2007 School Magazine

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Personal Challenge

Personal Challenge

Queensland Youth Parliament

session I had a much better understanding of parliamentary processes and how laws are made which I thoroughly enjoyed. Along with speaking against the bill I had to speak in Parliament on any topic of my choice. This was called an adjournment debate. My topic was “why do the baby boomers in cabinet keep insisting on babying young people” — chosen because it seems to me more and more laws are being enacted to curtail activities of young people. YMCA Youth Parliament 2007 has inspired me to take a more active involvement in my local community and issues affecting youth along with encouraging me to have a say. Elizabeth Lavarch (11M)

commitment to a Community Service Provider. This section helps girls to develop a wider awareness of their community and to understand their responsibility to others. It has clear links with the School’s Year 10 Service Programme. The Skills Section often extends students’ existing participation in Co- curricular activities at School such as Music, Drama and Dance. Similarly, the Physical Recreation section requires girls to challenge themselves in their chosen sporting activity. The Adventurous Journey section encourages girls to move outside their comfort zones and embrace the unknown in a spirit of adventure. At Girls Grammar we offer two Adventurous Journey Expeditions per year involving extended overnight bushwalks in challenging environments. This year, over fifty girls completed School Expeditions to Moreton Island National Park and Lamington National Park. proved no exception. This programme focused on vital leadership skills in many situations. A highlight would be the trek up Mt Tennant and a campout in the magnificent Namadgi National Park. However, this was very demanding as our shelter for the night consisted of a piece of plastic (in the extreme Canberra winter). We were lucky enough to attempt the high ropes course, canoeing, abseiling and other outdoor activities. We were also exposed to a diverse group of guest speakers who shared their inspirational personal experience as leaders and we participated in several workshops, (for example to

The commitment and dedication required to complete any Award level is significant, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Congratulations go to the following girls who have achieved Awards this year: Bronze — Isabell Hii (11W), Cosima McGrath (11L), Sarah Bristow (12O), Elizabeth Burke (11W), Bianca Skerrett (11W), Harriet Lobb (11H), Samantha Brown (11E), Felicity Martin (11O), Teilah Huth (10E) Alana Platz (12M), Bronte Kieseker (10E)

This International Award is an exciting self-development programme available to all young people worldwide, equipping them with the life skills to make a difference to themselves, their communities and the world. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Programme at Girls Grammar has seen another successful year in 2007. Our membership base remains very strong with over 140 girls involved in the programme. The Award scheme allows participants to achieve at Bronze, Silver or Gold levels. Each Award level requires girls to complete sections in Service, Skills, Physical Recreation and Adventurous Journeys. The time requirements associated with each section increase with each Award level. Students are encouraged to choose activities that will extend and challenge them. The Service section of the Award requires girls to make a regular

Since being appointed as the youth member for Kurwongbah this year, I have had an incredible journey of learning, meeting many new friends from across Queensland and working with a team of great people to embrace youth issues and propose law changes taking account of attitudes of young people. From a nervous start it didn’t take long to feel at home and contribute to discussions, getting into the swing of being a youth parliamentarian. The programme began in earnest with the launch of Youth Parliament in April where I was placed in the Innovation, Science and Technology group. We had to sponsor a bill for the parliamentary session scheduled for the July school holidays. This took quite a lot of brainstorming and some false starts before we settled on Ski Trip ‘07 During the September holidays, thirty- eight students and four teachers had the opportunity to be involved in an outstanding display of sporting ability — a showcase of the fantastic co- ordination and balance of Grammar girls on the ski slopes of Queenstown, New Zealand. While there were a number of girls who used the week to perfect their advanced runs, including jumps and moguls, others were introduced to the sport on the baby slopes and progressed a little higher during the week. We quickly discovered that skiing (and snowboarding) is not always a relaxing activity, as a number of testing moments occurred, often involving the

introducing a bill for innovative classrooms — a view that we should have paperless classrooms. Youth Parliament is aligned to the real State Parliament and there are eighty-nine members of the state parliament and eighty-nine youth members. We were broken up into seven portfolio groups of at least twelve members in each and each portfolio group was then split into government members and opposition members in order to argue against our group’s bill and propose amendments. From April to July, I worked closely with the six opposition members in my group, critically analysing the draft bill and working on our debate

Silver — Lucy Dyer (12L), Brigid Mulcahy (12L), Priya Kevat (12M), Francesca Morris (10W)

Gold — Antonia Morris (12W), Julia Wills (12M) Jemima Connolly (12M)

Dr Natasha Mayne Co-ordinator

for parliament. By the time we convened for the parliamentary

chairlift. The four tiring but fun days of skiing made us appreciate the scenic bus tours, shopping and visits

to Queenstown. The group also enjoyed a day of touring and sight- seeing on the Milford Sound — a nice break from the slopes! The trip would not have been so enjoyable or functional without the

National Aspiring Leader’s Summit

In June this year, Rosie and I were privileged to

improve our public speaking skills). Group discussions, testing team activities and reflection time provided a greater understanding of what it means to be a leader and the different forms of leadership in society. We observed our parliamentary leaders at the open gallery of the House of Representatives. We had so much fun throughout the week — social occasions and a Canberra City Day. The culmination of all these different elements produced a truly inspiring

company and supervision of Mrs Cohen, Miss Boyle, Miss McGarry and Miss Armstrong. The effort involved in organising thirty-eight girls out of bed at 6.00 am along with each day’s activities was greatly appreciated by all of the girls. It was a fantastic week which developed our skiing, friendships and experiences. Sophie Harburg (12H)

be two of twenty-seven successful recipients of a

scholarship for 2007 National Aspiring Leaders Summit, held at Outward Bound National Base at Tharwa on the edge of Namadgi National Park, ACT. Outward Bound courses have an uncontested reputation for challenging participants emotionally, mentally and physically and this summit

and memorable experience. Tess Evans (11W) and Rosie Attwell (11R)

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