Grammar Gazette- Issue 1, 2015

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KJ Committee members travelled to Mr Jack’s nursing home to help celebrate his 90th birthday in 2006. His interest in School and Committee developments was steadfast, and he presented the girls with his published memoir. In 2009, Kirsten’s good friends shared their memories with Year 11s and encouraged further good work of the KJ Committee. The nature of the Committee’s activities has changed across the years, but certain signature activities continue — raffles, bake stalls, Daffodil Day and Bandanna Day. Creativity now shapes weekly lunch hour meetings as members make Mother’s and Father’s Day cards and paper cranes, write stories and prepare colouring books about the Big Bear. Mrs Hukins, who gave unstintingly of her time and craft skills to the Committee for sixteen years, would be delighted with the girls’ creations. Visits to oncology wards, Childhood Cancer Support, and the Translational Research Institute (TRI) at the Princess Alexandra Hospital have helped sustain their purpose. Empathy, motivation, selflessness and commitment have been driving forces behind the good work of the Committee for thirty-eight years and this work will continue, honouring the true spirit of friendship.

Kirsten’s family maintained close involvement with the KJ Committee. Mr Jack’s annual visits to school assembly saw Committee Chairs proudly present their cheques to researchers like old girl Dr Liane Lockwood (1974), then Head of the Bonemarrow Transplantation Unit at the Royal Children’s Hospital, and Professor Hancock of the Leukaemia Research Unit at QIMR. Kirsten’s niece, Tullia, became Chair and a tireless fundraiser in 2002.

Clare Florence, Anna Blocksidge and Jane Carpenter (all 1978) returned to the School in 2009 to talk to students about the Kirsten Jack Memorial Leukaemia Committee that was founded in memory of their school friend Kirsten.

REFERENCES Jack, A. (2001). The Travelling Companions. Clayfield

CONTRIBUTIONS VALUED

It was pleasing to see an overall high level of satisfaction with the School and its values, and overwhelming feedback that Girls Grammar’s exceptional academic record sets it apart from other schools. This was balanced by an appreciation for the co-curricular and service activities offered at the School. It is clear that a high level of importance, and agreement, is associated with the School’s values and philosophy. The survey results provided us with valuable information about the School’s communication with parents and alumni and this is an area we will continue to work on. Already, changes have been made to the BGGS News to allow it to be accessed as a PDF and a website application will be available soon. Thank you to all parents, staff and alumni who provided their valuable feedback and suggestions as part of this survey. In a year where the School reviews its strategic intent, this data, combined with the information received in the Year 12 Student Exit Survey, will inform our thinking moving forward.

AUTHOR Ms Michelle Allan

Director of Communications and Community Relations

OVER OUR 140 YEAR HISTORY, GIRLS GRAMMAR HAS BENEFITED GREATLY FROM THE INPUT AND CONTRIBUTION OF OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY . This includes current and future students and families, staff and old girls. In 2014, the School requested the participation of these groups via a survey designed to identify our perceived areas of strength and any areas of concern. The questions were modelled on a previous survey conducted in 2010, with the addition of a range of demographic questions to gain additional information on the School’s diverse community.

AUTUMN ISSUE / 2015