Weekly eNews

Ross Featherston

Headmaster, Brighton Grammar School

Welcome to the start of the 2024 academic year.

Our school has been a hive of activity over the holiday break, with some construction works soon to be completed of a new running track along New Street and amphitheatre seating at the northern end of the Crowther, new paving outside Secondary School Reception and building works on track for our Centre for Science, Creativity and Entrepreneurship.

Couple all of these achievements with record enrolment numbers, there is much to look forward to this year.

As we embark on 2024, we have identified four major areas of focus:

• Academic engagement
• High-level student standards, inside and outside the classroom.
• The ongoing professional growth of our staff
• Our positive masculinity framework

All these foci work together to positively shape your son’s educational journey as we work as one to raise boys with emotional strength and empathy.

Please take the time to view my welcome video.

I look forward to connecting with you throughout the term and greatly appreciate your continued support of BGS.

Peter Tellefson

Deputy Headmaster, Head of Junior School

It was a pleasure to welcome all boys and families to the commencement of the 2024 school year yesterday. The boys are settling well and are excited to be back and staff are establishing routines quickly. I am sure you are all pleased to have your son back at school.

A special welcome to our new boys and their families, time will fly quickly, and I am sure, with the supportive network that exists at Wilson House, you will feel a strong sense of connection and belonging.

Welcome to our new staff Rebecca Taylor (Director of Teaching & Learning), Emily Fairweather (Head of Junior School Music), Brett Page (Design & Technology teacher), Sarah Delaney (Prep Teacher’s Assistant), and Emma Laughlin (Integration Aide). Zoe Picton returns from parental leave as our Literacy Coordinator and Sarah Webster returns to BGS to teach Year 3.

Thank you to Lynn Bullock, Tamara Andrew and Rebecca Darling for all their ‘behind the scenes’ preparation and to Dwi (Maintenance) and Shin (Grounds) for their work to ensure all was in readiness for our return to school. 

Wilson House Happenings & Reminders

• We look forward to our Prep – Year 3 Parent Information Evenings next week from 7.00–8.30pm. Our Prep to Year 3 and 5 Argyle Parent Information Evening will be held on Tuesday 6 February and Year 4 – 6 next Thursday 8 February. ELC will be held on Thursday 22 February. Please see the BGS app for further information.

• I ask our Junior School parents to co-operate with the School policy and not include nuts or food containing a high concentration of nuts such as peanut butter in their boys’ lunches.

• BGS has a policy which requires parents who wish to assist or participate in any class activities or excursions to have a current ‘Working with Children Check’. Application forms are to be completed online.

• Parents are encouraged to access the 2024 Junior School Handbook which will answer many questions and assist with your son’s transition.

• When entering and exiting the Grosvenor Street car park the safety of our boys is paramount. The drop-off/pick-up zone is on the left-hand side of the driveway. Parents who use the drop-off/pick-up zone will need to approach this area via the northern (Oval) side of the tree at the far end of the car park. The exit lane is on the right-hand side; these areas are clearly marked. To assist with the flow of traffic in the car park we ask all boys from the ELC and Junior School not to play on the Adventure Playground after school. Click here for further directions. I would ask all parents to support this request.

• The Tuckshop is organised and staffed by Pinwheel & Co. Orders can be placed online via the Flexischool’s website or via the BGS app by 8.30am each day.

Amelia Barrow

Director of the Early Learning Centre

As another year begins and we excitedly welcome new friends to the ELC, we also know that some boys (and parents) may experience separation anxiety at drop off in the morning.

This can begin from Day 1 or may be delayed until Week 2 or 3 (after the honeymoon period as we call it). With separation anxiety, experience tells us that the longer the goodbye, the longer these anxious moments will last for your son to fight for his parent or caregiver to stay for that extra cuddle or kiss.

A loving, quick and confident goodbye helps your son’s brain and body to adapt and reduce the fight or flight neurochemical reaction. We also understand how hard this can be for parents and caregivers and are here to assist in enabling a positive and smooth start to the day.

Our ELC boys have certainly started to settle into their new classes, venturing out to connect with new friends and establish trusting relationships with our teachers.

The boys’ afternoon programs are operating in their own classroom so please feel free to connect with your son’s teacher and assistant teacher to see how his day has been in these transitional weeks. Our monthly programs will be communicated to all families next week and we look forward to sharing with you the amazing experiences the boys will participate in over the coming weeks.

A friendly reminder during Term 1 we require the boys to have sunscreen applied on arrival ready for the day.

A big congratulations to all of the boys for a great first week of ‘big boy’ school.

Parenting tips

School Transitions
Whether it is starting school for the first time, moving up to a higher year level or embarking on a journey through Secondary School, there is no doubt that any school transition is a very exciting time for children and parents. It means that the children are growing up!

However, for many it may also be a very anxious and stressful time for both parents and children. Parents need to be aware of their child’s feelings during any school transition and minimise anxiety so the process is an enjoyable experience for all.

It is important for children to attend transition or orientation programs offered by schools. Familiarisation is often key to reducing stress levels. It is also important for parents to talk to their children about their expectations and being more responsible for their own needs.

Read more below.

Olivia Tims
Junior School Psychologist

JPG News

JPG Meeting
The Junior Parents’ Group welcome all families to the first JPG meeting for 2024 at 8.45am on Tuesday 6 February in the GBR Hall. 

Year Level Representatives and Volunteers
The JPG is looking for Year Level Representatives, and a general pool of volunteers to assist on any level. For Year Level Reps, it is preferable we have one volunteer from each class, but 2 – 4 people per Year Level is great.

Representatives work as a team to co-ordinate social events within their year level and arrange volunteers for one event per year within their Year Level (i.e. mustering 4 volunteers for delivering food to classrooms for the end of term lunches). Tasks are neither onerous nor time consuming and it is an opportunity to facilitate communication, connectedness and contribution within the school community.

Please email Junior Parents Group if you are interested in being involved, either representing your Year Level or any form of volunteering. The more the merrier.

International Parents Support Group

The International Parents Support Group is open to all parents from around the world, with a special focus on those from non-Australian backgrounds or nationalities.

Join us for a welcoming morning tea on Friday 16 February at Rosstrevor Hall. For more details, please contact Maggie Lynch or phone 0425 786 683.

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