Grammar Gazette- Issue 2, 2016

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‘There would be very few schools in Australia boasting the number of staff with either research or professional doctorates or staff who are completing such study as here at Brisbane Girls Grammar School.’

A Year 7 Philosophy of Learning class

If nothing else is achieved in pursuing doctoral research, at least the researcher has intimate experience with examining such grains of sand! The first Brisbane Girls Grammar School staff member to be awarded a Doctorate while working at the School was Dr Sally Stephens, our long serving Director of Science. Dr Stephens was awarded a Doctor of Education (EdD) degree by the Queensland University of Technology in 1999 with a thesis entitled: Coordination of empirical laws and explanatory theory using model-based reasoning in Year 10 science . Since then many have followed. Just retired Dr Keith Treschman is our most recent doctoral graduate. He was awarded a PhD by the University of Southern Queensland in 2016 with a thesis entitled: Astronomical Tests of General Relativity . Working alongside many of us who have completed the doctoral journey has been the Director of our Centre for Professional Practice, Dr Kay Kimber. Dr Kimber’s scholarship, support and wisdom has done much to shape the strength of our research practice. She was awarded

her PhD from the Queensland University of Technology in 2002 with a thesis entitled Technoliteracy, teacher agency and design: shaping a digital learning culture . The 21st century presents many challenges. We are told that change is only going to become more disruptive and that intellectual agility will be essential to traverse this uncertainty, and teachers who role model intellectual rigour and determination can only help to prepare our young people for this environment. There are many ways staff can do this. Doctoral study is just one way. A love for and depth of knowledge of a discipline is another. Conveying information, demonstrating a love of learning while at the same time challenging young minds in the rigours of thinking is a privilege beyond comparison.

SOURCE Palmer, P. J. (1998). The Courage to Teach . San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

AUTUMN ISSUE / 2016