2016 School Magazine

CALLIGRAPHY

A fusion of poetry, literature and art, this genre of art is practiced by over 20 million Japanese people and is considered to be the noblest form of art in Japanese and Chinese cultures.

What are we talking about? Calligraphy, of course!

The Brisbane Girls Grammar School Calligraphy Club was founded in April 2000 and the numbers of aspiring calligraphers joining us are rapidly growing each year. Calligraphy Club is held on five Thursdays per term from 3.30pm – 4.30 pm with professional calligraphers Kojima-Sensei and Fumiko-Sensei, both ranked 9th-dan (the highest ranking), paving the way to perfection. Students from all grades are welcome, regardless of whether they study a language or not. しょどう ( shodõ ; Japanese for calligraphy) is a traditional Japanese art using brushes and rice paper. Students paint a variety of inspiring and meaningful phrases while learning new strokes and styles along the way. Sumi-e, the art of brush painting on rice paper, is also practiced and is always an enjoyable experience. This year, as Club Leaders, we were delighted to send our Sumi-e paintings off to Japan to be judged in the Exhibition of International Sumi-e Association brush

painting competition held at the National Art Centre, Tokyo, in June. Ellen was a finalist, making the top 23, and Hillary placed second overall in the Under 23 division of this International Sumi-e Competition. We encourage more students to submit their Sumi-e pieces in the coming years. So, if you are looking to try something new, or are just wanting to immerse yourself in a relaxing activity, the Calligraphy Club door is always open. HILLARY BUI (11E) AND ELLEN GARDNER (11E) CALLIGRAPHY CLUB LEADERS

COMPOSERS I participated in Composers Club and really enjoyed it. It gave me the opportunity to recreate a song called The Birch Tree using Sibelius. We workshopped my arrangement using flute, violin and piano. This was my first experience with Sibelius and I really enjoyed hearing my piece being played by other people. We also used a loop pedal to create songs by overlapping different musical ideas. I would really recommend Composers Club for people interested in creating their own music and having the opportunity to have their music performed by other students.

ASHLEIGH BLUNDELL (7L)

DEBATING This year Debating has been successful not only with regards to the extent of the girls’ achievements, but also because of the enthusiasm and participation we’ve seen from everyone. With 215 girls debating in six different competitions from February to October, 2016 has been one of the busiest and most impressive years in Debating so far. Three competitions ran across Terms I and II, including the premier competition held by the Queensland Debating Union where twelve BGGS teams, including Senior A, were invited into the Final Series. Our most successful team was undoubtedly the 11.1 team who had already won the Brisbane Girls Debating Competition in Term II, and then went on to win the Queensland Debating Union Grand Final in Term III. As well, in September, the Year 11 and 12 teams won the Queensland Debating Union’s Women’s Championship. Isabel Nolan (11B) was selected as a member of the Queensland State Team and competed at the Australian Debating Championships in Sydney in May with the Queensland team ultimately winning the Championship. Brisbane Girls Grammar School also had four representatives successfully compete at the Australian Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships in Canberra in September. Finally, Caitlin O’Meara (12R) as a member of the Australian team competed at the World Individual and Public Speaking Championships in Pittsburgh in April. It has clearly been a rewarding year for Debating and we are already looking forward to what 2017 will bring.

ANNA RUDDELL (12O) AND ROSIE CAVDARSKI (12W) CAPTAINS

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