JS Newsletter No. 33, 29 October 2009

29 October 2009

News from Headmaster

World Teachers’ Day

In Victoria we are celebrating World Teachers’ Day tomorrow, October 30. It is an opportunity for us to recognize the positive impact teachers have on our lives and the important role teachers play. When we think back on our school days we do not remember the Chemistry course, or the French text book; we remember the teachers, dare I say good, and not so good! Research shows that apart from family background, it is the quality of the teacher which has the biggest influence on educational outcome. We have a great team of teachers at this school. They are very dedicated to providing every boy with opportunities to learn and develop.

News from Head of the Junior School

The boys’ artwork currently on display can only be described as first class. I was particularly impressed with the variety of work and range of materials used. The building and construction work, along with the paintings and other ‘art and craft’ work are great examples of ‘boys’ education’ at its best. Our boys have been provided with so many ‘hands-on’ and interactive learning experiences within the Visual Arts. Whilst the Art Trail continues this afternoon from 3:30 to 6:00pm, I must say I was disappointed with the support of those parents who attended. I appreciate life is busy, but it is essential we celebrate and support all facets of our boys’ learning. The Arts, both visual and performing, are an excellent opportunity for us to further develop a sense of pride in our boys, and it was wonderful to see boys so proud of their work as they were showing mum and dad. I wonder if we will see more in the stands at the Athletics next week when the physical talents of our boys will be on display. Congratulations to Mrs Pearce for her excellent work, to the many mums who assisted with the superb displays, and to the Junior Parents’ Group who provided drinks and nibbles last night. I appreciate the support of those parents who attended last night, and look forward to meeting parents this afternoon.

Congratulations to our ELC3 and ELC4 boys for their excellent participation in last week’s Sport Carnival. The boys had great fun and it was wonderful to see the support of so many parents. Our Prep. to Year 2 Carnival is tomorrow from 11:00am. Thank you to Mr Thompson for his excellent organisation.

Our ELC3 to Year 3 Swimming Program will commence on Monday, 9 November. Parents have been provided with the required details.

Our Year 3 to 6 Fathers’ and Sons’ Technology Evening, being held on Friday 13 November, is an excellent example of the variety of learning experiences focusing on boys’ education. The ‘Ready, Aim, Fire’ Evening is fully booked. Thank you to Mr John Phillips for his co-ordination of this event.

Please ensure 2010 Book Lists for Prep. to Year 5 boys are returned by next Wednesday, 4 November for Office Max Stationery, and Monday 23 November for Lamont Text Books.

I would encourage Year 5 and 6 parents to attend Michael Grose’s ‘Help! My child has turned into a teenager!’ parent presentation at Rosstrevor Hall on Thursday, 12 November. Michael is an internationally-recognised author and an excellent speaker. Please click here to view the flyer.

At the start of Term 3, all staff met for two days to embark upon a professional learning journey that will lead to significant initiatives in many parts of our programs. We have joined an international group of schools working through a three-year cycle of innovation and collaboration. The first year involves designing the key questions and forming links with current research and practice both here and internationally. The work involves all members of staff and we will be holding a whole staff professional learning session for them on Friday, 6November where much of the important planning and structure can be established. School will finish for all boys at 2:35pm on that Friday, at which time After School Care will be available.

This week we hosted our new 2010 Year 3 to 6 boys for the day. They enjoyed participating in Library, Music, Japanese, PE and IT classes, and finished the day with a ‘positive feel’ and a sense of excitement for next year. Our Preps for 2010 start their transition this week. Thank you to the Junior Parents’ Group who assisted with morning tea.

A reminder to parents that Monday, 2 November 2009 is a mid-Term break as part of the Melbourne Cup weekend. There will be no classes on Monday, 2 nor Tuesday, 3 November 2009.

Hancock House was successful in winning our recent House Spelling competition. This event was an excellent opportunity to further generate a sense of belonging and spirit amongst our boys. We have some talented spellers in our midst and congratulations to the members of the Hancock team: Anton Derevianko, Julian Ou, Phillip Guo, and Dominic Surace. Thank you to Mrs Le Couteur for her organisation and to all staff for their support.

Isaac Ng and Alex Gruen represented BGS in the Victorian Secondary School Chess Championships this week. The boys were successful in winning the competition and Isaac was placed 3^rd in the individual event. This was an excellent effort from both Isaac and Alex as they were competing against older boys.

I would encourage Junior School parents to support our final BGS ‘Corporate Connections’ Breakfast next Friday, 6 November at The Point, Albert Park. Past parent Dr Jim Fox is our guest speaker. All are welcome. Please click here to view the flyer.

We look forward to the support of our Year 4 Grandparents and Special Friends joining our boys on Thursday, 12 November from 1:30-3:30pm.

Congratulations to Andrew McGrath (Long Jump, Relay) and to Matthew Evans, Harry Hill, Andrew McGrath, Jordan Moncrieff and Michael Riordan (Relay) who represented BGS in the State Athletics Championships this week. Andrew was placed second in the Long Jump and the Relay team won a bronze medal in the final of the 4x100mtr Relay. Thank you to those parents who were able to support the boys on the day, and to Mr Bryan for his organisation.

There has been a number of boys in Lower Primary who have been sent home this week with gastroenteritis. I would ask parents to err on the side of caution: please do not send your son to School if he is unwell, particularly if there are early signs of gastro.

Ute Full of Food

Our last ‘Ute Full of Food’ will be held on Friday week, 6 November. It is our Christmas collection, so any little Christmassy bit that could be included would add to our collection. Please also note that this coming weekend is a long weekend for the boys, and so you will only have two days next week to bring some grocery items to help fill the Ute. Thanks for your help in this important work.

2010 Year 7 Book Lists

These were issued to boys yesterday in addition to information relating to the Secondhand Book Pool.

Please note that the Office Max stationery forms (pink) have a return date of Wednesday, 7 October. This has been amended to Wednesday, 4 November.

Both lists are to be returned to the appropriate box in the Junior School Reception area by their due dates, please.

Brighton Grammar Junior School 2010 Prep. Transition Program

Key dates to remember for the 2010 Prep. Transition are:

Prep. Transition/Orientation Days:

Day 1 Thursday 29 October 9.15–10.30 New Boys only (does not include ELC-4 year old)

Day 2 Thursday 5 November 9.15–10.30 current BGS ELC boys and New Boys

Day 3 Thursday 12 November 9.15–10.30 current BGS ELC boys and New Boys

Boys are asked to bring a morning snack including a drink to all Transition Days. For those new to Brighton Grammar, we have a ‘NUT Awareness’ Policy.

On Day 3 of the Transition mornings, all parents of Prep. boys are asked to stay and meet with Mr Tellefson, Head of Junior School, and Mrs Sheridan Coverdale, Lower Primary Co-ordinator, in the GBR Hall, while the boys are attending the Transition program on Thursday, 12 November 2009 from 9.15–10.30am.

Prep. Information Evening on Tuesday, 17 November at 7.30pm. Boys do not attend.

Thursday, 19 November and Friday, 20 November, parents and boys of New Boys only will be invited to make an appointment with Mrs Sheridan Coverdale, Lower Primary Co-ordinator, in the Junior School. A letter will be sent out next week inviting parents to make a time to meet.

Sheridan Coverdale, Lower Primary Co-ordinator

This Week’s Parenting Ideas by Michael Grose

Entitled ‘Help your child rise to the challenge’. Please click here to view the flyer.

House Spelling Competition

On Monday, 19 October the third Upper Primary House Spelling Competition took place. The boys representing each House were enthusiastic and competitive. It was such a hotly contested event that it came down to a tie-break to determine the winning House. This year the victorious House was Hancock. Congratulations to the winning competitors for Hancock: Anton Derevianko, Julian Ou, Phillip Guo, and Dominic Surace.

Congratulations to all the other participants:

Dixon: Jasper Mutimer, Michael Gotze, Kevin Sun, Michael Riordan

Crowther: Matthew Hinde, Justin Lineham, Kai-Yee Hall, Nick O'Neill

Armstrong: Tom Buffin, Tian Tian Lan, Evan Evans, James Yang

Rofe: Luke Ianuali, Jack Carlson, Kieran Start, George Fry

School: Edward Lovell, Sam Pickard, Andrew McGrath, Ben Pickard.

Thank you to our Quiz Master Mr Tellefson and to all the teachers.

Monica Le Couteur

Term 3-4 Year 5-6 Sports Photographs : Wednesday, 4 November

Term 3-4 Year 5 and 6 Sport photographs will be taken on the morning of Wednesday, 4 November.

Boys will receive a reminder notice later this week detailing the clothing and footwear required.

All photos taken during the year will be available for purchase on line at Arthur Reid Photographs. Details will follow in the Sports Newsletter and Junior School Newsletter after next Wednesday

Book Now For Our Next BGS Corporate Connections Breakfast

Our business-minded parents are invited to attend our next BGS Corporate Connections Breakfast on Friday, 6 November at The Point, Albert Park. At this Breakfast, past parent Dr Jim Fox will be our guest speaker. Jim is a hugely successful businessman who has achieved considerable success building innovative, technology-based companies in competitive international markets. Come and hear Jim’s remarkable story! Book now by emailing Lynn Bullock on lbullock@brightongrammar.vic.edu.au or by phoning 8591 2271. Further details can be found on the attached flyer.

Free Parent Seminar : ‘Help! My child is turning into a teenager’

Brighton Grammar School is pleased to host another free seminar for all parents within the Bayside Community. The Seminar, conducted by Melbourne’s leading parenting educator, Michael Grose, is scheduled for the evening of Thursday, 12 November and is entitled, ’Help! My child is turning into a teenager’.

All parents are encouraged to attend what promises to be a most entertaining and informative evening. Further information can be found on the attached flier.

Rosstrevor and Senior Parents’ Group - Annual General Meeting

Tuesday, 10 November at 1pm in the Graeme Simon Gallery (upstairs in the Rosstrevor Hall). Everyone welcome.

Please bring a small plate to share, as the AGM will be preceded by a light lunch. The Committee positions of Secretary and Vice-President will need to be filled. So if you think you would like to 'get involved' we'd love you to put your hand up. Please don't hesitate to contact either Phoebe Willcock (wezzigon@hotmail.com) or Jane James (jane_james@hotkey.net.au) if you have any questions.

Cybercitizenship

Today’s generation uses the internet very differently to the way we were using it 5 years ago. To publish information on the internet today you don’t have to know complicated codes, you don’t have to pay money for space to load your file, nor do you have to apply for space through your ISP.

Children today are uploading photos to sites like Flickr, broadcasting videos on sites like Youtube, communicating to each other through social networking sites like Twitter, MySpace and Facebook, without awareness of the risks involved.

Creating a cybercitizen is a program set up by the Australian Government to help bring about awareness of safe online behaviour. It seeks to help students to critically evaluate what they read online, and to develop positive, appropriate and constructive online relationships. It discusses cyberbullying as an example of negative online behaviour, personal and peer safety using social networking sites, and seeks to bring about awareness of how to secure your computer against viruses, spyware and unwanted guests.

There is more information on the website below and a booklet is being distributed to your son this week with detailed information of the risks that exist and ways that you can help. http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/en.aspx

Boys from Prep. to Year 8 have been exposed to this Program this year, and will continue to be exposed to this Program in their Technology sessions in 2010.

Years 5 to 6 will be attending a session with Susan McLean on Thursday to hopefully bring about awareness of this very important area. Fliers have been distributed to these boys; and there will also be some posters displayed in the Technology rooms around the School.

Andrew Dobbyn, ICT Co-ordinator Prep.-Y8

Aussie Pride Collect-A-Thon: Still Collecting!!!

Our School has registered to take part in Aussie Pride Eggs Collect-a-thon. Every token collected from selected Aussie Pride packs can earn the School 50 cents. The selected packs are: Aussie Pride Free Range and Cage Laid varieties, with the logo and token on the lid.

By bringing in your egg cartons, boys will also be helping the environment, as the egg cartons will be re-used in the Art Room.

Please, DO NOT cut the token off the top of the carton, as we will recycle the whole carton. So from now until Friday, 20 November, please bring all cartons directly to the Art room.

Thanks in advance for your participation.

Karen Pearce, Art Teacher

WANTED:

KNITTING NEEDLES, CROCHET HOOKS, WOOL and RIBBON: if you have any of these items at home, which are no longer wanted, or being used, please bring them to the Art room!