The Parents and Friends Association was established, followed by the Mothers and Fathers Groups. The P&F Association arose from the groups that organised the Girls Grammar Fair (now Open Day) combining to host School Day, to which parents, friends, students, and alumnae would be invited. Today, the P&F Association supports the School in numerous ways, including significant contributions to the School’s Open Day.
In 1952, Mrs Louise McDonald (nee Crooks) was appointed Headmistress, succeeding Miss Kathleen Lilley. Mrs McDonald had been at the School since 1940 as a Science Teacher.
An extract from Mrs McDonald’s address in the Annual Report of 1952 reads: ‘to quote the words of Miss Lilley in her last report, “the School as I shall leave it is sound”. To take over the School in such a condition is my happy lot. It is my fervent desire that under my direction it will remain sound.’
In December 1958, Mrs McDonald married Hugh McDonald, and had two periods of overseas leave in 1957 and 1969.
Mrs McDonald held the position of Headmistress until the following year, 1970, when she retired after 30 years at the School. In 2003, the renovated areas of the Science Wing were named in her honour, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the School. While Headmistress, the School’s student body increased from 455 to 682, new structures were erected (the Library in 1958, the Swimming Pool in 1960, the Gymnasium in 1962 and the Science Block (1969), and the House System was introduced (1964).
In her effort to ensure the School’s education remained broad and liberal, Mrs McDonald always encouraged and supported clubs, competitions, displays within the School and welcomed visitors and new ideas.
In recognition of Mrs McDonald’s dedication to BGGS, the School named a multi-functional space in the new Science Learning Centre in her honour—the Louise McDonald Room. This room is a new addition to our School and was opened in 2020.
The Louise McDonald Room is used for a range of purposes, from presentations—including on Open Day—to functions, exams, and more. The room seats 250 people or 600 standing and overlooks Victoria Park.