2014 School Magazine

DEBATING Debating in 2014 has presented us with many exciting and enjoyable moments. We fielded twenty-one Queensland Debating Union (QDU) teams, eight TriSeries teams and seven Brisbane Girls Debating Teams throughout the first three terms of the year, so the 145 debaters in the School have been very busy arguing energetically every week. Sixteen QDU teams were offered a place in the Finals Series, with one Year 10 team reaching the Grand Final. It was fabulous to see so many Grammar girls coming along to support the debaters. In Term IV, four Year 10 and 11 teams also competed in The University of Queensland Debating Society Schools Day against keen debaters from twenty-five other schools. Everyone is already busy getting ready for next year!

QUT ACCOUNTING IN SCHOOLS REBECCA MCMAH (12O), CERI ATHERTON (12L), KATE KALLINICOS (12G) AND SABRINA CONWELL (12L) experience a university subject. It allowed us to understand the parameters of university assessment, lectures and culture. With insight into university education we were also able to incorporate this knowledge into our school work and this helped us further understand the topics we were studying at school. The four of us attended lectures each Monday night from 6-9pm and had three assessment items which were a mid-semester exam, an assignment and an end of semester exam. We all found this slightly harder than school assessment; however we studied hard and passed the subject. This opportunity provided credit towards our OP and, in future years, towards university studies. The university experience gave us a confidence boost as it allowed us to understand the structure of university education, making us feel more confident about the future transition from school to university. We also quickly learnt about the importance of self-motivation and initiative in order to succeed in the course. This meant attending lectures every week, weekly revision and seeing lecturers before or after lectures to clarify work or ask questions. Overall, the QUT experience was extremely insightful and we definitely recommend it! ■ The QUT Accounting subject BSB110 was extremely worthwhile as it provided us with the opportunity to

Our Debating Captains Sadie MacDonald and Sivagowri Somasundaram hosted breakfasts, helped out with workshops, encouraged cheer squads and cheered on teams all through the season. As well, our Senior A Debaters contributed their time and skills to fundraise for charity by filling the Blue Bucket at the Somerville House Great Charity debate and by out-arguing the Boys Grammar Senior A team in the mid-year Antipodeans Borneo fundraiser. ■

GWEN HARWOOD CREATIVE WRITING SOCIETY

What do you think of when you think of writing?

Do you think of sad, wrinkly, sagging old men hunched over their roller writing desks, unable to move until they have churned out yet another dictionary by candlelight? Or do you think of starved, caffeinated university students unable to go to sleep until the last thousand words have been spat onto their glowing screens?

world of words. There are rooms filled with characters that frolic with us in magical settings. With words you can create your own reality and escape the monotony of everyday existence. Everyone can do it. Anyone can join. Ms Littler is the gatekeeper. We meet on Mondays and you are welcome to join us if you dare. Please wear shoes. ■

Think this no more.

Replace these images in your mind with images of us — youthful, exuberant, passionate creatures who inhabit the

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