Official Opening of new Junior School at Brisbane Girls Grammar School

Brisbane Girls Grammar School Chair of the Board of Trustees, Ms Julie McKay; Members of the Board of Trustees, including Vice-Chancellor of the University of Queensland, Professor Deborah Terry AC; Principal, Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Ms Jacinda Euler Welsh; Councillor for Central Ward, Brisbane City Council, Councillor Vicki Howard; Brisbane Girls Grammar School senior leadership and staff, students, your parents and carers; distinguished guests.

I, too, acknowledge the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all First Nations people here today.

It is my immense honour, as Governor of Queensland and as Official Visitor to Brisbane Girls Grammar School, to be here today to help usher in a new era of high-quality girls’ education by officially opening your Junior School.

Among the earliest girls’ Grammar Schools established in the Australian colonies and widely recognised as one of Australia’s most outstanding schools, BGGS has produced distinguished alumni across diverse fields in Australia and around the world. 

This milestone provides a fitting opportunity to celebrate not only its history and accomplishments, but also the opening of a new world of possibilities for girls during their most formative years.

The admission, for the first time in 151 years, of primary-aged students represents a change to both the physical and the historical landscape of your school, but what remains the same, is the proven and enduring commitment to a broad, liberal education for girls––a foundational promise you have, quite spectacularly, delivered on.

The outstanding results this school achieves, year on year, belie its broader remit—to spark curiosity about the world and build strength of character, enabling students to go out into the world as confident, independent young women who contribute to society with “wisdom, imagination and integrity.”

Students in Years 5 and 6 have just begun their journey of discovery on this brand-new campus, purpose built to promote positive engagement with specialised and age appropriate academic and wellbeing programs. 

Under the vision and exemplary leadership of the Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler Welsh, the introduction of the new Junior School responds to strong parent demand for earlier support of girls’ character development and educational pathways, particularly from families already connected to the school.

This step forward into junior schooling also reflects a broader preference for access to an independent education — specifically gender-based education — and of course, it is in this area that BGGS shines.  

Mrs Karen McArdle, the inaugural Head of Junior School, and her team have created spaces and programs that will inspire curiosity, wonder and delight in every learner.

Girls Grammar’s newest students will be encouraged to consider this a second home of sorts, where they will form close and collaborative bonds with other girls, and undoubtedly many lifelong friendships. It will provide a haven in which they can take the time they need to prepare for future challenges — together and as individuals. 

They will also test their abilities across a rich range of co-curricular and outdoor pursuits — from the arts and sport to leadership, service and global engagement — inspired by graduates who have excelled in fields as diverse as literature, journalism, entrepreneurship, science, public life and the military, and who demonstrate the immense societal benefits of a Brisbane Girls Grammar School education. 

And so, it is with a great sense of trust and optimism, and immense pride that I declare the Brisbane Girls Grammar School Junior School officially open. 

May it continue to shape generations to come.