2017 School Magazine

INTERACT

THE ECUMENICAL BRIGADE

Interact is a Brisbane Girls Grammar School service group that chooses a new theme and charity each year which is often Rotary based. This year however, Interact decided to continue on from last year’s mental health theme by supporting the Griffith and Gibson charities of Beyond Blue and Kids Helpline. Beyond Blue is an organisation which aims to raise awareness in the wider community for mental health issues, in particular depression and anxiety. Kids Helpline is a not-for-profit organisation that allows children and young adults from ages five to twenty-five to anonymously access a counselling service by telephone or online. This year, Interact strove to develop awareness and to spread a sense of positivity and understanding around mental health at the School. This was achieved by allowing girls to place an ink fingerprint and to write a message of what mental health means to them on a large image of the brain. Girls could also take a small piece of paper with a positive message on it, as well as write one for another girl to take. This allowed for a recycling of positive energy through the School community. Our biggest success this year was our Polaroid photo booth at Open Day where we successfully raised funds for our two chosen charities. This event was also a success in regards to demonstrating the commitment and initiative of Interact members who took the time to raise both awareness and funds for a good cause. We are very proud of all the girls who have helped make Interact a service club that stands out in the School community and are glad to say that without the help and the supervision of our dedicated teachers this year would not have been as memorable as it was. MEGHA PRASAD (12M) AND BIDISHA ROY (11R)

The Ecumenical Brigade (ECB) has, for more than 47 years, extended a helping hand those experiencing homelessness or marginalisation in Brisbane. Each day, ECB provides food for more than 100 people in and around Brisbane’s inner-city area. Annually, Brisbane Girls Grammar School holds a food drive which collects items such as spreads, milk, muesli bars and soups. This year’s drive received overwhelming support from the School community. Furthermore, twice each term, Brisbane Girls Grammar School senior student volunteers come together to spend two hours preparing sandwiches for distribution. By taking time out of their busy schedules, students show an eagerness to support those who are in need. This small deed makes a big difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness and marginalisation —making harsh times a little more bearable. The sandwich drive has always received immense interest, so much that girls are often put on a waiting list. However, every student who has shown a willingness to participate in the sandwich drive or donated an item to the food drive has contributed to bettering the local community; this is greatly appreciated. By participating in community service, these students are also de-stressing themselves, having fun, and as one student commented during a sandwich drive session, ‘engaging in a therapeutic activity!’ WRITTEN BY TU-AN MA (12H), ECB STUDENT COORDINATOR

WORLD VISION This year, Year 8 and 9 students have continued their sponsorship of World Vision children Njeri Mercy from Kenya (Year 8) and Gainshy Mabhaudhi from Zimbabwe (Year 9). Each House Group has raised funds through bakestalls and other activities to contribute to sponsor children’s education and their family’s welfare. Proceeds are sent to World Vision to help provide food, clothes, schoolbooks and other everyday necessities. Both Year levels have been successful in raising well over a thousand dollars for the cause. The funds will contribute to the World Vision gift program that helps to provide further amenities such as clean water for an entire community, gifts such as farm animals to provide dairy products, and poultry for eggs. For both Year 8 and 9 students the opportunity to be able to contribute to such an important cause has been an invaluable experience. MIKAYLA RENTOUL (9R) AND ALYCE WEBB (9R)

058 | SERVICE | BRISBANE GIRLS GRAMMAR SCHOOL 2017