2014 School Magazine

APOLLO CLUB

CHESS CLUB HILLARY BUI (9E) Although the chessboard might be black and white, chess certainly is not. Chess is well known for its cognitive and educational benefits, and this was one of the many reasons for the establishment of the BGGS Chess Club — to allow Grammar girls to develop skills for the real world later in life and to allow them to interact with others of similar interests. Three sessions per term on a Monday afternoon were held. Along with strategies, tactics, numerous chess pieces, and facing your opponent, came fun, new friends and an unforgettable experience with one of our very own, old girl tutor and founder of Chess Club, Victoria McCosker. Victoria was extremely helpful and held engaging sessions filled with new strategies for all participants — novices, cognoscenti and those in between — to learn. She encouraged us to have our own game time, facing opponents of all levels and of all grades, giving us a taste of competitive chess and a chance to interact with other year levels in a relaxing environment. This year, Apollo has brought about a number of controversial and stimulating conversations. Apollo is a joint book club comprising Year 12 students from both Brisbane Girls Grammar School and Brisbane Grammar School. Through a variety of universally-acclaimed literature, we have had opportunities to explore topical issues and ideas. We meet once every term to discuss a book chosen by our coordinators Mrs Cooke and Ms Ragen from BGS. So far, we have read and discussed The Book Thief and Lost & Found , and are currently reading Richard Flanagan’s The Narrow Road to the Deep North , nominated for the Man Booker Prize this year. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is an award-winning novel about a young girl named Liesel Meminger in Nazi Germany and her affiliation with books and love for reading. Lost & Found , the debut novel of author Brooke Davis, follows the stories of three ‘lost’ individuals who, in meeting each other, find themselves.

Each book we read has its own unique messages which always leads to insightful and engaging discussions in an open and welcoming environment, encouraging us to present our opinions. It was a valuable and special opportunity to be able to listen and discuss the ideas and perspectives of others on a variety of issues. ■

The Brisbane Girls Grammar School Chess Club has given participants many experiences and benefits, so a big thank you to Frau Kiolle for organising such engaging play! ■

ATHENE HANNAH HASSUM (12E)

were exceptional papers, and the discussions that followed these papers were truly stimulating. Across the year a myriad of topics have been dissected, from the delicate separation of church and state, to genetically engineered humans and the evolution of rap music. Another interesting paper was presented in which the group was asked to react to a set of scenarios that highlighted the complex and ever-changing nature of morality. This paper was highly entertaining, and led to much discussion amongst the students about morality and what it means to be immoral. Each evening has provided the students with a well-earned reprieve from study in which they could engage with like-minded peers over a variety of stimulating topics. This year has shaped up to be very successful and rewarding for every Athenian. ■

Athene in 2014 has proven to be yet another year of stimulating discussion and the occasional heated debate. Two or three times a term, approximately fifty Year 11 and 12 students comprised of both girls and the boys across the laneway met up to discuss controversial issues of scientific, economic and philosophical importance. This year’s group got along particularly well, with the Year 12s welcoming the eager and friendly Year 11s, who actively participated in the discussions from the first meeting. Throughout the year, we have all respected the time and effort each Year 12 put into researching and producing what

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