Grammar Gazette-Issue 1, 2021

In Their Words Life lessons from the field

My First 50 Days at BGGS Daily life for Year 7 students

Mr Liam Mulligan Sports Manager

Annabelle Abrahams (7G)

Growing up in north-east England—in the hometown of Premier League team, Newcastle United— football had a profound impact on Sports Manager, Mr Liam Mulligan’s childhood.

My first 50 days at Grammar have been very enjoyable. I have had a great time meeting new people and developing friendships. The classes so far have been engaging, and there is always something new and exciting to do every lesson. Everyone has been so kind and helpful.

athlete and as a person I rediscovered my passion for the sport and was motivated to help others I felt like I had a purpose again I completedmy Australian Strength and Conditioning Course, and soon after started working as a personal trainer and then lecturing health and fitness. From there, I started working for a company that helped athletes excel in their sport—an area in which I’m most passionate At Girls Grammar, I coordinate the School’s Strength and Conditioning Program, and manage sport fixtures, interhouse competitions and sporting clinics The School’s strength and conditioning sessions are held before and after school These sessions are not compulsory; girls show up of their own accord because they’re passionate about sport or want to improve their physical fitness. It’s so rewarding to see girls reach their fitness goals, but perhaps more importantly, realise the benefits of maintaining a healthy lifestyle For me, strength and conditioning increased my confidence, changed my health and fitness, and improved my overall wellbeing I want to inspire that realisation and change in the girls Although my injury is one of the biggest challenges I’ve had to overcome, it was such an important life lesson— things don't always go to plan—but with resilience, you can overcome any adversity ■

In the morning, I get to my locker, check my schedule, and pack my book bag accordingly Then, on most mornings, I go to House Group Our prefects always have fun activities for us, and our House Group Captains make sure we are all informed of different school events, activities and deadlines coming up that week. Then we go to first and second period. At break time I get the chance to catch up with my friends My favourite subjects are Science, Visual Art and Drama I really enjoy the methods and experiments in science, and I love how I can express myself and my ideas through art and drama Outside of classes, I participate in band, fencing, and rock climbing, and I have signed up for athletics I really love working withmy peers in band and learning new skills in fencing I have made lots of friends though co-curricular activities, and think it is a great opportunity to meet new people At first the campus was tricky to navigate, being so big and having so many levels, but my buddy and lots of helpful seniors explained how the School’s buildings were positioned and where to go Something I hope to do at Girls Grammar is compose a piece of music The perfect opportunity is coming up: the School is holding a composition competition this term! I can’t wait to see what the rest of Year 7 holds— and the years that follow! ■

I originally started playing football because my grandfather and father played Most young boys I grew up with dreamt of becoming professional football players, but very few made it to the Premier League This didn’t deter me though; I was determined to play professionally I left school early to attend a football academy, where I trained every day and studied Sports Science in the evenings When I was 16 years old, my coach encouraged me to join a higher club level about six leagues below the Premier League Physically it was a big step, as I had to develop myself to withstand that style of play—I was a teenager playing against men—and it was a much more professional setting At 19, I was given the opportunity to play football in Australia At the time, I thought I would play for a year and then move to another club, but in the f irst four months I met my now f iancée I decided to stay in Australia a little longer, and I fell in love with the country Five years later, I suffered a life- changing sports injury I snapped my ACL, PCL, LCL and tore my hamstring muscles off the bone, ruling me out of playing competitive football ever again Up until that point, football had meant everything to me—it was my identity Throughout my rehabilitation, I was reminded of the impact strength and conditioning had on my earlier life and how it helped me to improve as an

Girls Grammar has a beautiful new video that highlights our students and the breadth of activities and facilities at the School Please use the QR code to watch the video — bggs qld edu au/openday2021

above Annabelle Abrahams (7G) with her Year 12 Buddy, India Edwards (12G) on the first day of school

Gazette

Gazette

Brisbane Girls Grammar School

Brisbane Girls Grammar School

24

Issue 1, 2021

25

Issue 1, 2021