December 1954 School Magazine

Brisbane Girls' Grammar School Magazine

December. 1954

December. 1954

Brisbane Girls' Grammar School Magazine

Over those years Madame 's pupils, her " dear girls ," learnt to api?rec1ate her charm and dignity, her firm yet gentle authonty , the thoroughness which characterized all her work, her social gifts and accomplishments. These qualities were revealed not only in class but also in the wider and more intimate relationship of Fqrm Mistress and pupils, in the les~ formal ~reparation of French songs and plays for entertamments w1thm and outside the School and in all School functions . . On their own testimony Old Girls who proceeded to the Un1vers1ty, or who continued the study of French at home, or who travelled abroad, appreciated even more fully than at sc~ool , Madame's fa cility in that language, her sense of perfection, and the high standard of her scholarship. During a long and happy association in and beyond the Common Room and the School , Madame Smikoff's colleagues -and many became her close friends-came to realise and appreciate her spark Iing sense of fun, her wit and kindly hu.mour, .her gener?sity which delighted to share all good thmgs w1th her ne1ghbour, her fortitude and devotion her firm faith and ·sweet charity which triumphed over all adver- si~y, the quality and the happiness of her family life . Many will remember her reminiscences of home and school and college , of the Imperial Ballet to which every year during the Season a generous uncle escorted his nieces in turn of sum- mer hol!days spent at a seaside-country house whe~ flowers were bnght and abundant in the Crimea. Some will remem- ber th~ solemn and be~utiful service and the gay and friendly recept1on at the mamage of Madame's only son, and the many happy Easters when friends were bidden to celebrate in her family circle the festival of the Resurrection . And all will remember how Madame widened that circle to embrace the whole staff on the Monday after Easter every year . The girls' last gift of flowers which they brought from their ov':tn gardens and arranged themselves , the presence at the ·serv1ce held at the Russian Orthodox Church of St . Nicho- las of t:he Sixth and Fifth Forms, of representatives of Madame s own Form IV B, of the Head Mistress and Staff and of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Mrs. Eng~ land, were a tribute to the memory of a beloved and esteemed teacher, ~olleague and friend . Madame's memory will remain fragrant 1n th School and in the thoughts of all who were privileged to know her. M. A.M. 12

CURRENT EVENTS At the beginning of this term, the school received the sad news of Madame Smikoff's death. We showed our sor- row and sympathy with her family by the presence of some of our girls at the funeral service. Those of us who knew her always remember her with affection and gratitude. On 18 th September , we were all very pleased to see bright sunshine and blue skies as that was the day of the Grammar Fete. The school organized the two Sweets Stalls. In our aim to exceed the amount made at the previous Fun Fair we were successful. The whole school worked enthusi- astically, first in making and preparing goods, then in selling them. We feel greatly indebted to the parents and friends who also helped our stall. Another inter-school activity provided much interest in September . This was a Debate in which we were challenged by the State High School and which was held there . After spirited speeches from both sides, our team was successful. Improvements to the School buildings and grounds are being carried out steadily. Since the last edition of the Maga- zine , extensive painting has brightened up many parts of the School and, by the building of steps, t he danger incurred in walking down the "covered way" has been removed. Part of the verandah outside the lab. has been enclosed to provide much-needed extra space for several cl.asses. This year the Inter-School Athletics were held at the Brisbane Cricket Ground on 4th July. We must congratulate Somerville House on winning both the Senior and Aggregate Cups; and the State Commercial High School for their win in the Junior Cu p. Cynthia Cruicksha nk ( IV C) wins the Telegraph "Blue " for athletics , and we are all proud of her ·splendid achievement . Inter-School Basketball and Tennis fixtures have been prolonged into the Third Term owing to a succession of rainy Saturdays in Second Term, so the final results are not yet known, although we are hopeful that our teams will all suc- ceed. The Inter-Form Basketball and Tennis competitions were concluded this term , Sixth Form gaining a victory in both . Ill B must be commended on their Tennis . and IV D for their good play throughout the Basketball matches. The swimming season has begun with swimming on Tuesday and Friday afternoons . In conjunction with swim- ming, life-saving practices are held, and the Inter-form Life- saving Competition will be held at the end of the term. In the Second Term , the Fourth , Fifth and Sixth Forms were entertained by Thea Rowe in a delightful programme of 13