2022 Annual Review

The year This year, together, we have achieved so much. Despite the difficult start, we succeeded. It was such a tough year. But we are here, we made it, we are proud. Our academic results were again outstanding, as we continued to rigorously refine the new system. The achievement demonstrated in Girls Grammar’s ATAR and NAPLAN results are testament to our willingness to try new things, challenge old ways. We have adapted to new and flexible ways of working, recruited rigorously and seemingly endlessly —with new staff so excited to be here. Our students have staged concerts and drama performances, created exquisite art, excelled in sport, and contributed through service. As society moves forward, institutions are so important. And they evolve. This year we have furthered the initiatives that support wellbeing, formalised our sustainability initiative building on the years of work of the Grammar Environmental Conservation Organisation (GECO) and Grammar Goes Green, and had our Reconciliation Action Plan endorsed. Today you heard our Acknowledgement of Country and through the Uralla Club and other forums—we participated in mature conversations that were both inclusive, and meaningful. These are all works ongoing.

Women in contemporary society It is, whatever the narrative might have you believe, a good time to be a woman. There is much to improve upon still, so much progress to be made. But—opportunities are there as they’ve never been before. Women’s expertise, perspective, and promotion is actively sought. The educated minds of our students, with their passionate conviction and equipped with the necessary skills to contribute to the discourse, will help us to solve the challenges we face. Our School community understands that how we have the conversation is often as important as the content of the conversation. Ever greater diversity of thought, shared respectfully, with an emphasis on what we have in common, can move purposefully forward. To share our thoughts on contemporary issues we created, and continue to disseminate, the Illumine podcast, demonstrating the ability to debate, to argue intelligently and productively. These are uncertain times, with huge changes simultaneously intersecting—great geopolitical and economic uncertainty. But to solve the challenges of society we must believe in the good in one another, understand our capacity to find a way through, appreciate and speak well of all that is good in our society, and tap into what we all share.

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Brisbane Girls Grammar School Annual Review 2022