Brisbane Girls Grammar School Gazette, Issue 2 2022

A Million Reasons Why

A campaign of gratitude

The scene was dazzling. A sparkling and glowing ‘tree’, blooming flowers, and BGGS mothers gathering— old friends, and new ones being made—to unite as a community and invest in their daughters’ education. Tucked discreetly underneath the pink-lit tree was a red letterbox and throughout the afternoon it was filled with heartfelt affirmations addressed to BGGS teachers, students, and professional staff.

This was the scene of the first Just Because campaign— an initiative launched by the School this year to rethread the needle of the BGGS community after two years of lockdowns, isolations, and quarantine. The aim of these activities is to celebrate our inherent gratitude for one another, give our thanks for being part of this wonderful and supportive community, and to welcome newcomers with arms wide open.

This first initiative took place in Term 1 with students writing heart-warming postcards to their mothers to thank them for the joy and support that they bring to their lives. Some students thanked their mothers for the often overlooked day-to-day logistical support—rides to school, lunches made, general ferrying to co-curricular activities— and others acknowledged the deep emotional care that their mother provides and celebrated their impact on making them a better person. Students were filmed sharing their message, and the compilation was screened at the Autumn Luncheon, where surprise, tears, and laughter filled the room.

BGGS mother, Ms Mary Jane Capp, expressed her appreciation for the activity. ‘The Just Because campaign is a wonderful way for the Girls Grammar community to band together, particularly in the current climate, and it instils a very important message in ‘our girls’ as well—support, gratitude, kindness, and love ’.

To ‘pay forward’ these expressions of gratitude, attendees of the luncheon were given the opportunity to write their own postcards to their daughter or a School staff member. An overwhelming number of mothers wrote to BGGS teachers, and staff were gifted their postcards at the end of Term 1.

Upon receiving her postcards, Ms Clare Finlayson, Coordinator of Choirs, said ‘As a teacher, so much of my day-to-day life is spent on logistics and finding solutions, so the impact of a note from a parent or student that lets you know that your efforts are seen and appreciated is felt deeply’.

Bronte Stathis (12L) displaying her Dear Me postcard

Head of Beanland House, Mrs Sacha Cross, was also moved by the messages penned to her. ‘Receiving the postcards from parents, with such genuine and thoughtful words of appreciation, gave a sense of assuredness that the care and support that I provide to their daughters, both academically and pastorally, is valued. I have the postcards pinned to my board and read them when I need a lift’, she said.

In Term 2, the focus of the campaign switched to self-gratitude, and every student in the School took time to write themselves a Dear Me postcard that was gifted back to them in Term 4. The Student Care team at the School encouraged the girls to write themselves a note of reflection and self-encouragement that they can read ahead of their final exams—one last reassurance from the person who ultimately knows them best.

A message addressed to incoming parents

The goal of the Term 3 initiative was to welcome incoming parents and students, so they arrive at BGGS in 2023 to a sea of familiar faces, equipped with welcoming words and helpful tips. Championed by the Parents & Friends (P&F) Association and Mothers Group ahead of the inaugural Incoming Parent and Daughter, the 'From my family to yours' activity invited current families to write words of welcome and wisdom to our incoming Year 7 families, which were then gifted at the dinner. Messages included encouragement on how to thrive at BGGS such as ‘say yes to everything’, to practical suggestions including ‘early visits to Spotlight for House Party outfits’, and ‘accept that you will need to replace at least one hat and blazer’. Another favourite was ‘allow your daughter to take public transport to school—she will be alright’. Our current parents captured the community spirit of Girls Grammar beautifully with their messages, extending a personalised and warm welcome to future BGGS families.

Head of Beanland House, Mrs Sacha Cross, receiving her messages from parents

The final act of the Just Because gratitude campaign took place at the end of Term 3 with BGGS fathers penning notes of support and gratitude to their daughters ahead of the Father and Daughter Dinner. A screening of the fathers reading out their messages was shown at the event to the shock, delight, and at times, deep embarrassment of the girls. Leading this initiative was President of the Fathers Group, Mr Hayden Wells, who revealed that ‘the goal of these messages is to share the often unsaid, but always felt, deep gratitude and sense of wonder that fathers feel towards their brave, resilient, and determined daughters’.

The small but heartfelt actions of the Just Because activities touched many BGGS hearts this year, proving once again the extraordinary power of words, and their ability to move someone long after a message is read and tucked away for safekeeping.

Mothers writing postcards to their daughters and School staff at the Autumn Luncheon

A postcard recipient at the Incoming Parent and Daughter Dinner