2020 Annual Review

Listed below are reflections from Year 12 2020 Grammar girls on their most memorable experiences of their final year at the School. ‘Although the looming COVID-19 pandemic could have dampened our spirit this year, it instead radiated, as girls were given their chance to develop their creativity, resilience, and positivity.’ – Arwen Dias-Jayasinha (12G) and Abbey Grice (12E) ‘It was so warming to return to learning on campus and seeing everyone around me so thankful and fortunate to be together again.’ – Year 12 student ‘The overall spirit and atmosphere that the School creates to provide a sense of community is my most memorable BGGS experience.’ – Year 12 student ‘My most memorable experience at Grammar was the walk up Gerhmann Lane on our last day of Year 12. This experience encapsulates the strong sisterhood we have at BGGS and how much we truly value each other. It displays the connections between girls in all Year levels and the significant impact the School has had on Grammar girls.’ – Year 12 student I am immensely proud of the efforts of our students in 2020. Their creativity, adaptability, determination, perseverance and optimism have ‘been the glue that binds the blue’. There is a strong sense that the School is more united than ever. I look forward to seeing how our staff and students build on this environment in 2021.

In addition to improved academic outcomes, research suggests that students who feel they belong are more engaged and more likely to join school organisations and establish connections with their peers and community (Murphy, Boucher & Logel, 2021). Indeed, our students looked beyond themselves and collaborated to support those experiencing hardship throughout 2020. Our Service Captains, Gia Cayas (12G) and Eva Seet (12B), worked tirelessly with Director of Service, Mrs Lynne Mungomery, to create several initiatives including Notes of Hope and The Gift of Music Program. Another way culture and inclusiveness is evident at Girls Grammar is in the routines of school life, the rituals that occur regularly such as House Group, Year level and House assemblies. Similarly BGGS has special events, traditions and activities throughout the year that are also a manifestation of our school culture. Grammar girls embraced the opportunity to reimagine the usual ceremonies synonymous with a BGGS education—Blue Days, Diversity Day, and Interhouse challenges were revamped resulting in activities such as a Year 7 to 12 picnic on the Pool Lawn. Such initiatives reiterated the importance of community and school culture in influencing girls’ wellbeing.

REFERENCES Australian student wellbeing framework (pdf). (2018). Education Services Australia Bizumic, B., Reynolds, K. J., Turner, J. C., Bromhead, D., & Subasic, E. (2009). The role of the group in individual functioning: School identification and the psychological well-being of staff and students. Applied Psychology, 58(1) , 171-192. Murphy, M., Boucher, K., & Logel, C. (2021). How to Help Students Feel a Sense of Belonging During the Pandemic. Greater Good Magazine . Berkeley University of California. Sánchez, B., Colón, Y., & Esparza, P. (2005). The role of sense of school belonging and gender in the academic adjustment of Latino adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence , 34(6), 619- 628.

Brisbane Girls Grammar School Annual Review 2020

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