Grammar Gazette- Issue 2, 2022

A Million Reasons Why A campaign of gratitude

The scene was dazzling. A sparkling and glowing ‘tree’, blooming flowers, and BGGS mothers gathering— old friends, and new ones being made—to unite as a community and invest in their daughters’ education. Tucked discreetly underneath the pink-lit tree was a red letterbox and throughout the afternoon it was filled with heartfelt affirmations addressed to BGGS teachers, students, and professional staff.

This was the scene of the first Just Because campaign— an initiative launched by the School this year to rethread the needle of the BGGS community after two years of lockdowns, isolations, and quarantine The aim of these activities is to celebrate our inherent gratitude for one another, give our thanks for being part of this wonderful and supportive community, and to welcome newcomers with arms wide open This first initiative took place in Term 1 with students writing heart-warming postcards to their mothers to thank them for the joy and support that they bring to their lives. Some students thanked their mothers for the often overlooked day-to-day logistical support—rides to school, lunches made, general ferrying to co-curricular activities— and others acknowledged the deep emotional care that their mother provides and celebrated their impact on making them a better person. Students were filmed sharing their message, and the compilation was screened at the Autumn Luncheon, where surprise, tears, and laughter filled the room. BGGS mother, Ms Mary Jane Capp, expressed her appreciation for the activity. ‘The Just Because campaign is a wonderful way for the Girls Grammar community to band

together, particularly in the current climate, and it instils a very important message in ‘our girls’ as well—support, gratitude, kindness, and love ’ To ‘pay forward’ these expressions of gratitude, attendees of the luncheon were given the opportunity to write their own postcards to their daughter or a School staff member An overwhelming number of mothers wrote to BGGS teachers, and staff were gifted their postcards at the end of Term 1 Upon receiving her postcards, Ms Clare Finlayson, Coordinator of Choirs, said ‘As a teacher, so much of my day-to-day life is spent on logistics and finding solutions, so the impact of a note from a parent or student that lets you know that your efforts are seen and appreciated is felt deeply’ Head of Beanland House, Mrs Sacha Cross, was also moved by the messages penned to her. ‘Receiving the postcards from parents, with such genuine and thoughtful words of appreciation, gave a sense of assuredness that the care and support that I provide to their daughters, both academically and pastorally, is valued I have the postcards pinned to my board and read them when I need a lift’ she said ▶

above Bronte Stathis (12L) displaying her Dear Me postcard

Gazette

Brisbane Girls Grammar School

04

Issue 2, 2022