Grammar Gazette- Issue 2, 2006

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the Year in 1995. In recognition of her work in the fields of breast cancer and education she was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1998. Cherrell Hirst’s association with numerous boards and government taskforces reflects the richness and diversity of her interests and her genuine concern for the wellbeing of the wider community. Most significant for our School has been her service on our Board of Trustees for sixteen years and her leadership as Chair for the past ten. In her time on the Board, Dr Hirst has been a chief architect and sponsor of policies initiating strong strategic and financial planning which has enabled the School to move forward in all spheres of endeavour — partly typified today by the on-going construction of the Creative Learning Centre — and to fulfil our Aspiration: to be respected internationally as a leader in the education of young women … She is a firm believer in the efficacy of good governance which can moderate the potentially isolated and insular nature of schools by bringing broad perspectives and wisdom to policy decisions, while providing advocacy for and a representation of educational issues to the broader community. As a highly credentialed and experienced professional woman, Cherrell Hirst understands the importance of networking and mentoring for women’s career development and has actively engaged in these strategies — especially in the field of Health. Her long association with our School within an amazingly busy working and personal schedule reveals her absolute commitment to the education of girls and From her broad experience of working with women in many aspects of life, Dr Hirst has become more and more convinced of the critical importance of the “empowering” educative process for girls in enabling the women they are to become to take an effective and rightful place in the life of our nation and the world. This passionate belief has enabled her to work with boundless enthusiasm and dedication for Brisbane Girls Grammar School since 1990 and will ensure that she remains an integral part of the School community for the rest of her life. The community of Brisbane Girls Grammar School understands but regrets her decision to stand down from our Board of Trustees; she will have a special place in our history. Miss Felicity Williams Deputy Principal and Old Girl (1960 – 1963) a profound understanding of the importance of females modelling leadership roles to young women.

From the School Leaders....................... 2 A Leading Role Model ........................... 3 From the Principal.................................. 4 — 5 Links for Life........................................... 5 Re/Signifying Girl Power....................... 6 From Group or Gang to Supportive Network. ......................... 7 Sport. ...................................................... 8 — 9 Music....................................................... 10 grammar gazette: Spring 2006 edition

Drama..................................................... 11 Year 11 Charity Evening......................... 11 Community Service................................ 12 — 13 Staff Profiles........................................... 14 Snapshots............................................... 15 Grammar Girls........................................ 16 — 17 Marrapatta.............................................. 18 Alumni.................................................... 19 — 20 Old Girls Association. ............................. 20

Cover Image: Greg Gardner Photography

FROM THE SCHOOL LEADERS

The Second Round

LETTERS

“Congratulations to the Mothers Group on the recent Mothers Group dinner – it was a great success. The guest speaker was a delight to listen to and I am sure these dinners will become very popular occasions on the Group’s calendar. “ (Mrs Jane Creenaune – Year 12 Parent) “We congratulate you on the new initiatives seen in the academic report and appreciate the tremendous time and effort by each of her teachers in collating this information. It is a very valuable document to us and allows us to discuss her schooling in more detail with her.” (Mr and Mrs Piotrowski – Year 10 Parents) “I hope that your current students appreciate you and maybe in years to come they’ll also feel the need to contact you and just say thank you for everything. The quality of the education I received at BGGS was of the highest standard and a fantastic grounding for a young girl to have. My days at BGGS were very happy ones and the things I learnt there are still with me today.” (Mrs Jenni Whistance – Alumnae 1981) “…… in reference of the Year 12 cohort as a group, and that each and every girl should strive to reach her own potential…… this bears testimony to the nature of the balanced education that our girls are getting at this great School, teaching values through example, as well as promoting academic achievement.” (Mr and Mrs Venn – Year 10 Parents) “The Conference was a wonderful opportunity to hear inspiring speakers, to reflect upon the experience of others in similar girls’ schools and to consider how we collectively approach the future challenges of girls’ education. It also confirmed that Girls Grammar really is at the forefront of innovative teaching and learning.” (Ms Jacinda Euler – Teacher)

A Leading Role Model for Young Women Dr Cherrell Hirst AO In many ways, Cherrell Hirst’s career and contribution to public life exemplifies the School’s contemporary Aspiration of educating young women to contribute confidently to their world with wisdom, imagination and integrity, but it also reflects the fact that Brisbane Girls Grammar School has an impressive tradition for academic excellence and for producing women who have taken significant leadership roles in Queensland and the Nation.

On a lighter note, there are always fun times to be had. The annual Interhouse Athletics Carnival was held in August. As always this event was a colourful day with friendly House rivalry and proving to be as much a costume party as a sports carnival. Coming up in Term IV are many more fundraising events — girls will be able to watch our bravest seniors put their social lives on the line with hilariously funny acts. We will host the annual Boys Grammar versus Girls Grammar debate in support of the Royal Children’s Hospital and we have commenced a fundraising series called Grammatomy. In the first round of this event, “Whose Hair is There,” students attempt to match hair to staff members. This follows our successful Term II fundraiser — a mock Miss Universe competition in which competitors were required to showcase their chosen “talents” including dance moves and choosing the ideal formal partner. Tygar Taylor (12B) was crowned Miss Mock Grammar 2006. All proceeds from this event went to the Breast Cancer Foundation. Finally we would like to wish the School the best of luck and encourage everyone to give their very best to achieve their full potential in Semester 2. Just remember; There are no rules of architecture for a castle in the clouds. G.K. Chesterton (1874–1936) Build it up! Sophie Matterson and Elizabeth Forrest Head Girls

Our aim for Semester 2 is to continue to lift and build-up the spirit of the girls to face the rigors ahead with courage and determination. For Year 12s, the challenge lies in focusing on the present rather than the future. With the arrival of the QTAC books Year 12s began to look at the outside world, and the bizarre thought that one day our lives will not revolve around Grammar anymore. We believe that you can take the girl out of Grammar but you can’t take Grammar out of a girl! It is essential that every girl, (not just Year 12s), in the School remains focused. That is why this Term we encourage every girl to put her heart and soul into School. We want Grammar to: Dance like no one is watching Love… [school]… as though you have never been hurt before Sing like no one is listening And live as though heaven is… [at Grammar] – borrowed from Mark Twain (1835–1910). Although every term has its ups and downs, Term III is notoriously challenging in terms of assessment. However we go through it knowing that these trials are character building and that we can only gain strength from them. Every Grammar girl has the qualities of a warrior woman and it has been proven again and again that “when the going gets tough, the tough get going” – Joseph P. Kennedy (1888–1969).

Cherrell Hirst is an Old Girl of the School (1960–1963) and remembers her time at Girls Grammar as one which provided ready access to a university education and encouraged a belief that she could do whatever she chose — provided she worked hard enough. This message, so much part of the everyday ethos of our School in 2006, was not made so overt in the early 1960s but became, none-the-less, an innate conviction of most Grammar girls even then. By 1969, Cherrell Hirst had graduated from the University of Queensland with a degree in Medicine and, after her residency at Princess Alexandra Hospital, undertook postgraduate studies overseas. Returning to Brisbane in 1976, Dr Hirst worked in general practice part-time while having three children in less than three years.

Six years later she grasped the opportunity to become the Deputy Director of the newly opened Wesley Breast Clinic. As Director (1984–2001) she gained a national reputation in the field of breast cancer diagnosis and screening and the provision of associated support services for women. Following her personal and professional interests, and while working fulltime, Dr Hirst undertook a degree in education graduating in 1989. In 1990 she was appointed to the Council of Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and, in 1994, was elected Chancellor, a position she held for ten years. Dr Hirst has been awarded three honorary doctorates from Southern Cross, Griffith and QUT Universities, a Centenary Medal (2003) and was named Queenslander of

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