Welcome back to our fourth and final term for 2021. It is hard to believe we have already reached October, but as the days get longer and the jacaranda trees begin blooming in their beautiful shades of purple we know the end of year is approaching. The warmer days which were suddenly upon us this week signal that summer is on its way.
This time of year always brings a buzz of excitement and anticipation for end of year celebrations and a right of passage that is just on the horizon for many students for a variety of different reasons.
Yesterday’s welcome back secondary assembly was the final one for our Year 12s. I’m sure this was filled with mixed emotions for the girls as they prepare for more ‘last times’ across the coming weeks. I experienced a goose bump moment myself while witnessing the year 12 ‘small yet mighty’ cohort join together on stage to sing the School Song for the final time in front of their peer group.
Each assembly fills me with a sense of pride as I look out to see the girls presented so magnificently in their formal uniforms. Yesterday was no different as I welcomed them back for Term 4 and spoke to them about challenging their thinking and approach towards the new term ahead. I talked about changing thoughts that some secondary students might have, similar to “the year is almost over, it’s term 4, I will wait until the new year to change my outlook towards things”. This might be to do with their attitude towards school, their application to study, focusing in class, relationships with peers or even teachers, or engagement in school activities.
I encouraged our secondary girls to reflect, refocus and re-set and that this is a chance to start fresh, be positive and open minded. Examples include re-establishing friendships, focusing a little better in class by minimising distractions, engaging with teachers, developing a more positive attitude towards a subject they may have experienced difficulty with last term or simply making more of the opportunities being provided to them.
I asked secondary students to use this first week back to think about three goals for themselves and record them in their student planner. I encouraged them to reflect on the past three terms and everything they have learnt, all the messages and advice they have heard at school, at home from family and friends and from their own learning and to write down a goal for each of the following areas:
Academic learning
Health and wellbeing
A personal interest/ cocurricular activity/ hobby
In order for goals to mean something though, it’s important to reflect and receive feedback. I asked the girls to take time to reflect the end of the school year and give personal feedback on how they went towards achieving their goals in each of these three areas. When we reflect and receive feedback it helps us in our own personal growth and self-awareness and to make positive improvements to achieve further success.
I look forward to talking with many girls over the next few weeks to hear about the goals they have set for themselves and how they feel they are progressing towards achieving them. By connecting and sharing, we often help one another on our journeys of growth and development.
Over the past three weeks we have shared many stories of achievement on our school’s facebook page. I would like to congratulate all students who have achieved success either by representing our school, a club or themselves across a range of activities.
Calli (Year 9) and Ellie (Year 10) competed in the state rowing championships here in Rockhampton. Calli achieved 2nd place in the Year 9 girls 1km single skull event which is a huge achievement having only just started rowing this year. Ellie is also new to the sport and both girls should be proud of how much they have achieved in such a short time. We all certainly are.
Breanna (Year 9) and Charlotte (Year 9) performed at the Dancestar and Schoolaerobics Australian National Championships and were awarded 3rd place.
Ella (Year 10) played in representative sides for two different football codes, representing the Toowoomba Warriors at the Queensland Murri Rugby League Carnival and then the Central Queensland Bushrangers in the Rugby Union Queensland State Championships.
Claudia (Year 10) placed 1st in her age group at at the Pony Club Campdraft clinic and competition at Paradise Lagoons.
Havana (Year 5) competed at the Junior State Gymnastics Championships and achieved amazing results, being awarded 2nd place overall in the competition. Well done Havana.
Bria (Year 8) competed at the Athletics North Queensland Championships placing 3rd in the 1500m and 5th in the 800m events.
Emilia (Year 10) and Kara-Lee (Year 9) both competed at the Rockhampton Dance Festival achieving outstanding results with an array of placings and awards. Congratulations also to our younger students who also competed in the Dance Festival, Willow (Year 2), Michaela (Year 2), Elle (Year 2), Jessica (Year 1) and Matilda (Year 1).
Gabby (Year 10), Armani (Year 10), Georgia (Year 9), Tylah (Year 9) and Destiny (Year 7) travelled to Brisbane to compete in the Nissan Netball State Age Championships.
Two of our Year 12 students were awarded as recipients of the Olympic Changemaker Awards this week on assembly. Congratulations to Jessica and Tyla.
Jessica has shown dedication to Girls Grammar school sport through, not only in her role as Downs Prefect, but also in her representation in a range of sports. Jessica has been a part of the QISSN, Oztag All Schools and All Schools Touch teams in 2021 and also represented the school in Rugby 7s. She has shown leadership as a team captain and always models exceptional sportsmanship.
Tyla Cringle is a wonderful role model for younger students demonstrating exceptional school spirit. Along with her Prefect role, Tyla spends her time attending sports events to assist with organisation, mentoring younger students and supporting our teams from the sidelines. She has been one of the main driving forces behind horse sports at Girls Grammar and always represents our school with pride.
Well done to all girls, for striving to be the best you can be, for challenging yourselves, for reflecting on your performances in your chosen fields to achieve your best. This is a true representation of what it means to be a Clever, Confident and Connected Girls Grammar Girl.
Kara Krehlik
Acting Principal