2020 Annual Review

Life-wide Lessons

MS ELLENA PAPAS DEAN OF CO-CURRICULUM

Despite the ‘unexpected adventure’ of 2020—a year of shifting parameters, experiences lost, and opportunities gained—the School’s Co-curricular Program continued to provide a diverse range of experiences for girls to discover new, or strengthen existing, talents.

Education at Girls Grammar has always been much more profound than the delivery of curriculum and this year was no exception with 93.47 per cent of students participating in the School’s Co-curricular Program. In light of COVID-19, stadiums, auditoriums and venues closed, and around the world, sporting events, performances, and gatherings were cancelled. These mandated changes also necessitated changes to our Co-curricular Program. However, it was remarkable to witness the agility and adaptability with which our community embraced the modified delivery of activities throughout the year. Thanks to the resolve, innovation, and creativity of our staff and students, Grammar girls were able to continue with a wide array of activities—physical, social, and cultural—while learning from home. Upon their return to School, students resumed many of their much-loved activities, embracing the opportunity to reimagine the BGGS experience where necessary, and creating another year of life-wide learning at the School. In 2020, Grammar girls experienced many successes across co-curricular activities. Instrumental Music The School’s signature Gala Concert— Ode to Joy — delivered as a video recording, required Grammar girls and staff to draw on resources in new and unchartered ways. While paying homage to the 250th Anniversary of Ludwig van Beethoven’s birth, the concert celebrated the joy of music, featuring stunning compositions that were triumphant, celebratory and festive. For the first time in Gala’s history, all of the School’s ensembles were included in the concert, performing breathtaking pieces that delighted and entranced the BGGS community.

The Cathedral Concert and Instrumental and Vocal competitions were also conducted virtually. Grammar girls used their musical talents to reflect on the unusual school year and connect with others in the School community. For example, Abigail Lui (12O) found a special way to share her thoughts on the COVID-19 pandemic while learning remotely, recording a stunning performance in conjunction with acapella group, Vocal Australia. There were also great individual achievements in the Instrumental Music Department in 2020. Ten students were selected in the State Honours Ensemble Program held at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, four of whom progressed to the Australian Honours Ensemble Program. Clubs and Activities Students embraced the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of clubs, activities and extension groups, allowing them to support their interests and enhance their skills. The BGGS First Tech Challenge Robotics team won the Bechtel Engineering Motivate Award at the State Championships, and progressed to the National Competition in December where they placed sixteenth. The Girls Grammar Chess team competed in the Queensland Interschool Girls Chess Championships, placing third overall. Our debaters found success in the Mooting court, with our Year 11 team placing second in the Queensland University of Technology’s Law Society Schools Mooting competition. Virtual Art Walks transported BGGS art enthusiasts across the world to view the works of Edward Hopper in the US and Vincent Van Gogh in Amsterdam, and At-Home Workouts, designed by the Sport Department and led by Student Council members

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Brisbane Girls Grammar School Annual Review 2020