Grammar Gazette- Issue 1, 2007

Cover Image: Greg Gardner Photography

Letters When you get a Christmas card from your ‘buddy’ in Year 12 before you even step through the gate, and when you do, she actually becomes your friend, you know you’re off to a good start. When you want to redecorate your room from red to pink, you feel you belong to something important. When you can email your maths teacher with a problem and get an almost instant reply, you know you have amazing teachers. Alexandra has had the most wonderful start to High School Life. She has made great friends and just loves every minute. While I’m sure there will be ups and downs ahead we are confident with our choice and look forward to them being wonderful years. (Ms Gunn – Year 8 Parent) Thank you so much for organising the Year 8 Mother’s Dinner. I appreciate how much work goes into organising such wonderful functions. It was a lovely opportunity to meet some of the mothers of the girls my daughter comes home every day talking about. (Mrs Norton – Year 8 Parent) I was driving on the Inner City Bypass a few days ago and I suddenly noticed the Creative Learning Centre in all its glory. It looked fantastic and I am so excited about it opening officially. It will be a great asset to the School and while I am very proud of it, I am also very jealous that it wasn’t Congratulations and thank you for a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining Gala evening. It was testimony to hard work, passion, dedication and professionalism on the part of all. The whole arrangement of the performance was cleverly connected. What a wonderfully talented and well disciplined assembly of young people and some who are just a touch older!! My guests were so impressed. This performance has inspired my daughter to re-join the choir. Thank you again for a magnificent evening’s entertainment. I am so proud to be a parent at Girls Grammar. (Mrs Mackenzie – Year 9 Parent) My daughter just emailed me the Volume one, Issue one of Alumni News . It was just fabulous and so very exciting. I found the information to be relevant for the intended reader and at the same time short and diverse enough to retain our attention. I am confident that this initiative will be most successful. Congratulations to everyone involved. (Mrs Anthony – Past Parent) there when I was at Grammar! (Lucy Byrne – Alumnae 2004)

grammar gazette: Autumn 2007 edition

Grammar Girls......................................... 13 Learning Initiatives................................. 15 Sport........................................................ 16 Snapshots................................................ 17 Alumni..................................................... 18 Old Girls Association............................... 19

From the School Leaders........................... 2 From the Principal..................................... 3 Leadership................................................. 4 Challenge................................................... 5 In Focus...................................................... 6 Creative Learning Centre......................... 10 Staff Profiles............................................ 12

FROM THE SCHOOL LEADERS

Our theme for 2007, Create the Bonds, has been well embraced in Term I. In developing this theme we were looking to challenge Grammar girls to enhance unity within the School and create connections with the community. The enthusiasm with which this challenge has already been met has surpassed our expectations. The bonding began with a ‘Summer Sausage Shindig for a Shave’ in celebration of the last day of summer. This involved a fun-filled lunchtime of music, dancing, a sausage sizzle and a summer atmosphere. There was a good reason for this partying, as proceeds went to Rebecca Conrick (10W) who shaved her head to raise money for cancer research. The way in which the School supported Rebecca and her cause was incredible and the unity created has set the standard for the year. To further encourage bonding within the School, the Sports and Arts captains came up with the innovative idea of a Grammar Pride ‘loyalty card.’ Similar to a retail loyalty card, the cardholder (students) will be rewarded for supporting major school activities. The Student Council has introduced another new initiative this year, entitled ‘Grammartime’, inspired by MC Hammer’s song, Can’t Touch This . In addition to funds raised over the year, the time that girls spend doing things for others is also going to being counted. Something else that has been generating great excitement has, of course, been the construction of the Creative Learning Centre. With its completion looming closer, it is Create the Bonds

looking spectacular and is sure to become an integral part of the School campus and identity. We are very fortunate to be students at Brisbane Girls Grammar School, with great teachers, fantastic facilities and resources and all the opportunities we have. Not everyone in our community shares those same opportunities. This year the School has chosen to support Kummara, a Women’s Organisation based in West End that facilitates strategies to enhance Indigenous family functioning and well being. Even today, retention rates of Indigenous children in Queensland schools are very poor. Kummara believes that starting school with all the necessary equipment makes for a positive beginning to education. The funds Grammar girls raise this year will go exclusively towards school resources for Indigenous children. Following the success of ‘Blue Day’ and ‘Grammar’s Got Talent’ many more fundraising activities will be held in support of Kummara. Term I has been filled with much bonding, fundraising, and celebrating, and if we continue the momentum, 2007 is going to be a landmark year at Brisbane Girls Grammar School. Sarah Cowley and Sally Fry, Head Girls

grammar gazette autumn 2007