Grammar Gazette- Issue 2, 2013
/ 01
Looking forward, looking back
ARTICLE
MS JACINDA EULER, PRINCIPAL
AUTHOR
teaching practice continue to provide the exceptional education for which we are renowned. Since its inception, our community has understood and greatly valued the School’s contribution to the education of girls and young women, preparing them for purposeful lives and to inspire and lead in the world. At this time, we are also exploring, examining and reflecting upon our past with the publication of our first School history. Professor Erica McWilliam, a leading academic and educator, was engaged to undertake this important work. Educating Girls is a rigorous, insightful and beautiful publication that will proudly mark the contribution of a far-reaching succession of determined, inspiring and pioneering educators. While there are always new developments in education and fresh approaches to teaching and learning — as exemplified by the introduction of our Bring Your Own Device policy next year and the design of our Research and Innovative Learning Centre — the broad liberal platform of education upon which Brisbane Girls Grammar School was founded remains at the core of what we value in education for our girls today. We could not achieve all that we do without the strength and spirit of a supportive community of trustees, staff, old girls and parents who give so much to the wider life of our School. It is a community that values intellectual engagement and energy; maintains high expectations; and provides the support and challenge required to shape and nurture the intellect, the confidence and the character of our girls. We have much to honour by looking back and to plan for in looking forward.
THE FUTURE ENTICES US WITH a sense of hope and optimism, and at Brisbane Girls Grammar we have much to look forward to. While the purchase of our sports campus at Fig Tree Pocket was an exciting acquisition, we now turn our attention to developing its potential. The possibilities suggested have been imaginative and exciting: extensive sporting fields and courts; a centre for sporting excellence and leadership for girls; environmental education opportunities; cultural venues and events in the longer term; and even an observatory has been suggested. At our historic Spring Hill campus, work has commenced on the new Research and Innovative Learning Centre that will open in time for the arrival of Year 7 in 2015. This next stage in our School’s history is well underway. While Girls Grammar is an icon of Brisbane’s educational landscape, for generations of girls and their families the heritage building and white picket fence on Gregory Terrace are imbued with particular meaning and resonance. They are not just symbols of exemplary education for girls, but represent a connection to place that is vital to our sense of identity, both personal and communal. Just as Marrapatta at Imbil has long held a special place in the hearts of Grammar girls, in time, Fig Tree Pocket will inevitably become another place to connect with the natural environment, broaden learning, strive in sport and create happy memories through the years. To help us fully realise these possibilities, particularly in this era of funding uncertainty, we have appointed an inaugural Director of Development. Philanthropic principles are intrinsic to the spirit of Brisbane Girls Grammar, as it was founded through direct community participation and contribution in 1875. The generosity of benefactors throughout the School’s history has ensured that our contemporary learning spaces and resources for innovative
SPRING ISSUE / 2013
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online