8 Stefanie Schauer, Philip Duffy and Jessica Bromham
Overseas Exchanges
Music Tour to Sydney By Lisa Alsop and Matthew Higgins (2008 Music Captains) On May 1 this year, 46 choristers, accompanied by Mr Blanch, Mrs Scott and Miss Coull, arrived in Sydney for the Music Tour of 2008. The Townsville Grammar School Choir had four days of a fun-filled, musical experience, visiting some of the top schools in Sydney to perform. The Choir performed at various locations around Sydney including St Catherine’s School Waverley, Kincoppal-Rose Bay, Christ Church St Laurence, St Andrew’s Cathedral and its school for indigenous students, Gawura. Walking through the automatic doors to the reception of St Andrew’s Cathedral School, the students were amazed to find a room made of marble, which could have been mistaken for the reception of a 5 star hotel. The students were also impressed by the beautiful old school grounds of Kincoppal-Rose Bay, which featured in the film Looking for Alibrandi. It was at this school that the Choir had their most fun performance when some members of the audience danced in the aisle during the song Your Mama Don’t Dance. The Choir was privileged to participate in a workshop presented by the Director of the Sydney Conservatorium Choirs, Dr McEwan. Of course, it was not all performing and hard work. The students had some free time to visit the sights and sounds of Sydney. Students were wowed by the view at lunch on the Kincoppal-Rose Bay terrace, which overlooks Sydney Harbour with a full view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Mr Blanch organised a harbour cruise for the tour group. Walking to Darling Harbour, choir members boarded the ‘Fun Boat’, which was loaded up with pizza, soft drink and video cameras, providing first class entertainment. The extra entertainment provide by the teachers’ dance moves, particularly Mr Blanch and Mrs Scott’s version of the ‘YMCA’, was especially appreciated by all! Simply travelling on the rail system was an experience in itself for many Grammarians as we do not have trains in Townsville! A game of laser tag, which is similar to paint ball, had students battle it out on the last night. The highlight of the tour for many of the students was visiting the Capitol Theatre to see the exceptional Australian production of Billy Elliot. With so many activities packed into this short trip, the students did not have time to be bored! Travelling in the plane back to Townsville, all of the tour participants were glad to be going home but thrilled that they had the opportunity to experience such an interesting, entertaining and worthwhile music tour.
This year we have several students undertaking a GAP year in England - Jacques Eastment, Katherine Wilson, Scott Warnock and Erica Kennedy (12/07) . These students work for an independent school and, in return, receive a modest wage, accommodation and meals. When school holidays arrive, they can meet friends and travel in Europe. A second experience is a Rotary Exchange. Students apply for a position, are interviewed and selected on the basis of how well they represent their country. It is a highly competitive process. In 2009, three students will undertake Rotary Exchanges,
Stefanie Schauer, Philip Duffy and Jessica Bromham (12/08). Stefanie is going to Slovenia, a country that only gained independence from Yugoslavia in the early 1990s. The language is Slavic, so Stefanie, who is bilingual (English and German) still has to learn a new language. Philip is to represent Australia in Brazil. The language in Brazil is Portuguese, so Philip will have to close the Science text books and acquire a second language. Jessica has achieved her dream to live in France for a year. Jessica is a French student and is absolutely delighted to have been placed in France where she can really hone her French skills. Townsville Grammar is very proud of all our students participating in exchange programmes and wishes them every success for the future.
Winners of the PF Rowland Medal with Mr Richard Fairley, Mrs Mary Hall and special guest Mr Jason Scott
Writing Competition Townsville Grammar has been conducting the Writing Competition for Years 7 through 12 since 2000, presenting PF Rowland Medals to the winners of each year level. Students are given the opportunity to showcase their writing talents by writing a response to the provided stimulus. Medals were presented this year by Mr Jason Scott, General Manager of The North Queensland Newspaper Company. The PF Rowland Medals for 2008 were awarded to: Year Year Year Year Year Year
7 William He and Caitlin Whiticker 8 Harshil Pillai and Laura-Jane Cooper-Jackson 9 Timothy Saunders and Eliza Ebringer 10 Nicholas Potter and Yierka Coomans 11 James Hodge and Hailey Renault 12 Ayeshmanthe Rathnayake and Alex Kershaw
Senior School
Townsville Grammar School Choir
Upon their graduation at Townsville Grammar, many students consider an opportunity to acquire new skills by spending a year overseas before commencing university or full time work, what is known as a ’GAP’ year.