December 1953 School Magazine

December, 1953

Brisbane Girls' Grammar School Magazine

B_r_isban_e Girls' Gramma~r~S:..:c:::h:::o.::ol:__M=a~q=-az=i=ne=- _________D_e_c_e_m_b_e_r._l_9_53

SCHOOL IN FRANCE We were shown into the headmistress's office, a beautiful Toom, decorated with impressionist prints. The headmistress was greatly interested in Australia; after we had talked for some time about Queensland and education here, we decided which subjects my sister and I would take. I was to be in the Third Class, which corresponds to our Junior, and my subjects were to be English, French, Latin, History, Geography, Civic Instruc- tion, Art and Singing. Before we went away to our classrooms, the headmistress told us firmly, "You are not here to work but to enjoy yourselves.' ' While we were waiting for our timetables, I had time to admire the large courtyard round which the Lycee, like many others in France, is built; the school was two-storied, with verandahs opening on to the courtyard, where the plane-trees were a lovely sight in the early autumn sunshine. A bell rang, and soon girls began to emerge from class- rooms. At that moment I was called indoors again and sbown upstairs to my classroom. The lesson in progress was Latin, of which I understood very little, for the standard was higher than ours, and the pronunciation quite unrelated to anything heard in Australia! After the lesson I was auickly surrounded by a swarm of girls, all a'lking questions and demanding answers at the same time. At last they were satisfied and I could escape with a new friend to the bus stop. Next morning I arrived at eight-thirty and hurried upstairs, only to find a different class in occupation. The mistress explained that I must consult my time-table for the number of the room, for the classes change about between lessons. At length I found my class, which was having an English lesson. The English teacher, whom I knew already, spoke English almost as well as French ; she made the classes interesting for me and also used my presence to help her pupils. Later I gave a short talk on Australia, and taught the class "V'laltzing Matilda.' ' r usually had about four one-hour lessons each day except Thursday. Unfortunately for me all day-girls go home from eleven-thirty to two for dinner , so I had little time for conver- sation and making friends; however, a great deal of time-four hours a week-is spent at compulsory games; as the weather was bad we usually stayed in the gym.. doing complicated apparatus work. Occasionally we had running or basketball in the courtyard. As the French system emphasises oral examinations, the method of teaching differs from ours; in history: and geography 32

girls often had to give a brief talk on some aspect o~ the subj~ct . My class was one which concentrated on Arts, With less time given to Maths. and Science-their Maths. standard was much lower than ours is for Junior. The teaching was excellent. Unfortunately we had to leave after four weeks. I shook 27 hands and made my escape, promising to write from home; since then I have received several letters reminding me of the happy weeks I spent at school in France. -D. BOULTON, VI. BUTTERFLY

'l J

Buttel'fly, 1·ustling your delicate wings, Up into the blue, the haze and the heat; Child of beauty and Nature's springs, Sipping from fountains of colour and sweet; You have the power of showing to us On earth in your moment of lifetime fleet, How to ~njoy all that's lovely and glorious, To pierce the fogs, of uncertainty, strife .. Which shroud with their greyness the good and permcwus People and things which abide in this life.. Dancing along through the warm scented au, The loveliest thing where beauty is rife, How can you delight, and not seem to care~ Oh transient beauty, soon to depart, . How much of your wisdom has made the world fan·~

. -DAPHNE BIGGS, IV.B.

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R.

LENTON, Ill.E.

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