CELEBRATING 90 Years
FROM THE PRINCIPAL WE HAVE BEEN DELIGHTED TO WELCOME OUR WHOLE SCHOOL COMMUNITY TO CELEBRATE THE FIRST NINETY YEARS OF CANBERRA GIRLS GRAMMAR SCHOOL. IT HAS BEEN A COMPELLING VISUAL REMINDER OF THE STRENGTH AND WARMTH OF THE MEMBERS OF OUR SCHOOL FAMILY. FROM PAST AND PRESENT STUDENTS AND STAFF TO OUR PARENTS THROUGH THE PARENTS AND FRIENDS ASSOCIATION (P&F) AND MANY OTHERS, ALL HAVE JOINED US AND REGALED US WITH STORIES OF THEIR SCHOOL. The year began with a family picnic on the Senior School oval where over 600 parents, students and staff ate together in glorious sunshine. A band encouraged everyone to dance but we were outclassed by Junior School students who showed us how it should be done. A church service at St Paul’s Manuka enabled us to give thanks for the long history of Girls Grammar as an Anglican School. A procession with banners from School Houses, and items illustrating the work of the School had every part of the community represented, from the youngest through to our Grammarians Association. We were glad that Bishop Stuart Robinson was able to join us for this important occasion. We started Founders’ Weekend with fabulous Night Markets. Crowds came to buy from our stalls ranging from craft items to mulled wine and delicious food. Fairy lights added to the atmosphere. On the Saturday, we were joined by Grammarians from six different reunion groups. They were intrigued to take our Heritage Walk, which illustrates the history of each building with displays from the School’s extensive archive. Grammarians could see photographs of themselves and marvel at the hairstyles of previous times as well as reading School magazines, curriculum documents and advertisements from their time at school. The Heritage Walk can also be taken online so that parents and Grammarians from further afield can experience it. An Alumni Cocktail Function at the National Gallery was well attended and everyone enjoyed
the opportunity to dress up and meet each other. The rest of the weekend featured a Chapel Service and Founders’ Assemblies in both Senior and Junior Schools. Events for parents and grandparents have included a Healthy Minds networking workshop, a Safe School Committee Father, Daughter/Son Breakfast and the Year 3 Grandparents, Godparents and Grandfriends Day.
We finished the year with the annual Year 6 Father Daughter Dinner and a current and past staff Cocktail Party at The Boat House.
The Birthday Ball at Hotel Realm was a splendid occasion. We are so grateful to the P&F for their organisation of the Twilight Picnic, the Night Markets and the Birthday Ball, all of which have added so much to our celebrations.
Anne Coutts PRINCIPAL
In addition, we held community events in London, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Griffith and Wagga Wagga where parents and alumni came together to celebrate.
I am grateful to our Development Office for all their organisation and planning for this wonderful year of celebration.
Anne Coutts (centre) with 2016 Head Chorister, Sarah Fraser (Year 12); Acting Head of Music, Natalie Guile; 2017 Head Chorister, Emily Coper-Jones (Year 11); and Dean of Music, Joel Copeland at the Final Year 11 & 12 Chapel Service, 25 October 2016.
GRAMMAR REPORT No. 103 | 7