Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolOne of the cornerstones of our approach to raising resilient and confident boys is our commitment to experiential learning, as evidenced through our Outdoor Education program.
Over the past two weeks, our Year 9 students experienced the Great South West Journey that took them away from traditional classroom settings and into the heart of nature.
The boys return on the weekend from this program, which is designed to challenge them physically, mentally and emotionally, cultivating skills that go beyond textbooks and exams as well as drawing on the key +M principles of connection, motivation and authenticity.
These hands-on learning experiences that integrate subjects such as biology, geography, and environmental science start early on in the Junior School and progress through each stage of our students’ schooling.
Away from the comforts of home, our students learn to rely on their inner strength and the support of their peers, develop stronger bonds and a sense of community.
Our Year 10 students and their adult mentors embark on the First Horizon program next week which is another important learning experience, teaching the values of self-reflection, perseverance, adaptability and teamwork – qualities that will serve our boys well in all areas of life.
Finally, all parents are encouraged to fill out our annual School Improvement Tool Survey to offer essential feedback on our programs and the future direction of the School.
Have a good weekend.
Peter Tellefson
Deputy Headmaster, Head of Junior SchoolA strong sense of connectedness was evident on Friday night, the weather was good to us and our Family Fun Night was a great success. The big crowd, made up of so many happy boys and families, enjoyed the delights on offer, the company of each other and the rides and entertainment.
The Dunking Machine was certainly a highlight for the boys and good fun for all involved! Thank you to Ross Stewart, Alex Dever and the JPG Committee for their organisation, to our Year 11 leaders for their assistance and to all families for your continued support.
Our overall focus in all of our Teaching and Learning Programs is to improve our boys’ understandings, achievement and to ultimately see growth from an academic perspective.
Beyond the day to day classroom experiences, boys have participated in a variety of extension activities, which include the Australian Maths Competition, Australian Problem Solving Maths Olympiad (APSMO), Kangaroo Sans Frontieres, ASX Sharemarket game, Haiku Poetry Competition, House General Knowledge Quiz, ICAS Science, English and Maths, Year 5 Maths Games Day, inter school Debating, Chess lessons and House Chess Competition, Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee and the Junior Journo competition.
Thank you to Jane Lowe who provides these additional opportunities for our boys to be engaged in.
At the end of this year, we say farewell and extend our best wishes to staff who are departing Wilson House. Steve Lewis (P-6 Science teacher), Rebekah Ashcroft (P-6 PE teacher), Yoko Sainsbery (P-2 Japanese teacher), Rose Ergisi (Y3-4 French teacher) and Kurt Abell (Y5-6 Instrumental Music). We thank Steve, Rebekah, Yoko, Rose and Kurt for their commitment to the boys in their care and wish them well for the future.
Wilson House Happenings & Reminders
- Congratulations to the Wilson House Concert band who performed at the Victorian School Music Festival last week. The band enjoyed participating in an on-stage workshop and an opportunity to perform and receive feedback from adjudicators. Thank you to Kurt Abell, Emily Fairweather, Kelly Williams and Alexandra Collingwood for their coordination and support of our musicians.
- The final Ute Full of Food for 2024 will be our Christmas collection on Thursday 28 November. Christmas items of small puddings, cakes, tins of ham, turkey, chicken or vegetables, small packets of shortbread, mince pies, small jars of Coffee (50g), packets of tea bags (25), 500g packets of sugar, small cartons of long-life milk would be appreciated.
- The Junior School Presentation Night will be held on Thursday 28 November at Monash University – Clayton Campus, Robert Blackwood Hall from 7.00pm. This is a compulsory school event for Years 3 – 6 boys. Bookings are now open, please see the BGS app for further details.
- Instead of exchanging buddy gifts, ELC to Year 6 boys will have the option to donate $5 each to contribute to one or two gifts for a girl or a boy who is less fortunate. The gifts, which will be displayed in the Junior School Foyer, will be donated to Mary MacKillop Family Services. The Junior School will arrange the purchase of the gifts. Please send $5 to school with your son in a clearly marked ‘Buddies’ envelope between now and Friday 29 November.
- Our Junior Parents’ Group will organise a Christmas tree in the main Reception area so that families can leave a gift for underprivileged children. These gifts will be donated to the Mary MacKillop Family Services which I am sure will bring pleasure to many children in need. Mary MacKillop Family Services have asked that gifts not be wrapped.
- Thank you to our Prep to Year 6 Staff who facilitated Parent/Teacher Interviews on Wednesday and Thursday this week and to parents for your continued support.
- Semester 2 Reports will be available via the Parent Portal on the BGS app from Friday 29 November. Further information will available via the app.
Student Achievements
- The Australian Maths competition was first run in 1978 and is the longest running maths competition for school students. Terry Ji (Year 6) attended an awards ceremony on Monday evening where he was acknowledged for achieving the Best in School/Prize. We congratulate him on his outstanding problem-solving skills.
- Congratulations to the following boys from Prep to 6 who will be presented with Semester 2 Effort Cards for Drama, Japanese and Music at tomorrow’s Assembly.
Drama – Charlie Auditore, Roy Gu, Beau Williams Bundy, Bentley Fulkoski, Jensen Bryant, Lucas Jewell, James Shumsky, Eamon Runacres, Jack Douglas, Callum Ottley
Japanese – Zayn Yellina, Willem Hoofdman, Harry Sun, Archie Zhou, Nathan Yan, James Trubiano
Music – Hamish Hoy, Billy Ardlie, Leo Wang, Charlie Beynon, Johnny Brown, James Ellis, Tom Schneider, Jenson Brennan, Tony Tran, Howard Hao, Bart Yang, Nathan He, Harry Han, Jack Liu, Jaden Kemal, Harry Peckham, Jeffrey Ma, Matthew Li, Harold Wizel, Harrison Kemp
- Congratulations to Year 5 & Year 6 boys who will be presented with Term 4 APS Sport awards..
Amelia Barrow
Director of the Early Learning CentreThe ELC enjoys a celebration, especially when it is all about the boys. Yesterday was an important day as it allowed us the opportunity to promote and celebrate the rights of children by acknowledging World Children’s Day.
In the classrooms it was a day to stop, think and discuss how we can make our world a better place for the hundreds and thousands of children around the world who may not have the advantages our boys enjoy. The highlight of the day was the special biscuit treats the boys enjoyed making to take home.
The boys have also been productive with their secret Christmas gift making, while the teachers and staff have been busy wrapping and bagging items to send home, ready to go under your tree.
Our Christmas Pageant rehearsals are now in full swing. We will begin to practise with stage lights and microphones next week which is always an exciting experience, testing out the volume of the speakers as the boys enthusiastically hold their mouth right up to the microphone.
We will begin to send home the boys’ smocks, library bags, and gumboots for the end of year in our final weeks.
We have a busy final two and a half weeks ahead of us and will be enjoying this special time. It is amazing to think that the school year is wrapping up and Christmas is just around the corner!
Parenting Tips
‘School is boring’
How do you respond when your child says, ‘school is boring’? It’s important to understand why they feel that way, say University of Queensland learning experts Amanda Bourgeois and Annemaree Carroll. Read more below.
Olivia Tims
Junior School Psychologist
Go Green Grammarian
We are excited to announce that production of the 2024 Grammarian yearbook is now underway.
To help us achieve our sustainability goals, we are offering families the opportunity to opt in to receive a digital copy of the Grammarian which will be available to view in early December.
Please opt in for the online edition here. If we do not hear from you, we will assume you would like a printed copy (one per family) which will be distributed to students in Term 1, 2025.
Thank you for your support of the Grammarian yearbook. We hope you enjoy celebrating the memories of this year.