Grammar Gazette- Issue 1, 1999

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Japanese Tea Ceremony

Successful New Approach to Old Novel

Yachiyo Taldzawa

Article By Jane MeCrory, Georgie Plant, Clarissa Allen

During the Year 12s study of the Victorian Clarissa Men, on the left and wearing a novel. W!, then, 18 Heights, we did notjust charmirig wig, acted as Heathcliff, the controversial villaiiVhero of the story. sit at a desk to study our classical novel Geor@Ie Plant, in th Intddle, was the Two classes expertmented with a new affable Baitiff who carded two guns approach to learning about character loaded with water to keep the count in relationships order. Jane MCCrory, on the right, was HeathclifFs defence lawer who successfuUy cleared her citent of cmimal charges This photo shows a scene from an interactive learntng experience involving all of 12.4 English. To

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The in took time days: however, t was an enjoyable experience and

strengthen our understanding of events and characters in the first part of the novel, we decided to hold a Coroiital inquiry into the death of Catherine Linton. With

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Students studying Japanese welcomed five harmony, respect, purity and tranquillity a very different way ladies in Kimono from Saitama Prefectne, Serving and drinking tea requires of learning our Queensland's sister state in Japan, who harmonious interaction among host, guest work. The end helped increasethe students' bowledgeand and objects. The spirit of the way of tea insight into the traditional aspects of teaches that every single encounter between result was a Japanese culture and language through this ahost and a guest never repeatsin anfemme, class with a thereforeoneshouldtytomaketheoccasion occasion. greater perfect with sincerity

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the very capable Cainona Macphee presiding as Chief Justice, various members of the class took on roles as important characters, defence and prosecuting lawyers

understanding of that part of

The girls we able to observe the fonnal ritual of making tea and also appreciate the itsreus both suitable and significantforMs beauty of the stylish arrangement of flowers. Minko Bando, Japan's first female Consul Some students were given the OPPrtimty General, a former director of the Japanese to make an ikebana of their own and others Government's Office for Gender Equality were served the ceremonial tea and sweets. andVice Governor of SaitamaPrefecture to The entire presentation was explained in have held a gathering for the 'minamatsuri' Celebration on the evening of 3 March. Japanese and English. More than eighty guests including our The event was organised by the Consul- Principal Lfrs Judith Hanomk and myself Geneml of Japan at Brisbane in relation to were among the guests to appreciate the the calebmtion of 'Him am atsori' or 'Dons' hospitality of the hosL Day' (Girls' Day) that fans on 3 Mom in FOMowing the comments on the splendid Japan display of ebbomte dons of an 11n centusy Historically, only men practised tea Japanese COWL, Ms Bando cited the names gathering andit was not untilthe 19th Centory of the proimnentwomen witers of the period that Japanese women started to participate in Japan such as Mum Said-Shikibu and Sal as wein. These daysitis held at many places Shonagon to highhght the importance of the leadership role of women. She encoumged and on many different occasions the guests to continue to be or to become The aesthetic andefficient way of teals said good role models for women in the 21'' to be supported by spiritual principles of Centusy

the text. We were also refreshed to continue with the novel after releasing our dramatic energies.

d, ,cotto, , frogr@ I r G^lied rowt, t Maria Barker

Under the momction of Ifrs Wad, the EPGY group consists of, in Year 9, Sheham Mendis and June Sze inking

Early first tenn Groininar became involved in the Australia pilot of the

Education Program for Gifted Youth (EPGY), a computer-based Mathematics Secondary Maths and intermediate Algebra. in Year 10 Samantha Bonimg, course run by Stanford University, Clam Kenny, Titany Sproles and Caworula. Genevieve Thornson taking PinealCUIus,

and in Year I I Anna Paleke, Sopl, e Ferris and Maria Barker earoUed in Calculus A

The program was discovered by Mrs lamber and h^Ir Davissen while they were attendin@ an international

A FRIEND INDEED

Lucy Downing

the corridor and know who they are and why they are waving to you and canrig out your name! The fact is that the Buddies sun off a whol web of friends. They introduce you

Entering a school as large as Gramnnr, with bunchigs on so many different levels and over a thousand girls is a daunting experience. Having a Buddy to help you

on your way makes learning a lot easier Each year a Year 12 student selects or is allocated a Year 8 student from their House Group to act as their Buddy The main idea of the Buddy System is that students new to the school have at least one older girl to talk to, show her around

to their friends, who introduce you to their

friends, and the friendship web Just grows. Therefore a larger percentage of friends are made by the end of first term.

As Grammar is the first school in Australia to participate in this program, EPGY has been a great learntng experience for all involved The last few months have been challen@ing; both in the Maths covered and in adjusting to the unfamiliar course environment and overcoming the technical problems associated with being involved in a pilot program. Hopefully the cument trial win be successful, paving the way for Gramniar's continued involvement in the program

conference in Carrotnta last year. Over seventeen countries are cartentiy engaged in the progams offered by the university, whichiriclude Physics, Enghsb and Maths courses The Maths coarse involves students participating in lectures and interactive lessons on CD, as weU as allocated coarsework from a textbook. Exams are corrected by personal computer and the students have weekly contacts with Stanford via email. Each individual is able to monitor their own performance by progCss reports posted on the Stoatord EPGY homepage

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I"cy Downing tright) with her Buddy, , Car!@ Diercke

The Buddy System has

proven to be and help meet other people. After the first successful, not only in the past, but also week or so, most Year 8s bow most of now and I'm sure will continue to be in the the Year Its in their own House Group. it filmie. is really comforting to pass somebody in

GRAMl^R G^E My 1999 - Page 13