Brisbane Girls Grammar School Gazette, Issue 2 2022

Global Citizens

Valuing perspectives from far and wide

Dr Ron Ritchhart presenting at the Thoughtful Educators Conference

According to Oxfam, ‘A global citizen is someone who is aware of, and understands the wider world—and their place in it’. They are ‘citizens of the world’ and ‘take an active role in their community and work with others to make our planet more peaceful, sustainable and fair’.

Since its inception, Brisbane Girls Grammar School has adopted this philosophy to ensure that graduates have the educational foundation to contribute to their world with wisdom, imagination, and integrity. An international outlook and open-minded approach to life is cultivated through meaningful engagement with affiliate schools, our own diverse Girls Grammar community, and the wider world.

The inaugural Thoughtful Educators Conference held at the School in July was envisioned as a wonderful opportunity for BGGS staff to share what they have learned with like-minded professionals. World-renowned educator and researcher from Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Project Zero, Dr Ron Ritchhart, was the keynote speaker and participant in a lively panel discussion. During his visit, Dr Ritchhart also recorded an episode of Illumine with Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler Welsh. They discussed what a ‘culture of thinking’ is, why this is such an important foundation for student thinking and learning, and the key idea that through a series of small changes in teacher practice, big things can grow in the classroom and beyond, and thus, a ‘culture of thinking’ flourishes.

Engaging with another international expert, Ms Euler Welsh hosted clinical psychologist and best-selling author, Dr Lisa Damour, in a special two-part episode of Illumine for Parents. Together they discussed tactics on how to successfully navigate the many difficult conversations that parents often need to have with their adolescent daughters, including understanding teen friendships and ‘cancel culture’, negative online behaviours, and powerful teen emotions. They concluded their candid conversation reminiscing and reflecting on how the period of adolescence, although hard at times, can be such a joyous and connected time for families.

Dr Lisa Damour

When BGGS alumna, Ms Cathy Milliken (1972), returned home from Berlin to visit family, she shared her lessons and learnings with us on an episode of Illumine—Grammar Women. A renowned oboist, composer, and music educator, Ms Milliken initially pursued a musical education locally at Queensland Symphony Orchestra, before travelling overseas to assume positions in some of the most highly regarded classical music orchestras in the world. Her truly global perspective, and reflections on navigating challenging situations in foreign lands during vastly different times, are an inspiration. Today, amongst various musical projects and composition commissions, Ms Milliken advocates for greater recognition of women musicians and composers.

Closer to home, BGGS has also engaged local thought leaders including author and columnist, Ms Madonna King, and specialist clinical psychologist, Dr Judith Locke, to provide valuable and authentic information about parenting and the challenges that adolescent girls face in Australian society today. These intimate sessions have been well-attended by families and demonstrate that BGGS parents have a deep interest in learning and understanding their daughters and helping them to find their place in our increasingly complex world.

BGGS has also continued to have a strong voice on the national stage by contributing to conversations affecting the education sector. The ‘teacher shortage’ issue was explored in an episode of Illumine, and the candid conversation between Ms Euler Welsh, Deputy Principal (Academic), Dr Bruce Addison, and Deputy Principal (Co-curriculum), Ms Sophie Mynott, was picked up by the Australian Financial Review and featured in their weekend publication, AFR Weekend. Their discussion covered what they believe is contributing to the decline in teaching graduates, reasons behind the resignation of current teachers, and the hurdles mid-career changers face when considering a switch to teaching. They also examined the solutions being put forward by the government and policymakers as part of the National Action Plan, and ideas of their own for addressing the issues .

The AFR Weekend article that featured Ms Jacinda Euler Welsh, Dr Bruce Addison and Ms Sophie Mynott discussing the teacher shortage

Ms Jacinda Euler Welsh in the studio with alumna, Ms Cathy Milliken (1972)

Girls Grammar will continue to seek the insights and perspectives of experts from around the globe and within our own communities —ensuring that the School maintains the mindset of a global educational institution: aware of our place in the wider world; actively involved in our communities; and working towards making our planet and society a more peaceful, sustainable, and just place for all.

References

www.oxfam.org.uk/education/who-we-are/what-is-global-citizenship/