Grammar Gazette- Issue 2, 2011

grammar gazette SPRING 2011

Staff Profiles

At this year’s Open Day the Old Girls were situated in the Annie Mackay Room surrounded by traditions and honour boards. The enthusiasm shown by incoming families was palpable. We spoke with many parents, grandparents and Year 7 girls all of whom were delighted to be there, whether past students or first generation, as part of the Girls Grammar community. The Annual Recollections afternoon tea was enjoyed by many old girls including six women who were celebrating their 70 year reunion. Held in the Barbara Fielding Room, the backdrop of the students’ colourful art works displayed on the gallery wall attracted great interest and acclamation. The Old Girls Association has been working on a publication of past students’ recollections and this was presented to Dr Bell at the afternoon tea. The book is a compilation of Grammar girls’ memories compiled over Old Girls Association MRS CHRISTINE PURVIS (STEINDL 1965), PRESIDENT

Ms Kate Kildey, Teacher Librarian

Mr Andrew Pennay, Head of Academic Music I am fundamentally concerned with high quality music making and the development of my students’ musicianship skills through active classes characterised by singing, improvising and movement. From these experiences, students start to think in sound, making connections between curricular and co-curricular music making as well as music that they are exposed to in the media. Equipping students with the ability to ‘think in sound’ has always been important to me. As I tell my students, I am only interested in them knowing seven things: do, re, mi, fa, so, la and ti. From here, most things flow in music. I have long been interested in the development of pre-service music teachers, having lectured in Music Education at The University of Queensland and annually at the Sound Thinking Summer Music Program. I spent 12 years travelling the globe as Assistant Conductor of The Australian Voices, a vocal ensemble dedicated to commissioning, performing and recording the choral works of Australian composers. These days, I maintain this busy schedule as a performer in folk ensembles playing toy piano, melodica, banjo, banjo- mandolin, shruti box and other instruments found in my travels. I have particularly enjoyed convening the Composers Club and Song Writer Studio at the School, encouraging students to develop a keen interest in the composition and recording of new work and giving practical ongoing support to their projects. I was proud to be awarded a National Award for Excellence in School Music Education this year.

Ms Ruth Janz, Head of Mackay House Gaining the opportunity to teach at Girls Grammar has, in more ways than one, felt like coming home. Graduating from Grammar in 1995 I pursued a double degree at UQ in Arts (English and History) and Education. Upon its completion, I felt the need to explore and experience other education systems. I began teaching at a co-educational state school in Canberra where I learnt valuable lessons about what sort of teacher I wanted to be and what pedagogical practices worked best. I very quickly discovered a passion for the pastoral care management of my pupils. Moving to Adelaide I worked in a co-educational private school where my intense desire to pursue innovative delivery styles and curriculum was fuelled. I was able to develop this interest further at a Catholic girls’ school, where I taught English and History and worked in a middle management role assisting in the implementation of various aspects of the junior curriculum. The chance to continue my exploration of innovative teaching as well as the pastoral care management of students’ well being—emotional, social and academic—is what drew me back to Brisbane Girls Grammar. Being a member of the teaching and learning community here is exciting due to the level of professionalism from staff and motivation from students in our joint pursuit of exceptional scholarship. My role as the Head of Mackay House, while challenging, is providing me with an insight into how to balance the academic and general well-being of my students. Giving back something to a school that gave me so much is just the icing on the cupcake for me.

If someone had told me in my final year as a student at Brisbane Girls Grammar School that I would return as a teacher and embark on a career in the Library, I would not have believed them. I have been fortunate to find a career that combines my greatest passions in life: teaching, health education, information literacy, technology, and the study of the humanities. I fell in love with the Social Sciences and Health Education in my first year of university, deciding to commit to a Bachelor of Secondary Education majoring in these two areas. At the end of my undergraduate degree, I welcomed the next phase of my education, studying a Masters degree in Learning Innovation. I returned to Girls Grammar because of my desire to extend my knowledge, skills and experience in the field of education, and to work with inspirational and dedicated teachers from whom I continue to learn every day. I have had the opportunity to experience many different roles at Girls Grammar: teaching a range of subjects including Geography, History and Enterprise Management, as well as attending outdoor education and sporting camps, coaching the Senior A Netball team, and being a House Group teacher. My main role is that of a Teacher Librarian. My job allows me to work with staff from all faculties, develop resources for staff and students, present lessons on information fluency, promote technology to enhance teaching and learning, and deliver professional development sessions. I am incredibly fortunate to be able to teach at a leading school, and to be part of a remarkable School community.

several years. Many of the recollections were retrieved from the School’s archives in the form of oral interviews conducted by various people, including recently retired committee member, Mrs Stacey Olson. One such interview with Mrs Emily Roe (Hayman, 1913) and Mrs Olive Thatcher (Adam, 1914) was recorded in 1973. Great granddaughter of Mrs Roe, Mrs Brigit Steindl, compared the recollections of Emily, who attended from July 1905 to September 1906, and from July 1907 to April 1913, to her own from 1987 to 1991. This presentation was both entertaining and informative as the two contrasting eras were brought to life. A bouquet of Australian native flowers was presented to Mrs Lyle Schwarten in recognition of her lengthy service to the Association, as president (1971-1975) and ongoing committee member. We thank Lyle and wish her the best.

Alumni and Art

BRISBANE Successful Brisbane fashion designer George Wu and upcoming designer and past student Shenaz Engineer

NSW The Art Gallery of New South Wales restaurant was a-buzz as twenty seven alumnae discussed their eye opening private tour of the 2011 Archibald Prize exhibtion at the Gallery. Now in its 90th year, the

enthralled alumnae with tales of the fashion world over cocktails and canapés at Era in South Brisbane. Guests then moved on to a headline runway show at the glamorous annual Mercedes Benz Brisbane Fashion Festival. LONDON Alumnae in the UK were treated to a private tour of the Toulouse-Lautrec and Jane Avril: Beyond the Moulin Rouge exhibition at the historic Courtauld Gallery in the heart of London. The exhibition

Archibald Prize is one of Australia’s oldest and most prestigious art awards which aims to foster portraiture, support artists and perpetuate the memory of great Australians. Alumnae had a wonderful morning catching up with many regular Alumni and Art attendees, delighting in their opportunity for a mini reunion. VICTORIA

Australia’s oldest public art gallery, the National Gallery of Victoria played host to our alumnae for a fascinating presentation on the Vienna: Art and Design collection which brought together more than 250

brought together a rich group of paintings, posters and prints from international collections to celebrate the artist and his muse. The afternoon was completed with high tea at the famous One Aldwych hotel where alumnae reconnected and reminisced about their days at Girls Grammar.

works of art, including specially selected works by Klimt, Schiele, Hoffmann and Loos. Alumnae then had the opportunity to wander through the exhibition, followed by a deliciously decadent morning tea and plenty of lively conversation.

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