Grammar Gazette- Issue 1, 2017

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THE SISTERHOOD... OUT OF THE BLUE

AUTHORS Head Girls (pictured above) Lucinda Duke (12H) and Elizabeth Prins (12B) Brisbane Girls Grammar School 2017

be shattered. This year, more so than any other, we wanted to imbue our School with a strong sense of appreciation, a certain self-awareness and an acknowledgement of the privileges we receive by virtue of our exceptional education. It is easy to forget that this opportunity is not universal, and to become complacent in that forgetfulness. It was with this pursuit of active engagement in mind that our School charity, the Romero Centre, was selected. We wanted the expression of gratitude to extend beyond our own campus to lend financial support to an organisation that cares for refugees in Brisbane. We wanted all of us to be aware of our responsibilities as liberally educated Grammar girls, and as global citizens. At Brisbane Girls Grammar School we are so fortunate to learn in a positive, welcoming environment every day. The essential element of this warm environment is the student body, the sisterhood, the team. We would be nothing without this and, in the words of Mattie J.T. Stepanek, ‘Unity is strength... when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.’ This idea of teamwork was one that really resonated with the Student Council. Many girls are involved in sporting teams, debating teams, a production cast or an ensemble, but the real team is us, the sisterhood … ‘the Blue’. We may not all be on the field or stage, but we are in the stands, in the audience, in the crowd supporting and celebrating the talent and the spirit demonstrated by all Grammar girls. Throughout this term, we have been thrilled to recognise such a positive response to our goals. Our principles and priorities have begun to shape the year and already our teamwork was demonstrated at QGSSSA swimming where we were proud to have the largest number of Year 12 supporters on record. This enthusiasm was also reflected in Galentine’s Day and Blue Days. Girls have embraced mindfulness and gratitude with open arms, with many utilising their diary’s weekly ‘What am I grateful for?’ section. With Autumn concerts and fixtures, and the Senior Drama Production now complete, our celebration of diversity will continue to escalate. With such an enriching and fulfilling beginning to 2017, we cannot wait to see what emerges Out of the Blue .

‘OUR ABILITY TO REACH UNITY IN DIVERSITY WILL BE THE BEAUTY AND THE TEST OF OUR CIVILISATION.’ MAHATMA GHANDI

As a Student Council, our visions for the year were clear from our very first meeting where three main goals of celebrating diversity, embracing gratitude and promoting teamwork were developed. These three simple goals for 2017 were encapsulated in our motto: Out of the Blue . We hoped that these four short words would not only inspire a sense of curiosity and excited anticipation within the School, but also that this year we would celebrate our diversity within the Blue, be grateful as individuals who emerge from the Blue and promote teamwork as a school community — as Grammar sisters — as the Blue. Diversity is one of the richest resources at our disposal. Without it, we limit our perspectives, ideas and opportunities. At Brisbane Girls Grammar School, we are incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by almost 1400 girls who come from different backgrounds, boast different talents and bring different visions to our community. In our modern, global world, our Out of the Blue aspiration felt particularly appropriate this year — perhaps more so than any other — and so it was the potent resonance of this idea within the Student Council and within the School, that has made it so powerful. This year, we want to acknowledge our diverse environment, we want to express To be a Grammar girl, is to be given opportunity. This includes the opportunities we receive on a regular basis, such as the phenomenal teachers and resources to which we have access, but also the incredible opportunity for choice. The sky is the limit although, with an impending astronomical observatory, perhaps even this barrier shall our gratitude for it and we want to capitalise on it to fill 2017 with both tradition and change.

GRAMMAR GAZETTE