B R O A D E R H O R I Z O N S - St Hildas School

Diversity the spice of life
Dr Sammel awarded
Smithsonian Fellowship
At school we spend most of our time in pursuit of serious
matters. Class time is critical; assessments must be on
time and completed with accuracy. We follow the rules in
assignments and in class we participate with the accepted
standard of behavior. It will probably always be this way.
It is odd that after school days are concluded we remember
little of the superb analysis we completed on a hot Friday
afternoon or the tension we felt while waiting for the Science
test to begin. This is good news. Our memory of reality does
not need to constantly disappoint us and therefore, with so
much so easy to dismiss, the point of a great school and
education might seem a little hazy.
Fortunately, we find so much about our school days easy to
remember. Usually, we remember a feeling about school and
commonly, a flash of faces and events. Things we did flicker
across our memory bank.
Usually, we have the grace to escalate our own role in the
moment or activity; we improve our wit and brush up the impact
we had on ‘our time’ as we chat and brag with friends. Most
memories come from the activity outside of the classroom.
School is not about preparing for life - it is life. It is life for young
people. It has the serious and the absurd. The fun and the
fantasy live close to the serious and staid times. As in life that
takes place after school, the best things happen to those who
do the most and find what they are good at. Those who work at
friendship and never assume it is their right find they are never
lonely. Loyalty finds reward in ways that are unexpected.
Being involved with passion in ‘whatever’ or all things, leads
to something and sometimes plans work out, just as the well
organised expect. Hard work in the classroom usually changes
us. We grow intellectually and become something different.
Newly appointed Head of
Senior School Dr Alison Sammel
has been awarded a prestigious
Queensland-Smithsonian
Fellowship.
Each year since 2001, the
Queensland-Smithsonian
Fellowship program has
provided three Queenslanders
the enviable opportunity to
undertake a research project
of their choice at one of the
Smithsonian's numerous
museums, galleries, libraries and
research and education centres.
2
Moving away from ignorance or naivety is the destiny of those
who absorb a great education. As grand as this might be it is
still the humanity (the extra things) of our school experience
we remember most and first.
This edition of Broader Horizons tells the story of the things
that will be remembered by our present generation of young
girls most as they travel the journey of their days at school.
The activities that develop the character and give shape to the
soul are the substance of this edition.
Inside of the classroom is still full of expectation and standards
to be met. Extra to the classroom are adventures to be found
and each girl will build her personality around her choices. We
nurture this diversity. It is the fun of running a great school to
constantly refresh these opportunities.
We hope you enjoy reading about the diversity of life at school
this year!
Mr Peter Crawley
Head of School
Dr Sammel is pictured with the
Smithsonian Fellowship awarded at
Parliament House and Head of School,
Mr Peter Crawley.
Dr Sammel’s project will focus on the development of strategies
to engage students from marginalised communities, particularly
indigenous communities, in science education.
“The lack of engagement of students from minority groups in
science subjects at school and university limits their ability to
participate in the knowledge economy,” said Dr Sammel.
“This situation will have significant consequences for the
economic and social futures of their communities and
Queensland as a whole.”
Dr Sammel will collaborate with staff at the Smithsonian’s
National Science Resources Center which is recognised as a world
leader in developing strategies for the teaching of science at the
primary, middle and senior secondary school levels.
Front Cover: Karragaroo House, a winning performance.
More pictures and story pages 4 and 5.