2014 School Magazine

PERSPECTIVES

There has been a seismic shift in the way we educate children. Knowledge was once acquired primarily through a process of rote learning. Now students are encouraged to learn through enquiry and debate, and through discovery and creation. And the once quiet classrooms where a single voice dominated are now vibrant, interactive and inclusive spaces. At Girls Grammar, we prepare girls to be active participants in discussion and critical debate and to share their ideas with peers and colleagues, with confidence. To do that, while they are at school we must provide opportunities that allow them to find their voice. We must give them the space and time to determine what matters to them, to shape their opinions and to learn how to articulate them. We must guide them when they are uncertain, encourage them to stand again when they fall and celebrate their great successes. The voices of our students matter, and as teachers and leaders it is our responsibility to ensure they are heard. Below are snippets of the girls’ Perspectives . Full articles are available at www.bggs.qld.edu.au/perspectives MS JACINDA EULER, PRINCIPAL

A CHANGE OF HEART As Summer King (10L) discovered through her Year 10 Service experience, sometimes the reward is more in the giving, than the receiving. HOMELESSNESS Catherine Chan (12R) examines the facts behind the common misconception that homelessness is purely the fault of the individual. ABOVE AND BEYOND WITH THE GRAMMAR BOND Determining a motto that inspires and unites the School community is a task undertaken at the start of each School year by the Student Council. 2014 Head Girls Sarvashree Singh (12G) and Claudia Gulbransen-Diaz (12L) explain the elements that combine to form this year’s motto Above and beyond with the Grammar bond.

DON’T DIE WONDERING After a life-changing year abroad in the USA, Elizabeth Cox (11R ) reflects on her many experiences inspired by the mantra ‘don’t die wondering’. YOU CAN’T MAKE AN OMELETTE WITHOUT BREAKING A FEW EGGS In her winning Junior Merle Weaver speech, Madeleine Goss (10H) explains why sometimes you need to break a few eggs.

SHOULD SPORT REALLY BE FOR ALL?

Sara Burke (12E) advocates that ‘Developing countries should not host international sporting events’ in her winning Senior Merle Weaver speech.

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