Grammar Gazette- Issue 1, 2019

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LOVE, GRATITUDE, SPIRIT

AUTHORS Jessica McLeod (12M) and Martina Marrama (12G) Head Girls 2019

to challenge me at each and every training session, but it is so worth the 5 am starts, 8km sessions and muddy shoes. There is such a strong sense of spirit and support in sport at the School, and it has taught me the value of community. Above all others, there are three key lessons that have left a lasting impact on us during our time at Girls Grammar. When the Student Council came together at our planning retreat prior to Term 1, we discussed our strengths, our goals and our beliefs. While everyone is unique and different, and can bring different qualities to the table, we have many things in common. These shared values are encapsulated in our motto for the year: Our spirit is true, our heart is blue . This motto supports three main themes for 2019: love; spirit; and gratitude. We encourage girls to continue to spread the love: to their peers and, most importantly, to themselves. Building on this, we endeavour to engender a strong sense of spirit. We will do this by urging girls to go above and beyond expectations, because when we have the support, the drive, and the spirit, great things can be accomplished. Our final theme is gratitude. We both appreciate how privileged we are to attend this incredible School, where we receive an education of the highest quality and have myriad opportunities waiting for us to grasp. Therefore, we want everyone to appreciate what this School has given us and encourage everyone to give back when they can. When we say ‘our heart is blue’ we not only emphasise the love we have for the School, but also recognise that Girls Grammar is a part of us—it is a common thread that links us all. We therefore want girls to keep spirit in their hearts, to be strong, but also to be kind. We are excited about 2019, and look forward to leading the School in a year that we hope will be characterised by love, spirit and gratitude.

Brisbane Girls Grammar School strives to provide girls with a platform from which to contribute confidently to our world. As Head Girls in 2018, we are honoured to share how Girls Grammar has allowed us to explore our core values of love, gratitude and spirit. One thing the School has ingrained in us is that the key to getting the most out of anything, and to feeling happy and fulfilled, is to be involved. This is not a difficult feat at our wonderful school, where opportunities present themselves at every turn. We have an incredible co- curricular program, which includes activities in sport, the arts and service. At a school like ours, it is rare for someone not to be involved in at least one activity; whether you are an enthusiastic champion water polo player, a keen oboe player, a young philanthropist, or a talented mathematician, all interests are celebrated and encouraged. This School has taught me, Martina, the importance of giving back to the community. I chose to join the Kirsten Jack Memorial Leukaemia Committee as I am passionate about raising awareness for cancer research. It has been beneficial to work with girls from all year levels who share the same passion and love for service. Getting to know each other while working on fundraising projects has been a highlight, as it has allowed me to see how each of our unique skills can benefit others. For me, Jess, the School’s excellent Sport program has played a major role in my development at Girls Grammar. I grew up with a love for sport, and I became involved in Cross Country in Year 8. This is a sport that continues

AUTUMN ISSUE / 2019