2015 School Magazine

SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING CHALLENGE MEGAN CHEN (9G)

the method. Time management, co-operation, and perseverance were all crucial to a favourable outcome. On competition day, teams were given only five hours to accomplish their set tasks. Points were awarded or deducted depending on whether the teams followed the guidelines, and if they finished the challenge correctly. The highlight of the day was watching the bridges which gained the most points being tested. The bridges, constructed from paddle pop sticks, thin slabs of wood, nails, and tape, were tested against a gold ingot cart. The cart was rolled down a ramp and across the bridge; our bridge held a total of four ingots. Congratulations to all girls who competed, especially as the team achieved first place overall in the challenge. Thank you to Ms Euler and the teachers for allowing us to experience this fun day of science and engineering.

On Thursday 5 March, thirty-two determined girls and two teachers set out for The University of Queensland to compete in the Science and Engineering Challenge, a national outreach programme presented by The University of Newcastle. Girls Grammar competed on the second day of the three-day event against other academically-competitive schools such as Brisbane Grammar School and Queensland Academies. From the first meeting to the competition day, there was approximately three weeks of preparation time given to the girls. The objective of the meetings was to decide team members, approach the task, and finalise

JUNIOR AND SENIOR MERLEWEAVER PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITIONS PERSIA ADIB (12G)

This year marks the 61st anniversary of the inaugural Merle Weaver competitions. Ms Merle Weaver was a significant member of staff at Girls Grammar and a valued teacher at three different times between 1918 and 1951. The first woman— and only the third student— to achieve Honours in English from the University of Tasmania (1913), Merle Weaver generously made a bequest to Girls Grammar in 1954 for both the Junior and Senior competitions. Ms Weaver was an empowering, inspiring advocate for Girls’ education. She believed in asserting female independence and autonomy through fostering their ability to speak to an audience. The Junior Merle Weaver competition is open to Year 10 students each year, one representing each house. Each student’s speech is based on a proverb or saying. The Senior Merle Weaver competition is open to Year 12 students, and is held annually in the Gerhmann Theatre.

One candidate is chosen from each of the nine houses and speaks before the cohort, various faculty members, the Principal Ms Euler and this year, significant old girls in the Merle Weaver competition’s history Rhonda Pashen (1969) and Kathryn Talbot (2008). The competition involves candidates delivering two speeches: one prepared speech on any topic and one impromptu speech with just ten minutes of preparation permitted. For the impromptu speech, candidates are given the choice of three unseen selected proverbs to address. The winner of the Senior Merle Weaver competition and prize is awarded on Speech Day each year.

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