Illumine is a podcast that shares enlightening conversation and friendly debate about Australia’s current educational landscape and the values and philosophy of the School.
For each episode, Brisbane Girls Grammar School staff and community members share researched essays, followed by in-depth conversation with our Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler.
Listen to Illumine via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Google Podcasts.
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Season 2, Episode 6
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.
Season 2, Episode 5
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.
Following the success of the School’s original podcast series Illumine, Brisbane Girls Grammar School presents our new podcast series, designed especially for parents.
Illumine: For Parents shares practical advice, insights and wisdom from our expert staff. These short episodes will provide insights into the world of adolescents: including dealing with stress, friendship and belonging, how to approach academic tasks, and balancing commitments.
In this first episode, Director of Student Counselling, Mrs Jody Forbes, speaks about her experience in working with students and their families, through workshops, seminars, and collaboration. Mrs Forbes discusses how to best support young people to find certainty in uncertain times, building confidence and resilience, the BGGS Mindfulness program and more.
Season 2, Episode 4
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 managing their finances.
Season 2, Episode 3
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.
Season 2, Episode 2
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.
Season 2, Episode 1
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 new 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, democracy—once a beacon of hope—has failed in 25 countries since the turn of the century. How can the study of humanities empower students to navigate an increasingly complex world?
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?
‘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?
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. How can we learn to truly care for ourselves amidst 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 can educators teach critical thinking?
How can we ensure our students are appropriately educated about important topics—and yet not overcome by them? How should we support each other and our communities during times of crisis?
