Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolIn these final weeks of term, a high priority for our staff is to provide feedback to each boy across the school and his family on his overall performance in 2024 and his next steps for 2025.
Self-reflection and critical thinking are important aspects of our Effective Learner Model and coaching programs.
Through Parent Student Teacher discussions, exam handback, student reports and coaching dialogue with House Tutors, boys learn to receive feedback, engage in conversations about their learning and progress, and set goals for next year.
Likewise, organisations succeed by listening to their stakeholders and considering their input. As in previous years, we are asking parents to complete this brief School Improvement Tool Survey which will help us gain valuable insights into our strengths and identify areas where we can improve.
Similarly, the APS sought feedback this year from APS students, schools and the broader community through a strategic review of its sports programs which attracted strong engagement. After consideration of this feedback, an update is available for you to read here.
Finally, congratulations to Brighton Grammar’s Team Lunar who achieved third place at the F1 In Schools World Finals in Saudi Arabia representing Australia, a remarkable effort by our students and staff.
Peter Tellefson
Deputy Headmaster, Head of Junior SchoolThe Junior School will come alive with our boys’ artworks on Wednesday 4 December and Thursday 5 December for the Junior School Art Trail. Parents are most welcome to visit the Junior School and follow the Art Trail from 4.00 – 6.30pm. Your son will be your official tour guide on the night.
For many years, Brighton Grammar Junior School has supported Women for Women in Africa (WWIA) charity and in turn sponsored two primary-aged boys Quinto and James from Nairobi, Kenya. We have assisted with the purchasing of texts and stationery resources for the boys’ schooling.
On Monday 9 December, all Prep to Year 6 boys will participate in a Mini Fete to raise funds for WWIA. This event will be run and organised by the boys with various competitions, games, stalls and activities for them to enjoy. Casual clothes may be worn for the day, and boys will be asked to donate $10.
Wilson House Happenings & Reminders
- 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.
- All is in readiness for tonight’s Presentation Evening from 7.00pm in the Robert Blackwood Hall at Monash University, Clayton campus. All Year 3 – 6 boys will be sitting together in the seats allocated to them downstairs. They need to arrive by 6.30pm in the Auditorium and are to wear Summer uniform with their short-sleeved shirt, shorts and blazer. Tickets are not available at the door.
- 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.
- Best wishes to all our ELC3 to Year 2 boys and staff for our Christmas Pageants next week. I appreciate the excellent leadership provided by Amelia Barrow (ELC), Emily Fairweather, Claire Clarke and Jessica Ewington (Lower Primary). This is also a very busy time of the year for our musicians, and I wish them well for their performances at the Combined Carols next week and thank Emily Fairweather for her excellent leadership ‘of all that is Music’ in the Junior School.
- Our End of Year Community Carol Service is next Monday 2 December at 7.00pm at St Andrew’s Church. I would encourage families and boys to attend; it is a superb night and a highlight of our preparation for Christmas. You will enjoy the quality of our talented musicians and the congregation certainly has the opportunity to join in the Christmas spirit.
- 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.
- Classes conclude for all Prep – Year 6 on Tuesday 10 December at 12.30pm, the car park will be supervised until 1.00pm, boys not collected will be sent to After School Care. The BGS buses to Port Melbourne, Mentone and Caulfield are scheduled to leave New Street at 12.50pm to accommodate the 12.30pm finish.
Student Achievements
- General Knowledge encompasses a wide range of topics. Students who demonstrate a strong general knowledge are often avid readers, retain facts and information, are curious and keen learners and ask questions to gain a deeper understanding. We encourage boys to develop their general knowledge skills by discussing world events with friends or family, listening to kids’ podcasts/news or reading fiction and non-fiction books.
Year 5 and 6 boys participated in a general knowledge quiz and the best performers from each House took part in the BGS General Knowledge House Championship. Congratulations to these boys for their amazing general knowledge.
Yr 5 Dixon- Olly Heath, Robbie Jane, Hunter Bryant, Tom Schneider
Yr 6 Fairweather- Jesse Welsh, Isaac Goh, Terry Ji, Shawn Yao
- Congratulations to our Prep – Year 6 boys who will be presented with Term 4 Class Effort cards at Assembly.
Amelia Barrow
Director of the Early Learning CentreThe ELC has been a hub of excitement and activity this week.
Our Christmas Pageant rehearsals have been uplifted with our school pianist, Andrew Kerr accompanying the boys’ singing and we have also started to practise with stage lights and microphones. The Pageant will be filmed by a professional company for parents to purchase if they wish.
We will also begin to send home the boys’ smocks, library bags, and gumboots for the end of year from next week.
We have a busy few weeks ahead of us and will be enjoying this special time with the boys. It is amazing to think that the school year is wrapping up and Christmas is just around the corner!
Parenting Tips
Soft Eyes
One of the best ways to help parents guide their children successfully—particularly at those tense times when they’re about to crack—is to practise soft eyes.
Soft eyes is not a term you’ll find in traditional parenting literature, but it has deep psychological and neurological roots. It serves as a powerful tool for emotional regulation—not just for you but also for your child. 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.