Weekly eNews

Thursday 22 October 2026

There are few moments in a boy’s school journey quite like starting Prep or stepping into Secondary School. Both are significant milestones, filled with excitement and anticipation, and perhaps a few nerves as well.

Today, our Year 7 2027 cohort enjoyed their first transition day in the Urwin Centre, while our 2027 Prep classes returned for their second transition morning in the Junior School. These visits help boys become familiar with new spaces, build connections and grow in confidence as they prepare for their next chapter of school life.

We know that each boy experiences change differently. Some embrace it eagerly, while others need a little more time to adjust. Our staff take great care to ensure these transitions are positive, supportive and reassuring for all students.

At home, families can play an important role by speaking positively about change, encouraging independence, maintaining familiar routines, and keeping open lines of communication with the School through your son’s Homeroom Teacher (Junior School) or House Tutor (Secondary School).

Above all, we want every boy to know he doesn’t need to have it all figured out on day one. New routines, friendships and connections can take time, and we are here to navigate that alongside him. I encourage you to utilise the excellent resources and Position Papers created by our Crowther Centre team.

Tonight, we look forward to our Years 9–11 production of Frankenstein, adapted and directed by Ben Fox (OB 2023). Opportunities such as these highlight the strength of our community, as Old Boys return to share their expertise, act as positive role models and support the next generation of performers.

Finally, we wish our VCE students every success as they prepare for their final examinations.

All Junior School boys and staff have enjoyed participating in our Year 12 end of year celebrations. The Beating the Bounds service on Monday was a wonderful experience to be a part of.

It brings back a host of times, places, events and faces for the Year 12s and their families as they process, pray, reflect and visit the Secondary School Quadrangle, St Andrew’s Church, Wilson House, Urwin Centre, Crowther Oval, The Clock Tower and the Oak Tree.

This is a powerful and meaningful experience as en masse approximately 700 people processed to the different above-mentioned parts of the School.

It was certainly a buzz for our ELC3 and Pre-Prep boys to high-five the Year 12s as they entered the Junior School. Jack Carson, 2020 Wilson House Vice-Captain, spoke fondly of his memories of Junior School days. Congratulations to our Junior School Captain, Nayer Soliman, who spoke superbly on behalf of the Junior School community.

I appreciate the excellent work of our Grounds and Maintenance staff, as Wilson House looks a picture.

Wilson House Happenings & Reminders

• Best wishes to our Year 3 to 6 boys who are completing various instrumental AMEB exams. I appreciate the efforts of our Music staff in preparing our boys.

• Please mark Friday 13 November in your diary for the Junior Parents’ Group’s Family Fun Night from 4.30 – 8.00pm. This is our major JPG fundraiser for the year, and I am sure we will all enjoy this year’s event. The organising committee is working hard to ensure this year will be entertaining for all. Further details are available via the BGS app.

• I have recently received a number of complaints from neighbours in Grosvenor Street as parents are not parking appropriately and obstructing driveways particularly at pick up time at the end of the day. I have also noticed an increase in congestion on Grosvenor Street as parents are arriving as early as 2.45pm and ‘lining up’ within the car park and on the street. This makes it very difficult for ELC3 parents (2.30pm finish) and Pre-Prep parents (2.45pm finish) to park and collect their sons.  I understand that parents who have sons in the ELC will park and wait until 3.20pm to collect older siblings but I would ask Junior School parents not to arrive before 3.00pm please. Our system works effectively once the boys are dismissed at 3.20pm, and on most days the car park is clear by 3.30pm. I would ask for parent assistance to help ease the congestion by not arriving so early. All boys are supervised in the car park until 3.45pm which provides 25 minutes for ‘pick up’.

 

Student Achievement

APSMO Maths Competition

Students participated in four APSMO Maths Olympiad papers throughout the year, tackling challenging problem-solving questions that required creativity, logic, and perseverance. Congratulations to our highest scorers: Eric (Year 6), George (Year 5), Ryan (Year 4), and Lachlan (Year 3). We commend all students who embraced the challenge and further developed their mathematical thinking.

Year 5 Public Speaking day

Congratulations to Year 5 boys Sam, Flynn, Jack, Will, Reece and Jake who represented BGS at the Public Speaking Day at Caulfield Grammar’s Shelford Campus.

The boys presented prepared speeches on the themes Growing Up or Stranger Than Fiction, before completing in two impromptu speaking challenges with just five minutes of preparation time. Adjudicators praised their tone, expression and vocabulary choice. We encourage all boys to develop their confidence in speaking in front of an audience and continue building on their communication skills.

Year 6 Debating

Congratulations to the Year 6 debaters (Benny, Linc, Chrsitopher, Chris, Harry and Ned) who competed in an inter school debate against Firbank. The boys prepared thoroughly for the roles assigned to them. The topics were ‘That schools should limit daily screen time (affirmative side) and ‘That the voting age should be lowered to 16 (negative side).

Best speakers were awarded to Chris and Christopher.

The boys did a fabulous job representing BGS and it was a great experience for all involved.

Jane Lowe
Learning Support/Enrichment Teacher

 

 

This week began with the wonderful BGS tradition, Beating the Bounds, for our Year 12 boys’ Valedictory Day. It is always one of the highlights of the year as we gather as a school community to recognise this important milestone.

The ELC 3 and Pre-Prep boys form a guard of honour in the Junior School carpark to watch the procession and farewell Year 12 students and their families for the very last time.

It only feels like yesterday when the Year 12s were playing games in the playground, singing songs, dancing and celebrating each milestone during their time in the ELC. The picture of our current 3-year-old boys standing next to them really pulled at our heart strings. Where does the time go? And how we need to treasure this precious time with them! We wish the Class of 2026 all the best in the coming weeks for their exams.

Our 2027 Transition Program has commenced with our ELC3, Pre-Prep and Prep programs in operation. Once these have been completed, we will send out class allocations to all 2027 ELC enrolled children. Please note that a 2027 Parent Information Night will be held on Thursday 12 November from 7.00-8.00pm for you to meet your son’s teacher and learn about the year ahead.

Christmas pageant rehearsals are well underway, and we are currently trialling the boys in a variety of roles over the coming weeks and will finalise these once the boys feel confident and happy. We ask that families please alert either Liz or your son’s classroom teacher, if you are planning on not being here for the end of the year. Our pageant is on Monday 7 December at 11.00am.

 

From the Archive

There are so many gems in the BGS Archive that sometimes it feels like sorting through an historical treasure chest.

Recently we discovered a photograph of the 1924 BGS dance squad. The picture shows a line of boys dressed in bowler hats and leaning on canes. It immediately called to mind some of the Junior School boys, more than 100 years later, wearing similar outfits for a dance scene in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang staged earlier this year.

The performing art space is an ideal place to showcase some of the artefacts in the Archive and in doing so, helps us to create threads linking students with their forebears across generations.

This week the Senior School of production of Frankenstein (directed by Ben Fox, OB2023)is being staged. If you look closely at the set you will notice some books on the mantlepiece. These antiquarian books are treasures from the Archive. They are prize books awarded to students in years gone by, and on Thursday, there will be direct descendants of their family in the audience. A wonderful connection between the past and the present.

Parenting Tip

Maintaining Emotional Boundaries

Parents often emphasise to children the importance of respecting others’ boundaries. Don’t tickle another child if they say they don’t like it, for example. Don’t kiss someone unless they welcome it. But within the family, we can fail to notice our own difficulty in setting and respecting boundaries with our children, especially emotional boundaries.

Read more below about the importance of respecting both your child’s autonomy and your own.

Olivia Tims
Junior School Psychologist

 

BGS Swim Encouragement Meet

We’re excited to announce our Term 4 Race Night this Friday, 23 October at the Brighton Grammar Pool.

Whether it’s your first time racing or you’re looking to sharpen your race skills in a supportive and fun environment, this is a great opportunity to get involved, challenge yourself, and celebrate the progress you’ve made over the last term. 

Read more about the Race Night and book here.

This is always a great night for swimmers, families, and supporters alike. We’ll also be having a BBQ during the meet. If you would like to volunteer as a timekeeper or a chef, please let me know.

Jackson Sainty
Head Swim Coach

JPG News

The Brighton Grammar Junior School Family Fun Night is back in 2026!  Join us for a fun night of rides, food trucks and entertainment on the Red Square from 4.30pm – 8.00pm on Friday 13 November 2026.

Tickets are $50 per child. The Family Fun Night wristband gives each child unlimited rides. Each child will receive a show bag when the wristband is pre-purchased via Trybooking.  Rides are suitable for children 3 Years & older.  Adults and children under 3 entry free. 

 

WIN BIG in our JPG Family Fun Night Raffle

Get ready for your chance to win incredible prizes — and support our Family Fun Night while you’re at it!

GRAND PRIZE – 4 x AFL Corporate Tickets (Non Finals)
Your choice of an MCG AFL game! Kindly donated by Victor Sports, supplier of sporting gear to BGS!

SECOND PRIZE – A luxurious Beach Box at Dendy Beach for a full day of sun, surf, and relaxation — the ultimate summer experience! Donated by Paul & Janine Ross

THIRD PRIZE – 12 month Gym Membership – Snap Fitness Brighton
Donated by Scott & Kylie Donald

FOURTH PRIZE – A stunning “Wings” Signed Framed Print (1.2m x 60cm) of Patrick Cripps (Carlton FC) — the perfect collector’s piece for any fan!

Tickets on sale NOW – https://www.trybooking.com/DQWTK  – $10 per entry or 3 for $25

 

Pudding and Christmas Cake Varieties available for purchase

The Brighton Grammar Junior Parents Group is delighted to once again offer you a superb range of homemade Mandi’s Christmas Puddings and Christmas Cakes, just in time for Christmas!

• Traditional Christmas Pudding (round 500g, 900g, 1.5kg, 2kg; log 500g, 900g)
• Macadamia and Brandy Pudding (log 500g, 900g)
• Gluten Free Pudding (round 500g, 1kg; log 500g, 900g) (no gluten, lactose or dairy)
• Date and Toffee Pudding (log 500g, 900g)
• Triple Chocolate Pudding (log 500g, 900g)
• Chocolate and Orange Pudding (log 500g, 900g)
• Chocolate Rum and Raisin Pudding (log 500g, 900g)
• Mango & Brandy Pudding (log 500g) 
• Mandi’s Classic Christmas Cakes (600g or 1.4kg) (The cakes come beautifully boxed)

FINAL ORDERS BY 5.00pm Friday 6 November – No late orders can be accepted 

The puddings will be sent home with the boys before the end of Term 4. Orders are open now via TryBooking

 

 

Diary Dates

• Friday 23 October Prep - Year 6 House Athletics Carnival
• Monday 2 November Mid Term Break
• Tuesday 3 November Melbourne Cup Holiday