Grammar Gazette-Issue 1, 2020

A Curious Climate

Antipodeans Abroad Challenge and discovery in Peru

Mr Paul Martineau Travel Coordinator

Curiosity and travel go hand in hand. Globetrotting has always been a pursuit of the adventurous, intrepid and curious, and the School’s Antipodeans Abroad Program, offered every two years to students in Years 10 and 11, is no exception. Prepared to be challenged physically, emotionally and socially, 92 Grammar girls travelled to Peru for the School’s Antipodeans Abroad trip in December 2019. This was the School’s 11th trip, and while the destinations change, the reasons girls choose to participate remain the same—they’re curious, eager to make a difference and to contribute to something greater than themselves

Inspired by the stories of her older sisters, who travelled to Cambodia, Borneo and Vietnam with the School as part of Antipodeans Abroad, Phoebe Lingard (12H) always wanted to participate in the Program and the destination played a huge factor in her decision to take part in last year’s trip. ‘My sisters speak fondly about their trips, and as a history and geography student the rich and vibrant culture of Peru was appealing to me I had never travelled to South America and Machu Picchu was on my bucket list! ‘Our trip to Peru centred on curiosity—the curiosity to learn about another culture, new things and

ourselves Each ruin, monastery or museum we visited provided a different perspective on Inca people and their history.’ One of the most profound experiences for girls was in Arequipa, where they explored the Museo Santuarios Andinos—the museum of the frozen mummy, Juanita Also known as the Ice Maiden, Juanita is a frozen 12-year-old Inca girl who died in a ritual sacrifice in the Andes Mountains more than 500 years ago ▶

Student Environment Leadership Network representative, Simran Mackrani (10H), said young environmental advocates such as Greta Thunberg, Autumn Peltier and Jamie Margolin are relatable women role models demonstrating that young adults can make a difference. ‘Greta, Autumn and Jamie have proven that age is no barrier to creating change Our understanding of the natural world from the School’s Outdoor Education Program allows us to decipher what we see and hear in the news, and make informed decisions about our actions and the influence they have on the environment.’ Since the introduction of outdoor education at Girls Grammar in 1978, our teachers have been committed to instilling in students a practical understanding of the natural world The Outdoor Education Program encourages girls to develop positive relationships with the environment, others and themselves through interactions with nature, and while the program has many benefits, sustainability has always been the ultimate goal American philosopher, John Dewey, was a fervent believer that schools are places to develop the society we want to see, and at Marrapatta, we aim to do just that It is our responsibility to provide young people with the practical skills and education necessary to engage judiciously with environmental issues We challenge our girls to be curious and think critically about their impact on the environment and how we, as a community, can make a difference.

Implementing small actions while on camp, such as recycling appropriately, reducing single-use plastics and discussing why we take such measures, prompts girls to think about what else they can do It also enables a deeper understanding of, and connection with, the environment and the impact our actions have on the planet These messages extend to the broader BGGS community as girls apply their learnings from outdoor education to other areas of the School through initiatives such as Grammar Goes Green and the Grammar Environmental Conservation Organisation (GECO) Through the provision of outdoor education, and student-led initiatives such as GECO, girls are provided with opportunities to reflect on sustainable alternatives for everyday living and to establish the foundations for sustainability and stewardship into their future Members of the BGGS community are invited to join the School in maintaining the natural environment of the Girls Grammar grounds by participating in Grammar Goes Green events, advertised on the BGGS website throughout the year ■

above left Year 7 students at the School’s Marrapatta campus

left Team One in the traditional dress of the Paru Paru community

above right Year 9 students hiking through the Mary Valley

Gazette

Gazette

Brisbane Girls Grammar School

Brisbane Girls Grammar School

14

Issue 1, 2020

15

Issue 1, 2020