2020 Annual Review

From the Principal

MS JACINDA EULER PRINCIPAL

The Brisbane Girls Grammar School Annual Review 2020 highlights the achievements of students, honours the expertise and dedication of staff, and outlines significant milestones reached by the School.

In the first phase of Brisbane Girls Grammar School’s Strategic Design 2020-2022 , the School focused on articulating Girls Grammar’s educational philosophy, capturing not only the activities we provide and subjects we offer, but the ideals we espouse and attitudes we inspire. Proudly, through the consistent effort and dedication of all in the School community—trustees, staff, students, parents, and alumnae—we have achieved our goals, and continued to deliver on the School’s strategic priorities in what was genuinely an ‘unprecedented’ year. Despite the enormity of the challenges presented throughout 2020, there have been some remarkable achievements at BGGS. After topping Queensland’s OP results in 2019, more than 15.76 per cent of Brisbane Girls Grammar School 2020 graduates achieved an ATAR score above 99 (OP 1 equivalent) in the new ATAR system, and 77.17 per cent of the Girls Grammar Year 12 cohort—all of who were eligible for an ATAR score—attained a score of 90 or above (equivalent of OP1-5). These results are testament to the girls’ commitment to their studies and our teachers’ ability to adapt their practice to a new system of senior assessment and remote learning. In 2020, the School remained committed to providing innovative teaching environments—at home and on campus—that facilitated genuine and deep learning. Brisbane Girls Grammar School delivered a new Science Learning Centre—ahead of time and under budget—an inspiring new building that nurtures and develops Grammar girls’ scientific skills, and signifies an exciting next stage in Science education at the School. The purchase of 89 Gregory Terrace, directly opposite the School’s Main Building, was a significant strategic acquisition for the School and will be incorporated into future master-planning activities. The property has the potential to support a range of educational functions and will significantly expand our physical resources.

Outside of the classroom, Grammar girls celebrated sporting success, creative accomplishments and practised principled behaviour. Significant achievements such as the School’s historic win at Head of the River, provided our community great reason to celebrate. This year’s Gala Concert— Ode to Joy —was one of the many positive initiatives to emerge at BGGS. In this magnificent virtual concert our students embraced and adapted to a new form of music delivery—a joyous compilation of stunning compositions that were celebratory and triumphant. It will be a precious record of the year, and shows what astonishing things can be achieved even in the most challenging of circumstances. Judicious and Ethical Action—one of the School’s Guiding Principles—took on a new meaning in 2020, in our academic programs, daily school life and most obviously, the School’s Service Program. Facing the possibility of losing many of their much-anticipated school milestones, Grammar girls looked beyond themselves to support those experiencing hardship, through an array of Service initiatives, including Notes of Hope and the Gift of Music Program (see p. 25). In 2020, the true resolve and character of our School community was apparent. The creativity and adaptability of our Support Groups was visible in so many ways, and our staff and students felt the unwavering support of the entire BGGS community. While there remain great challenges for so many in the world, education is the most powerful way to build a good and just society, and we are determined to ensure that our girls and young women are prepared to lead the way. I trust that you will enjoy reading about some of the achievements of Brisbane Girls Grammar School in the Annual Review 2020 .

Brisbane Girls Grammar School Annual Review 2020

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