The term has started well with the usual excited flurry of return and the roll out of signature milestones, such as the arrival of Year 12 jerseys, and, at our first School Assembly, the marking of significant events such as ANZAC Day and pausing to reflect on the Christmas Creek Bus Accident. Our Autumn Concerts for Bands were greatly appreciated. Again, the opportunity to perform live after having had to cancel in the last week of Term 1 brought a special joy to the evening, particularly for those Year 7 girls performing in their first BGGS concert.
In recent years, the School has rigorously reviewed our approach to managing the health and wellbeing of our students, given the challenges of a contemporary world and in considering the latest research and best practice. One outcome of this has been the decision to establish the Floreamus Centre, with the name being derived from the Latin (as we are wont to do) meaning to flourish or prosper. Our Director of Student Counselling, school counsellors and nurses have been co-located in a centre that will be dedicated to the holistic care of our students, working closely with families and delivering tailored proactive programs, while continuing to respond to the often very individual and personalised needs of our students.
We all understand the importance of green spaces for wellbeing—and of providing opportunities to roam free and to play—and the girls delightedly streamed in to Victoria Park at lunchtime on Wednesday. When we designed the Science Learning Centre, an important element to be incorporated was the soft boundary and landscaping adjoining the sports floor that would enable and encourage girls to spill out on to the grass of the park. Our latest Illumine podcast features Deputy Principal, Mrs Anne Ingram, articulating in her intelligent and wise way the science behind nature and the positive effects of integrating green spaces into our lives and educational spaces on wellbeing.
I hope that all families are looking forward to the term ahead but as the beautiful American poet Maya Angelou (1928-2014) said, and as COVID has taught us …
‘If you must look back, do so forgivingly. If you must look forward, do so prayerfully. However, the wisest thing you can do is be present in the present … gratefully.’
Ms Jacinda Euler
Principal
