2020 School Magazine

S CHOO L MAGA Z I NE 2 0 2 0 B R I S B ANE G I R L S GR AMMA R S CHOO L

CONTENTS EDIT ORIAL HOUSES 06 SENIORS 26 COMMUNITY 40

SERVICE

52

CURRICULUM

64

CO-CURRICULUM

94

CREATIONS

118

SPORT

132

W elcome to the Brisbane Girls Grammar School 2020 School Magazine . What a year it has been. The COVID-19 pandemic created circumstances that challenged us to find new and creative ways to participate in school life this year. In the face of such adversity, our resilience as a sisterhood has been astonishing. We have held true to our BGGS ways and managed to preserve many events placed in jeopardy by the pandemic, while bringing new traditions to life. In 2020, the Publications Committee endeavoured to create a memento that showcases the defining moments of strength and sisterhood from the girls and young women of BGGS. Every girl has truly lived the Student Council’s motto: 2020—Me and You, Be the Glue that Binds the Blue. The motto became our guide early in the year when we were physically distanced during remote learning. With the support of each other, and our wonderful teachers, we remained connected while apart. We embraced the opportunity to develop our independence as learners, and learned to adapt and be patient. We appreciated the little things and truly were the blue that binds the blue. It is with heartfelt gratitude that we thank our BGGS teachers and professional staff for their unwavering commitment, which ensured this year was filled with wonderful learning opportunities and joyful experiences. We hope you enjoy reflecting on 2020 with this year’s School Magazine . Kate Sullivan (12O) PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE CAPTAIN

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FROM THE PRINCIPAL Ms Jacinda Euler

T his year has been one like no other—a year during which life for everyone around the world has changed dramatically. While it would be easy to lament the year that wasn’t—the missed milestones, events, celebrations—that would do no justice to all that was achieved at Brisbane Girls Grammar School this year. Throughout 2020, the girls and young women of BGGS have brought to life the Student Council’s motto: 2020—Me and You, Be the Glue that Binds the Blue. As a lifelong memento for all 2020 students, the Publications Committee has created this School Magazine , which features a selection of stories and images that beautifully capture from all Year levels the essence of this year’s motto. From the classroom to the stage, sporting field and virtual concert hall, the diversity of Grammar girls’ accomplishments this year have been extraordinary. Through the uninterrupted delivery of a Girls Grammar education, regardless of whether on-campus or remote, students have this year had the opportunity to be involved in a variety of pursuits including service, performing and visual arts, music ensembles, sporting teams, and numerous special interest clubs.

In the 145th year of the School, there is so much to celebrate and be proud of, and the School Magazine captures the individual and collective contributions of all students, and celebrates the Girls Grammar sisterhood. It has been my continued to pleasure to witness the acumen and energy of every Grammar girl, and to work with teaching and professional staff who display an uncompromising commitment to educating and caring for our students. This year, to create an online curriculum and support our families through remote learning— against the backdrop of a new system of senior assessment—was nothing short of remarkable. To the Year 12 Class of 2020, in this extraordinary year I thank you for your steadfast leadership and optimism. As you embark on your lives beyond the white picket fence—as Grammar Women—I know your time at our School will be as much a part of your history as it will ours. Your teachers and I wish you every happiness and hope your pathways are both challenging and rewarding.

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HEAD GIRLS

Arwen Dias-Jayasinha (12G) and Abbey Grice (12E)

A s we commenced our roles as Head predicted the experiences 2020 has delivered, but one thing is for certain—this has been a year to remember. Through discussions with Student Council, we devised three themes to underpin the School motto—spirit, love, and teamwork. These values led us to the creation of this year’s School motto: 2020—Me and You, Be the Glue that Binds the Blue. We are the first cohort to include the year in our motto—it is a memento of our graduation year and also a symbol of the new decade and journey on which we are all embarking. Although we did not know it at the time, the 2020 School motto would come to encapsulate the very spirit and disposition we needed to succeed and thrive during what was, at times, a tumultuous year. The pandemic could have dampened our spirits, but instead it challenged us to dig deep and find spirit we perhaps didn’t know we had. We are so appreciative of our teachers and fellow Grammar sisters for continuously sharing the love this year. Remote learning was challenging, but thanks to our teachers, who provided learning resources of the utmost quality, and the support showed by all girls, we were able to reach the end of this period with poise and grace. Girls, we were excited to see what 2020 would bring. We could never have

For the past six years we have been fortunate to be a part of a community that has consistently supported and encouraged us to learn and live with curiosity, confidence, and integrity. The responsibility that comes with being a Grammar girl is one that requires us to be thoughtful, self-aware, and global citizens. Our time at BGGS has guided us as individuals, shaped our morals, and imbued us with courage. This courage has enabled us to leave BGGS feeling proud, empowered, and ready to take on the world. So, as we approach the end of a major milestone in our lives, we thank the girls who helped us make this year one we will never forget. To every Grammar girl, thank you for your ongoing support, enthusiasm and ardour. Your willingness to contribute to the School’s incredible culture truly motivated us to give you our all as your Head Girls. To our Student Council, we thank you for your unwavering passion, consistent creativity, and commitment to creating palpable change within the School. You were the best support system we could have asked for and we deeply appreciate your tireless efforts throughout the year. We wish all BGGS girls every success and hope that this year’s School motto will stay with you: 2020—Me and You, Be the Glue that Binds the Blue. HEAD GIRLS

Through the School’s service work this year we were able to make a difference on a range of fronts. A number of initiatives—Notes of Hope, Grammar Goes Green, introducing biodegradable cutlery at the tuckshop and the Gift of Music Program—allowed us to improve the School’s sustainability and give back to the community. There were so many momentous occasions and demonstrations of teamwork this year, but having the largest number of Year 12 supporters on record cheering at QGSSSA Swimming and winning Head of the River for the first time were two clear highlights. Despite co-curricular activities taking on modified formats during remote learning, as a Student Council, we refused to let our focus on teamwork dwindle. Initiatives such as the Passion Series and Creative Manifestations allowed us to appreciate the hidden talents of students, learn new skills, and enjoy amazing performances. The new ATAR system also provided an opportunity for the BGGS team to develop together. Becoming comfortable with a new system has been challenging but our senior students have worked as a team to embrace such change with positivity, perseverance and creativity.

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BEANLAND ENGLAND GIBSON GRIFFITH HIRSCHFELD LILLEY MACKAY O’CONNOR WOOLCOCK

BEANLAND

O ur motto this year was ‘Think passion. Think power. Think PINK.’ Our plan was to help every girl discover her powers and embrace the pink in Beanland House. The year was off to a roaring start at our ‘Pink Power’ themed Beanland House Party. The Beanland bears dressed up in anything pink that made them feel powerful. This year’s Interhouse competitions commenced with the Interhouse Swimming Carnival, where Beanland girls made a splash. Special mention to our swimming superstar, Charlotte Kennedy (8B), who was the 14 Years Age Champion, and Holly Hopkins (12B), who placed third in the 17 Years age group. Beanland placed fourth overall. This year, girls across all Year levels got to know each other through the Bean Pod Picnic, a newspaper costume competition, and a sock tie-dyeing morning. Throughout remote learning we hosted an at-home treasure hunt where girls ran around their houses finding hats, pets and something pink. Our Sports Captains held a fitness session to get girls moving and girls dressed up in their best pink outfits on Zoom to celebrate the last day of a memorable Term 1. Care Bear groups were also introduced during remote learning to ensure girls were looking out for each other.

Term 2 saw girls return to on-campus learning and we were able to participate in the Interhouse Choir Competition and Cross Country Carnival. Special thanks to our Choir Captains, Grace Clarke (12B), Vitoria Fernandes Luft (12B), Bryleigh Parsons-Pope (12B) and Sophie Suchting (12B). Interhouse Cross Country was held at Victoria Park and was an exciting way to end the Interhouse events, with the Beanland bears decked out in their stylish new pink bandanas! Congratulations to Annabelle Hill (11B) and Millie Walsh (9B) who were our star runners on the day. After a devastating summer of droughts and bushfires we chose to support the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital as this year’s Beanland House Charity, raising more then $500 through our fundraising initiatives. It has been a privilege working alongside our Sports Captains, Amy Lee (12B) and Rachel Chiong (12B), Service Captains, Charlotte Robinson (12B) and Lucy Cribb (12B), and House Prefects, Kate Edmondston (12B), Alexia Georgas (12B), Holly Hopkins (12B), Emily Keogh (12B), Hannah Pearson (12B) and Sophie Suchting (12B). We would also like to thank our House Group teachers Ms Callie, Ms Coughlan, Ms Eadie, Mr McGarry, Ms Moulsdale, Ms Nunan and Mr Larkin for making this year possible!

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Most importantly we would like to thank our Head of House, Ms Christopherson, for making this year possible and for the support, care and enthusiasm she has shown to all members of Beanland House. We will always cherish the memories we have made as a part of Beanland House and are proud of our ‘Beanlanders’ for making the most of such an unexpected year. Looking to next year, we hope Beanland girls use every opportunity to ‘Think passion. Think power. Think PINK!’ Lua Jarrah and Astrid Walters HOUSE CAPTAINS

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ENGLAND

T his year’s motto, developed by Year 12 England, was ‘Spread your wings and see what it brings’. With the goals of inclusivity, approachability and having fun, our motto aimed to encourage England girls to try new things and meet new people. This was achieved by creating House activities which promoted maximum participation, fun and interaction between students of all ages. With the additional challenges of remote learning, our Year 12s brainstormed ways to keep the House connected and spirited via Zoom. As a House we connected once a week where we dressed up in blue, had dance parties and played quizzes! This year introduced ‘Edwina the Eagle’, a toy eagle that was passed around the England House Groups each week, providing girls with the opportunity to take Edwina to their co-curricular activities and take pictures with her to add to the journal. Edwina enabled girls to feel more connected to the House and promoted co-curricular endeavours within our House. We have accumulated many photos with Edwina over Term 3 and Term 4, acting as a time capsule of 2020 and we hope that this initiative is continued. This year, our Year 12 Leadership group facilitated an England House Council meeting for each Year level’s House Group Captains to attend. The meeting encouraged teamwork and created a space to share ideas and increase communication between the different House Groups

and Year levels. Throughout the course of the year, we also generated awareness and maintained contact with YoungCare, our nominated House Charity. The Interhouse Swimming Carnival was the first interhouse event of the year, and with the help of our wonderful House Sport Captains, we had great participation numbers. Additionally, the modified Interhouse Cross Country allowed for House Groups to support each other and showcase the talent in England House. Lead by our talented Choir Captains, England House executed a stellar performance of Valerie for the Interhouse Choir Competition. With the help of some crazy props and fabulous dance moves, the England spirit shined through once again as we united for our last interhouse event together. We could not be more proud of our England Eagles! Despite 2020 being a year of unprecedented and challenging events, the year has been incredibly rewarding and enjoyable for everyone in England House. We thank each of the England House Group teachers who have supported our events this year and of course, our amazing Head of House, Ms Stark, for being our Mother Eagle and the heart behind the coordination of all things England. Josephine Kimbell and Sophie Watson HOUSE CAPTAINS

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GIBSON

G ibson House has certainly been on a journey in 2020! The goals we set at the end of 2019 were to encourage House spirit, create stronger relationships between Year levels, and have fun. These goals inspired our House motto for 2020: ‘Embrace your purple pride; join the Gibson tribe’. At the beginning of the year we inducted our new Year 7 gladiators into the ‘Gibbi gang’. We then celebrated our House spirit with the annual and highly-anticipated House Party, which featured lollies, games, dancing, pizza and plenty of crazy purple costumes. The first major sporting event for the year was the Interhouse Swimming Carnival and Gibson House spirit was on full display, placing second overall. The gladiator strength continued as Dr Peng and the lifesaving relay took out the Interhouse Lifesaving Cup. During remote learning we were fortunate enough to continue our House assemblies via Zoom. It was great to connect with girls through fun activities which could be done from home, including a scavenger hunt, Just Dance and a craft morning making origami

hearts. Although we weren’t together, the House felt closer than ever and there was an incredible network of support among girls. After returning to on-campus learning we were back in full swing, tie-dyeing socks, playing balloon volleyball, trying our hand at trivia and enjoying a House breakfast. Gibson House continued to show flare and finesse at every opportunity, placing second at the Interhouse Cross Country and belting out ABBA’s Lay Your Love on Me for all of Gregory Terrace to hear in the adapted Interhouse Choir Competition. We must acknowledge our amazing Head of Gibson House, Mrs Boltman, and House Group Teachers who were always willing to be involved, help with activities, and share our passion for purple! As House Captains, we have been honoured to lead such a spirited and unique group of gladiators in a year we will never forget. Fiona Brown and Taylah Tran HOUSE CAPTAINS

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GRIFFITH

T his year’s motto for Griffith House was ‘red in our veins, nothing but gains’. From the beginning of the year, the 2020 Griffith seniors were dedicated to unifying our House by encouraging spirit and participation from every girl, leaving nothing behind. Our motto encapsulates the Griffith spirit that is within each girl, and what they can bring to 2020. In Term 1 we held our House Party, where we saw the Griffith sisterhood shine through as we united in games and activities to celebrate the year ahead. We were delighted to participate in the non-competitive Interhouse Choir Competition, in which every girl ‘repped the red’, and the Interhouse Cross Country Competition, where our participation levels shone through.

The highlight of 2020 would definitely be witnessing the immense gratitude, excitement and willingness to channel the 2020 motto once girls returned from the period of remote learning. In every House Assembly we saw great energy and support from all girls, which helped uplift everyone’s spirit in such an uncertain time. Thank you to our House Group teachers, whose ongoing support is an integral part of Griffith’s connection and support networks. In 2020 we said farewell to our beloved Head of House, Ms O’Sullivan, and welcomed Mrs Thomas into the role. Mrs Thomas’ exceptional leadership helped us to make 2020 a standout year and we thank her, and Ms O’Sullivan, for their help and service in 2020. Poppy Prance and Annabelle Treacy HOUSE CAPTAINS

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HIRSCHFELD

T he true spirit of Hirschfeld House was encapsulated in this year’s motto: ‘Hirschfeld HYPE’. The acronym HYPE—harmony, unity, participation and enthusiasm—was a constant reminder for girls to work together and do their best. The first opportunity to show off our Hirschfeld HYPE was at our fiery fiesta! At this year’s House Party girls donned their brightest orange attire and busted out a dance move (or two) before tie-dying a pair of socks orange to wear at future House events. At weekly House assemblies we created a fun environment where every girl felt valued and part of our Hirschfeld family. To add to each girl’s collection of orange costumes, we tie-dyed bucket hats orange. Our new unofficial uniforms were showcased at the annual Interhouse Swimming Carnival where the dedication and enthusiasm of each girl shone through. At the end of Term 1, we moved into remote learning. This meant that our House assemblies went virtual. Through Zoom we were able to catch up each week, learning origami, going on virtual scavenger hunts and participating in Just Dance!

To remain connected during this time, we developed care groups within each House group where girls could check in with their peers to lift morale and simply have a chat. During this time the ‘Hirschfeld Walks around Australia’ initiative was created, aimed at encouraging girls to be active. During a 10-week period our House walked, ran, swam, rowed and biked a total of approximately 34 775 kms. This means we made it around Australia more than two times. When we returned to on-campus learning we were back into the swing of things with the Interhouse Choir and Interhouse Cross Country competitions. Led by our dedicated Choir Captains, Rosie, Lara, Asti and Josie, the girls had a great time singing, dancing and rapping along to the Black Eyed Peas’ Where is the Love? Community service has been a major focus for Hirschfeld House this year. We chose to continue supporting the Pyjama Foundation as well as the Smith Family Foundation. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we were unable to sell our famous Hot Potatoes at Open Day in Term 3, we organised a book drive where we donated new books to the Smith Family Foundation to distribute to disadvantaged children around Australia.

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It has been an absolute pleasure to lead such an enthusiastic and wonderful group of girls. We are grateful to each and every Hirschfeld girl for supporting us throughout the year. A massive thank you to our amazing Head of House, Mrs Dabelstein, and our House Group teachers for their ongoing support and dedication to the House. We will never forget the memories and friendships that have been forged among our Hirschfeld sisters and will cherish our experience as House Captains forever. Phoebe Lingard and Mimi Wackwitz HOUSE CAPTAINS

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LILLEY

I n a year of unprecedented events, 2020 called for a heightened sense of community, support and House spirt. Lilley House began the year like any other—with goals. We wanted to achieve greatness and build on the culture of what it means to be a Lilley girl. The first event on the calendar was our annual Lilley House Party, where we planned a number of new activities to unleash the true Lilley spirit within each girl. The afternoon was filled with games and helped to set our intentions for the year. The Interhouse Swimming Carnival was the first major Interhouse event for 2020 and our Sport Captains, Georgie Ellis (12L) and Elizabeth MacPherson (12L), led the House to a great result, securing third place overall. Throughout remote learning we made sure Lilley girls stayed connected. Although we were unable to meet and play games

in the usual way, our 2020 House motto ‘Together in green, we unite as a team’ came to the fore and we developed innovative ways to interact and support one another. Interhouse Cross Country was the first big sporting event following our return to on-campus learning and the Lilley House spirit was alive for all to see. Next in the BGGS calendar was the Interhouse Choir Competition. Our girls sang Jessie J’s Price Tag and brought the house down with their enthusiasm and cool dance moves. Thank you to our Lilley sisters for making this year so special. Remember ‘Together in green, we unite as a team’. Fenella Counsell and Sophie Hillier HOUSE CAPTAINS

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MACKAY

T his year has truly been a remarkable year for Mackay House. Our motto: ‘Angels in white; Mackay unite’ reflected the value of relationships in creating the spirit of our House, which is renowned for its vitality and grit. As House Captains, we could not be more proud of our Mackay angels, especially amidst such unprecedented times, as our girls remained enthusiastic and, most importantly, unified. Mackay House has had much to celebrate in 2020. From welcoming our new angels, to our House Party, and to winning the Interhouse Swimming Competition, Mackay House has thrived. House spirits were once again lifted during rehearsals and the performance of Taylor Swift’s Love Song at the Interhouse Choir Competition.

Congratulations to Sport Captains, Georgine Houghton (12M) and Lucinda Sherman (12M), and to our Choral Captains, Charlize Knudsen (12M) and Demitra Poulos (12M), who inspired the House to do its best at each Interhouse event. We must also thank our amazing Head of House, Ms Jans, for her unwavering support and our wonderful House Group teachers who have had such an impact guiding each Year level. Finally, we thank our fellow Year 12 Mackay peers. Your leadership and encouragement has meant so much to us. We consider ourselves lucky to have shared so many unforgettable memories with you for the past six years and sincerely wish each of you the best for your future endeavours. Sasha McCormack and Jennifer Tran HOUSE CAPTAINS

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O’CONNOR

A lthough 2020 has been a somewhat unusual year, O’Connor House has certainly fulfilled our goal to unite every girl in the House and establish close connections among all Year levels. Our motto for the year was ‘Radiating the vibe in the tentacle tribe’ . On the first day of school 12O met with 7O to welcome the new Year 7 cohort to BGGS and set the tone for a year of working together, creating relationships and sharing experiences. The vibe in the tentacle tribe was then firmly established at the O’Connor House Party. To really unite the House we formed tentacle groups. Each group comprised girls from all Year levels. Throughout the year the tentacle groups participated in challenges at House assemblies. By the time the Swimming Carnival rolled around, Year 12 O’Connor girls had created a new war cry and the vibe in the tentacle tribe was undeniable.

During remote learning we united the House through weekly online games and challenges. When we returned to campus, 12O made sure to check in with each tentacle group to ensure spirts were high and girls were adjusting to on-campus learning. We could not have been more proud of the enthusiasm and excitement of O’Connor girls as Interhouse competitions resumed. O’Connor House performed a spectacular rendition of How Far I’ll Go from the movie ‘Moana’ at the Interhouse Choir Competition. We were also delighted to take out first place in this year’s Interhouse Cross Country Competition. A big thank you to Head of O’Connor House, Ms Boyle, for always being there for our House. 2020 has been a challenging, adventurous and extraordinary year, but being a part of O’Connor House has made it extra memorable. Emily Nihill and Claire Saggers HOUSE CAPTAINS

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WOOLCOCK

S oaring into 2020, we decided to shoot for the stars when creating our House motto: ‘Woolcock stars unite, make our constellation bright!’ Our goal was to reflect this motto throughout the year and remind everyone to embrace their individuality, because every unique Woolcock ‘star’ comes together as a House to make one united collective ‘constellation’. To achieve this unity, we worked on strengthening the bonds between students across all Year levels. We formed Constellation Groups, made up of Woolcock-atoos from Years 7 to 12. In these groups, students were able to connect with younger and older Woolcock-atoos, share their experiences and work together as a team to conquer weekly challenges. Our bright spirit started the year off strong as the Year 12s met with the Year 7 Woolcock cohort to welcome them to the School and our House. To bring the whole House together we celebrated the start of the new year with our annual Woolcock House Party and everyone was decked out in yellow and shining bright for our ‘Bling’ theme. During the period of remote learning the Year 12s united to encourage everyone to keep shining bright. We created the Isolation

Survival Guide video series on Minerva, which helped everyone to stay motivated and our Woolcock-atoos didn’t disappoint, bringing their A game to win the Interhouse Zoom Dress-Up Competition. Woolcock spirit was strong when we returned to campus and everyone brought their enthusiasm to the Interhouse Swimming and the Interhouse Cross Country Carnivals, where we placed fourth.We also can’t forget Woolcock’s lively Interhouse Choir performance, which featured every Woolcock-atoo rocking their new Woolcock STAR sunnies. It is safe to say the School was left feeling starstruck! Although smooth sailing wasn’t written in the stars for this year, with the support of our Year 12 Woolcock-atoos and our wonderful Head of House, Mrs Ross, our journey has been more special than we could have imagined. Selby McIlroy and Matina Samios HOUSE CAPTAINS

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SENI ORS 2020

B

Rachel Chiong

Grace Clarke

Lucy Cribb

Sophie Dowling

Kate Edmondston

Vitoria Fernandes Luft

Alexia Georgas

Holly Hopkins

Lua Jarrah

Emily Keogh

Jessica Kim

Amy Lee

Bridget Morton

Bryleigh Parsons-Pope

Hannah Pearson

Charlotte Robinson

Yu-Zhen (Eva) Seet

Vanessa Simonetta

Sophie Suchting

Astrid Walters

Sylvia Wu

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E

Bronte Cathcart

Lisa Chang

Grace Crilly

Gabrielle Dempsey

Emily Flanagan

Willow Goldie

Abbey Grice

Aravindi Gunawardena

Olivia Ho

Arabella Holley

Georgia Irving

Mehzaben Islam

Lucy Israel

Josephine Kimbell

Lucy Klose

Sarah McLeod

Zarmina Mian

Madeleine Pryde

Isabella Sneddon

Skye Stewart

Sophie Watson

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Lucinda Bell Ashleigh Brant G Jaime Clarke Michelle Chen

Fiona Brown

Gia Cayas

Arwen Dias-Jayasinha

Scarlett Dowling

Claudia Emmerson

Stephanie Fancutt

Letitia Harper

Anjana Jeyakumar

Stephanie Khan

Jessica Mangos

Tamrah Nicholas

Manjumariya (Manju) Pynadath

Taylah Tran

Annabelle Winning

Alicia Yuen

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G

Louise Brimblecombe

Grace Burke

Zara Davidson

Jiayi (Sunny) Du

Madison Henley

Joanna Hu

Christabel Huang

Claudia Kirchner

Mia Li

Sofia Michael

Sarah Pennefather

Poppy Prance

Mikayla Rentoul

Sienna Scomersich-Lovato

Jessica Siong

Lola Thew

Emma Thomas

Annabelle Treacy

Chelsea Warat

Alyce Webb

Eloise Young

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H

Matisse Black

Lauren Blake

Caitlyn Bond

Josephine Burke

Rose Di Prima

Sophie Finch

Aston Fraser

Eleni Karanicolas

Phoebe Lingard

Lauren Mackay

Bernadette McAvoy

Dayle McDonald

Emma McDonnell

Viktoria Palka

Amelia Perrin

Imogen Playford

Hayley Potter

Yu Xing (Victoria) Qing

Victoria Rex

Yi Ran Sun

Lara Triscott

Mimi Wackwitz

Emily Wilkie

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L

Ella Brimblecombe

Josephine Clough

Fenella Counsell

Emily Cox

Georgie Ellis

Tiarne Graves

Olivia Harvey

Sophie Hillier

Alexandra Hillman

Anabelle Horton

Caileigh Jell

Margaret Jones

Elizabeth MacPherson

Vivian Ngo

Kalpana Ranasinghe

Nadia Robertson

Rosette Sclavos

Lauren Stacey

Morgan Trevisiol

Amelia Vanderstoep

Katherine Withers

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Esme Carr Lara Crethar M Lara Harding Ellene Eliadis

Lucinda Davidson

Amy Doan

Georgine Houghton

Aliya Islam

Hannah Kim

Charlize Knudsen

Sasha McCormack

Reanna McPaul

Nellie Osmani

Demitra Poulos

Grace Ralph

Chelsea Rose

Lucinda Sherman

Renee Tjin

Annaka Tong-Law

Jennifer Tran

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O

Olivia Bisset

Indrani Bose

Catherine Fogden

Sally Hallahan

Mairikura (Lily) Lau-Coombs

Chloe Lee

Abigail Lui

Sophie Martin

Sarah Moschella

Emily Nihill

Ruby Norris

Tallulah Paul

Chelsea Perkins

Claire Saggers

Saee Sane

Kate Sullivan

Tianna Tavakol

Genevieve Tavoularis

Molly Tjelder

Emily Williams

Ashley Zhang

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Chelsea Ashby

Amal Ayaz

Kanisha Bhalla

Darcy Cooke

Kate Cosgrove

Georgia De Stefani

Chloe Dickson

Sienna Graham

Ella Henderson

Angelina Hsu

Olivia Jaffar

Annabelle Khoo

Catherine Lee

Niharika Malhotra

Margot Marshall

Selby McIlroy

Amy Morris-Arkell

Sophie Peters-Grieve

Amy Pruyn

Kawya (Manasi) Ratnayake

Matina Samios

Claudia Scott

Erika Thompson

Charlotte Zeljko

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CAPTAINS OF SPORT

Saee Sane

Amelia Perrin

Caitlyn Bond

Grace Crilly

Matisse Black

Tara Bashirzadeh

Chelsea Ashby

Gabrielle Dempsey

Georgia De Stefani

Catherine Fogden

Sienna Graham

Sophie Finch

Stephanie Fancutt

Sophie Dowling

Sarah Hopkins

Joanna Hu

Lauren Mackay

Emma McDonnell

Lucy Israel

Georgia Irving

Christabel Huang

Sarah McLeod

Bridget Morton

Demitra Poulos

Hayley Potter

Grace Ralph

Sarah Pennefather

Lucinda Myers

Nadia Robertson

Rosette Sclavos

Lucinda Sherman

Lauren Stacey

Amelia Vanderstoep

Chelsea Warat

Eloise Young

Ashley Zhang

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STUDENT COUNCIL

Lua Jarrah

Sophie Hillier

Fenella Counsell

Gia Cayas

Fiona Brown

Abbey Grice

Arwen Dias-Jayasinha

Emily Nihill

Selby McIlroy

Sasha McCormack

Jessica Mangos

Phoebe Lingard

Josephine Kimbell

Annabelle Khoo

Taylah Tran

Yu-Zhen (Eva) Seet

Saee Sane

Matina Samios

Claire Saggers

Poppy Prance

Amelia Perrin

Sophie Watson

Astrid Walters

Mimi Wackwitz

Annabelle Treacy

Jennifer Tran

CAPTAINS OF CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

Annabelle Khoo

Jessica Mangos

Kate Sullivan

Viktoria Palka

Hannah Kim

Tiarne Graves

Lisa Chang

Annaka Tong-Law

Lara Triscott

Sylvia Wu

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SERVICE CAPTAINS

Gia Cayas

Yu-Zhen (Eva) Seet

LEADERS OF CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES

Camille Bloomfield

Niharika Malhotra

Dorothy Rae

Jessica Siong

Molly Tjelder

Emilia Wong

SERVICE GROUP CAPTAINS

Annabel Douglas

Erin Doan

Amy Doan

Josephine Clough

Lauren Chudleigh

Stephanie Burgess

Samantha Atherton

Sophia Manique

Linda Koorts

Abigail King

Mehzaben Islam

Tia Fitzpatrick

India Edwards

Kate Edmondstone

Thilini Wijesuriya

Yu-Zhen (Eva) Seet

Hannah Rutter

Sierra Reza

Grace Ralph

Sophie Peters-Grieve

Sophie McLeod

Zhixuan Zhang

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Foundation Day; Mindfulness; BLUE DAYS; OUR NEW SCIENCE LEARNING CENTRE; Valentine’s Day; INTERHOUSE CHOIR COMPETITION; MULTICULTURAL AND DIVERSITY DAY; INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY; Lord Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council; 50 Days Left of Year 12 Celebration; Student Environment Leadership Network; Remote Learning; YEAR 11 CHARITY SOCIAL; YEAR 12 FORMAL

FOUNDATION DAY

O n Wednesday 11 March, Brisbane Girls Grammar School held its annual Foundation Day Assembly, celebrating 145 years since the School’s foundation in 1875. During the Assembly, BGGS alumna and Director-General of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr Beth Woods (1972) reflected on her time at the School. Dr Woods spoke of her career and the significant impact BGGS has had on her personal and professional development. Her address was inspiring and gave us a chance to think about the School’s long history and the many remarkable women who were educated at BGGS. Following the Assembly, Houses celebrated Foundation Day with a traditional blue and white frosted cake. BGGS Principal, Ms Euler, and Head Girls, Arwen Dias-Jayasinha (12G) and Abbey Grice (12E), led the celebrations with a cake-cutting ceremony outside the Main Building.

MINDFULNESS S ince 2015 a culture of mindfulness has been growing at BGGS. The School’s signature Mindfulness Program .b , The Mindfulness in Schools Project , is supported by evidence-based university research from the UK. Mindfulness Coordinator, Pincott leads a team of three other accredited .b instructors who teach Year 8 this highly regarded international course. Dr Taraporewalla, Mr Huppert and Ms Jones each bring lived experience, commitment and vigour to the teaching of this course. Student House and Year level assemblies and House Group meetings routinely begin with a focussing and relaxing practice. Students learn skills to enable them to navigate the busyness of school life. This challenging year also led to a variety of mindfulness practices being conducted virtually through Minerva, as well as in person on campus. Recordings and resources have been made available for students and staff to develop coping strategies to deal with discomfort and disruption of our regular routines. This Year 8 student’s reflection reveals the embedding of practices in the day-to-day lives of many of our students.

‘Hi Mr Pincott, I was extremely nervous for a Science exam and as I was waiting for the test to start I just sat there and closed my eyes and focused on my breathing. I felt calm afterwards and it helped me concentrate during the test. Since then, if I ever feel stressed or worried, I close my eyes and focus on slowing my breathing down.’ Year 8 student

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BLUE DAYS

T he spirit of the School was on full display for the first Blue Day of the year, held to encourage our QGSSSA swimmers. he theme of the day was ‘Under the Sea’, so there was plenty of festive fun and girls were decked out in beach wear and carrying their pool toys. Artists among our Student Council tried their hands at under-the-sea face painting designs and sold badges to raise funds for the School Charity, Rural Aid. The dance floor was packed and a giant shell provided some fantastic photo opportunities. The day was a great success and set the standard for school spirit for the rest of the year. Fiona Brown (12G) and Amelia Perrin (12H) T he theme for this year’s second Blue Day was ‘Big Blue Barnyard Bash’, encouraging the entire student body to band together and show our gratitude for being back on campus following remote learning. Everyone wore barnyard attire, so there was plenty of plaid, denim, animal print and cowboy hats on display. The day featured a gratitude installation on the pool lawn and everyone was invited to write down something for which they were grateful. Selby McIlroy (12W) and Claire Saggers (12O)

T he theme for the final Blue Day was ‘Love’, celebrating love for our school and the diversity of our students. While organised by the Student Council, the incentive behind Love Day reflected the growing interest in diverse community representation by the student body. The School was an explosion of colour. At the front gates, Student Council members sold exclusively-made Love Day badges and stickers, and they painted rainbows, flags and blue hearts on countless faces. A 2020 mural on G Block wall became a sea of multi-coloured hand prints as they day progressed. The celebration ended on the Pool Lawn with a socially distanced picnic for students in Years 7 to 12. Saee Sane (12O)

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OUR NEW SCIENCE LEARNING CENTRE

G irls Grammar celebrated the first day of Term 4 with the opening of our stunning new Science Learning Centre. There was tremendous excitement among students and staff as they explored laboratories, classrooms and the inspiring staircase to the sky.

The impact of this stunning new building extends beyond the physical, nurturing our girls’ curiosity and developing maturity and independence in learning under the guidance of our expert teachers.

From the breathtaking central void that invites sunlight and stars into the building, and fish tanks that offer a glimpse into life under the sea, to colour schemes that echo the lifecycle of stars, the building itself is a scientific experience for Grammar girls.

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VALENTINES DAY

V alentine’s Day celebrations on Friday 14 February set the tone for BGGS events in 2020. The Student Council organised decorations and badges, and students enjoyed dressing up in angel wings, red tutus and pink face paint. As is tradition, Second Chance hosted the Valentine’s Day cake stall to raise funds for homeless shelters in Brisbane. Valentine’s Day 2020 was filled with love, celebration and plenty of appreciation for our BGGS sisters. Gia Cayas (12G) and Eva Seet (12B)

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INTERHOUSE CHOIR COMPETITION

W hether it was jamming out to Jessie J’s Price Tag or dancing unapologetically to The Spice Girl’s chart-topper Stop , in Term 3 the entire School community joined forces for the most anticipated and spirited event of the year—Interhouse Choir! To comply with COVIDSafe guidelines, the event was held over four consecutive lunchtimes, where girls flocked to the Pool Lawn to celebrate nine momentous

see every girl perform with such vitality and enthusiasm. Of course, this event would not have been possible without our wonderful Choir Director, Ms Finalyson, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the smooth running of the event. In my opinion, this event was proof that nothing—not even a worldwide pandemic—can dampen our voices. Lily Lau-Coombs (12O)

performances that fit the ‘2000s throwbacks’ theme. Huge congratulations must go to our fearless choir captains who kept spirits high—even on the earliest of morning rehearsals—and led their Houses to victory with harmonies and choreography fit for the Barden Bellas! We were so fortunate to be given this opportunity to rejoice within our community during a time that tested our capacity to do so. It was truly beautiful to

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MULTICULTURAL DAY AND DIVERSITY DAY

I n Term 3 the Uralla Club, in conjunction with the Student Council, hosted two important days—Multicultural Day and Diversity Day. On Multicultural Day, we celebrated the different cultures present within our BGGS community. More than 30 flags representing a range of nationalities and groups were raised across the CLC.

A chalk installation on the W Block and Main Building walkway encouraged students to write a word that best describes their culture. The School tuckshop joined in the celebrations, providing a delicious multicultural menu that included Chinese street food, German sausages and French delicacies. A multicultural music and culture showcase was held on the Pool Lawn and featured an incredible performance by Gypsy Band, conducted by Mr Patterson, along with an awe-inspiring dance performance by Saee Sane (12O), who performed a classical form of the North Indian dance known as Kathak. The day provided students with a sample of the enrichment that culture, art, food, and belonging gives to the lives of many. The celebrations continued into Diversity Day, where the Uralla Club hosted a panel of guest speakers including Ms Sarah Boyne (The Healing Foundation), Ms Zana Bowen (World Vision), Ms Ingrid Green (Immigrant Women Support Services), Mr Randall Fraser (Institute for Urban Indigenous Health), and BGGS alumna, Aunty Mary Martin, (1970) (Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council). Each member of the panel spoke on the theme ‘Listen, Learn and Act’. Multicultural Day and Diversity Day were wonderful opportunities for all students to connect with the wider community and become more aware of the many cultures we represent as a school. Saee Sane (12O) and Eva Seet (12B)

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INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

T he 2020 BGGS International Women’s Day installation is the product of the imagination and hard work of a group of Year 11 students: Tara Bashirzadeh (11R); Stephanie Burgess (11E); Swetha Gottumukkala (11H); Hanna Hussain (11O); Tylah Hutton (11B); Laura Mahon (11G); Sophie McLeod (11M); Hannah Rutter (11W); and Romy Spurgin (11L). Having attended the 2019 Women of the World Conference, they took inspiration from what they learned from listening to and talking with several young female pioneers in their respective fields. The purpose of International Women’s Day, and our installation, was to celebrate the many social, political and economic achievements of women, but also to consider the obstacles and challenges we have yet overcome in our pursuit to realise true gender equality. This year’s theme was ‘Generation Equality’. It invited all of us, regardless of age, to come together and work towards the goal: a world where gender will never prevent someone from reaching their full potential. Students and staff created an installation of 10 female cut-outs: one for each House and one for staff. Over the course of a week, everyone was invited to write a tribute to the women in their lives who have helped us along the way. On Friday 6 March, we proudly displayed these figures in the CLC where we were able to read the heartfelt tributes, take photos of us standing next to them, and then send the photos on to the women in our lives who have inspired us. Ms Ruth Jans HEAD OF MACKAY HOUSE

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A s the sole BGGS representative on the Lord Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council (LMYAC), I had the unique privilege to be among 63 student representatives from different Brisbane schools who met regularly with the Lord Mayor to brainstorm project ideas and discuss relevant issues. During the Brisbane City Council election cycle we participated in an extensive presentation on the Victoria Park Vision. I was also invited to attend a National Flag Day Ceremony. I have enjoyed reporting on my LMYAC role to the Year 10 cohort and sharing feedback and suggestions from our School community at the Council’s meetings. Another highlight of my experience has been the opportunity to work in small groups with other members of the Council and create a project proposal, which we presented to the Lord Mayor. Ella Sinclair (10G) LORD MAYOR’S YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL

STUDENT ENVIRONMENT LEADERSHIP NETWORK

R enowned pop-artist Andy Warhol once stated, ‘They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.’ As students, it is rare to feel like you have the power to change things, however the Student Environment Leadership Network (SELN) has provided us with one of those opportunities. Throughout this year, we have attended meetings, online and in- person, learned to plan and execute projects, and welcomed in-school visits from members of Brisbane City Council. Finally, after months of work, we are proud to see our project, Turning Spoil into Soil, finalised through the implementation of organic waste bins in the School. We are excited to see what changes our project will bring. Annabel King (10L) and Simran Mackrani (10H)

REMOTE LEARNING

W e have faced unprecedented times in 2020, but the Student Council has managed to overcome every unique obstacle the year has thrown at us. When remote learning became a reality earlier in the year, Student Council took on the responsibility of helping to make the transition a smooth one for students. By developing our online ‘Passion Series’ we made sure girls continued to connect with each other, empowering them to share their talents and find positivity in the strange new experience of remote learning. We were able to showcase the creativity of our BGGS community on our Instagram and Minerva pages. Another Student Council-led initiative was ‘Fitness Fridays’—fitness sessions were live streamed through Instagram to encourage girls to be active. Every session was run by two Year 12 students. The sessions were also an opportunity for girls to ask Year 12s questions regarding remote learning and how to keep their spirits high. Remote learning posed some challenges, but it made us extremely appreciative of the support given to us by our teachers and the amazing BGGS community. Matina Samios (12W)

50 DAYS LEFT OF YEAR 12 CELEBRATION W hile we may have missed out on experiencing some of the usual Year 12 milestones this year, we were thankfully able to celebrate our last 50 days together. Our 50 Days celebration included a pancake breakfast that called on our combined cooking skills—the 50 Days pancake we made was impressive! Marking our final 50 Days meant a lot and we greatly appreciate the School’s thoughtfulness. Letitia Harper (12G)

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YEAR 11 CHARITY SOCIAL

O n Saturday 12 October the Brisbane Girls Grammar School Year 11 Charity Social was held at the Royal International Convention Centre. The girls danced the night away—from our chairs, thanks to COVID-19 restrictions. In the months leading up to our fantastic night, there was much uncertainty and trepidation as to whether there would even be a Year 11 Charity Social. Fortunately, our Year 11 Coordinators Mrs Boltman and Ms Stark, were determined to deliver a night of memories and worked tirelessly to see it through. For this, we would like to thank them for not only their dedication, but also their unwavering support. Aligning with our Year level’s wish to contribute to Aboriginal and

Torres Strait communities, proceeds from the night were donated to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Victoria Chen (11O), Erin Doan (11M), Grace Phua (110), Sanggavi Mayooran (11B) and Zoe Mellick (11H) YEAR 11 CHARITY SOCIAL COMMITTEE

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YEAR 12

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I n this year, which has necessitated so much adaption and change, we were delighted to still be able to attend our Year 12 Formal. The event was a spectacular evening that truly lived up to its theme, ‘Euphoria’. The Formal was held on Friday 4 September and in the lead up to the event we worked hard to coordinate invitations, menus, table fittings, entertainment and seating allocations. Cherry blossoms were chosen as the main feature for the Euphoria theme, along with a colour palette of baby pink, purple and blue. COVID-19 event restrictions were constantly changing, which meant organising the seating plan was a challenge, but we got there in the end! On the night, to overcome the restrictions on dancing the Bi-Grammar Committee and Mr Fogarty assisted us in hosting a trivia competition, which was lots of fun. The Formal Committee cannot thank Mrs Lowry and Ms Boyle enough for allowing us to have such a terrific evening—it will be a senior memory every Year 12 girl treasures. Letitia Harper (12G), Phoebe Lingard (12H), Hayley Potter (12H), Genevieve Tavoularis (12O) and Annabelle Winning (12G) FORMAL COMMITTEE

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