BGGS Annual Review 2024

Head Girl’s Address Thursday 14 November 2024

Iha Agrawal (12R) and Aoife Bedggood (12O)

In their last formal address as Head Girls 2024, Iha Agrawal and Aoife Bedggood, delivered the following address at the School’s Annual Speech Day and Distribution of Prizes 2024.

For example, it’s safe to say that 12 months ago, Iha and I were feeling slightly uneasy about how the year would pan out, whether we were up to the task, and most importantly, if our jokes would land. But we were undoubtedly eager to find out. Standing here today, we can confidently say that our roles have instilled us with the ability to adapt to change and facilitated our growth into who we are today. We feel incredibly honored to have stood by a School full of such inspiring and powerful students, and will forever carry this experience with us. So, this afternoon, it is only fitting to take a look at the year that has been. Twelve months ago, the Student Council decided upon the motto, ‘Together strong, in blue we belong #tietheblue’. Given the School motto is responsible for shaping the incoming year and, not to mention, the main spectacle while we’re waiting for chicken nuggets in the tuck-shop line, the Council stakes were high. At first, this motto was simply an encapsulation of our goal to strengthen the bonds in our Grammar community, with a catchy reference to our iconic royal blue ribbon. We wanted students to know that belonging is not something to be earned—simply by virtue of attending this school, we are part of a team that supports each other through thick and thin. That as Girls Grammar students, we are powerful alone, but even stronger together. Now, thanks to the spirit, kindness, and joy of every single person

Good afternoon, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Ms McKay, Principal, Ms Euler, esteemed members of the Board of Trustees, Occasional Speaker, Helen Penrose, distinguished guests, family and friends of the school, staff, and students. My name is Iha Agrawal, this is Aoife Bedggood, and we are the Head Girls of 2024. It is our absolute pleasure to be speaking with you today. We are very grateful to Ms Penrose for speaking to us today. You have given us insights in to the history of Girls Grammar, and the importance of recognising and celebrating this. We’d like to begin our speech with this sentiment; every beginning has an end, and every end has a beginning. Over the course of our time at Girls Grammar, each year has felt like a new and exciting gift—as the first day of each year approached, we were filled with anticipation and enjoyed the beauty of not knowing what experiences awaited us. We were eager to discover who we’d be in one year’s time. Just as meaningful were the ends. The days where we could sit back and appreciate all our hard work, all of the little moments, all the new and special people that had entered our lives and become pieces of the mosaic of us. Special occasions such as Speech Day allow us to revisit everything in between and reminisce over the time we’ve spent growing and learning together.

in this room, these words are no longer a goal but a reality and will forever more define the way we remember 2024. Zooming in, the diverse range of talent at BGGS has remained on full display. We’ve had our fast-paced athletes hurdle their way to QG, watched our QG swimmers dominate the pool with the biggest crowd in Grammar history behind them, and stood with jaws wide open as Grammar students made it to worlds in Taekwondo. On the court, our basketball and volleyball players have shown heart and resilience, whilst on the field, our hockey and football girls have put some gold on the Grammar name. Even beyond the white picket fence, members of our Grammar community have represented Australia at the 2024 Paris Olympics. ‘That as Girls Grammar students, we are powerful alone, but even stronger together.’ —Iha Agrawal and Aoife Bedggood

Right Aoife Bedggood (12O) and Iha Agrawal (12R)

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Annual Review 2024

Brisbane Girls Grammar School