Grammar Gazette- Issue 1, 2018

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PRIDE, INDIVIDUALITY AND EMPOWERMENT

AUTHORS Annabel Ryan (12E) and Harper McIlroy (12W) Head Girls 2018

to audition for Queensland Theatre’s Youth Ensemble. I asked my teacher, Ms Johnson, to help me prepare for the audition. I was extremely shy, and if it weren’t for her incredible encouragement I never would have believed in myself enough to audition. I have now been involved in Queensland Theatre’s Ensemble for four years, as well as the School’s outstanding drama productions. Ms Johnson’s support allowed me to let my individuality and personality shine, which has shaped who I am and allowed me to discover something about which I am extremely passionate. EMPOWERMENT: ANNABEL My time on the Old Girls Association (OGA) Committee has been one of the pinnacles of my time at Girls Grammar because it gave me insight into the School’s rich legacy. The daily demands of secondary school can make it challenging to recognise the impact of what we are experiencing every day; it is easy to take our time at the School for granted. My experience with the OGA changed this perspective. I was fortunate to be presented the opportunity to see Grammar Women mingling at reunions, reuniting with their oldest friends and coming together on common ground. All of these women believe in the School, cherish the time they spent here, and still have firm memories from their days on the campus. I hope that one day I can give back to the School as much as it has given me. Girls Grammar has much to offer each and every girl —from an exceptional academic education, to the opportunities to participate in a wide selection of co-curricular activities such as sports, creative arts and service—and each aspect of our School community is valued equally. Whether they are a future Einstein or Olympian, every girl has not just one, but many opportunities to showcase her talents and be part of the Girls Grammar sisterhood. We both hope that we will not be the last Grammar girls in our families. Once a Grammar girl, always a Grammar girl.

The three themes that the Student Council has chosen to guide the 2018 school year are Pride, Individuality and Empowerment. We hope every Grammar girl will showcase their talent, be proud of who they are as individuals and empower others to be the best they can be. We believe these qualities form the foundation of what makes a Grammar girl and creates a School that truly is an exceptional community. We recently had the opportunity to share our experiences of Girls Grammar at a School event, including our personal reflections on what these three themes mean to us. The following is an excerpt from our speech. PRIDE: ANNABEL From a young age, I knew that my parents had planned for me to attend Girls Grammar, and I often dreamt about life beyond the School’s picketed fence. Whenever I would pass the School, one thing reassured me: every Grammar girl I saw looked happy, capable and beaming with confidence. Of course, as my time to commence drew closer, I became nervous about starting at a school that looked so grand, but the ambition and certainty in every girl’s eye made me realise that the next five years of my life were going to be ones to remember—and they have been just that. I am truly proud to be a Grammar girl. INDIVIDUALITY: HARPER Drama has played a significant role in my schooling life. At primary school I was told that it wasn’t a strength of mine, and I received poor marks in the subject. It wasn’t until, at Girls Grammar, I had someone believe in me that I gave the subject a second thought. When I was in Year 8, I read an email encouraging students

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