Grammar Gazette-Issue 1, 2021

From the Chair Intentional steps toward leadership

From the Principal Open to learning

Ms Julie McKay Chair of the Board of Trustees

Ms Jacinda Euler Principal

International Women’s Day is typically a bittersweet occasion for me. While it is encouraging to celebrate the contributions of women, it can be disheartening to realise how many challenges remain: women still do not have pay equality; our lifetime earnings remain lower thanmen; our workplaces are still not free from sexual harassment; and many homes are still unsafe.

Against a backdrop of great division on the pages of our news outlets and social media, Brisbane Girls Grammar School staff, students and families began 2021 with a sense of gratitude and a pervasive feeling of optimism.

I have frequently urged our students to read the news, to keep up with global events, but in these current times it is not, necessarily, an encouraging experience When we read about global health pandemics, criminal injustice, or mismanagement of public initiatives, it can be tempting to form harsh judgements about individuals or groups of people with whom we disagree While inappropriate actions must be addressed, structural disadvantage overturned, I hope we never lose sight of what a good nation we are a part of and what freedoms we enjoy At Girls Grammar we remind girls that conviction, however deeply held, should not make us deaf to reason or the views of others We encourage our students to assert their views, respectfully, always mindful of the right of others to express theirs Expert and caring teachers ensure students gain a substantial body of knowledge in their subject areas, are equipped with the skills to think critically about information presented to them and, with an open mind, will explore contentious issues This happens within and beyond the classroom Students learn through English, History, Debating and other areas to discern the purpose and agenda of people’s actions and communications They learn through Visual Art, Drama performance, and other activities to appreciate different perspectives; some people respond emotionally, others with reason, but we must respect and cultivate the great diversity of thought that is essential in our democratic society And in other areas, such as Music, girls learn that sometimes things are just intrinsically beautiful; they are in and of themselves inherently worthwhile Our teaching staff, coaches, volunteers and supporters encourage girls to develop a love for learning and to approach every conversation, academic task, or activity with an open-minded interest in understanding different perspectives. This ‘life-wide’ edition of Gazette presents many of the opportunities our students have to do this

Finally, as the winter of mid-year often brings a certain weariness and fatigue as the end of semester approaches, and as last year’s lag effect on wellbeing continues within many families, the strength of our community, and the goodwork of the Parents&Friends Association and all of our Parent Support Groups has never been more important to help keep us connected Having worked our way through the uncertainty of 2020, our understanding of how much we value simply being together and physically present has been obvious in parents’ tremendous interest in special events such as Mother and Daughter Dinner, the Cathedral Concert or the Year 12 Family Picnic If a Girls Grammar education prepares our students to embrace the future with imagination, and the wisdom to face challenges and disappointments with grace and dignity, our society will be strengthened by their confident and open-minded approach to life. ■

This year, the focus for International Women’s Day was the disparate lack of women leaders worldwide As a Grammar Woman and a mother of two girls, I am naturally concerned with ensuring that our daughters feel empowered to lead in their own authentic ways—to be the best version of themselves, inspire others and connect with their community in whatever way is most meaningful to them Over the past decade in the corporate space, efforts to encourage women into leadership have focused on mentoring—cups of coffee with women who have worked in our industry and have advice to share While valuable in providing insight, discussion and advice, perhaps sponsors need to seek more powerful ways to truly open doors for other women Sponsorship requires much more engagement than a monthly catch-up; a sponsor identifies the next steps for an emerging leader, assists them in taking those actions, and consistently endorses them, accommodating and encouraging them through missteps that may occur along the way This intentional investment in the advancement of women around us is just as important outside the business world Even before their careers begin, young women benefit from deliberate exposure to a range of leadership models When our daughters, for example, have the chance to work with an outstanding female composer, or are introduced to a Girls Grammar alumna doing quiet, but world- changing research, they look beyond the mainstream leaders promoted in the media—the politician, the award-winning actress, the CEO—to what a successful, balanced life could look like for them I hope that this year we can go well beyond conversations and take intentional action to support the girls and women in our lives to feel ready to lead ■

‘If we continue at the current rate, we’re going to achieve women’s equality well after my lifetime, and probably well after the lifetimes of the next generation.’

above Ms Julie McKay, Chair of the Board of Trustees, speaking at the opening of the School's Science Learning Centre in October 2020

Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler, with O’Connor House Service Captains, Juliet Thottunkall (12O) and Hanna Hussain (12O), and Service Captains, Sierra Reza (12H) and Jillian Campbell (12O)

Gazette

Gazette

Brisbane Girls Grammar School

Brisbane Girls Grammar School

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Issue 1, 2021

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Issue 1, 2021