Learning the language and culture of other nations and societies has far-reaching benefits for both the individual and Australian society. Second-language learning opens doors for Grammar girls to engage more effectively in the global arena. Ms S Garson, Director of International Studies, suggests steps our School community can take to realise this learning.
Parenting ‘experts’ are churning out books to meet the supposed unquenchable thirst for guidance and direction about how to be the best parent and produce the ‘best’ child. School Counsellor Ms K Belbin discusses how the contrasting and competing beliefs and expectations can leave parents feeling overwhelmed.
Change is the only constant in life. The year 2013 has already been one of great change, at Girls Grammar and on the national and international stage. How people adapt to change can mean the difference between failing to achieve goals and ambitions or growing and moving forward to learn from change.
For Grammar girls to perform at their best and to achieve exceptional scholarship, it is important to equip them with the tools to maintain good health and wellbeing. School Nurse Mrs L Lockyer gives advice to enable our girls to learn, work, create and achieve at their optimal levels.
Building a career is a personal and quite individual process that rarely begins with the collective end in mind. While identifying the path is the first step, the wholeness of the concept called ‘career’ is only fully appreciated upon reflection. Finding one’s way can be loosely described as an exercise in recognising seemingly random life experiences; seizing new opportunities; navigating unforeseen circumstances; and embracing emergent technologies. An ever evolving reflective compass directs the trekker’s path.
New Year is not the only time to make resolutions. In a school term assessment and the feedback it generates create the perfect opportunity to make a new beginning. There is much to be gained through thoughtful reflection and some carefully crafted and achievable New Term’s resolutions.
Technology in the home has become normalised and young people today revel in it. However, there can be a disconnect in schools as students using technology are deprived of the autonomy, personalisation and familiarity of their own devices. Our students often hold the link to life-wide learning in their bags, what can schools do to harness it?
Are young people today more selfish than earlier generations? Historically we have made a distinction between self-interest and care for others; but recent studies show that our self-interest may best be served through adopting a more compassionate approach to each other and the world around us.
The incredible rise in technology over the last decade has led to social networking being woven into the fabric of everyday life, no more so than for our current generation of adolescents. Internet sites such as Facebook can be a vehicle for self-objectification in a unique and concerning way.
After the announcement of 'Embrace the new! Link the Blue!' as the 2013 motto and vision for the School, Marrapatta staff considered how our thematic approach to the outdoor education programme could support the student focus for the year.