Illumine: Recent Episodes
Brisbane Girls Grammar School
Illumine is a space for considered thought, enlightening conversation and friendly debate about all things related to education in Australia. In this podcast, Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler, interviews staff at the School about current topics and trends in education.Since 1875, Brisbane Girls Grammar School has provided the educational foundation for young women to contribute confidently to their world with wisdom, imagination and integrity. Learn more: www.bggs.qld.edu.au
Earlier this year, a group of students and staff visited Italy, exploring places of significance in Western culture, from ancient societies through to the Renaissance … and of course, some of the nation’s gelaterias.
In this episode, Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler Welsh, sat down with students Charlotte, Ruby, and Grace to hear about the highlights, experiences, and learnings from the Latin and Roman World Study Tour.
Few of us can say that, in our lifetime, we have fulfilled a dream we have harboured since we were seven years old. One lucky person who can make that claim is celebrated writer and Brisbane Girls Grammar School alumna, Anna McGahan (2005).
Earlier this year, Anna was awarded one of Australia’s most prestigious literary awards for young writers, The Vogel Prize, which was won by her uncle, Andrew McGahan, in 1991.
In this conversation with Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler Welsh, Anna reflects on the challenges, victories, and unexpected detours that have characterised her journey and career so far.
Australia's National Financial Capability Survey 2021 has found that 94 per cent of young Australians aged 14 to 17 feel it is important to learn how to manage their money, but only 42 per cent felt confident to do so.
A few of our students here at Brisbane Girls Grammar School are taking their financial wellbeing seriously, through the establishment of a new Financial Literacy student club.
In this episode, hear from founders Maddie and Lily as they discuss their goals and inspiration behind the club with Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler.
Should artefacts currently in museums be returned to their country of origin?
In recent years, the debate has been gathering momentum, kick-started again in 2022 in light of the death of Queen Elizabeth. Reconciling the actions of those acting in the past with our values in the present is an issue fraught with tension, and no easy answers are apparent.
In this episode, Head of Ancient History, Dr Rashna Taraporewalla, discusses this topic with Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler, and explores some of the factors at play when teaching History to secondary school students.
It's no secret that true crime podcasts are hugely popular, but why do we find historical murders so interesting?
In this episode of Illumine—Grammar Women, host and Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler Welsh, interviews two alumnae of the School: Rosalind Crone (1998) and Anna Whip (2016). Both graduates share a love and keen interest in the study of history, having each forged unique career paths following their time at Brisbane Girls Grammar School. Reflecting on these experiences, Professor Crone and Anna share some of their fascinating discoveries and offer advice for budding historians.
Choosing subjects for Years 11 and 12 can be a challenge for many students, as they balance subjects they are passionate about with the need to fill prerequisites for certain tertiary degrees.
Although at BGGS we value the Creative Arts as part of our broad, liberal approach to education, sometimes external pressures, misconceptions, and worries about scaling can lead students to hesitate before committing to studying Art, Music or Drama in the senior years.
In this episode of Illumine: from the students, Ms Jacinda Euler Welsh speaks to Music student, Jacqueline Trappett (12O), Drama student, Chloe Martin (12W), and Visual Art student, Melissa Bucknill (12W), about why they adore their studies in the Creative Arts, and what benefits it brings them.
What makes an excellent teacher? According to acclaimed educational researcher, Professor Dylan Wiliam, it’s about regularly checking for student understanding.
Professor Wiliam is passionate about the practice of formative assessment—the assessment that many people say ‘doesn’t count’. Over the course of many decades of research, Professor Wiliam has established that there is nothing teachers can do that has a greater impact on student achievement than by making teaching more responsive to students’ needs through consistent, formative feedback. This is a particular focus in Year 7 at Girls Grammar, with students undertaking a ‘Philosophy of Teaching’ course that sets a foundation for students to embrace academic challenges and benefit from struggles they may encounter.
Professor Wiliam sat down with Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler Welsh, to discuss how teachers can prioritise formative feedback.
Have you ever wanted to be an astronaut?
Here at Girls Grammar, one of our most popular and longest-running international programs is Space Camp, where students get the chance to take one step closer to that dream.
In this episode, Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler, speaks with three students who recently returned from Space Camp—about what they encountered, learned, and hope to achieve in aerospace and aeronautics.
In early 2023, social media furore erupted after publisher, Puffin, employed sensitivity editors to rewrite parts of Roald Dahl's books deemed offensive.
Throughout history, artists, authors and musicians have been censored by various authority figures, but in recent decades, activists and social media campaigns have called for pieces to be edited, 'cancelled', or removed from exhibitions.
How do we decide when—or if—it is appropriate to change or remove a published work?
To discuss this complicated issue, Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler, is joined by Deputy Principal (Academic), Dr Bruce Addison, Director of English, Ms Jo Genders, and Visual Arts teacher, Ms Kirsten Eadie.
To celebrate NAIDOC Week 2023, listen to Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler Welsh, in discussion with Professor Adam Shoemaker, Vice Chancellor of Victoria University.
Much of Professor Shoemaker’s past three decades has been spent listening to, recording and sharing the work of indigenous Australians. Known as one of Australia’s foremost researchers in Indigenous literature and culture, Professor Shoemaker has written nine books on the subject.
In this conversation with Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler Welsh, Professor Shoemaker shares some of the lessons he has learned through hearing the stories, wisdom and history of first nations people. Together, they discuss what educational institutions can learn as they seek to support reconciliation. Finally, Year 12 students and members of the School’s Uralla Club, Liza, Tung-Hi and Katie, share their thoughts about being involved in the development of the School’s Reconciliation Action Plan.
In the critical developmental years of secondary school, students need safe spaces to explore and debate the important issues affecting their lives, identity, and understanding of the world. In this episode, Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler Welsh, sat down with three senior students—Sophie, Yasmin and Sophie—who have all participated in one such forum at Brisbane Girls Grammar School: the Educate and Empower group.
Listen to the students' conversation about the group's coverage of topics such as religion, identity, and how the School can encourage diverse student voices.
With so many exceptional tertiary options available in Australia, it’s no wonder the idea of international study may not always be top of mind. However, the benefits of studying overseas—for your whole degree or only for a semester or two—are endless.
To explore why overseas tertiary study can be so enriching, Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler Welsh, spoke to Director of Tertiary Pathways, Ms Louise Walls, and Head of Ancient History, Dr Rashna Taraporewalla, as well as current Year 12 student, Lily Blanshard (12R), who received a unique opportunity with IE University in Madrid, Spain.
Year after year, research shows that young Australians rate body image as an important concern. So, how do our students feel about their bodies, and what are they doing to promote body acceptance?
In this episode of Illumine from the Students, Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler Welsh, speaks to two Year 12 students, Emma and Liza, who have presented to the School's Educate and Empower student club on the topic of body image.
‘In this country we have the oldest continuing civilisation in the world, and that’s something really unique that I think we should celebrate… that’s the one thing that is truly Australian.’ —Ms Sophie Mynott, BGGS Deputy Principal (Co-curriculum).
In this episode of Illumine: For Parents, we discuss the School’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which will be launched next week during National Reconciliation Week.
Ms Sophie Mynott has a passion for engaging with indigenous people and communities, as well as previous experience in developing RAPs.
Listen to Sophie in conversation with our Host and Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler Welsh, as they discuss opportunities for action, learning and developing relationships with First Nations people, which characterise the School’s RAP.
Do you remember the world without screens?
Our younger secondary school students are part of ‘Generation Alpha’—completely digital natives who have been around smartphones and devices for their entire lives.
Emerging research indicates that these young students use devices and interact with social media in vastly different ways to their older peers.
In this episode, Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler Welsh, speaks to three Year 8 students, Sophia, Isobel and Zoe, about parental limits, screens and their routines, and how these devices and social platforms make them feel.
Homework, or 'home learning' as we call it at Brisbane Girls Grammar School, can be a hot topic for families. While many students comfortably complete their allocated work each night, some find they struggle with quantity, or understanding what they need to accomplish. Home learning also changes as students progress through secondary school, with the intention of encouraging more independence in senior years.
To discuss how can parents support their children, Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler Welsh, speaks to two BGGS House Group teachers: Rick Laur and Anna O'Gorman.
The world is abuzz about ChatGPT and the potential of artificial intelligence. But what do our young people think of the tools that are predicted to run their future?
In this episode of Illumine From the Students, Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler Welsh, speaks with three Year 11 students about their experiences, their concerns, and their hopes for AI platforms.
The number of Australians, and in particular, Australian women, experiencing homelessness has never been higher and it’s a crisis that shows no sign of slowing. As a nation, we have never been more reliant on non-profits and charitable organisations to shelter women and their children who are in crisis and have found themselves suddenly without a roof over their head.
For more than a decade, Brisbane Girls Grammar School has supported the Second Chance Programme—a charitable organisation based in Brisbane that raises awareness about women and their children experiencing homelessness.
In this episode of Illumine, Ms Jacinda Euler sits down with Co-founder and Treasurer of the Second Chance Programme, Mrs Marjorie Morton.
ChatGPT remains in the headlines around the world for its ability to answer seemingly anything.
Educators around the world are grappling with how to manage ChatGPT, with many schools restricting access to the platform. Is this option sustainable in the long term? Or, should we find ways to use such AI responsibly, and for our benefit?
In this episode of Illumine, Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler Welsh, discusses the potential and pitfalls of AI with James Keogh, Acting Deputy Principal (Academic), Kathryn Talbot, an English Teacher and alumna of the School, and Ben Dervish-Ali, Coordinator of Drama Productions and a classroom Drama Teacher.
To experience the arts can be inspiring and life-affirming, and yet many parents and society at large struggle to connect their relevance to our modern lives.
In this episode of Illumine for Parents, Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler, and Director of Creative Arts, Andrew Pennay, discuss the opportunities that Grammar girls have in the world of arts, their value in a broad, liberal education, and what students of the arts can expect to gain from their studies.
Despite research that indicates that Generation Z will have multiple careers in their lifetime, students still feel that their ATAR score is a defining moment. But it can take years, reflection and a range of experiences before individuals find the area of learning that they will thrive within. Recognising this, Australian universities are employing a range flexible models of higher education to support the diverse needs of their students.
In this episode, Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler Welsh, speaks with Professor Adam Shoemaker, Vice Chancellor and President of Victoria University, about the stories, lessons and ideas he has encountered through his varied and accomplished career in research and education.
Ms Jacinda Euler Welsh will join Professor Adam Shoemaker again later in 2023 to discuss Girls Grammar's progress toward a Reconciliation Action Plan.
Did you stay in touch with your secondary school after graduation, or perhaps reignited old connections at a reunion years, or decades after graduating?
Being part of a school's alumnae community can be a treasured addition to one's sense of community and belonging.
In this episode of Illumine—Grammar Women host and Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler, interviews three recent alumnae of the School: Sarah Wilkey (2018), Abi Ashford (2017) and Lily Cilento (2015). These graduates reflect on how events, mentoring and other opportunities have deepened relationships with their peers, teachers, and further generations of students.
Do you remember your first day of secondary school? Your nervousness and excitement? Perhaps also some terror about the unfamiliar? Scared that you won’t have someone to talk to, or eat lunch with?
In this episode of Illumine from the Students, Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler, is joined by our Year 7 Advisor, and four students to discuss how they navigated through their first year of secondary school, and their advice for our new Year 7 students who are just starting out.
Has the cyclical nature of the global economy in recent times made your head spin? The continuous cycle of boom, collapse, then boom again before we tip south.
We can all agree that it has been a tumultuous few years for the global economy—the pandemic, soaring property prices, supply chain issues, the war in Ukraine, and unprecedented levels of debt powering many countries, including Australia.
In this episode of Illumine, Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler, speaks with Head of Economics, Dr Sam Peng, about the front-row seat we have had in recent years to witness economic theory and monetary policy roar to life, and the wonderful opportunity this has given teachers and students of economics to see these play out in ‘real-time’.
‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’
Navigating career choices with your daughter can be an exciting and terrifying experience—for both parents and children. Students today are more aware than ever that the subject selections they make in high school can impact the degrees and courses that they want to study at a tertiary level in their post-schooling lives. Adding to this complexity, the current generation of adolescents do not see themselves as having just one career—recent data has revealed that Gen Z will have multiple careers—some of which do not even exist today.
In this episode of Illumine for Parents, Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler, is joined by Director of Tertiary Pathways, Ms Louise Walls, and Careers Counsellor, Ms Karla Shaw to discuss how parents can help their daughters navigate through subject selections, career choices, and exam anxiety.
Do you remember your first day of secondary school? Your nervousness and excitement? Fast forward six-years—you are now in Year 12, your secondary school days almost behind you, about to embark on your final exams with your future stretching out ahead of you. What would you like to say to your younger self to reassure her, it is all going to be OK?
In this episode of Illumine: From the Students, Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler is joined by four Year 12 students, Maya, Anna, Nicole and Brittany to discuss how they are feeling as they enter this final phase of their schooling, and their advice for our younger students who are just starting out.
Of the many uni students that graduate in medicine each year, few dedicate their lives to working in remote and underserviced communities—committing time and resources to studying less well-known tropical illnesses and working to ensure that ‘community health’, really does include ‘working together’ with the peoples from that community.In this episode of Illumine—Grammar Women, Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler speaks with alumnae, Dr Wendy Page (1972), who has worked as a General Practitioner for more than 30 years—primarily focusing her work in remote First Nations communities in north-east Arnhem Land. In 2021, Dr Page’s incredible contributions to the improvement of Aboriginal health outcomes were recognised when she was named the Northern Territory Recipient for Australian of the Year.
Have you ever wondered what your child’s school support group does—is it fundraising and deciding what new equipment should be purchased for the school? Running the Uniform Shop? Or is it much, much more than that?
At Girls Grammar parent support groups take many forms—the Parents and Friends (P&F) Association, Mothers Group, Fathers Group, various other co-curricular support groups. What these groups have in common is a willingness from the parent members to donate their time for the benefit of their school, and of course, their daughters.
In this episode of Illumine for Parents, Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler, welcomes President of the P&F Association, Dr Cate Campbell, and Vice-President, Mr Darcy Rawlinson to discuss the many benefits of getting involved in your daughters school.
How many Australians have worked with some of the greatest classical musicians of our time? In fact, how many people can say that they were passionate and brave enough to pursue a successful, forty-plus-year career in classical music—performing and composing music all over the world in operas, chamber music, theatre and film projects?
In this episode of Illumine—Grammar Women, Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler, hosts renowned oboist, composer, and music educator, Ms Cathy Milliken, to discuss her successful career in the world of classical music.
It is largely undisputed that spending time outdoors and in nature is physically and mentally beneficial. School camps are often designed to take these outdoor experiences one step further by inviting students to truly step outside their comfort zone, embrace the environment and explore parts of themselves that are not as easily accessible in our everyday lives.
But getting out of our comfort zone and embracing the unfamiliar can also bring some anxiety and apprehension—for both students and their parents!
In this episode of Illumine from the Students, Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler discusses the School's Outdoor Education program with Year 9 students, Neve, Eva and Emily, and Director of Marrapatta (Outdoor Education Campus), Ms Kim Wood.
How many of us have looked in the mirror and not liked what we see?
The focus girls place on their appearance as a measure of self-worth can be an issue for many adolescents, and even younger children. Research confirms girls can develop dissatisfaction with their appearance at age five. So how do we foster in our girls and young women body appreciation rather than dissatisfaction, in a world that continues to espouse beauty ideals that are naturally unrealistic for the vast majority?
In this episode of Illumine for Parents, Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler, discusses this important topic with Associate Dean of Wellbeing, Dr Jody Forbes.
Why is it that many of the greatest visionaries and influential leaders remind us that success is not measured in monetary terms, but rather should be based on the contribution you make to society? That in putting the needs of others before your own, you will find a deeper, personal fulfilment than any pay cheque or Board position can give you?
Welcome to another episode of Illumine from the Students. Host, Ms Jacinda Euler, Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, is joined by the 2022 Service Captains, Simran and Isabel, to discuss their important role at the School and how Service has played a significant part in their Girls Grammar journey.
Onsite from 8 am until 5 pm with four weeks of annual leave, a 40 per cent increase for ‘highly accomplished’ or ‘lead’ teachers, ‘paid internships’ for career-changers, and $40 000 bursaries to encourage school leavers to enroll in teaching. These are all ideas currently being considered by policy makers to address the nationwide teacher shortage.
But many of these are temporary incentives, designed to attract and retain teachers in the short-term, and fail to address the complex issues contributing to the shortage.
In this episode of Illumine, Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler, has a candid conversation with Dr Bruce Addison, Deputy Principal (Academic) and Ms Sophie Mynott, Deputy Principal (Co-Curriculum) about the 'teacher shortage'. They discuss what they believe is causing the decline in graduates, resignation of current teachers, and hurdles for mid-career changers, and then examine the solutions being forward, and ideas of their own for addressing the issues.
In Part 2 of their discussion, psychologist and best-selling author, Dr Lisa Damour, and Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler, explore how to navigate through negative online behaviours, discuss why adolescents can have such powerful emotions, and reminisce and reflect on how parenting teens, although hard at times, can be such a joyous and connected time for families.
How many people have trekked the whole way across Australia—from Shark Bay in Western Australia to the most eastern tip of Byron Bay in New South Wales? And not only that, but to also bring along five camels as company for the five-thousand-kilometre-long journey that spanned two years?
In this episode of Illumine—Grammar Women host and Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler, interviews alumnae and former Head Girl, Sophie Matterson (2006) about her amazing journey across Australia with her five camel friends, Jude, Delilah, Mac, Clayton, and Charlie.
We hear the terms ‘self-care’ and ‘wellbeing’ often—even more so since the pandemic turned our lives upside down—yet what do these concepts mean, and how are they related to each other? Why has it never been more important for us to prioritise acts of ‘self-care’ in our daily lives, and in the lives of our children?
In this episode of Illumine for Parents, host Jacinda Euler, Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, discusses the importance of self-care and looking after your own wellbeing, with School Psychologist, Mrs Tara McLachlan.
Test scores and measures of achievement tell you where a student is at, but they don’t tell you where that student could end up. - Dr Dr Carol Dweck, Psychologist and Stanford Professor
In a society that tends to measure success on results and scores, rather than on the development of characteristics that are often far more important to our students’ lives beyond school, what makes a ‘good teacher’? And perhaps equally as important, what characteristics do we think a ‘good student’ has?
In this special episode of Illumine, Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler and internationally renowned educator and researcher, Dr Ron Ritchhart, discuss how when schools prioritise thinking as a discipline rather than achieving, academic excellence is a natural by-product.
We all must write at times—whether for a school assessment as a student, a presentation for work, or a speech at a wedding. Yet, many claim that they don’t know how to write—they weren’t ‘blessed with this gift’, or they ‘aren’t creative enough’. But what if we treated the skill of writing like we do, learning to drive a car, for example? Understanding that it takes practice, getting out of our comfort zone, and risking failure in order to succeed?
In this episode of Illumine, Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler and Head of Literature, Miss Meghan Parry, discuss the idea of 'failing forward', and how often, the secret to great writing is ‘mucking it up’ the first time, in order to pave the way for a great piece.
How many of us have seen an opening in the market, had an idea for a new product, or identified a sector that was struggling, and thought, I know what might help to solve this issue? Now think about how many of us have followed through on this idea—taken the plunge and pursued a dream, or passion—only for it to fail, or flourish?Welcome to the second episode of Illumine—Grammar Women, a podcast that highlights the fascinating stories and achievements of Brisbane Girls Grammar School alumnae. Hosted by Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler, this episode features alumnae, Susannah George, who went on to found one of the largest independent media companies in Australia and New Zealand—The Urban List.
There is no escaping the increasing concern about the impacts of climate change on our planet and of course on our lives, and the many lives around us. Are we doing enough to address its impacts? Or do we feel paralysed by a sense of hopelessness and overwhelm at the sheer magnitude of the problem?
In this episode of Illumine from the Students, host Ms Jacinda Euler, Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, discusses World Environment Day and climate change more generally with Science Teacher, Mrs Chris Woodford and three students from the School's conservation group, Anna (Year 8), Evie (Year 10) and Madison (Year 12).
It’s undisputed that sports and physical activity are essential to our health and wellbeing, and research also tells us that the personal benefits go beyond the physical—helping us to sleep better, focus, and develop important skills such as teamwork and collaboration.
In this fourth episode of Illumine—From the Students, Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler, is joined by students and accomplished athletes, Emily and Zoe to discuss how they balance their sporting commitments with their studies, and hear first-hand the personal benefits of participating in sport at BGGS.
Welcome to the second-half of our two-part series featuring Professor Deborah Terry AO, Vice-Chancellor and President of The University of Queensland (UQ). Hosted by Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler, this half of their conversation delves into Professor Terry's career in research and tertiary education, and looks at memorable moments that helped to set her on this path.
Also discussed, are the many challenges facing young people today, and how educational institutions might be some of the best placed organisations to help address these concerns.
Listen to part-one of their conversion here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/881743/10582143
In a world where Google gives us boundless information and answers instantaneously, a world where remote learning has become a norm and corporate sponsored think tanks just keep popping up, do we still need educational institutions?
Welcome to a special episode of Illumine featuring Professor Deborah Terry AO, Vice-Chancellor and President of The University of Queensland. Hosted by Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler, this two-part conversation explores the role that educations institutions play in our lives, and the purpose that they serve in today’s society.
When it comes to selecting which co-curricular activities your child will participate in, do they want to over-commit themselves to the point that you fear that their grades could be compromised? Or do you have the opposite issue, with your child uninterested in participating in activities outside of the academic curriculum? In this latest episode of Illumine for Parents, Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler, discusses how to navigate your child's participation in co-curricular activities with Deputy Principal (Co-curriculum), Ms Sophie Mynott.
Show notes:
https://www.bggs.qld.edu.au/news/illumine/
In this latest Illumine for Parents, Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler, discusses the topic of 'stress' with Deputy Principal, Mrs Anne Ingram, and School Mindfulness Coordinator and Head of Visual Art, Mr Donald Pincott.
In this episode they consider stress—one of those unavoidable aspects of life as a secondary school student, and indeed, life in general, and how parents can help by modeling how they deal with their own stressors.
Welcome to Illumine—Grammar Women, a podcast series that highlights the interesting stories and achievements of Brisbane Girls Grammar School alumnae.
In this first episode, Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler, interviews former students, turned Olympic Water Polo athletes, Gabriella Palm and Abby Andrews. In this candid conversation, they discuss what it was like to compete at an Olympic Games amidst a global pandemic, the challenges and great rewards they each found by forging a sporting career overseas as young women, and how they balance full-time elite sporting commitments with their tertiary studies.
Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler, talks to Ms Ruth Jans, Head of Mackay House, and Mrs Hazel Boltman, Head of Gibson House, about how parents can work with their child to rechannel their anxiety into opportunities for bravery and growth.
We all benefit from a learning community where students are open and responsive to feedback on their work, and where teachers expect to receive student feedback too.
In this episode, Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler and Head of Department—English Curriculum Development, David Rawson, discuss how we can use feedback as a non-threatening tool to begin the process of dismantling students’ fears around imperfection and work towards subject mastery.
In this third episode of Illumine—From the Students, Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler, is joined by 2022 Head Girls, Isabel Stephens (12M) and Gigi Souyave Murphy (12W), to discuss remote learning. The 2022 academic year will begin remotely for the first time. In this discussion, our Head Girls share the joys and challenges of remote learning, and offer advice for Year 7 students starting secondary school for the first time.
In this second episode of Illumine—From the Students, Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler, sits down with Year 11 students, Juliette, Maya and Bronte, to discuss the wild and wonderful world of social media. In this candid conversation they discuss which social media platforms they are using the most, how they are using the different channels, and comment on strategies they use to regulate their device usage. The episode also explores what it's like for Maya, who does not have a mobile phone or use social media, and how this affects her communication with friends.
Brisbane Girls Grammar School is steeped in tradition. Traditions are central to our success as they are expressions—things, events, activities, beliefs—passed on from generation to generation. They form our culture and demonstrate who we are.
In this episode, Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler, speaks with School History and Culture Manager, Mrs Pauline Harvey-Short OAM, about why traditions are important to understand and retain, and how engaging with traditions both old and new can help define and unite a community.
In this first episode of Illumine—From the Students, Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler, sits down with Year 11 students, Elise, Leia and Gigi, to find out how they prepare for exams, manage stress, and approach their studies with confidence.
If the global pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that young people in this world are a lot more adaptable than we give them credit for. Our students want to learn. However when forced to learn from home for weeks or months at a time, vulnerability can surface in many ways—the most common of which is disengagement.
Rather than responding with frustration, this is where teachers need to be understanding and incorporate a wider range of learning techniques.
In this episode, Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler, speaks to passionate Technologies Teacher, Ms Nisha Swanston, about the challenges of remote teaching, and resisting the ‘chalk and talk’ which can often take over Zoom lessons.
Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler, talks to Director of Student Counselling, Mrs Jody Forbes, about they psychology of adolescent girls: how can we as parents work with our child’s teachers and school to make sure that together, our daughters can navigate the ups and downs of the teenage years with all of the developmental, social and emotional challenges they bring ?
Women have been, and are continuing to be, left behind in financial wellbeing.
More than 40 per cent of women find money decisions overwhelming and stressful, and a recent survey experiment undertaken by the Global Financial Literacy Excellence Centre found that about one third of the financial literacy gender gap can be attributed to women’s lower confidence levels.
In this episode, Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler, sits down with Chief Financial Officer and BGGS alumna, Ms Rachel Fraser, to discuss a topic close to her heart: how we can empower girls and young women to find a sense of confidence, and even excitement, in becoming financially independent.
The past months have revealed that more work needs to be done in homes, schools and communities to educate and empower young people regarding sexual consent. Chanel Contos’ sexual assault petition highlighted that abuse happens within school years, and many young people are confused about consent and their rights and responsibilities.
Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler, believes this issue requires ongoing, transparent discussion and that students should contribute to school-based solutions, and broader conversations.
In this episode, Ms Euler sat down with six Year 12 students to discuss sexual consent, and respectful behaviour more generally.
‘Thousands of tired, nerve shaken, over-civilised people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home.’ (Muir, 1901)
We live in a world that has become increasingly complex and fast paced. Our modern-day society has embraced an unrelenting momentum that energises us and drives us. It can also challenge us, and if this challenge becomes too great it can interfere with our wellbeing.
In this episode, Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler, speaks to Deputy Principal, Mrs Anne Ingram, about the restorative power of nature and its pivotal place in secondary school education.
The United Nations theme for International Women’s Day in 2021 is Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world.
In the latest episode, Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler, speaks with Ms Julie McKay (BGGS 2000), Chair of the Board of Trustees and Chief Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing Officer at pwc, about the pivotal role schools play in encouraging and developing women leaders.
Brisbane Girls Grammar School opened its seven-storey Science Learning Centre in October 2020. In this episode, Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler, speaks to the building's architect, Michael Banney, about designing spaces that surprise, delight, and facilitate deep learning.
Many teachers grew up believing that world history followed an upward trajectory—toward a more free, liberal and democratic future. However, our secondary school students live in a world that is not neatly defined by power blocks, and in which democracy—once a beacon of hope—has failed in 25 countries since the turn of the century.
In this episode our host and Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler, interviews Ms Alison Dare, Director of Humanities, about how students are learning about democracy, history and increasingly complex world events.
No one is sure who first supposed ‘talking about music is like dancing about architecture’. How can Creative Arts teachers effectively teach students to respond to arts stimuli?
In this episode, our host and Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler, interviews Director of Creative Arts, Mr Andrew Pennay, about the challenges and joys of teaching students to be arts-literate audiences.
‘Why?’ Although it may not be the first question that a young child asks, any parent can attest to the fact that it soon becomes one of the most frequent. How can educators harness students' innate curiosity to develop their scientific literacy skills?
In this episode our host and Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler, interviews Head of Science Curriculum Development, Ms Gerri Bernard, about how she introduces and encourages the critical skills of forming hypotheses, analysing credible evidence and justifying conclusions.
The conversation covers:
- How do you nurture students' curiosity?
- Can Science teachers empower students to make good decisions?
- Why do you love Astronomy, and how is it taught?
- What inspired you to teach science?
Read Ms Gerri Bernard's article about building on curiosity to encourage deep scientific knowledge.
In subtle and well-socialised ways, we are often encouraged to look to the world around us to find a sense of certainty and stability. Experiences like the COVID-19 pandemic force us, on a global scale, to realise that no matter what, none of us is immune to feeling, and none of us can truly control what goes on around us.
In this episode, our host and Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler, interviews School Psychologist, Dr Alix Vann, and discusses the power of turning inward in times of crisis.
For more practical advice, read Dr Alix Vann's tips for coping with uncertainty.
Being able to discern meaning and truth from agenda and biases is believed by many to be an essential skill for our young people today. But how do educators teach critical thinking while facing increased pressure to measure (and report on) more tangible learning outcomes?
In this episode our host and Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler, interviews Ms Jo Genders, Director of English, about how students are learning to critically analyse literary texts.
The conversation covers:
- Where does a love of literature come from?
- Why is Jane Eyre still relevant?
- What is the Harvard Project Zero approach to learning - and what is 'messy work'?
- Jo's book recommendations.
Read Ms Jo Genders' article for a deeper investigation into critical thinking in English.
How can we ensure our students are appropriately educated about important topics—and yet not overcome by them? What role do schools play in preparing students to contribute positively to their communities?
In this episode our host and Principal of Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler, interviews Dr Bruce Addison, Deputy Principal (Academic), about the power of educating for hope.
The conversation covers:
- What is 'deep learning'?
- Has the ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank) changed the way students learn?
- How can young people become thinkers who 'notice'?
- How can adults role-model optimism?
Read Dr Addison's article investigating how to educate young people with the skills and confidence to meet tomorrow.