2016 School Magazine

STUDY BUDDIES The study buddy program is designed to bring together students from grade 8 and 11 to create a space where the younger students are able to come to senior students for support, not only academically but in all aspects of Girls Grammar life, and gives an opportunity for the senior student to pass down the experience gained over their time at the School. We meet on a regular basis on Tuesday mornings before school. During these sessions we focus on areas of Bridgette’s schoolwork, such as finding information for assignments or completing homework. We also have regular discussions on a variety of topics pertaining to the life of a Grammar girl, like effective ways of studying or an insight into what senior subjects are like. The most rewarding part of the study buddy program is not only the ability to share your experiences with another student, but to know that there is always a person willing to help with anything, no matter how big or small.

MEG CHARLTON (11R) AND BRIDGETTE WATKINS (8R)

TIME FOR CHANGE A relatively new service group to Girls Grammar, Time for Change has already raised awareness of organisations such as Samaritan’s Purse, RSPCA, Animal Welfare League, Cancer Council and many more. The group’s vision is to fill a gap by providing a service opportunity for those students who may already have other co-curricular involvements. Each term, Time for Change distributes a newsletter focusing on a different theme. The Newsletter offers members a chance to involve themselves in a broad range of local and wider community activities. Catering for all students, the newsletter provides different degrees of awareness and participation: Be Aware, Be Involved and Be Informed. Be Aware, involves a long term project that students can work on at her own pace throughout the entire term. Be Involved promotes a one day activity, and Be Informed provides online literature and information for those with minimal time. The group is gaining momentum and is increasing in membership each year. Highlights for 2016 include a significant contribution to the Animal Welfare League’s Winter Donation Drive and Christmas gifts for children in need via Operation Christmas Child. Proud of what Time for Change has been able to achieve in its short existence, we hope the great work continues in 2017.

BREANNAH COCHRANE (12L)

THE URALLA CLUB

Uralla Club 2016 has had a successful year in bringing Indigenous culture to BGGS. We have been able to celebrate a range of events from Close the Gap Day to National Sorry Day. Through such events Uralla has been able to spark interest in Indigenous history, culture and politics among students. During our annual celebration of Close the Gap Day this year, with the help of our BGGS sisters, we painted a beautiful mural. The mural focused on Indigenous culture through the use of aboriginal art technique, colours and symbols. Passers-by were encouraged to join the activity by expressing what Close the Gap Day means to them. Uralla was also fortunate to hold the Diversity Day forum. The forum comprised a range of notable speakers who spoke about their experience in relation to topics such as Indigenous health, education and thoughts about the future. The members of the Uralla Club valued their experiences and found the forum to be insightful and moving.

ERICA SCHMELZER (12E) AND HANNAH POURZINAL (12M)

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