Grammar Gazette - Issue 2, 2023

FROM THE STUDENTS

Design and Technology Club CR A FTING L A STING PIECES Divyani Prasad (10L)

Grammar girls on the money STUDENTS SH A RE THEIR P A SSION FOR FIN A NCIAL LITER A CY Lillian Blanshard (12R) and Madeleine Shaw (12E)

Design Club is an exciting lunchtime activity coordinated by Mr Skillen, with help from Mrs Swanston and Mrs Dawson. This creative Club allows students of all Year levels to

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The Financial Literacy Club, affectionately known as ‘FinLit’, was founded earlier this year in an aim to narrow

come into the design workshop and create a unique and tailored project each term, which you get to take home. The Club offers a diverse range of projects like personalised

laser‑cut jewellery, cheeseboards and wooden camping chairs with fabric seats. For my project, I decided to make a cheeseboard comprising two beautiful pieces of wood, filled with epoxy in the centre. I began the process by selecting two pieces of wood which were then stripped of their bark and thoroughly cleaned. Once the wood was prepared,

the gap in financial literacy among students, particularly those who don’t do Economics or Accounting at school. We brought the idea for the Club to our Accounting Teacher, Miss Meek, after hearing striking statistics regarding the lack of financial knowledge amongst women, and alarming data reflecting instances of financial abuse. Therefore, it was clear that there was an immediate and crucial need for financial literacy. Our meetings, held every Friday during lunchtime, are more than just educational sessions—they’re lively gatherings where curiosity is sparked and knowledge is shared. What’s noticeable is the relaxed atmosphere that prevails during the meetings, fostering an environment where open conversations flow freely and ideas flourish. Each week, we delve into a different financial topic, from budgeting and saving, to investing and understanding taxes. What sets our Club apart is the presence of our dedicated Accounting teacher, Miss Meek, whose expertise provides us with invaluable insights. With her guidance, we navigate complex concepts with ease, breaking them down into digestible bits of information that we will be able to put into action in our own lives. The goals we’ve set for the Club reflect our commitment to equipping young women with the tools they need to navigate a financially sound future. Our primary objective is to educate our community about the basics of financial literacy—empowering them with knowledge that will serve as a foundation for a lifetime of informed decision-making. We believe in fostering curiosity; we want our members to ask questions, explore possibilities, and challenge financial norms. By understanding financial concepts, being aware of their financial rights, and possessing the confidence to make well-informed choices, we want to empower young women to be the masters of their financial narratives. In a world where financial decisions shape our lives, the significance of financial literacy cannot be overstated. FinLit stands as a beacon of knowledge, empowerment, and change—a testament to the fact that when driven by a shared purpose, even a small group of students can make a substantial impact. Through education, conversation, and empowerment, we’re paving the way for lives enriched by learning, one financial lesson at a time. We feel immense gratitude for the atmosphere fostered at Girls Grammar. It’s a place where your ideas can flourish into actions, and where you’ll find not just support, but a genuine embrace of your initiatives.

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I cut it using a bandsaw, which is a power saw with a long sharp blade that cuts through wood and metal. I then fitted the two pieces of cut wood together using a wooden biscuit, all sealed with some white epoxy. After the base of the project was finished, I engraved my own design onto the corner of the board, sanded it down and oiled it so I could serve food on it at parties. Design Club provided me an opportunity to learn about different machines and techniques, from using a wood thicknesser to level the board, to understanding the ratio for making epoxy. In addition to creating their own project, each Design Club member also gets to make unique homemade jewellery and a heart-shaped wooden jewellery box for Mother’s Day. What I have enjoyed most about Design Club is the chance to spend time with my friends, chat, and work on my project in a friendly environment. I appreciate the chance to be in the workshop and have access to all the machinery and special gadgets that are not always available for use in class. Creating my cheeseboard was an amazing experience as it allowed me to turn two ordinary logs of wood into a beautiful piece. Being able to personalise the board by choosing the wood myself and engraving my words into it added to the uniqueness of the board. It’s amazing to think that my cheeseboard is the only one of its kind and is therefore extremely special to me. I have enjoyed serving some of my favourite cheese combinations to family and friends my creation, while telling them about how it was made. I am currently studying Design as a subject and love how innovative it is. The subject encourages us to create new things that are different from anything that currently exists, and allows us to think outside the box, which is a valuable skill that I treasure as technology continues to advance and make life simpler.

CAPTIONS 1 DIVYANI PRASAD (10L) 2 A TIMBER CHEESEBOARD CREATED BY DIVYANI

ABOVE (L TO R) MADELEINE SHAW (12E) AND LILLIAN BLANSHARD (12R)

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GAZETTE • ISSUE 2, 2023 ISSUE 2, 2023

BRISBANE GIRLS GRAMMAR SCHOOL