Grammar Gazette- Issue 1, 2023

CONNECTIONS—OLD, NEW, REDISCOVERED It was a pleasure to visit, and interesting to know that our School has a particular connection to, University College London (UCL). Possibly the first UK university to admit women to the same level as men, our founder Sir Charles Lilley studied at UCL before moving to Queensland where he was a fierce advocate for access to education. Inside the expansive Barbican Estate, which combines residential and educational complexes, resides City of London School for Girls. ‘City’ as it is known—describes itself in a way that the Girls Grammar community would identify with: ‘Academic yet unstuffy, modern yet acutely aware of its history, diverse yet with a strong sense of identity, the school defies easy categorisation.’ Cheltenham Ladies College is one of the UK’s top-performing girls’ schools, where BGGS Lady Principal, Mary Mackinlay (1879–1881) was educated and taught before moving to Brisbane. Themes of liberal, holistic education underpinned my conversation with Principal, Eve Jardine‑Young, and we agreed that for all the many benefits of virtual engagement, there was nothing like ‘boots on the ground’ to build relationship. In Germany and France, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to our two Affiliate Schools in those countries—Werner Heisenberg Gymnasium in Neuwied, and Lycée Saint-Paul in Angoulême. Both are looking forward to bringing their students once again to Girls Grammar later in 2023 and in 2024.

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LESSONS FROM AFAR

And in conclusion, we are pleased to recognise 2023 marks 30 years of the Grammar Gazette. Initially a student newspaper intended to be ‘for the students, by the students’ the publication has evolved through the years. It certainly remains focused on sharing the voices and the experiences of our students. I hope you enjoy reading their many reflections throughout this, another slightly updated, edition of Grammar Gazette .

In conversations with educational leaders, teachers, archivists and other staff across three countries, we discussed the similarities between our schools on opposite sides of the world, as well as learned from each other’s experiences, both recent and historical. I hope they built a rapport, strengthened a connection. With the global community now truly reawakened, there is the opportunity to reinforce our position as a global leader in education, a collaborative institution and a school that encourages its students to connect to people and places around the world. We seek to inspire a sense of optimism and ‘can do’ that is so essential to the growth of our students into mature and aware global citizens.

REFERENCES Saitow, A. (2009). Educational Travel and Adolescent and Adolescent Development. Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, and Professional Papers. 348. Available from: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/348

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BRISBANE GIRLS GRAMMAR SCHOOL

GAZETTE • ISSUE 1, 2023 ISSUE 1, 2023