Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolThe success of a school is interwoven with the strength of the community surrounding it.
The sense of community at Brighton Grammar is one of our greatest assets, through committed parent support groups and a thriving alumni network.
As the Junior School Parent Group (JPG) so eloquently puts it: our purpose is to facilitate connectedness, communication and contribution.
This week, our Rowing community came together to celebrate the annual Meliora dinner in the lead up to next Saturday’s Heads of the River and our Cricket community, both past and present, will connect tomorrow via the annual Top Ender’s Lunch as First XI takes on Geelong Grammar.
Our International Parents’ Support Group, JPG and many Friends of Groups for co-curricular activities such as Music, Arts and the Dramatic Arts also have a shared purpose in action – to support our boys in their fields of interest.
It takes a village to deliver the best outcomes for our students and I thank you for your ongoing support.
Finally, our Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students are undertaking NAPLAN testing this week and next, and while it represents just one aspect of the school year, it is an important benchmark of our boys’ progress and a key measure of academic performance.
Peter Tellefson
Deputy Headmaster, Head of Junior SchoolCongratulations to our Year 3 and Year 5 boys who are completing NAPLAN testing this week. For these boys there has certainly been no particular build-up that in turn creates stress or anxiety.
The NAPLAN testing is a simple snapshot on a given day in comparison to what I would describe as an ongoing video, the ongoing video is of greater value over the course of the year. Fortunately, our boys are regularly provided with the opportunity to complete work under test conditions which provides them with experiences to complete the NAPLAN with confidence.
Our Prep – Year 6 House Swimming Carnival was a great success, congratulations to all boys on their efforts. Our Year 6 boys provided excellent leadership, their House chants, war cries, colour, organisation and assistance they gave was impressive.
Thank you to Aaron French and for his organisation, to all staff for their assistance to ensure the carnival ran smoothly and to the many parents who supported their sons.
Wilson House Happenings & Reminders
- Best wishes to our Year 5 boys and staff who are participating in our Outdoor Education program next week. I look forward to spending time with the boys in the ‘wilds’ of the Briars.
- We welcome our Prep – Year 2 fathers to our Fathers’ mornings on Wednesday 26 March (Prep), Thursday 27 March (Year 1) and Friday 28 March (Year 2). See the BGS app for further details.
- 2026 Term Dates are now available
Student Achievements
- Congratulations to the following Year 6 boys who will be appointed to leadership positions at tomorrow’s Assembly;
Sport – Max Adem, Harvey Billings, Hunter Bryant, Jack Bull, Mitchell Cooper, Ted Grant, Aidan Hasseldine, Evan Holmes, Jack Keogh, Edward Olliver, Hugo Schutz and Austin Vassallo
Library – Henry Angus, Robbie Jane, Darby Effeney, Liam Konstantos
Technology – Oscar Betts, Parker Dawson, Evan Holmes, Jack Zhang
- Congratulations to Dixon House who were awarded the House Spirit award and to Rofe House who were the overall House Champion.
Year 3 Swimming Champion Patrick Thornborrow
Year 3 Encouragement Award James Trubiano
Year 4 Swimming Champion Enzo Zhang
Year 4 Encouragement Award Lachlan McCosker
Year 5 Swimming Champion Harry Scotis
Year 5 Encouragement Award Osborn Wang
Year 6 Swimming Champion Zane Mtenje
Year 6 Encouragement Award Seb Hussey
- Congratulations to the following boys who have been selected to represent BGS at the Team Vic trials – Billy Bannister (AFL), Jack Keogh (AFL & Cricket), Jack Bull (AFL & Soccer), Lawson Paino (Soccer), Jack Tripis (Soccer), Ben Scales (Cricket) and Ollie French-Wright (Cricket). Best wishes to Patrick Francese who has been selected to compete at the Regional finals for Tennis.
Liz Dendrinos
Acting Director of the Early Learning CentreHow lovely it was for staff to greet the boys after the long weekend on Tuesday. We were so excited to hear all about their adventures and what they did with their families.
With the change in seasons, we took the opportunity to focus on our sustainability programs and outdoor garden. With the early years learning outcomes highlighting the importance of children being connected with their environment and contributing to their world, our goal was for the boys to build an awareness of how to reduce the impact of rubbish by using recyclable practices.
Over the past week the boys have been learning the six Rs – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair, Respect and Reflect.
Reduce has been focusing on using less paper when drying our hands in the bathrooms. Reuse has been thinking outside the box to repurpose objects for craft experiences. Recycle has been focusing on our composting practices with our food scraps from morning tea and lunch.
Repair has been on clearing out the vegie boxes. Respect has focused on looking after our garden and helping Shin, the School’s groundkeeper, to keep it clean. Reflect was looking at the dual flush on the toilets and which one we need to use.
Our Harmony Day discussions and experiences have begun with each class focusing on celebrating the cultures within their group. All boys are invited on Thursday 20 March to dress up in their own cultural background or a culture of interest to help recognise the important message that everyone belongs.
Our Headmaster Ross Featherston has also been invited to visit the boys on this special day, he will be discussing his background and the importance of respecting one another.
Parenting Tips
Transforming chore dodgers into willing helpers
Chores, responsibilities, tasks, no matter what you call them, asking your child to help around the house often leads to groans, whining, or excuses.
Suddenly, they’re sick or they need to use the bathroom when it’s time to help! While we’ll likely never have children who love doing chores, there are ways to make them more willing participants in keeping the household running.
The link below explains when kids are ready to help, why they should, and how to involve them in ways that work for everyone.
Olivia Tims
Junior School Psychologist
JPG News
JPG Easter Collection & Raffle
JPG Easter Donations – Each boy is asked to contribute an Easter egg for the raffle. Other donations of any type of Easter items (bunnies, chickens, fluffy toys, baskets etc.) are most welcome. Donations can be left in the tubs provided in Junior School Reception and the ELC from Monday 17 March.
Raffle tickets sales are available from Thursday 20 March. Prep – Year 6 will be able to purchase from the playground before school or by placing tickets in an envelope in the box at reception. A ticket collection box is also available in the ELC. Please see the BGS app for further details.
End of Term Lunch
The JPG will again be offering an end of term lunch for the ELC and Junior School boys on Friday 4 April. Lunch will include a burger, juice and treat. The cost will be $10.00 (extra burger $4.00). Online ordering is available through Flexischools online ordering system. Orders must be placed by no later than Friday 28 March 2025 at 5.00pm – no late orders will be accepted.
BGS Generations, including Uncles!
The BGS Generations program acknowledges boys with BGS heritage including sons, grandsons, great-grandsons and, more recently, nephews and grand-nephews of Old Boys. In recognition of these ties, boys receive a pin to wear on their blazer.
The 2025 presentation of Generations pins is coming up soon so, please ensure we know all your family connections by completing this form here, if you haven’t already. This includes brothers, fathers, uncles, grandfathers, great uncles, and great grandfathers.
The School is always delighted when an Old Boy enrols his son at BGS, especially if the Old Boy himself is a second generation BGS student. Please note: When determining third or fourth generations, there is no distinction between paternal or maternal grandfathers and great grandfathers. Uncles and their nephews will receive a “Generations Family” pin in the absence of any other Old Boys in their direct lineage.
If you have any questions, please email Alumni & Community Manager, Kate Speirs.