The final school stage of the journey of the life of a Brighton Grammar student towards manhood is in the Senior School which encompasses Years 9 to 12. Year 9 students begin this journey through the exciting Sea Change program (see separate webpage) and then progress into the VCE years with almost all boys in Year 10 doing at least one Unit 1/2 subject.
The Senior School is an exciting environment of diversity, debate and achievement. Lasting friendships are formed and longer term decisions are made along the journey. Each boy is an important member of a House group and from this he is put into his individual form group.
Every student is involved in an activity throughout Years 9 to 12 and these include becoming involved in St John Ambulance, completing the Duke of Edinburgh Award, enrolling in Cadets, doing Community Service or any combination of these. Opportunities arise to become presenters and to take on leadership roles in the St John Ambulance and Cadet Corps and many boys avail themselves of the chance to officiate at AFL games and other large events as a St John Ambulance attendant.
Students are supported in their journey toward their future goals by a detailed Careers Counseling program which centers on Year 10 and Year 12 as these are seen as the two most crucial years – the first to help decide which VCE subjects are best for each individual boy and the second to help him decide what is the most suitable course of action for him to take after life at Brighton Grammar School.
Every boy in Year 12 is assigned a Staff member to act as a mentor who is there to act as a sounding board for each boy; be it a personal issue, how to study, a friendly ear to unload on or as an avenue of advice. This program has been well received by the Year 12 cohort and is part of the Pastoral Care program developed throughout the Senior School.
Every boy in Years 9 to 11 has a Personal Development lesson completed with a PD teacher and some of the issues covered are: study techniques, the risks of drugs and alcohol, sexuality, driver education, finding out how each boy best learns, and diet Guest speakers who are experts in their particular field are also brought in to help supplement the program.
Every boy is a member of a House group and there is a thriving competition between these Houses in both sporting and cultural pursuits. House competitions encompass: football, debating, athletics, film festival, swimming, amongst others.
There are a large number of cultural activities in which boys can become involved including a thriving Chess club and a strong Debating and Public Speaking tradition (with Brighton Grammar School being a home school for boys debating in the state DAV competition). Other areas include involvement in the Senior School Production (which in 2008 was the musical “Grease”), mooting competitions, and a very strong Music program with numerous concerts.
Following the Sea Change program in Year 9 there is a healthy outdoor education program with Outdoor education camps in Year 10, a leadership Retreat in Year 11 and numerous sporting and cultural tours. Every three years there is a Classics Tour to places such as Greece, Turkey and Italy, a Cricket tour to the United Kingdom, Music camps, and a variety of other training camps and sporting tours including expeditions to Costa Rica and Borneo as part of Volunteers Abroad.
Throughout these diverse activities, boys have a chance to develop and enhance leadership skills and they are encouraged to push themselves forward in areas of organization and helping out others. There is a strong Student Council made up of boys from all years in the Senior School and they are encouraged to raise issues to staff which are of relevance to all students. In Year 12, Prefects are appointed and help set the tone of the school being given a key role in maintaining school life. House Captains and Captains of Music and Sport are also appointed to lead the various teams and ensembles in the school and to have involvement in their development.
Excellence is encouraged at all times and boys are challenged to use their abilities in the best way possible. They are taught to be citizens of the world and to learn their place in it leading to confidence to face whatever comes their way. They are also encouraged to be involved and to view each day as a challenge. If there is a motto for the Senior School it would be” Carpe Diem – seize the day!”