2020 Annual Review

We wanted the year to be me and you, you and me, working together, supporting each other, all uniting under the blue. And, unbeknownst to us, our motto—2020—me and you, be the glue that binds the blue—could not have encapsulated the spirit and disposition needed to succeed and thrive in this current world climate more perfectly. (Head Girls, 2020) Social support is a critical component of resilience. Girls who have high-quality, close relationships with friends, and positive relationships with their teachers enjoy lower levels of stress. Strong social connection and self-care strategies during the pandemic have been protective factors for students and staff alike. During the period of remote learning, the School was committed to providing wellbeing support to the entire School community. Students were offered virtual counselling sessions, mindfulness activities, at-home physical workouts, House Pod connections and a range of co-curricular offerings. Through Zoom, students were able to see and speak with their teachers and

classmates, albeit virtually. A balanced approach to technology use was encouraged, with girls involved in both online and offline activities throughout their day. Staff were provided access to a Staff Wellness Group, weekly wellness emails, in addition to mindfulness activities and yoga sessions. Ever aware of the key role that parents were playing through the period of remote learning, connections were made with families, regular updates and communications were provided and parent support sessions were available for booking through the School Counselling Service. In the aftermath of 2020, we can reflect on a year done well, and we look toward the year ahead with a sense of optimism and hope. 2020 has provided rich opportunities for resilience-building. By seeking purpose, embracing creativity, while working to maintain strong social connections with a spirit of hope, the BGGS community has much to celebrate from this past year, and much more to look forward to in 2021.

REFERENCES Duckworth, A. (2013). The Power of Passion and Perseverance. https://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_grit_the_power_of_passion_ and_perseverance?language=en Dias-Jayasinha, A. and Grice, A. (2020). Embracing 2020. Gazette. 2020. Brisbane, Brisbane Girls Grammar School.

Brisbane Girls Grammar School Annual Review 2020

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