Senior School

Senior School MS CATRINA SHARP, DEPUTY PRINCIPAL/HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL

In a school, it is natural and understandable to be surrounded by teachers. Teachers are influential and aim to help everyone to become better individuals and be more effective in teams. Girls of the Senior School, so often this year, you have been teachers. You are vibrant young women who are open to learning, who uplift classmates and have the skills to stop and ponder what might be possible, and to chase that. All this makes an incredible difference to so many!

As the oldest girls in the College settle on pathways, explore and create opportunities, give thought to new ideas and perfect their passions, they are indeed enriching the lives of others. We all learn a great deal from the people around us. This year, the qualities of wonder, persistence and focus have been evident and influential. The fields of learning are difficult to fathom in a world where change has become a steady friend. 18

To their credit, our girls are pushing change for themselves and others, in traditional fields and ones still unfolding. The fields of learning are difficult to fathom in a world where change has become a steady friend.

The following offers a mere glimpse of a dynamic year in the Senior School.

YOUNG SCHOLARS OF NOTE

The University of Queensland Young Scholars Program invited a number Year 11 girls to explore their learning pathways at the end of 2019. Dabbling in areas not available in schools, the girls were challenged in their thinking and through new experiences.

In addition to the selection of three Year 11 girls to participate in the Canberra program of the National Youth Science Forum¸ 2018 participants Florence Beci and Maggie Grigg extended their work in this scheme, with Florence attending an international forum in London and Maggie being selected and trained to mentor the 2019 participants!

A MUSICAL FEAST

The Wedding Singer was a wonderful celebration of musical excellence for many girls in the Senior School. Our girls were impressive on stage, in the orchestra pit, and as technicians and crew members across the rehearsal and performance seasons. Polished and professional, the show was a stunning experience!

20-1-9: IT’S OUR TIME!

Focused equally on individual passions and contributing well to the community, the Senior Leaders claimed, ‘In 20-1-9: it’s our time!’ With a clear and very encouraging focus on these themes, everyone was prompted to determine their best selves, to support each other, to be driven, to participate, to celebrate others and to care.

HOLME DAY in 2019 was a sensation, and a celebration in the very best sense. It stood as a brilliant indication of the cohort’s leadership: consistent, considered, inclusive and encouraging.

SERVICE LEARNING

Our Year 12 Leadership Committees made significant contributions in 2019. Focused on their area of College life, impressive collaboration was demonstrated by the committees, under the guidance of staff mentors. Much of our vibrant events calendar was touched by these dedicated groups: Communication, Innovation, Junior School, Middle School, Ministry, Environment, Restorative Practice, Pastoral Care in each House, Wellness, and Teaching & Learning. At the 2019 Year 11 Retreat, a new committee was launched ahead of 2020: the Culture Leadership Committee. This group has been tasked with celebrating and strengthening our College culture and, importantly, honouring the many rich cultures in our community.

FUTURE LEADERS

Anah Chung and Zahli Bahnisch were recognised through the Future Leaders Awards Program for the important work they do in their communities. Both were recipients of Future Leader Future Justice Awards, being two of six students recognised nationally. Anah and Zahli are clearly focused on others, and they seek ways to strengthen opportunities to serve and care.

We also congratulate Briana Suey and Alannah Munn on their receipt of 2019 QATSIF Young Indigenous Leader Awards. How proud we were to acknowledge their significant and diverse contribution to our College community over time, as well as their consistent and positive influence.

SPORTING SENSATIONS

In 2019, there was no shortage of determination and real sporting excellence. It was evident weekly, in training and Association competitions, and extended to Australian representation in the international arena. Our girls have been impressive. Numerous Senior School girls worked hard towards team selection and committed themselves to strong individual and team performance. There have been personal bests, record-breaking team achievements, smiling girls atop many a dais, and new heights achieved, particularly in Athletics, Cricket and Hockey.

SCHOLARLY EXCELLENCE

A good number of girls received scholarships and bursaries as they prepared for further study. Bond University, several residential Colleges and the University of Southern Queensland awarded scholarships and bursaries in the latter part of 2019. Further, we applaud our recipient of the IGLU Academic Excellence Scholarship and congratulate our two Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Foundation’s QCE Scholars.