide. She is a writer of literary fiction and criticism and has won numerous literary awards. Over the period of her Residency, Dr Sallis conducted a series of intensive workshops onwriting and editing for twenty Senior students who had been successful in obtaining places in the Programme. Parents and

participating students met with Dr Sallis at a Cocktail Party held in her honour. Dr Sallis also worked with all Year 11s in two sessions on short story writing designed to assist them in the creation of their own short stories. She presented an eloquent and thought-provoking address to the School Assembly on the intersection of human rights, social justice and the arts, to all of which she has a passionate commitment.

Whilst the contemporary literary theorist, novelist, and philosopher, Umberto Eco, reminds us that “literature keeps language alive as our collective heritage”, teachers in the Faculty also are keenly aware of the associated pleasures that derive from their students’ imaginative and empathic engagement with multilayered and evocative fictive worlds. Certainly one of the fundamental premises that frame our teaching of literature is our desire that students may come both to read and to love these texts, so that their effects outlast a single semester and instead stay with them throughout their lives. English Extension (Literature) has proved again to be a popular and stimulating enrichment subject for Year 12 students, enabling students to apply sophisticated theoretical understandings about reading and writing practices to a diverse range of canonical and contemporary texts that they have selected for their independent guided studies.

Hayley Wall (12W), Dr Eva Sallis, Hannah Wilson (12M)

Dr Robyn Colwill Director

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educational Resources & Initiatives

educationalResources&Initiatives

The older the book, the more modern the technology Katherine is creating a drama presentationoncomedythroughthe ages and needs a one-act play from the 1920s. Jennifer would like photographicevidenceof erosion to the Sphinx over the twentieth century. Elizabeth wants to make a costume of a Celtic attacker of Hadrian’s Wall for a Latin assignment. A library collection as rich and as old as that of the Beanland Memorial Library holds resources specifically relevant to each of these cases, but how can a student find the best source? Unlessstudentspersonallyknowthe contents of every resource, they would find the collection “locked”. The library staff has been working hard this year to provide a twenty- first century “key” to improve access to that information: digitisation. This means using the best of the virtual to enhance the value of the actual collection, including those held for decades. Online cataloguing details for each new resource are comprehensively recorded, and those for older resources have been progressively enhancedwith the addition of notes and subject headings. Why? To facilitate computer access so that searchers of information can “mine into” resources from any computer and make location an efficient and

technology is being rolled out at our School in four phases. Phase one involved locating and downloading curriculum-related material from educational broadcasters likeRadioNational and ABC Online for storage on the library system and access through the Clickview portal. Phase two is currently providing staff and students with the tools and skills training to develop their own customised educational podcasts. Phase three will provide the vehicle for delivering that content beyond the classroom environs. The final phase will target the installation of utilities that enable direct uploading of podcasts to personal entertainment devices such as iPods and MP3 players. Parents will soon be comforted to know that connection to those ubiquitousearphonescouldactually mean that their daughters are busily reciting French vocabulary or conscientiouslyrevisingthePeriodic table! Special Collections Many important documents, photographs and objects in our Special Collections record details of the School’s history and women’s education in Queensland. For years, countlessbeautifulphotographsand important documents have been locked away under strict systematically begun scanning key images and documents for addition to our evolving Special Collections web site. The Grammar community will then have unprecedented access to and wider appreciation of our wealth of archival resources. Mrs Megan James Head of Research and Development environmentally controlled conditions. This year we have Mrs Robbie Rentz Teacher Librarian

Compulsive viewing from the windows of the Beanland Memorial Library this year has been the steady skywards mushrooming of the Creative Learning Centre. While this scaffolded construction has grown to inhabit Grammar’s airspace, the library has also been expanding — into cyberspace. Increased digitisation has added more comprehensive cataloguing and multimodal resources to Grammar’s own virtual spaces. Dr Kay Kimber Director

Claiming Grammar’s virtual spaces

FrozenMoment:Fanny,Millisent and Robina Cairncross, 1868 MillisentandRobinaCairncrosswere foundation students of the School in 1875 and left the School under Mrs O’Connor at the end of 1877. In the early days of photography children were tied to an armature to keep them immobile during long exposure times: the stands can be seen beneath their feet; dolls hide the waist tie and collars, the neck. It made for very serious subjects! Scenes from Shakespeare In 1902 Brisbane Girls Grammar School presented a concert at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Brisbane. The Headmistress, Miss Millisent Wilkinson,devisedtheperformances, one of which was Henry VIII. Here Cardinal Wolsey is played by May Lahey (second from left), the first womanappointedJudgetoMunicipal Court in Los Angeles’ history. Mrs Pam Barnett Archivist

Emma Fleming (11B) and Sophie Leitch (11R)

purposeful process. Mrs Kristine Cooke Head of Library

Educationally Sound iPods

Podcasting, today’s “buzz”word, describes the content and method of delivery of an exciting, Generation Y technology and we at the Beanland Memorial Library are embracing its potential for our learningenvironment.Thisemerging

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Health&Physical Education The Building Blocks of Life il i l f if

Health&Physical Education

that the girls will find something (instead of, or in addition to, the more widely accepted physical activities) that they can see themselves continuing with beyond school. Social support is an essential element not only to resilience but to consistent, regular physical activity. Aerobics is a physical activity that gains momentum as a focus fromYear 10 to Year 12. As a high intensity activity it encourages adequate physical activity to build resilience against mental health problems. Knowing that around 40 per cent of our children do not participate in organised sport and an estimated 1.5 million young people under the age of 18 are

build knowledge which will allow them to protect against incorrect and insufficient exercise regimes. Year 8 Jump Rope for Heart participation and fundraising for the National Heart Foundation provides the health-related fitness focus needed to encourage physical activity. The Health, Physical Education and Sport Faculty continue to provide students with opportunities to develop essential knowledge, skills, attitudes and values. It enables them to make informed decisions about their health behaviours and to develop resilience in a supportive and challenging environment. In essence, it enables them to develop the building blocks of life.

Sophie Reed (12B) and Samantha Degn (12R)

Margaret Yule (12W) and Chelsea Salisbury (12L)

units empower students with resilience-developing skills to allow them to protect themselves and care for their peers. As they prepare for their final year of school and their leadership roles throughout it, tower building is one activity where these roles are investigated. This type of activity encourages the girls to explore group dynamics and to see themselves as part of the bigger picture and the responsibilities that are inherent within that. Following a review of Year 11 student feedback this year, the core Health and Physical Education programme was redesigned. In Fit for Life, the girls were given the opportunity to experience a range of recreational physical activities, including Rockclimbing. With exposure to a wide range of activities, it is hoped

As the building structure at Brisbane Girls Grammar School rises, so too does the health and well-being of students of Health and Physical Education. Participation in Core Health and Physical Education equips students with building blocks. One of these blocks is resilience and if well- developed, it can stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives.

overweight or obese, it is important to maintain this physical focus.

Ms Gwynfa Johnston Head of Health and Physical Education

Why is it that some people seem to bounce back from life’s challenges as if they are connected to a bungeerope?Youngpeoplemanage the stresses and strains of life in very different ways and those who are able to bounce back from the difficult times are said to be “resilient”. Resilience is a major factor in maintaining positive mental health.Given that the Health

and Physical Education Faculty is most responsible for aiding and developing student health andwell- being, it has become increasingly aware of a developing set of societal expectations. Pressure from the media, government and community to ‘solve’ a plethora of societal problems within health education continues to place

demands on curriculumdelivery. On the other hand, there is a significant body of research that suggests the enhancement of a child’s health status improves their education achievements. There is also evidence that health outcomes can be improved by conducting comprehensive health education programmes in schools. Year 11 Women’s Health and Leadership

Year 9 work emphasising the planning of fitness programmes and Year 10 efforts to appreciate the principles of fitness in a physiological context create opportunities for students to

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International Studies

International Studies

Language use beyond the classroom is a key component of language learning and the International Studies Faculty has in place various activity programmes to support this strategy. Authentic and technological resources including Native Speaker Language Tutors are meant to enhance and extend opportunities for language interaction as does our Affiliate School visitors who contribute to this language and cultural interaction. Languageuse beyondtheclassroom

Within language classrooms students are challenged to use the language as rehearsal for real world use. They create their own café scenarios, fashion shows or tourist ventures. Late last year students fromYear 9 German made a short film in German which won first prize in the Goethe Institute 2005 German School Film Festival. The academic aspect of language learning can only be successful if complemented by students engaging in the language as part of life scenarios.

Another important ongoing project that provides opportunities for language in use is the sharing of resources and language cultural experiences with students from Brisbane Grammar School. Students from the two School campuses have joined to promote their language skills in class time and after hours. Restaurant visits (with formal invitations and replies exchanged), visiting speakers, letter exchanges and calligraphy classes have been some of the highlights. One of the largest activities was the Bastille Day “event” held in the Great Hall of Brisbane Grammar School where students of Year 9 French competed in quizzes, poster making, and enjoyed sampling French patisserie and singing the Marseillaise.

International Affiliate School Programme Grammargirlsandstudents fromour Affiliate Schools in France, Germany, China and Japan have been busy exchanging visits during 2006. The year began in January with fourteen students and two teachers from our School braving a cold and wet European winter to spend time hosted by our French Affiliate School, Lycée Saint Paul in Angoulême and on visit to Paris. It seemed that the group had no soonerreturnedhomethanstudents arrived from Lycée Saint Paul for their annual three week visit to us. Many of the students from both schools already knew each other and with repeat visits from some of the French students, the network of friendshipsbetweenthetwoschools continues to grow. Reciprocal exchanges between students from Maria-Wächtler Gymnasium and Brisbane Girls Grammar School means that when the students from Germany visit us during July and August the hosting also begins with friendship.

Our Japanese contacts continue to have a permanent presence in our School. Having said goodbye to Kanako Iwanami, our long term student fromSeirinkan High School, we welcomed Mami Asano (11M) at the beginning of Term II. Mami has quickly settled into life in Year 11 and has recently been “adopted” for the remainder of her eleven month stay by Stephanie Lloyd (11H) and her family. Mami was happy to see Haruka Yamauchi fromher schoolwhocame for two months in July and August and was also welcomed into the Lloyd family. Our Affiliate Schools in Matsusaka, Mie Junior and Mie Senior High Schools sent six students on a two week visit, so for several weeks in our winter termwe saw a mixture of uniforms at Brisbane Girls Grammar School. September saw twenty-five of our students travel to Affiliate Schools in France, Germany and China for their immersion in language and

culture and a chance at experiencing home and school life and international friendships. At any given moment of life in the Grammar community our Affiliate School Programme provides an international profile and perspective.

Ms Lorraine Thornquist Director

January French Trip

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Mathematics

Mathematics

Mathematics Enrichment During 2006, the Mathematics Department has been running an enrichment course for Year 11 students seeking to expand their knowledge beyond the curriculum. It is envisaged that this knowledge will be a platform for students choosing to study mathematics at tertiary level. Living Mathematics Some of our Year 10 students had an opportunity to experience the parabola in a moving way. Incorporating the concept of Kinaesthetic Learning into the curriculum, the girls had to model various parabolic equations on a life-sized grid. Walking the grid helped them to understand the concepts of the transformations performed on the basic parabola of y=x2. It made the visualisation and graphing of the parabola in turning point form a starting point for our investigation into the quadratic function, which forms an integral part of the Year 11 Mathematics B syllabus.

Hands-on Activities Our Year 8 Mathematics curriculum incorporates a series of hands-on problem-solving activities. Each class is divided in groups of two or three and set up with a problem ranging from 2 and 3-d visualisation, through pre-algebraic concepts to manipulating fractions. The girls then proceed to solve their problem using the manipulatives provided, and are encouraged to verbalise the solution to their teacher. All have spent an enjoyable and fruitful lesson developing their problem-solving abilities and enhancing their mathematics communication.

Accounting Joys of University

Maths rules

The lure of doing a university Accounting course during high school led Michelle Leeke (12M) and Irvin Lie (12R) to undertake the QUT Accounting in High Schools programme. “It has been an interesting learning experience to see what university life was all about and that we could do this while still in the school environment,” Irvin said. Both girls have discovered the joys of university life, including their own QUT student ID card which makes them feel very ‘grown up’ and entitles them to discounts which are “a bit of a treat too”! Along with fun and games, however, they have had to work through lecture notes and three hours’ worth of tutorial work over many weeks, together with revision for the mid and end of semester examinations. Michelle adds, “We’ve learnt how to be more independent and manage time more wisely as we juggled our Year 12 responsibilities along with this added university workload.”They will experience the most important benefit next year: a semester where they can study one less subject!

Statistics – Power From Data In Science and Mathematics, the scatter plot is widely used to present measurements of two or more related variables. The resulting pattern indicates the type and strength of the relationship. This year a Year 9 class used data from the internet to study the trend in ozone levels over a period of years. The data was entered into an excel spreadsheet and the students found the line of best fit to describe the data. The students were excited to find that their model predicted a negative trend, stimulating discussion of the future of our global climate.

Mr Gary Bromiley Director

Mrs Phillipa Greig Head of Accounting

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Science

Science

IYPT Team in Hong Kong

For one reason or another, the Science Faculty is always in a state of flux.This year saw the introduction of newWork Programmes toYear 12 students in Physics and Biology and the transition to newWork Programmes in Chemistry and Multi-Strand Science. New senior syllabi have ramifications for younger students in terms of novel assessment instruments, differing criteria and expectations. Newassessment,newchallenges

2005 Australian Science Olympiads Once again the 2005 Olympiad results were outstanding. Annie Tong (12B) received a High Distinction for Biology and a Distinction for Chemistry. Sarah Emmett (12H) received Distinctions for Biology and Chemistry. Emma Burrell (12R) received Distinctions for Physics and Chemistry. Jade McLellan (12L) gained a Distinction for Biology and a Credit for Chemistry. Amy Hsiao (12W), Erin Miskin (12L), and Rachel Ferris (12R) received Distinctions for Biology and Vy Dinh (12B) a Credit for Physics.

The following student articles reflect on a new mandated Physics assessment task and the International Young Physicists’Tournament. Both illustrate the fundamental challenge for science of integrating theoretical research and experimental results. Some of our outstanding Science achievers are also highlighted.

The InternationalYoung Physicists’Tournament The 19th International Young Physicists’Tournament held in Bratislava, Slovakia, offered five Australian student physicists the opportunity to represent their country in one of the world’s most mentally-demanding competitions: the world of physics fights. Alexandra Price (12G), Emma Burrell (12R), Kathryn Zealand (10R), and Alex Karrasch and Tom Siebert fromBrisbaneGrammar School formulated, over severalmonths, seemingly flawless answers to seventeen complex physics problems – none of which has a perfect or simple solution. We finished joint-third in the world and all vastly improved our physics knowledge by talking to and watching presentations by physicists from all over the world, sometimes in awe.

Dr Sally Stephens, Director

Alexandra and Joanne

New Assessment in Physics

As part of the new Senior Physics curriculum, students are required to undertakeanextendedexperimental investigation (EEI). We examined apparently unsolvable problems, either individually or in pairs, with input from our teachers, but essentially guiding our own investigation. This encouraged us to be more independent, take responsibility for our own learning and ‘think outside the square’. Working with one other girl meant two perspectives on the problem as well as learning the importance of teamwork and time management skills. One example of the problems we undertook was: A wet rag is hard to drag when it is spread out and pulled across the floor. What does the resistive force depend on?While it proved to be a challenging experience to try and solve a problem that has never been solved before, it was also extremely rewarding to come very close to a solution.

Emma Burrell (12R)

Brigid and Sally

Biofutures The primary aim of the Biofutures Forum is to inspire students in Years

NationalYouth Science Forum

After a gruelling selection process, Fiona Albert (11E), Lisa Marshall (11M) and Antonia Morris (11W) were offered places at the prestigious National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) to be held in Canberra in January 2007. TheNYSF has developed a very large international programme giving students the opportunity to attend forums and seminars in other countries. After attending the 2006 NYSF, Hannah Wilson (12M) was chosen to represent Australia at The National Science Week of South Africa in July this year.

11 and 12 with an interest in biotechnology, biomedical

Annie

engineering and related disciplines to pursue careers in these fields. Sally Fry (11H) and Brigid Mulcahy (11L) attended the forum in the June/July holidays this year.

On the basis of her Silver Award performance in Biology, Annie Tong (12B) was one of twenty students selected as Australian Science Olympiad Biology Scholars, attending a two-week intensive training school at the Australian National University in Canberra.

Rebecca

Fiona and Lisa

Science Competition Rebecca Conrick (9W) was awarded a High Distinction Certificate in the annual Science Competition and a Medal for scoring the highest mark in her year level across the State for 2006. This is an outstanding result by Rebecca.

Joanne Belford (12W) and Alexandra Price (12G)

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Social&EnvironmentalStudies

Social&EnvironmentalStudies

Students in Year 11 Study of Religion visited the Chung Tiam Buddhist Temple and the Masjid Al Farooq Mosque. This visit provided them with the opportunity to experience other religions by visiting their places of worship and listening to members of their communities speak about their doctrines, rituals and ethics. Such exposure can only help our students understand the diversity of religious beliefsthatconstitutecontemporary Australian culture. The age of terror has unleashed much intolerance in our community and it is important for our students to base their ideas and opinions on facts rather than through media generated hubris.

BeyondtheClassroom

gside the Brisbane River

During the year our students have been exposed to many of the ideas and issues that make our society such a vibrant amalgam of wonder, excitement and confusion. In classrooms our students have been exposed to a number of issues ranging from the Arab – Israeli dispute, the existence of poverty in the Australian economy, town planning and sustainability, the urban geography resounding as “who am I”? Our Faculty is one in which critical thought, class discussion and an exposure to a wide range of disparate sources makes learning current, enjoyable and relevant. of Spring Hill as well as issues as

rving and recording land use alon

Year 10 Geography students obse

Hammarskjold Competition at Parliament House. In July, five Year 11 girls, Stephanie Carter (11E), Rachael Parry (11M), Eleanor Todd (11H), Tara Malcolm (11R) and Elaina Tsutsuma (11R) attended the Oaktree Foundation Youth Conference. Along with students from various Brisbane secondary schools, the girls gained important knowledge about poverty and its causes and engaged in several simulation activities. Ekta Paw Stephanie Carter (11E) attended the Insiders - Outsiders Forum where young Queenslanders raised and discussed youth issues: racism and treatment of refugees; inequities in public/private funding in education and health; and overemphasis on OPs andacademicperformance.The (10G), Sarah Thang (10H), Samantha Luck (10W) and Our subjects value experiences outside the classroom just as much as traditional modes of learning within the classroom making learning relevant in a changing and challenging world. girls found the experience informative and engaging.

Claire Blenkin (12O), Hannah Statham (12O) and Katrina Smith (12L) are unsure of the road sign — do they have to work or should they reduce their speed to 40 kilometres?

Miss Elin Charles-Edwards (19

97) with Year 10 students

Such experience occurs in the classroom as well as through a variety of non-classroom and co- curricular activities. Our geographers again abandoned the classroom to meet with students from Brisbane Grammar School to attendtheCareers inGeographyDay at the University of Queensland where former Brisbane Girls Grammar School students, Kate Wagner (1998) and Elin Charles- Edwards (1997) were presenters. Students were involved in a number of interactive workshops that highlighted the value of Geography in many areas including Planning and Design, Retrofitting the sustainable house, GIS hands on. All students benefited from the discussion and interacting with students from other schools, as well as gaining an insight into university life. Sinead Hastie (10B) noted, “Geography offers opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.”

Year 12 Economics students also participated in a number of activities beyond the confines of the classroom. In March they participated in a Reserve Bank of Australia seminar for school students on the topic of macro economic management and in July they travelled to the University of Queensland for an open day for economics students on subjects as far ranging as the economics of terrorism and the economics of dating! These activities provided the students with a variety of experiences that extended and complemented their classroom studies. Earlier in the year, two Year 11 Economics students, Kimberley Tran (11B) and Rachel Macleod (11H), attended the Youth Roundtable conference held within the Legislative Council Chamber of the Queensland Parliament sponsored by the Federal Member for Brisbane, Mr Arch Bevis MP. Issues raised ranged from the war on terror, social security reform and the politics of water.

Geography students Belinda Templeton (11O), Alice Nicklin (11W) and Clare Martin (11W) collecting data to determine water quality at Yabba Creek.

t House

Grace and Samantha at Parliamen

Our Ancient and Modern History students were afforded the opportunity to access the resources located at the University of Queensland’s Social Science and Humanities Library. These visits have proved to bemost popular and worthwhile. In addition to these visits a number of co-curricular activities have been organised by the History Department during the year. Grace Cowderoy (10E) and Samantha Luck (10W) represented the School in the state finals of the United Nations Youth Association

Mr Bruce Addison Director

Alexandra Rabaglino (9G), GraceTanner (9O), Telilah Huth (9E) and Claudia Wyer (9M) using navigating skills at Bellbird Grove

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Technology & Learning

Technology & Learning

Utilising technology and imagination to create the future

Learning is about identifying contexts that engage imagination, encourage curiosity and challenge thought beyond the present. Opportunities to grow in confidence, occasions to collaborate, personal identification, multiple pathways, ‘real’ problems requiring ‘real’ solutions and opportunities to reflect and evaluate stimulate learning. Technology provides a range of tools and processes that enable us to change the world as never before. No longer are we just users of technology but creators of resources used by others. However, with the opportunity to speculate, to imagine, to envision and to create solutions comes the responsibility to recognise consequences and choices. Consider wisely!

emphasised the importance of taking the initiative. It has also allowed all to have fun while working together to achieve success,” explained Bethany Holt (9B). Other groups decided to construct models or use computer programs such as Google SketchUp to demonstrate their solutions to problems relating to sustainable living.

The completed games were trialled with children from the Holy Family Early Education Centre to assess their suitability. The task proved to be quite challenging as it required the ability to understand the capabilities of both younger children and the software. Elpiniki Pantges (12E), Rebecca Sexton (12H) and Mariska Taverne (12R)

Creating interactive educational tools Year 12 students of Information Technology Systems have created learning objects that are both educational and imaginative for their target audience of preschool children. They researched and designed a concept, then used skills in animation, object oriented programming concepts, soundtrack creation and game design to bring the idea to life. Effective project management involved allocating tasks according to the different abilities of group members, helping each other and working within strict limitations.

Designing for sustainability

Year 9 Innovative Design students have focused on addressing real world issues relating to sustainability by using technology. One aim: to enter a variety of projects in the Sustainable Living Challenge. “My group addressed the issue of people living unsustainably in their everyday lives. We decided to make a series of short television episodes, targeting young Australians, in which we could teach viewers simple ways to live more sustainable lives. The ‘Go Green Show’ was born. This subject has raised the awareness of students about environmental issues and has

Dr Ann Farley Director

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