Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolAs I have greeted the boys on the gate this week, I have noticed a renewed sense of focus and energy as they prepare for the diverse learning experiences already underway this term.
From our Secondary School students paying tribute during a meaningful Anzac Day Chapel service yesterday, to Year 6 students travelling to Bathurst Island for a cultural exchange, Music students competing at the prestigious Generations in Jazz event in Mt Gambier, our public speakers and debaters taking to the stage next week – these opportunities complement our academic programs and help broaden the boys’ horizons.
This week, we also mourn the passing of George Thomson (OB 1951). A former Governor and Chairman of School Council, OBGS President and Honorary Life Member, BGS parent, Sequamur Society patron, and generous benefactor, George leaves a legacy of extraordinary service and deep connection to BGS. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family – David (OB 1980) and Nicki, Felicity, Paul (OB 1986) and Petra, and grandchildren, Georgia, Lucy, Angus (OB 2023), Max (Year 10) on the loss of a remarkable man.
Finally, in the lead up to the Federal Election on 3 May in which school funding is likely to be one of many key issues, our Chairman of School Council has written to parents outlining the role that independent schools play in Australia’s education system and why your voice matters when it comes to securing fair and sustainable funding for our sector.
I hope this term will be a productive and successful one for your son.
Peter Tellefson
Deputy Headmaster, Head of Junior SchoolWelcome back to what will be a busy Term 2 for the Wilson House community.
Special welcome to new boys Leo Hultink (ELC3 Wombat), Rome Sakkas (ELC3 Bilby) Qingyu Wu (ELC3 Bilby), Teddy McBride (Prep Fivedale) and Jayden Qian (3 Burke) and their families in Term 2. We wish these boys and their families a long and happy time at Brighton Grammar. We are also delighted to welcome back Amelia Barrow, Director of the ELC, who returns from leave during Term 1. Dean Bryan, Deputy Head of the Junior School, will also be returning from leave next Monday.
As this term progresses, I hope our boys continue to feel good about themselves as they have a strong sense of belonging at School. My daily meet and greet before school is a fantastic and most enjoyable start to my day, in fact, it is prioritised in my calendar to be on the yard at the start and end of each day.
I enjoy the opportunity to chat with our boys, asking them about their weekend, how their class work/homework is going, what they have learned and enjoyed at school, are they practising, Good Old Collingwood Forever, on their instrument?, what sport they are playing, what they have to present at show and tell, or engaging in conversation about their Library book they are reading. I hope it also enhances our boys’ sense of connection at Wilson House.
Our Buddy system, involving all boys from ELC to Year 6, is an important part of our boys’ experiences at Wilson House. Our Buddy Program focuses on the values of friendliness, respect, responsibility, caring, including others and valuing difference. I hope you have already had positive conversations at home in regard to buddies.
It is always rewarding to see the many positive interactions our boys experience in the classroom and on the playground.
Wilson House Happenings & Reminders
- Thank you to Leigh Peckham, Alex Dever, Sarah Suszko, Sarah Vautin, the Junior Parents’ Group and the Year 5 parents who organised the JPG Lunch on the last day of Term 1.
- Prep to Year 6 Cross Country will be held next Monday 28 April on the Crowther Oval from 1.30pm. All boys are expected to participate, and they may wear their Sport uniform and House polo shirt to School for the day. Parents are most welcome to attend and support their sons.
The Order of Events for the afternoon will be Year 2, Year 1, Prep, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6. A reminder that boys will be dismissed from their classrooms at the end of the day at the usual time, and not from the Crowther Oval.
- On Friday 9 May from 8.30am, all our Prep to Year 6 mums are invited to a Mother’s Day Celebration to join their sons in various classroom activities and a Mother’s Day Service at St Andrew’s Church. This will be a wonderful opportunity for our community to express our appreciation to our mums, and the special morning together will conclude at approximately 10.30am.
A slide show featuring photos of boys and their mothers will be shown during the church service. Mothers are encouraged to email their favourite mother and son/s photos to the Junior School by Thursday 1 May.
- Winter sports this term are AFL, Cross Country, Netball and Volleyball. See the Junior School Sports Newsletter for further details.
- Our Year 4 and Year 6 boys’ Outdoor Programs are on the following dates this term:
Year 4 – Wednesday 30 April – Friday 2 May
Year 6 – Monday 12 May – Friday 16 May – 6D & 6E, Monday 19 May – Friday 23 May – 6I & 6R
- Generating a sense of pride in themselves, their appearance and presentation is particularly important for boys. There is an expectation with our winter uniform that boys have their top button done up and shirt tucked in. I would ask parents to support us and reinforce the expectations we have in Terms 2 and 3 when boys wear their winter uniform. On the days in Terms 2 and 3 that Prep – Year 6 boys wear their Sport uniform to and from School, the expectation is that the tracksuit (top and pants) must be worn as the outer garment.
Student Achievements
- Congratulations to the 31 students (Year 4 – 6) who took part in the Kangaroo Sans Frontieres online Maths competition. They tackled challenging multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes and achieved pleasing results. The best performers who were awarded a Distinction were:
Year 4 – George Chamberlain
Year 5 – Nathan He, Jackson Bartlett, Noah Kemal
Year 6 – Leo Wang, Jayden Sun, Parker Dawson, Anson Fu, Chi Nguyen
- Congratulations to Ryan Qiu in Year 6 who was recently chosen to represent BGS at the Steinway Masterclass with Jerry Wong. Ryan qualified after sending a video of his performance of Domenico Scarlatti’s Sonata in B flat K551 which he was then able to workshop in this masterclass setting. Jerry Wong is an Associate Professor of Piano at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. The opportunity to perform on the world class Steinway instrument was also a highlight for Ryan at this stage in his own musical journey. Well done on an outstanding achievement and we look forward to listening to Ryan’s musical performances throughout the year.
- Best wishes to Zane Mtenje who will compete at the 2025 SSV State Primary Swimming Championships at MSAC next week.
Amelia Barrow
Director of the Early Learning CentreWe couldn’t tell who was more excited to come through the ELC doors on Tuesday with the boys, parents and staff bounding in with huge smiles and energy, ready for the term ahead. It was lovely to receive heartfelt hugs and endless stories of holiday adventures.
This week the ELC community discussed the importance of Anzac Day. Learning about Anzac Day helps young children to understand the life and times of Australia and its people and show our thanks and respect for past and present service men and women.
With us moving into the colder months we would like to remind parents that the boys do not require their hats or sunscreen application in Term 2 and 3. We will continue to provide safe hygiene practices and protocols within the ELC for the best of the boys’ wellbeing. As we all understand, the common cold and flu are easily spread therefore we ask for your assistance in keeping your son at home when he is unwell.
Our exciting programs and journals, as well as learning moments throughout each week are being uploaded onto Schoolbox to keep parents informed. We hope this supports conversations with your sons about what is happening during their day and extends their learning from school to home. Your feedback is always valuable.
Our holiday program was a great success with the boys enjoying every special day. When asked what their favourite experience was, it was difficult to choose between the many craft experiences. We thank the team for their wonderful care of the boys during this period.
A reminder that Friday 25 April is Anzac Day and the school will be closed.
Parenting Tips
Help kids make good friends
Friendships help children and adolescents experience a sense of belonging, such a critical aspect of personal wellbeing. They are also a platform for developing social and emotional skills, self-esteem and the move towards an independent identity in adulthood. Spending time with friends is hopefully also great fun! See the link below for handy tips.
Olivia Tims
Junior School Psychologist