Grammar Gazette- Issue 2, 2010

B R I S B A N E G I R L S G R A M M A R S C H O O L

1916 School Prospectus

zeal has not diminished in the same proportion as the bands have faded. Funnily enough, talk of hats still dominates uniform discussion today! As well as including artistic and literary content, the magazine chronicled the events of the year, boarders’ notes and a promotion for the Old Girls Association. Another innovative publication was the introduction of the School’s first Prospectus as opposed to the usually published regulations which accompanied the Annual Report. This illustrated booklet gives a brief overview of the School and what it had to offer prospective students. The fee statement mentions student ages, hot lunches and costs for additional tuition in subjects thought suitable for young ladies. During her term of office, MIss Mackay witnessed an increase in enrolments. In 1915 the average enrolment figure stood at 198. During World War I, and the great Influenza epidemic of 1919, it would have been logical to assume that the School’s population would have declined. In fact, the reverse occurred. In Miss Mackay’s last full year as headmistress, the School reached 318, which for 1923 meant the site was over-crowded and in desperate need of expanded facilities. Miss Mackay’s continuing success could not last. Unfortunately, she had always been dogged by ill-health. At the beginning of 1924 she indicated to the Board of Trustees that she wanted to retire mid-year; a request to which the trustees, unwillingly agreed.

adjacent to the School’s laundry would have to suffice. Chemistry classes commenced, but a laboratory fee was imposed on students. Undeterred, Miss Mackay took the unprecedented step when presenting her report in 1923, of speaking in the public domain about matters normally reserved for private discussion at board meetings. She expressed what she believed were two imperatives — a good science laboratory and a swimming bath. She continued to say...the former is urgently needed, for it is impossible to do really good work with the miserable accommodation and equipment we have at present... neither were to be established during her time. Her comments, however, are indicative of her determination to bring to the forefront what she believed were essential developments to facilitate the effective teaching and learning of young women. Publications also came under the eye of Miss Mackay. The School’s first magazine had appeared in 1913 but did not re- appear for the next two years. She reintroduced the magazine in 1916 as an annual publication and insisted that much of the content be written by the students. Some of it makes for interesting reading. For example, Form II notes begin: we are the Preparatory form and although the eldest girl is eleven years old we are generally called “the Babies”. Such youthful indignation! Form VI notes include: we are proud of being the first VIa to wear the long-talked-of prefects’ hat bands and we sincerely hope that our

1 5