Grammar Gazette- Issue 2, 2017

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THE STUDENT COUNCIL: ORIGINS AND PURPOSE

Members of the 2017 Student Council on White Blouse Day with Dean of Co-curriculum, Miss Ellena Papas, and Director of Service, Mrs Lynne Mungomery

the prefects’ responsibility to nurture young Grammar girls, set standards, instill school spirit and exemplify service. The Student Council is the modern iteration of the Prefect body and in 2017, it consists of twenty-six students who are democratically elected by their peers after a rigorous application and presentation process. The Student Council comprises the two Head Girls, two Service Captains, two Sports Captains (representing the sports captains of our nineteen sports), two Arts Captains (representing the captains of music, debating, visual art, drama and publications), and eighteen House Captains (two from each of the nine houses). Throughout the decades the role of this group of student leaders has, in essence, remained the same — to be exemplary leaders of the entire student body. However, the responsibilities have dramatically broadened and the Student Council’s role now encompasses setting the goals for the Year 12 cohort, establishing the School motto for the year, organising whole-of-School events such as Blue Days, fundraising for the School charity and, most importantly, creating a united and effective Year 12 cohort to set the tone for the whole School throughout the year. These tasks give the girls of all levels purpose and ownership.

AUTHOR Mrs Pauline Harvey-Short Dean of School

What is the quintessential Grammar girl? From earliest days of the School, a Grammar girl was seen as poised, learned, responsible, capable and organised. The older girls, be they be known as Sixth Formers or Year 12 students, were held in high esteem by younger students and expected to help the younger girls in academic and sporting pursuits, while maintaining the high standards of behaviour set by the Lady Principal of the time and her staff. How did these girls acquire the skills needed to meet these expectations and gain the respect of the other School students? A Girls Grammar broad-based, liberal education underpinned their knowledge and skills; however, lessons learnt through the responsibility of being the leaders of the School were also a major contributing factor. The prefect concept was introduced into student life in 1920 with six prefects, including one Head Girl. It became

GRAMMAR GAZETTE