Grammar Gazette_Issue1_2025

Issue 1, 2025 / Volume 45

04 A milestone in royal blue 150 Year party lights up BGGS

16 Debating tradition Time for a new ‘bold experiment’?

26 Tales to span the decades Grammar Women in discussion

On the cover Students watch Foundation Day fireworks from the balcony of the Cherrell Hirst Creative Learning Centre on Saturday 15 March, 2025

Grammar Gazette ISSUE 1, 2025 / VOLUME 45

Managing Editor: Ms Lucy Ernst (Carne, 1998), Director of Communication, Development and Engagement

Editor: Ms Catriona Mathewson, Senior Communications Writer

For Gazette enquiries and comments: T +61 7 3332 1300 E communications@bggs.qld.edu.au

To change your subscription to the Gazette from printed to electronic, please email communications@bggs.qld.edu.au.

Printed in Brisbane on environmentally responsible paper.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY In the spirit of reconciliation, Brisbane Girls Grammar School acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands on which our campuses stand, the Turrbal, Jagera and Kabi Kabi Peoples, and all Indigenous people in our School community. We honour and respect their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise that these lands have always been places of teaching and learning. We are grateful for thousands of generations of care for Country and seek to walk in solidarity with the First Peoples of our nation for reconciliation, justice and healing.

CONTENTS

08 Building a strong foundation across the Terrace Junior School nurtures learning in the classroom and beyond 10 Bookcase of Gifts Share a quote and build a legacy 12 Grammar firsts The power of education to not only change lives 16 Ditch the tests, cue pop culture Teachers and students debate the merit of traditional assessment over a modern alternative 22 City of highlights From iconic Parisian landmarks to unforgettable friendships 24 Main Building gets an 1880s-style makeover but change the world can be seen writ large in the achievements of Girls Grammar graduates

26 Giving voice to the future A new framework to build hope

02 From the Principal A century and a half of history woven through thousands of personal stories 03 From the Head Girls Cherish the royal blue: past, present and new 04 150 Years lights up Brisbane Marking a major milestone with

Remembering Girls Grammar across the eras Panellists share laughs and lessons on Foundation Day

28 Life-changing moments

gratitude, pride and many reconnections

An inspiring tale of toads, a teenager and second chances

29 Flashback: Speech Day 1927 The first awards day at Spring Hill 30 Pages of history The birth of Grammar Gazette 32 Objects of substance

Below Sophie Voller (7L) on the first day of Term 1, 2025

The 2002 Boarders’ Plaque, BGGS Badge and Motto

34 Hurdles and

highpoints of a school ahead of its time A peek inside our new landmark history book

Everything old is old again, or rather, has been returned to its former glory

37 Awards and

Achievements Staff, student and alumnae successes

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MS JACINDA EULER WELSH PRINCIPAL

names grace our buildings, awards and classrooms, but also many others whose legacies endure in less visible but equally profound ways. The Lilley Oration invited us to reflect on this remarkable history, while the Staff Celebration in January was an opportunity to thank current teaching and professional staff, who build on that heritage every day. On a truly special Foundation Celebration Weekend in March, City Hall was illuminated for our 150 Year Anniversary Ball. The following day we welcomed the Girls Grammar community, including former students, to the Spring Hill main campus for an afternoon of historical talks, personal reflections and musical performances, with a stunning fireworks display as the finale. The weekend concluded on Sunday with a nostalgic Boarders’ Brunch. In what is a very special, long-standing connection, our OGA Volunteers were part of the Foundation Day Celebrations too (see photos from the weekend on pages 4-7). an honour to read the stories of 150 Grammar Women chronicled on the Alumnae Stories page of our website. Each is a glimpse into the many lives of Grammar Women, from a crime-scene investigator, to renowned musicians, screenwriters, surgeons, judges and even a vintner. As we continue into the second half of our sesquicentenary year, I hope that you too can find time to reflect on your own story and connection to Girls Grammar. Whether a past student, parent, staff member, or valued supporter of our wider Grammar community, you have each played an integral role in shaping the history and future of this School, and for that we sincerely thank you. In this historic year, it’s not just the story of the School we celebrate. It’s been

From the Principal A century and a half of history woven through thousands of personal stories

Over the past 150 years, more than 23 000 girls have walked through the gates of Brisbane Girls Grammar School and emerged as Grammar Women, each with a story worth sharing. Our School has a long and proud history of educating and elevating women in Queensland. While, as an educational institution, we often look to the future, with a deliberate eye on preparing students for what is to come in their lives beyond school, it is milestone years such as this that prompt a deep reflection on what has passed. In the Third Lilley Oration, presented in January, Past Chair of the Board of Trustees, Ms Elizabeth Jameson AM (Head Girl, 1982), made an observation that seemed particularly poignant. She said that while it was Sir Charles Lilley, former Premier and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland, who publicly championed girls’ education, there were many dedicated, but often unheralded women who did the same behind the scenes.

‘As we enter our sesquicentenary year, are we really expected to accept meekly that the School’s founders were all men? Of course not. Just that the visible ones were.’ —Ms Elizabeth Jameson AM Among the many women to whom Ms Jameson paid tribute were: Sarah Jeays, whose name is attached to the Lady Lilley Gold Medal; Kathleen Mitford Lilley, Sarah’s granddaughter and the School’s longest-serving Principal; Janet O’Connor, BGGS’s first Lady Principal—who simply would not tolerate the oversight of the ‘Branch School for Girls’; and Sophia Beanland, the first Principal to report directly to a BGGS Board of Trustees. Throughout the first half of 2025, we have experienced both significant events and quiet moments of reflection—opportunities to honour those whose contributions have shaped the School in lasting ways. These are not only individuals whose

Above Principal Jacinda Euler Welsh, Zoe McElwaine (12G), Abigail Buck (12H) and Chair, Board of Trustees, Julie McKay (2000)

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ZOE McELWAINE (12G) AND ABIGAIL BUCK (12H) HEAD GIRLS

From the Head Girls Cherish the royal blue: past, present and new

Our first value is gratitude . We have come so far as a School in 150 years, and for all our buildings which house every passion possible, our teachers who always want the best for us, and of course our fellow Grammar girls, we are so lucky. Our second value is pride . We, as a School, care a lot about our spirit. Whether it be cheering until you lose your voice at carnivals, or painting your face blue at QGSSSA events, we are proud to be Grammar girls. And so, in such a significant year, we should not only be grateful for what we have, but proud that we have it—for our legacy, for 150 years of Girls Grammar. level and the entire School, but it is important to remember that so many Grammar girls have come before us, and so many will come after us. So, this year is especially important to reflect on the wider Grammar community— everyone who has been lucky enough to don the royal blue ribbon. You know what they say: once a Grammar girl, always a Grammar girl. With these values in mind, our 2025 BGGS motto is ‘Cherish the royal blue: past, present and new.’ With this year being the 150th, we want to cherish what we have and what we have had for the past century and a half, representing our gratitude and pride. Royal blue, synonymous with Girls Grammar, aligns with ‘past, present and new’ to represent the connections we have and can grow within this very special community. We are all a part of history this year, and we hope that our motto allows us all to be grateful and proud of that fact, and to connect with the community that our history is all about. Our last value is connections . We want to foster relationships within each Year

This year is the 150th anniversary of Brisbane Girls Grammar School—the sesquicentenary year. But what does that mean? In March 1875, Brisbane Girls Grammar School was established as an experiment inspired by the forward thinking of Sir Charles Lilley—because a girls’ school was unheard of. And so, this year represents one and a half centuries since then, and we are no longer that little experiment. We represent 150 years of revolutionising

girls' education; 150 years of inspiring women and giving them opportunities; 150 years of girls, like ourselves, being fortunate enough to go to this School. To be Head Girls in such a significant year is both daunting and exciting, but with the support of our Student Council and Grammar sisters by our side, we feel excited by the opportunity. On the very first days of the holidays, we embarked on a student council retreat where we created our vision and decided on the 2025 student motto. But, like tackling our final year of school, this was to be no quick process. Before our motto, which represents ‘what’ our vision is, we needed to work out ‘why’ we were even implementing this vision in the first place. The inspiration for the why was found in three things we value.

Above Brisbane Girls Grammar School Head Girls 2025 Zoe McElwaine (12G) and Abigail Buck (12H)

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150 Years lights up Brisbane Marking a major milestone with gratitude, pride and many reconnections

The Girls Grammar community gathered in an extraordinary celebration of history that saw Grammar Women travelling from around the country and sending messages from across the globe to mark the School’s 150 Year Anniversary weekend in March. Some of the spontaneous and touching messages included a note from the School’s oldest alumnae, Grace Armstrong (Webster, 1937), who celebrated her 104th birthday just days before the School turned 150. Grace wrote: ‘I hope that present, past and future BGGS students recognise the extraordinary privilege we enjoy in having access to an excellent education, still denied to girls in many parts of the world.’

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Remembering her School days fondly, Grace said that while Nil Sine Labore was paramount, it was also important to take time out to celebrate along the way. ‘Have fun and enjoy yourselves so that like me, you will reflect on your Grammar days with great pleasure.’

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And so it was, with gratitude and joy that generations of parents, past students and staff joined the wider community to mark a historic milestone. The weekend began on Friday 14 March with a 150 Year Anniversary Ball at Brisbane’s City Hall, where 500 revellers danced the night away. The next day, a very special Foundation Day celebrated 150 years to the day since the School first opened its doors to 39 students in a damp rented cottage in George Street. Girls Grammar moved to Wickham Terrace within its first year, before settling on its current site in 1884.

Captions 1 Fireworks capped off Foundation Day on Saturday 15 March 2 Danielle Knight (West 1996), Jacqui Hunt (Rigby, 1996) and Tim Barrett at the Ball 3 City Hall lit up in royal blue for the ball 4-8 The Girls Grammar community turned out in force to celebrate at City Hall 9 Past principal, Dr Amanda Bell, Ms Elizabeth Jameson AM (Head Girl, 1982), Chair, Board of Trustees, Ms Julie McKay (2000), Dr Cherrell Hirst AO (Anderssen, 1963), Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler Welsh 10 Siona Danait (2024), Ella Edwards (2024) and Hedyeh Nouri (2024)

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Captions 11 Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler Welsh, with BGGS musicians 12 Students complete a ceremonial walk 13 Crowds enjoy the Foundation Day fireworks 14 Lucca Davies (12W), Helen Davies (Ferry, 1962) and Alice Davies 15 Abby Logan (7G) and Thishara Sumanasekera (7G) 16 Former boarders Janice Wordsworth (Jenkins, 1956), Delores Heath (Marshall, 1950), Helen Holt (Young, 1955) and Lyn Robinson (Ford, 1957) 17 Boarders' Brunch was full of surprise reconnections 18 Ann McGrath (Woodward, 1966), Barb Johnson (Morgans, 1966) Lorna Williamson (Davis, 1966) Jan Willis (1966), Jan Schindler (Page, 1966), Anne Woolley (1966) and Linda Truscott (Hof, 1966) 19 Recreating where their beds were in the 1980s, boarders explore Main Building 20 A full house once again

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Foundation Day festivities started with Year 12 students making a symbolic walk from the Wickham Terrace site to the present School to mark the start of an afternoon of celebrations including historical talks (with the fascinating Eras Panel featured on pages 26 27), musical performances, a popular Generations photo booth and the Sesqui Sunset bar. As night fell, fireworks lit up the sky and a spontaneous chorus of ‘Happy Birthday Girls Grammar’ from current students was the perfect finale.

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On Sunday morning, about 200 Grammar Women journeyed from as far north as Cairns for a Boarders' Brunch to remember their home away from home. Girls lived on the upper floor of Main Building from the 1880s until the boarding house closed in 2002. At its peak, there were more than 90 students sharing dresses, stories and study tips. As they toured their former bedrooms, which now serve as staff offices, some boarders lay down to demonstrate where their beds would have been. One even snuck a peek under the carpet to see where students had once carved their names into a wooden floor beam, leaving their own cheeky mark on a School that left an indelible mark on them.

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MS KAREN McARDLE HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL

Building a strong foundation across the Terrace Junior School nurtures learning in the classroom and beyond

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Girls in the Junior School will learn in a state-of-the-art, purpose-built School with eight general classrooms, designed with an extended footprint and flexible floorplan to accommodate a focused teaching area at one end and an open plan space at the other for guided group work and floor activities. Outside the classrooms are breakout spaces for additional quiet work or for groups to learn through collaboration and discussion. The Junior School will be self-contained with its own library,

music and drama rooms, as well as a multipurpose room for Science, Art and Technologies. This striking new building, sitting across Gregory Terrace from Girls Grammar’s historic Main Building, provides the backdrop for the delivery of a comprehensive curriculum of learning, guided both by the Australian Curriculum and a range of programs designed specifically for girls in Years 5 and 6.

I am incredibly excited to be the inaugural Head of Brisbane Girls Grammar School Junior School and look forward to creating a special campus tailored to the unique needs of girls in Years 5 and 6. These early years are an important stage of female development and every element of our new School has been carefully considered to meet these needs— from the architecture and classroom interior design, down to the curriculum, special programs and social spaces.

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• Music Tuition The girls will be encouraged to join weekly music lessons and participate in band, orchestra or choir to broaden their cultural interests. Lessons will take an explicit teaching approach—a powerful, evidence based teaching practice which makes lessons clear through modelling. It shows students how to start and succeed on a task, with feedback and opportunities to practise. We aim to nurture their skills, talents and, importantly, belief in themselves in an environment that values students’ contributions, rewards their effort and inspires them to aim higher. Building a School specifically for girls in Years 5 and 6 is quite a unique undertaking and demonstrates Brisbane Girls Grammar School’s ongoing commitment to the education of girls across different stages of development. As a well-known adage observes: The best way to predict future success is to create it.

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Research tells us that to achieve the best outcomes for students—not just the best academic results—education strategies should `recognise the connections between children’s social, emotional, cognitive and academic development, as well as their physical and mental health’ (DePaoli, J. et al Learning Policy Institute ). Understanding that all areas of development are interlinked, the Junior School aims to educate the whole girl intellectually, physically, culturally, socially and emotionally, through a range of tailored programs that include: • The Wellbeing Program Designed for their age and stage of development, it will address body image, emotional regulation, friendship, cyber safety, restorative practices and mindfulness practices, including lunchtime yoga. These topics are particularly relevant to these girls and will help them better understand and cope with the many changes and emotions they will be experiencing.

• A Guide for Effective Learning This has been developed to provide best practice strategies for girls to `learn how they learn’. This introduction to metacognition and effective strategies and procedures will help them become more self-aware, effective and efficient learners. • A Leadership Program The Junior School will introduce girls to the concept of leadership. This program will incorporate ambassadorship, working as part of a committee, event and business planning, a focus on developing soft skills and public speaking and debating. All Year 6 girls will be leaders in the Junior School and will be given opportunities to undertake responsibilities for organising events and activities such as charity events and special days. There will also be a number of elected positions for specific roles. • The Sports, Recreational and Physical Activity Program This will provide the girls with a range of team sports, interhouse and interschool carnivals, a variety of after-school physical activities from which to choose and an interhouse tabloid sports program which will be hotly contested throughout the year.

Captions 1 Head of Junior School Ms Karen McArdle 2 The Junior School sits opposite Main Building 3 There are eight large classrooms across four storeys

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MS APRIL TYNAN DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

‘And though she be but little, she is fierce’ — A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare

Bookcase of Gifts Share a quote and build a legacy

of learning, students for years to come will be able to open the books to reveal inspirational, quirky or profound quotes alongside the donor's name. In addition to the physical installation, the Bookcase will also exist as a dynamic display online, allowing users to browse the books and benefactors, encouraging the habit of reading. The Junior School Capital Campaign is currently a focus for BGGS fundraising, with multiple opportunities for families to become part of Girls Grammar history through diverse legacy projects to acknowledge those who have helped begin an exciting new chapter in the School’s story.

Sometimes the most profound observations on life can be found in the pages of a children’s book. ‘The best way to treat obstacles is to use them as stepping-stones. Laugh at them, tread on them, and let them lead you to something better,’ wrote Enid Blyton in Mr Galliano’s Circus. Or, as a line from Anna Sewell’s classic Black Beauty observed: ‘It is good people who make good places.’

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Girls Grammar is gathering these pearls of wisdom to create a whimsical and very personal donor project for the Junior School Capital Campaign: The Bookcase of Gifts. The Bookcase of Gifts is an interactive art installation that invites donor families to choose a children’s book quote that holds special significance for them. The selected quotes will be etched onto 100 colourful replica books—made from metal and recycled plastics—to be mounted outside the new Junior School Library. With this interactive instrument

Follow the QR code to explore the Bookcase of Gifts

Captions 1 The Bookcase of Gifts will feature 100 replica books etched with classic quotes from literature 2 The donor project will also exist as a browsable online Bookcase

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FROM THE STUDENTS

Finding her story in history VISUAL ARTS

Students reflected on how their personal memories were entwined with the history and architecture of Girls Grammar in a Term 1 project called My Story My School. Inspired by the School’s 150 Years milestone, the unit tasked Year 8 students with producing stylised lino prints to capture a School scene that held special significance to them.

My Locker Chloe Dawes (8B)

A Centre of Opportunities Ivy Cai (8R)

I chose to use a light blue and a navy blue to represent the Girls Grammar uniform, and chose a pink to draw your eye to the focal point of my print. My Year 7 locker holds a significant meaning to me.

I go to the Sports Centre every day. I play Volleyball, my favourite sport and hobby, with friends I made through class and through the sport. The Sports Centre is a big part of my life at School … it also fosters my love for Volleyball by just being open to students of BGGS.

New Journey Though the Same Archway Summer Thomes (8B) My final design was purposefully elaborated by the use of the repetition of different geometric shapes in places like the ground, where dimension was created, and the arches of the doorway draws people's eyes to the middle. This was inspired by my first time I walked through Main Building, I saw the irreplaceable imagery of the exterior, with decorated archways that create character.

Modern Art Main Building Glynnis Guo (8G)

Our Wild Residents Stephanie McLaughlin (8G) My artwork features an ibis foraging on the path beside Main Building. This depicts my love for birds and shows that despite the School being located in the heart of Brisbane, there is still an abundance of wildlife that thrives, including pigeons, possums, magpies, water dragons and, of course, ibis.

My lino print design captures the idealistic interpretation of the Main Building at Brisbane Girls Grammar School, symbolising the history and memorable moments throughout the School's timeline. I have adjusted my colours to create a harmonical clash, to evoke an emotional response and mood.

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Grammar Women firsts The power of education to not only change lives but also change the world is writ large in the achievements of Girls Grammar graduates

Many have opened doors for others to follow into domains once considered off-limits to women. We celebrate the resilience, grit, determination and self-belief that are hallmarks of a Girls Grammar education by honouring some of our incredible alumnae.

1800s Ms Annie Mackay (1887) First alumna to become headmistress of Girls Grammar

1900-1910 Ms May Lahey (1904) First female Municipal Courts judge in Los Angeles

Emeritus Professor

Dorothy Hill AC CBE MBE (1924) First woman to be elected President of the Australian Academy of Science

Dr Ella Greenham (1894) First Queensland born woman to graduate in

Mrs Muriel Wakefield (Gregory, 1907) First woman draftsperson in Queensland

Ms Dorothy Brennan (1910) First female architect in Queensland

1931-1940 Beryl Hinckley (1931)

medicine and first woman to receive a residential position in a Queensland hospital

Foundation President of the Australian National Association for Mental Health

Mrs Lila Card (1910) First female graduate from The University of Queensland

Laurel Martyn (Gill, 1932) First Australian woman to win the Adelie Genee Medal, Royal Academy of Dance and first Australian to dance the title role in Giselle Ella Fry (Robinson, 1933) First woman to Chair an Art Gallery Board—AGWA Edna Mary Leven (Hopkins, 1936) First woman Canberran of the Year in 1980 Dr Joan Godfrey (1939) First nurse appointed to head of a tertiary department in Queensland Ms Maris King MBE (1939) One of the first female diplomats and first female High Commissioner to Nauru

Dr Eleanor Bourne (1896) First woman to study medicine in Queensland

Mrs Muriel Kavarack (Jones, 1901) Won the first Queen's Scholarship to Melbourne University, graduated with a medical degree in 1908 1911-1920 Ms Katharine McGregor (1920) First woman admitted to the Bar in Queensland Ms Rhoda Felgate (1918) First Brisbane resident to be made a Fellow of Trinity College, London 1921-1930 Mrs Mavis Miller (1921) First female radio broadcaster (4QG) in Queensland Ms Jessie Stephenson (1922) First woman to win the Byrnes Medal, presented to the top Queensland candidate at the Sydney University (Junior) examinations

Ms Eunice Paten (1898) One of the first four Queensland nurses to go on active service in WWI Ms Irene Paten (1899) First Queensland woman to graduate in Law

Matron Grace Campbell CBE (Wilson, 1899)

First woman to receive life membership of the Returned and Services League (RSL) after serving in WWI and WWII

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1941-1950 Mrs Margaret Cribb (1941) First female editor of The University of Queensland's Semper Floreat Mrs Jean Wylie (1942) First woman to take the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Law from The University of Queensland

1981-1990 Ms Ann Harrap (1984)

Dr Cherrell Hirst AO (Anderssen, 1963) First woman to be appointed to Chair Brisbane Girls Grammar School's Board of Trustees and first woman appointed Chancellor of the Queensland University of Technology

First female Australian High Commissioner to South Africa

Ms Tarita Botsman (1988) First Young Australian of the Year (Queensland winner) for contribution to the Arts Ms Gretchen Miller (1985) First female to complete a Bachelor of Music (Composition) at the NSW Conservatorium

Elizabeth Nosworthy (1963) First woman President of the

Queensland Law Society and first woman Chancellor at The University of Queensland Professor Cheryl Praeger AM (1965) First female to be awarded the Australian Mathematical Society's George Szckeres Medal and first female to be awarded the West Australian Scientist of the Year 1971-1980 Air Vice Marshal, Julie Hammer AM, CSC (1971) First woman to be promoted to one-star rank and two-star rank in the Australian Defence Force The Honourable Justice Margaret McMurdo AC (1971) First woman appointed as the presiding Judge of an appellate court in Australia

Margaret Mittelheuser AM (1947)

First female stockbroker in Australia

Salliann Powell (Johnson, 1986) First Australian to complete Racing the Planet’s Grand Slam Plus ultra marathon series 1991-2020 Kate Clarkson (2000) First female to win the Queen's

Daphne Pirie MBE AO (1949) First female Vice-President of Queensland Olympic Council

Professor Margaret Bullock (1950) First physiotherapist in the world to be awarded a PhD in Physiotherapy (1973) and became Australia's first Professor of Physiotherapy 1951-1960 Mrs Daphne Williams (1952) First woman to study Bachelor of Agricultural Studies at The University of Queensland 1961-1970 Professor Helene Marsh (Gould, 1962) Foundation Dean of the James Cook University Graduate Research School

Medal, Sword of Honour, and Award for Top

Sportswoman at her graduation from the Royal Military College, Duntroon

Dr Elizabeth Woods (1972) First female Rhodes Scholar from Brisbane Girls Grammar School

Dr Laura Fenlon (2007) First Australian to receive the prestigious Krieg Cortical Kudos Scholar Award for neuroscience

Mrs Dorothy Hawkins (Khfagi, 1975) First female included in the

Olympic Medical team for Australia (as a physiotherapist)

Photo credit Photo of Salliann Powell by Racing The Planet

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FROM THE STUDENTS

Caitlin Trappett (12O) I have really enjoyed being a part of Grammar Techies since last year. I have learned so much about the world of theatre tech and am loving being able to contribute to the sound of BGGS drama productions. I started last year with Romeo and Juliet and learned so much from the BGS techies and had an amazing time on my first show operating the sound. The show had a lot of cool sound effects and music in it, which was fun to be able to operate. Combining with BGS and their tech crew allowed me to pick up tips and tricks that they had gathered over their years of being techies, which I took into the Junior Drama Production later in the year. I have really enjoyed being a part of the productions last year and look forward to participating this year as well.

Lighting up the stage They’re the people you never see, but the show couldn’t go on without them: the technicians behind the lights, sound and stage management. Grammar Techies pulls back the curtains to give students the chance to be mentored by professionals.

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Remy Kalinin (11H) The Junior Production was an

incredible experience for the Grammar Techies, both due to the amazing cast and talented crew. We got to work with amazing, experienced, professional lighting and audiovisual designers who were so welcoming to us newcomers. They taught us the basics of how to operate sound for the show, the lighting board, and microphones. I also really enjoyed working with prop setup and learning more about the procedure of lighting operation in the Gehrmann specifically. Being in “the Box” learning from each other and developing the show was such an unbelievable experience that lent us a great appreciation and fresh perspective on technical operation, which has really pushed me personally to engage with production design more when I have the opportunity.

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Grammar Techies is the brainchild of some incredible students and teachers,

and its installation has fostered a community-oriented, driven and

fascinated group of students. I honestly can’t wait to see how it develops further over the next year.

Captions 1 Caitlin Trappett 2 Remy Kalinin, left, and Zoe Stannard, working a Drama Studio performance of The Riddle of Washpool Gully 3 Remy Kalinin

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FROM THE STUDENTS

Taking it to the next level Program unlocks secrets to high performance Zara Beveridge (9G)

tested the recipes provided, with some of us making them weekly! We also made an effort to recognise and demonstrate leadership qualities in our sport, whether by celebrating the wins of others, volunteering to pick up the cones after training, or even just offering a smile. We cannot express our gratitude enough to Mr Pearce and Ms Rippon for coordinating this program. Not only was it incredible to discuss the frequently overlooked factors that complement sports training, it was also eye-opening to hear their personal experiences of performing at an exceptional level in sprints and water polo respectively. Their insights were compelling, reminding us that, although important, sport is so much more than just showing up to training—it’s a journey, inevitably entailing moments of ecstasy, alongside moments of disappointment. But ultimately, persevering and learning from hard days makes us stronger. We can’t wait for an exciting year ahead as we continue to grow, learn, and achieve together. Coordinating Committee, along with Tim Odgers and Leonie Mae from Seqwater shared invaluable insights into the environmental dynamics of the Mary River. These first-hand experiences allowed us to observe the river’s processes and its impact on the surrounding ecosystem. Despite the searing summer heat, the knowledge we gained was worth every single minute. And while I may have suffered the effects of a slight grass allergy, it was an experience I would not trade for anything. Between preparing meals with friends, eating lunch on the grass, and sharing late-night laughs and movies with my classmates, the trip became one of the most enriching experiences of my life.

United by a shared love for sport, we joined a group of 24 other dedicated Girls Grammar students to take part in a new initiative—a three-day holiday program for national level athletes: the BGGS Emerging Athlete Program. Designed by Mr Pearce and Ms Rippon, the program aimed to help us take our skills to the next level by understanding the factors that influence performance. Throughout the week, we were fortunate enough to hear from guest presenters Mr Mulligan, BGGS strength and conditioning coach, Eugenie MacMillan (2017), physiotherapist, and Bella Murdoch (2019), dietitian. Through compelling, practical activities, we learned: • the huge part strength training plays in both increasing power and reducing risk of injury • the importance of prehabilitation • how the fuel you consume doesn’t have to be overcomplicated.

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Alongside this, we reflected on some of our best, and worst performances, discussed the many forms of leadership, and the importance of scheduling and negotiating conflicts. The group reconvened several weeks after the program to discuss the techniques we had implemented to enhance our performance and manage our time. Excitingly, almost everyone had integrated a planner of sorts, ensured they made time for the ever-important strength training, and Year 12 Geography kicked off a hectic first term of 2025 with an adventure. We dived headfirst into the fascinating world of landcover transformation, learning how our environment changes around us. Our focus was on river processes and the challenge of erosion, and on 23 February we set off for a final field trip to Marrapatta, spending one night and two days immersed in nature. The experience proved invaluable, offering the chance to apply classroom knowledge in the real world and leave with unforgettable memories—and a few rashes and bites—etched into our minds forever. We visited Pickering Bridge, Baillie’s Crossing, and Charles Street Park, where Ian Mackay from the Mary River Catchment

Going with the flow Braving bites to study river ecology and erosion Yuri Spiro (12G)

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Captions 1 Zara Beveridge (9G) 2 Taking samples from the Mary River catchment

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MRS ANNE BYRNE DEBATING AND MOOTING COORDINATOR

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Ditch the tests, cue pop culture? Students and teachers debate whether schools should serve the present, or ‘boldly’ shape the future

assessment. He suggested that if we think about pedagogy as the ‘special place where teachers and students meet’, there is much to explore and embrace in this era of incredible flux. If we are advocating for slow looking and careful thinking, musing and discernment, he asked, how then does the current notion of `assessment’— as something akin to speed dating— fit this model? ‘Can we think creatively to push bold frontiers?’ he asked. The conclusion he reached is that we can’t educate for a ‘rearview mirror’ world when the road ahead is littered with obstacles and disruption.

This year’s debate topic was inspired by Deputy Principal (Academic) Dr Bruce Addison’s keynote address on Term 2 Staff Day, which he opened with a quote from philosopher Ivan Illich in Rutger Bregman’s (2021) book Human Kind: A Hopeful History, in which Illich says: ‘School is the advertising agency which makes you believe that you need society as it is’. Dr Addison challenged staff with the idea: ‘…something needs to blow up the industrial model of schooling’. Although most of his address focused on the advances and implications of AI technology, Dr Addison offered some rich musings around learning and

The annual staff-student Comedy Debate has become a much anticipated feature of the Brisbane Girls Grammar School Arts Fest Showcase, which ran for two weeks during Term 2. The annual Arts Fest celebrates the immense breadth and depth of talent across BGGS in the areas of dance, choir, music, drama and debating. This year’s Comedy Debate attracted a lunchtime audience of more than 400 staff and students, and, although the intent was to entertain and amuse, the debate also demonstrated the talent and mental agility of our debaters, while leaving audiences with weighty issues to ponder after the laughter.

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Do we have the will to navigate it robustly and proactively, with optimistic and radically responsive care? Here, Dr Addison referenced Sir Charles Lilley’s characterisation of the establishment of Brisbane Girls Grammar School as a ‘bold experiment’ (educating women!), calling on staff in this milestone year to rethink the modern challenges around encroaching AI, conventional assessment models, and teaching pedagogies that are all too often embedded in 19th century thinking. This inspired the topic for this year’s debate: ‘In the School’s Sesquicentenary year, it is time to take the `bold experiment’ to the next level by ditching traditional assessment and embracing pop culture.’ The Debate proved entertaining, but powerfully thought-provoking as well, unpacking both sides of the topic. Staff speakers supporting the statement were Dr Tony Cupitt, Ms Emily Levett, and Mr Jack Saunders. Student debaters were Leni Kruger (12E), Ciara Clunies-Ross (12R), and Jacqueline Loh (12E).

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incomprehensible, but impressive nonetheless, and it stopped the opposition in their tracks for at least a minute. The student team supported conventional educational models, albeit with some tweaking. And they expended considerable debate time attacking elements of the staff case, most notably their glaring lack of knowledge around pop culture. The audience response to the students’ many sallies was both positive and deafening. The student team based their case on current real-world needs, and the responsibility of educators to focus on the now, not the future, readying students for the demands they will face when they leave school. They argued ‘out there’ had to change before schools should. At this point, we cycled back to the conundrum at the heart of the Great Debate: Do schools exist to prepare students for the world that exists now? Or do they aim to educate for a future, anticipating where advancing change will take society? Or, perhaps more radically, should schools themselves be the agents of change for a future society, producing flexible, resilient and deep-thinking young adults, with whatever pedagogy best meets this need. Quite a challenge to consider.

So, what did both sides have to say that left us chuckling and thinking?

The staff team focused on where a new `bold experiment’ could lead. They advocated doing away with traditional assessment, along with its preoccupation with outdated ideas such as ‘facts’, and embracing pop culture. At this point, bafflingly, a parrot was referenced, which caused the opposition to erupt in indignation and robust mockery about Mr Saunder’s pet. He countered with the proposition that pop culture would drag education (kicking and screaming) to learning in the context of cultural artefacts, focusing on creativity, personalised learning and critical thinking. The student team were incandescent, firing off broadsides mocking the staff team’s rudimentary knowledge of all things pop culture (which apparently in itself is a sadly ‘old-person’ term), and their failure to recognise its superficiality. Dr Cupitt wowed the audience with phrases such as ‘the ideology of delivery’ and the ‘associated processes of datafication and metrification’ as the basis for his team’s argument that this ideology limits the space for students to explore ‘creative expressions of agency’, hence the need for a shift to pop culture. It was all completely

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Captions 1 English teacher Mr Jack Saunders was met with howls of protest when he brought a parrot into the debate (figuratively, not literally), on stage with student team Jacqueline Loh (12E), Leni Kruger (12E) and Ciara Clunies-Ross (12R) 2 Extolling the benefits of embracing pop culture were staff team Dr Tony Cupitt, Mr Jack Saunders and Ms Emily Levett 3 Hundreds gathered at lunchtime to watch the annual staff-student Comedy Debate

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SCHOOL LIFE

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First day of Term 1, Sally Phillips and Amelia Oliver (12G)

2. Albinoni Strings rehearsal 3. ANZAC Commemoration

Ceremony, Ajin Kyong (12H) and Olivia Knauer (12M)

4. ABW Enterprise Education Competition students 5. Barrambin Blooming whole-school art project 6. Janice Findlay and Deliah Yang (7B) on Grandparents' Day 7. Embracing Blue Day, Nazmin Hussain (9E) and Belén West (9E) 8. Buddies Zarli Min (12H) and Nikki Najari (7H) 9. Cathedral Concert 10. Archive lesson BGGS Uniform, Annick Stefanutti (7G) and Erin Newdick (7G) 11. Interhouse Swimming Carnival, Ava Owen, Sia Loch-Wilkinson, Alexandra Johnson (7W) 12. Ms Julie McKay (2000), Chair, Board of Trustees, at Foundation Day cake celebration 13. Cate Ward (12B) on Blue Day

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14. First day of school Term 1, Jemma Wing (7R) 15. Aunty Nicole Williams with Holly Pryor (11O) 16. Mackay House winners are grinners 17. Year 7 students investigate how much water is released as vapour from popping corn kernels 18. Cross Country Champion and Head Girl, Zoe McElwaine (12G) 19. Blue Day 20. Interhouse choir practice, 21. Pink Stumps Day 22. Water polo training 23. Interhouse choir practice, Zoe Bell (11R), Frankie Austin (11R) and Lucy Wille (11R) 24. Interhouse Choir Competition 25. Buddies, Isabella Patten (12W) and Kady Myo-Oo (7W) 26. Emerging Athlete Program Zara Schattling (9L) Harriet Yuille (9L) and Sophie O'Connell (9L)

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27. House Parties 2025 28. Summer Thomes (8B), Juliette Rothwell (8G) and Eleanor Parker (8H) examine artefacts in History 29. Unveiling the 2025 motto plaque,

Dean of Students, Ms Melinda Egan with Head Girls Abigail Buck (12H) and Zoe McElwaine (12G)

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30. House parties, Zara Walsh (12R) with Maisie Mann (7R) 31. Determining a mystery substance in Chemistry 32. Galentines Day 2025 33. Ananya Vinodh (9O) and Meera Sreeraj (9W) take part in the King Louis trials 34. Enming Pan (8H) at the QUEST 2025 design workshop 35. Elizabeth Nash (11H), Lauren Brown (11H) and Leila Moody (11H) enjoying House Parties 36. Foundation Day Cake Cutting and Afternoon Tea 37. Senior Production Garage Girls 38. Josianna Lo (7G) joins Calligraphy Club's lantern-painting workshop 39. The trials of King Louis got underway in Year 9

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SCHOOL LIFE

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40. Interhouse Cross Country 41. Interhouse Cross Country, Lauren Sedgwick (7G) and Chloe Fried (7R) 42. Interhouse Swimming Carnival 43. Interhouse Choir Competition 44. Interhouse Cross Country 45. Neve McNab (12B) and Ava Tran (12G) receiving Senior Jerseys 46. Lily Burgess (12E) and Claudia Chin (12E) receiving Senior Jerseys 47. Interhouse Swimming Carnival 48. Interhouse Swimming Carnival, Harriet Winter (8M) 49. Mirabella Moore (10O) with a Wearable Art creation 50. Wearable Art 51. Yaathavi Ranjithan (7G) with Rathy Kandasamy at Grandparents and Friends Day 52. Senior Jersey is photo-worthy

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MR DAVID RAWSON HEAD OF CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT (ENGLISH)

City of highlights From iconic Parisian landmarks to unforgettable friendships

and gilded interiors, even spying the reserved seat for the notorious Phantom rumoured to call the opera house home. Beyond sightseeing and shopping, the tour inspired moments of wonder too. A visit to the Sainte-Chapelle on Île de la Cité left students moved by the scale and beauty of its stained glass windows, while the adjacent Conciergerie deepened their understanding of the French Revolution as they traced Marie Antoinette’s final days in her prison cell. The sombre history was balanced with festive experiences, including Christmas market visits near La Cathédrale de Notre Dame and a hands-on chocolate making workshop.

On Friday 29 November 2024, French students from Years 10 and 11 embarked on the highly anticipated France Study Tour. Accompanied by Tour Coordinator, Madame Natalie Holden, and teachers, Madame Corrinne Scruby and me, the group arrived in Paris on a sunny Saturday afternoon, eager to practise our French and experience the city's iconic landmarks so often seen only in postcards or on screen. With five days in Paris, we were able to experience a great deal of the city that has captured hearts and minds for centuries. Students explored the vast Musée du Louvre, wandered the Tuileries gardens, and posed by the entrancing glass pyramid. At the Opéra Garnier, we admired intricate frescoes

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Some of the most memorable moments included climbing the Eiffel Tower, strolling along the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in the tradition of the flaneur —a classic French pastime of wandering and people-watching—and an enchanting evening river cruise on the Seine. Montmartre, with its steep streets and rich history as a former artists’ village, proved particularly special as students wondered at the grand Basilica of Sacré-Coeur. After a shower of rain on our night-time visit, the streets of Montmartre became a watercolour painting, making for a picturesque evening.

‘I really enjoyed attending French classes and this quickly became the highlight of my trip. At school, I pushed myself to engage and interact with the students of St Paul, and through this, I made friendships that will last a lifetime. I'm forever grateful for the opportunity to pick up new French words and to really immerse myself in French culture.’ Olivia Basile (11B)

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‘I have gained a deep understanding of life in France, its beautiful architecture, and the deep and rich history that lies behind it. I came to France expecting this, but I was taken aback by how rich the French culture is. I have learned more about the French way of living and I find it so cool that they have their differences from Australian life.’ Sabrina Yong Gee (12H)

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The next day, students reunited to share their initial homestay experiences, expressing gratitude for the warm hospitality and generous meals featuring local French specialities. There were plenty of stories of putting French into practice, and funny little faux pas that brought smiles to our faces. As we enjoyed a tour of both the middle school (collège) and high school (lycée) campuses, School Principal, Madame Epaud, ensured we felt truly welcome with Australian songs chosen for the school bells, and the Australian National flag hung at the front gate. Students proudly served as cultural ambassadors, answering questions about life and schooling in Australia. French students were no doubt bamboozled by talk of Bunnings sausage sizzles, Christmas in summer, and Outdoor Education Programs like ours at Marrapatta. Despite the challenges of studying in a different education system, students embraced the opportunity to expand their vocabulary while Madame Scruby and I taught junior English lessons.

A day trip to the Palace of Versailles was a particular highlight, with a knowledgeable guide leading the group through Louis XIV’s opulent apartments. A delicious meal at the glitzy La Flottille followed, before Madame Holden took students to her favourite spots, including the tranquil Trianons and Marie Antoinette’s refuge, complete with farm animals. Departing Paris for Angoulême, via the Loire Valley and the Château de Chambord, excitement turned to nervous anticipation as students prepared to meet their host families. Upon arrival, they were warmly greeted by their hosts and teachers from Lycée St Paul. In the pouring rain, luggage filled with Australian gifts and Parisian souvenirs was swiftly loaded into cars,

Excursions in Angoulême included a town tour, an engaging workshop at the renowned Comic Book Museum, and a joint visit with our French host siblings to the historic Château de La Rochefoucauld, with its beautiful libraries. Over the two weekends in Angoulême, our students were taken on adventures far and wide and enjoyed the opportunity to further connect with their host families. There were so many sad farewells on the final day of the exchange, with the friendships forged taking on special significance away from home. After final embraces were shared and gifts exchanged, we were pleased to have a safe return journey back to Australia, after appreciating the refined luxury of Charles de Gaulle Airport first. mantra of a life enriched by learning, helping to grow students as people with an increased understanding of, and sensitivity to, the world around them. This particular trip has fostered peace, friendship, and tolerance, all the while providing the confidence to keep practising language. There is no doubt that such a cultural exchange supports our School’s

marking the start of an immersive cultural exchange—the heart of the tour.

Captions 1 Teachers Ms Corrinne Scruby, left, and Mr David Rawson, with tour coordinator Ms Natalie Holden 2 Taking in the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris 3 The grounds of the grand Palace of Versailles are a study in perspective

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