2015 School Magazine

Throughout the year the Student Council hosted numerous themed days, from Valentine’s Day to Blue Day, not only putting culinary skills to the test, but fostering pride and spirit within the School. Blue Days in particular, allowed us to celebrate the hard work and dedication of all the sportswomen who achieve remarkable results in the QGSSSA competition throughout the year. In light of our 140th birthday, the Student Council implemented a number of significant and exciting initiatives we hope will become lasting traditions. A particularly important initiative was the commemoration at the memorial of the Christmas Creek tragedy. Although we have always remembered the tragedy as a school, this year all staff and students placed a coloured rose petal at the foot of the memorial on the anniversary. This was a poignant reminder of the significance of the tragedy, and a respectful tribute we hope will be continued. White Blouse Day was introduced to promote awareness of ovarian cancer, a disease which affects many women in our community. This year, with the help of the Mothers Group, we raised $9000 to donate to the Ovarian Cancer Council in an attempt to make a difference. Each girl in the School was given a small white lady inscribed with a fact about ovarian cancer. The girls then placed their ladies inside a larger figure on the pool lawn, creating a giant white lady, a moving and symbolic display visible from the CLC. 2015 marked the arrival of the inaugural Year 7s and our Year 8 buddies. For us, it was really exciting to integrate this new age group into an increasingly diverse school and overcome challenges that arose with accommodating a new cohort. The Research Learning Centre opening and Rangakarra naming were also significant events on the School calendar which provided the opportunity for all members of the Grammar community to celebrate the facilities and campuses which will take the Grammar Sisterhood into the future. The Cubberla Witton Catchment Network, the Mary River Catchment Committee and the Big Scrub restoration projects — local and national charities — were selected by the Service Captains and the Student Council at the start of the year as the School charities. These charities were the focus of numerous Grammar Goes Green days and initiatives, such as the re-instatement of the ANZAC Grove, as we reminded ourselves of the importance and beauty of the Earth. These occasions reflect the exceptional scholarship which typifies Girls Grammar, and allows us to contribute to our community. Finally, as we approach the end of a major milestone in our lives, we would like to give our greatest thanks to the girls who helped us so much this year. To all girls, thank you for your ongoing support and excitement. Your eagerness to participate in every activity we threw at you motivated us to give you our everything. To the girls of Student Council, thank you so much for your creativity, your dedication and your humour. You were the most beautiful support system we could have ever asked for and we are eternally grateful for your spirit and enthusiasm. We wish success for every girl in the future, especially the 2016 Year 12s in the next major phase of their lives. We know you will face every challenge with wisdom, imagination and integrity.

HEAD GIRLS REPORT NATALIA GULBRANSEN-DIAZ (12W) AND JACINTA MACGINLEY (12B) HEAD GIRLS 2015 has been a blend of remarkable experiences and nostalgia. We not only celebrated the rich history of the School but also forged its future, establishing new traditions and new memories. In 2015, we wanted Grammar girls to be passionate, embrace the sisterhood, and celebrate the history of the School. That is why, in our 140th year, it was fitting to have the motto: It is important for girls to feel they are an active part of the Grammar Sisterhood. The term ’sisters’ reinforces our belief that Grammar is a family, with girls supporting one another and fostering an open, enthusiastic environment. There is nothing more special than girls forging friendships with those in a different cohort, or seeing a Grammar sister outside the school and having an instantaneous connection. The Sisterhood is vaster than the current students: it encompasses both past and future sisters, allowing generations of Grammar girls to connect. Passion was prominent this year. In Term II, the Sisterhood was particularly evident, with hordes of Grammar girls encouraging the cross country team at the QGSSSA competition. The girls’ excitement and enthusiasm was palpable. The girls also showcased great moves on the D-Floor as well as dedication to all school activities. Not only did we want to girls to be passionate this year, but we wanted them to be proud of their passions and have the confidence to join that club, compete in that interhouse event, or to simply connect with their Grammar sisters. ‘Inspire your sisters, old and new; 140 years in royal blue.’

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