1985 School Magazine

To other matters:

girls are able to develop their potential in a way that has definite positive effects on their overall performance. A few years ago in the Annual Report, I spoke of the many misconceptions that exist about this school. One of those is the manner in which students enter this school. There are no selection criteria as such. Over the years the school has increased the number of elective subjects offered in Years 11 and 12 in an effort to provide a broad liberal education for all students attending, with the ultimate aim of allowing each student to reach her full potential. For students who would in the past have left school at Year 10, we are now proposing to offer a two-year integrated studies programme beginning in 1985. This programme will lead to a Senior Certificate but no T.E. score and will provide students with skills that will allow them to enter the workforce at the end of Year 12 with greater confidence than has been possible ih the past. The course is purposely not a pre-vocational course because educationally I query the validity of such courses; but is a programme that will address many areas hitherto not covered by more traditional academic subjects, but are necessary for anyone who is living in today 's society. Ideally such a programme should be available to all students irrespective of the direction that they wish to follow. The programme has been designed by many staff members under the co-ordination of Mr john Walsh and has been sent to the Board of Secondary School Studies for accreditation. This leads me to my concluding remarks- What should a School Be, or What is Schooling All About? Although the answer to these questions varies according to the philosophy of the person addressing them, I believe too many people within our society want schools to do what society and, in particular, the family group is no longer doing.

just over five years ago, the school was deeply affected by a tragic bus accident at Christmas Creek. A member of staff, john Stamford, his wife and two students, Gillian Skaines and Helen Gahan were killed and many other students were seriously injured. In memory of Gillian and Helen, a full scholarship was awarded to a student entering the school in 1980. Our Proxime Accessit and winner of the Munro Cup this year, Susan Warren, received this scholarship and during her five years in the school, has contributed greatly to the life of the school and has certainly been a fitting recipient of that memorial scholarship. After the bus accident a large number of concerned and interested people donated money to a memorial fund which would allow for the purchase and development of an Outdoor Education centre that would serve as a permanent memorial to the students and staff involved in the accident. Recently the Widgee Shire Council re-zoned land purchased for this purpose at lmbil and plans are now well underway for an initial development on the site in 1985. The P. & F. Association have helped this project by earmarking $10,000 for use on the project and to date have covered the cost of surveys and initial plans. The Brisbane Girls' Grammar School Memorial Outdoor Education Centre now appears close to becoming a reality, thanks to the efforts of so many. Outdoor education forms an integral part of the school curriculum and is aimed at allowing girls similar opportunities in challenge and leadership, as we offered to many boys. All girls in the school have now been involved in Year 9 and 10 programmes, and next year, Year 8 will be included. Under the able leadership of Miss Mary McAdam.

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