2006 School Magazine

Brain Games

Brain Games Athene 2006 The Athene Club is a group of senior students from Brisbane Girls Grammar School and Brisbane GrammarSchoolwhoattendevening meetings held regularly throughout the year at both schools. Students in Year 12 present thought- provoking papers which are then discussed, along with the range of issues that arise from them. Throughout this year, Athene members have canvassed such diverse topics as ethical biotechnology, the demise of the Australian film industry, postfeminism and youth culture,

Macquarie Bank Future Problem Solving Program

to name but a few. Many often antithetical points of view are explored during discussions, yet members adhere strictly to the Athene tenets that include a mutual respect for the opinions of others, where these may differ from their own, and an awareness that the capacity to tolerate difference and ambiguity is a measure of intellectual maturity. As one of the oldest combined Grammar Schools Clubs, Athene offers an opportunity to share both spirited intellectual engagement and to develop new friendships, with supper providing

an opportunity for members to socialise between papers. Our sincere appreciation goes to Dr R Colwill who facilitates and attends our meetings and provides additional insights for our discussions, and also to Mr G Howes from Brisbane Grammar School. There is the promise of more excellent papers and scintillating discussion next year – may the tradition of Athene long continue.

Picture Australia in the mid twentieth-first Century. After a decade of drought the country has been forced to import even basic foods, such as cereals. The decline of the economy has made it impossible to bring in enough food to feed a population of almost 40 million people. Everyone lives by the annual ritual of the food ballot. Only those who succeed will get enough ‘Nutrition credits’ on their Australia card to last the year. Two teams applied themselves with great skill and creativity to this Qualifying Problem for 2006. The Year 8 and 9 team included Elizabeth Kindred (8H), Agnes Leung (8E), Teri Kim (9H), Jenny Li (9E) and Angela Castles (8H) as a reserve. The Year 10 team was made up of Samantha Luck (10W), Emily Martin (10H), Bianca Skerrett (10W) and Victoria Taylor- Philip (10W). Each team had two hours to analyse the future scenario, brainstorm challenges, select an underlying problem, think of solutions, develop criteria to evaluate their solutions and construct an action plan, writing up each step in clear and concise language. Both teams successfully completed their booklets in the tight timeframe, due no doubt to the dedication they showed in training for this event throughout the year and to the intensive coaching and expert advice they received from past student coach, Ms J Cowderoy (2005), as well as the ongoing support from Mrs Bryant, coach and Co-ordinator. The Macquarie Bank Future Problem Solving Program fosters creative and analytical thinking, focussing on developing skills in positive problem solving. Teams build strong relationships and develop their group skills, as well as managing to have a lot of fun on the way.

Amelia Richardson-Dear (12R) President

Opti-MINDS - an opportunity to solve problems, work in a team, be creative and dramatic, as well as to spend many hours writing, rehearsing and presenting a solution to an audience. This year two teams represented the School in the Brisbane North regional finals held in August. On a beautiful Sunday thirteen girls met at Aspley State High School, eager to perform for their peers and the judges. The first team – Science Engineering – had to build a machine that would move a box across a three metre space and bring it back, using only common stationery items. Brisbane must have suffered an acute shortage of wooden rulers, elastic bands and sticky tape at this point. The machine made up entirely of these items was a success and this, together with their performance, won them an Honours Award on the day. The second team – Social Sciences – had to address the question of “What might have happened in the world had one person in history changed their decision?”Wewere very impressed at theirmarvellous performance and thought-provoking response. The team placed first on the day, with their creativity and performance receiving special mentionby the judges. Each team also participated in the spontaneous problem division in which they are given a scenario and asked to come up with a solution in a fewminutes to be scored on creativity and team work.

Alexandra Price (12G) Captain

The girls were pleased that their performances went well, as over the past few weeks they had been juggling other commitments while trying to write their own script and storyline, develop characters, make props and costumes and learn their lines. The Social Science team went on to represent Brisbane North in the State finals in September. On the day the team was given a problem to solve and only three hours in which to do so. They came up with a solution, script, props and rehearsed in this time. They were a resounding success, winning the State Title in their division. They have been invited to represent Queensland in New Zealand later in the year. We wish all the girls well and look forward to a successful season next year. Mrs H Boltman, Mrs A Carmichael, Mrs J Winter, Mrs L Arici, and Ms C Keogh.

The Queensland Debating Union competitionsinvolvepreliminaryrounds of four debates, of which teams must win three debates to progress into the finals rounds. Girls Grammar has had outstanding results this year. From a total of 14 teams in the competition, nine teams were successful in reaching the finals: 8.1, 8.2, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 10.1, 10.3, 12.1 and Senior A. Under the knockout nature of the finals, the 12.1 team reached the quarter-finals, the Senior A team reached the semi-finals and the 9.1 team reached the grand finals and became runner-up in the Year 9 division. Sarida McLeod (11L) alsodemonstratedexceptionaldebating in qualifying for the Final 12 for the selection of the Queensland Schools State Debating Team.

The Interhouse Debating Competition for Years 8, 9 and 10 took place in Term IV. As speakers of House groupdebating teams could not be current QDU members, many girls had the chance of experiencing debating first-hand. This was supported with much enthusiasm by the wider School community. All debaters are congratulated for their dedication and teamwork. We would like to thank our coaches for their guidance through the highs and lows of the season. We also thank Mrs Smee, the Debating Co-ordinator, for her thoughtful encouragements, support at the debates and wonderful efforts.

Debating Each year, Girls Grammar debaters take part in an experience that is gruelling, unnerving and yet endlessly exciting. Theprocessofpreparingandpresenting a debate always leads to an increased knowledge and insight into current controversial issues. As teams discuss their approach and line of argument on the set topics, they are inevitably drawn into a critical analysis of right and wrong, the balance between practicality and idealism and possible solutions to complex problems.

Annie Tong (12B) Captain

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Br isbane Gir ls Grammar School

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