Grammar Gazette-Issue 1, 2021

Creating Connections The role of School support groups in creating social capital

Awards and Achievements

Dr Cate Campbell President of the Parents and Friends Association

Congratulations to the following alumnae, students and staff who have been recognised by independent organisations for their accomplishments across many and varied fields.

What makes a school great? More than a hundred years ago, L.J. Hanifan, a school inspector in West Virginia, wondered about the reasons for the disparity he saw between the different schools he visited. He eventually concluded that community involvement had a significant positive impact on educational outcomes and coined the term ‘social capital’ to describe the ‘goodwill, fellowship, mutual sympathy and social intercourse among a group of individuals and families who make up a social unit’. From this initial insight, an understanding has evolved that involvement in social groups develops feelings of identity, belonging, trust and solidarity; networks create norms that build confidence.

— Dr Bruce Addison (Deputy Principal, Academic) has co-authored a book (published April 2021) for Hawker Brownlow Education titled Inspiring Hope: Personal pedagogical gifts in a world of standards — Dr Wendy Page (1972) , was recognised for 30 years of contribution to improving Aboriginal health outcomes by being named the Northern Territory State Recipient for Australian of the Year 2021 — Emeritus Professor Cheryl Praeger (1965) , was one of only four recipients who was bestowed a Companion (AC) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for her significant service to: mathematics, and to tertiary education; as a leading academic and researcher, to international organisations; and as a champion of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers Emeritus Professor Praeger was also recognised by the Australian Academy of Science, receiving one of the Academy’s most prestigious awards—the Inaugural Ruby Payne-Scott Medal and Lecture — Professor Helene Marsh (Gould, 1962) , was awarded an Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the biological and environmental sciences, to the conservation of marine mammals, and to tertiary education

The Brisbane Girls Grammar School Parents and Friends Association (P&F) has a core role in nurturing social capital in our School While we aim to provide opportunities for fun and fellowship, we are also aware that we create connections between families As important as this is for day-to-day issues like car-pooling or lost belongings, we hope that this also contributes to a sense of confidence in the School and heightened satisfaction around our roles as parents To this end, the P&F Association continues to focus our efforts on supporting the Mothers Group and Fathers Group, to provide opportunities for parents to meet and get to know each other This year, the Mothers Group and their team of Year level

representatives have enthusiastically organised casual coffee mornings and evening social events Fathers Group dinners and Marrapatta retreats are back again after the COVID-induced hiatus We have supported the girl’s charitable endeavours by providing baked goods for Pink Stumps Day and refreshments before the Parent Seminar Our sister support groups for Music, Rowing and Water Polo continue to enhance the experience of girls active in these pursuits As we head towards 2022, and 70 years of P&F participation in the Girls Grammar community, we continue to work towards our goal to be an organisation for ‘parents who are friends’. ■

— Josephine Auer (2015) was awarded The University of Queensland’s Graduate of the Year for 2020 — Gabi Palm (2015) and Abby Andrews (2017) have been selected to the 13-strong Australian Women’s Water Polo team for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics — Rachel Chiong (2020) and Josephine Clough (2020) were awarded first place nationally, for their entry in the Young ICT Explorers Competition in 2020 for their online digital art gallery — Amy Middlemass (10M) , Isabel Lumley (11M) , Sabine Hatzipetrou (11M) and Finn Magill (11H) played in the QueenslandWater Polo Premier League in late 2020 The girls joined Abby Andrews (2017) and Gabriella Palm (2017) in this competition — Sabine Hatzipetrou (11M) has been selected as part of the Australian Youth Women’s Gold Water Polo Team, which will participate in the New Zealand 21 and Under Invitational Event from 25 to 27 June

— References Hanifan, Lyda J. | socialcapitalgateway.org. (2011, June 26) Retrieved April 22, 2021 from https://www socialcapitalgateway org/content/perso n/hanifan-lyda-j Social Capital | Families and Schools Together. (n d ) Retrieved April 22, 2021 from https://www familiesandschools org/blog/social-capital/

above right Dr Cate Campbell addressing students at Assembly above left BGGS Director of Service, Mrs Lynne Mungomery, with Mothers Group President, Ms Kat Henley, at Pink Stumps Day

above Josephine Auer (2015)

Gazette

Gazette

Brisbane Girls Grammar School

Brisbane Girls Grammar School

30

Issue 1, 2021

31

Issue 1, 2021