Grammar Gazette- Issue 1, 2016

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#BLUNITY

AUTHORS Lili Wackwitz (12H) and Sarah Miller (12E) Head Girls

and the future, and having a strong network will not only lead to success but also unity, specifically here at school. The idea of unity creating opportunities is manifest in the smaller groups within the School. A united house group provides girls with the opportunity of personal support. A united house creates a strong sense of ‘family’ and opportunities to work together for the benefit of all at an interhouse event. A united sports team presents the opportunity to work together to win a game. A united drama cast has the opportunity to pull off an incredible opening night. A united service group has the opportunity to create awareness and raise funds for worthy causes. A united Year 12 cohort has the opportunity to make the most of their final year, as leaders, in academic pursuits, giving back to the School and leaving a positive legacy. If these smaller groups grasp the opportunities presented by an enhanced sense of unity, imagine what a united school could achieve. The 2016 motto, Blue unity is opportunity , is just four words. To enhance its impact, the Student Council sought to capture the School’s imagination with a catch cry incorporating its essence — #blunity, a combination of blue and unity, was born! This term is short, sharp and catchy. It symbolises what we stand for this year and has spread throughout the School. The girls have used this word in many aspects of their lives at Grammar to demonstrate their sense of unity. Social media was inundated with photographs of #blunity; girls at the swimming, water polo, cricket, and softball struck the now ubiquitous #blunity pose and numerous war cries and posters captured the catch-cry. J.K Rowling said ‘we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided’. We hope our motto enhances the united culture and vibrancy that Brisbane Girls Grammar School emanates. We hope it assists in the achievement of our 2016 goals: unity, involvement, support, networking, spirit and celebration of achievements. We hope it provides a platform for Grammar women to contribute confidently to their world with wisdom, imagination and integrity, just as they have for the past 141 years.

TO BE UNIFIED IS TO BE INTERCONNECTED BY SHARED IDEAS AND EXPERIENCES. IN 2016, OUR VISION AS HEAD GIRLS IS TO CREATE UNITY WITHIN BRISBANE GIRLS GRAMMAR SCHOOL AND OUR WIDER COMMUNITY BY CHERISHING AND INCREASING THE INVOLVEMENT, SUPPORT, NETWORKS, SPIRIT AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF EVERY GRAMMAR GIRL. The Student Council’s highly anticipated and well- received motto, Blue unity is opportunity , encapsulates these five aspects and challenges each member of the School and its greater community to envision unity not only as a collective aim but also as a personal goal and to create an unparalleled sense of concord throughout the School. To promote unity, involvement is the first of our key objectives. Increasing student involvement, not only on the field, but also in the classroom, at a band rehearsal or in a service club will create an environment where every girl is supported and nurtured to succeed. With increased participation, powerful support is provided by each girl to help her Grammar sisters face any challenge or try something new. Blue Day, an event preceding all major QGSSSA sporting competitions and Head of the River, is an obvious example of the positive atmosphere created by the girls as they splash a touch of blue onto their uniforms and head down to the ‘d-floor’ at lunch. The School is transformed into a seething, supportive mass of blue. This spirit is carried through to the competition the next day where each athlete strives to achieve her best with the knowledge that the whole School is behind her. A combination of involvement, support and acknowledgement creates spirit. The Grammar spirit is unique, defines us and will truly unify the School this year. With involvement, acknowledgement, support and spirit, our girls will create a sisterhood network they can chat with or ask for advice. Networking is essential, for now

REFERENCES Rowling, J.K. (2000). Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire . USA: Scholastic.

GRAMMAR GAZETTE