2015 School Magazine

DUKE OF EDINBURGH MICHAELA GEORGE (11E)

THE LIBELLUM SOCIETY ISOBEL PETERS (10M) AND REBECCA HALEY (9M) LIBELLUM CAPTAINS 2015 has been a very exciting year for Libellum, with highlights being Books2Devour, the ‘Kingdom of Narnia’ Readers’ Café and the ‘140 Years, 140 Words’ short story competition. Books2Devour was an impressive event, and there were many creative cakes entered. This competition was a fantastic display of the School’s love of food and fiction, especially evident in the younger students; the most cake entries came from Year 7 girls. The overall winners were Meg Charlton (10R) and Mia Sarri (10R), who created a miniature version of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, from J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter . In Term II, the Annie Mackay Room was transformed into the snowy land of Narnia for Libellum’s annual Readers’ Cafe, and many people enjoyed a sweet treat or some time in the replica world of C.S. Lewis’s novels. To celebrate our school’s 140th anniversary, Libellum held the ‘140 Years, 140 Words’ Short Story Competition. We were extremely impressed with the stories that were submitted. ‘Raylets’ by Amy Doan (7M) won the competition, due to its imaginative theme and relevance to the school. Later in the year, our ‘Illustrate Me’ competition also revealed some of the terrific hidden talent in the school. Open Day featured our ‘Make your own bookmark’ activity table which drew a crowd of artistic enthusiasts, and in August, Year 7 and 8 Libellum members joined the Junior BGS reading group, meeting to discuss The Sky So Heavy by Claire Zorn. This was a great opportunity for the younger students to unite through common interests, enabling our girls to meet new people and expand their reading horizons. We have thoroughly enjoyed all of the new books and our new meeting area under the fig tree and in the RLC this year. Thanks to Miss Christopherson for sharing her love of great books with us.

On the first day of the Term III holidays, a large group of students from Years 9 to 12 departed school for Fraser Island. This expedition was an essential element of their commitment to achieving their Duke of Edinburgh awards. There was a great buzz of excitement in the air, as everyone was able to unwind and enjoy some time outdoors after the stress of the term. This trip provided us with opportunities to swim in crystal clear lakes, walk along the Fraser Island beach line, star gaze and explore some of the most beautiful tracks on an amazing island. We enjoyed five-star meals prepared on our Trangias, slept in the luxurious accommodation provided by our tents, and shared LOTS of fun and laughter. This whole trip was made all the more rewarding knowing that we carried everything we needed for the trip on our backs, and that it was possible to be completely self-sufficient in the outdoors for four days. There was also a great sense of satisfaction that came from being able to forget about our phones and computers, which we come to rely so heavily upon, and live without the temptations of modern day life. It is first-hand experiences like these that prove how beneficial the Duke of Edinburgh programme is and how it can enrich our schooling experience in so many ways. There are many things in life that cannot be learnt in a classroom. This expedition, like all the others this year, have taught all the girls so much about themselves, the people around them and the outdoors. The Duke of Edinburgh programme at Girls Grammar inspires every single girl to believe that all things are possible, and that anything can be achieved. It shapes individuals, allowing them to find their boundaries and push their limits. Through commitment to adventurous expeditions, physical activity, community service and learning a skill, every girl who achieves the award learns skills that can be transferred into all aspects of their life in the wide world beyond Girls Grammar.

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