Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolThis week, Junior School boys and families are receiving teacher feedback on student progress to date. ELC students and families will also have their turn later this month.
In the Secondary School, our Year 10 boys are currently undergoing Morrisby interviews to gauge their strengths and look at possible tertiary pathways and career options.
Seeking regular feedback is a key component of our Effective Learner Program. A whole-school approach to reflection creates consistency in expectations and reinforces a positive learning environment.
Students begin to see feedback as not just an occasional comment but as a tool for growth rather than as criticism. It also encourages collaboration among teachers, allowing them to share best practices, refine techniques, and ensure feedback remains constructive, actionable, and aligned with learning goals.
Parents also have a part to play in this reflection process, helping their son to take ownership of his learning, develop strategies for improvement if need be, to strengthen academic engagement.
Finally, I wish all BGS mums a very happy Mother’s Day on Sunday.
Peter Tellefson
Deputy Headmaster, Head of Junior SchoolI have missed my ‘good mornings’ on the home front this week as I spent the last three days with our Year 6 boys and staff in Bathurst Island, 80km north of Darwin.
Our Indigenous Exchange program in the Junior School commenced in 2010 and is now in its 13th year, it was so obvious to me that deep learning was evident amongst our boys and their friends. This immersion experience has enabled our boys to have a deeper understanding of community, country and culture, and, as you can imagine, significant differences and challenges for our boys.
I was very proud to see the quality and genuineness of the interaction between young Australians of such diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
All Prep to Year 6 boys will have the opportunity to hear the various stories and experiences from our boys who travelled over the next couple of weeks. We look forward to sending another group of Year 6 boys to Pormpuraaw later in the term.
Our Parent Teacher Interviews are an important process to ensure strong connections between home and school and provide teachers with the opportunity to give feedback to enable further progress. Thank you to all Homeroom teachers and parents for your time at Parent Teacher Interviews this week to discuss boy’s progress and areas of focus required for Term 2.
All staff will shortly commence the process of writing Semester 1 Reports providing feedback on attitude, effort and achievement. These reports will be distributed in the last week of this term.
Wilson House Happenings & Reminders
- Our boys and staff look forward to our Prep to Year 6 Mums joining us tomorrow morning from 8.30am for our Mother’s Day Celebration. Borwick House Choir boys and their mums and siblings go directly to St Andrew’s Church at 8.15am. For all Prep – Year 6 boys not in choir, the morning will commence in your son’s classroom.
Student Achievements
Congratulations to Zane Mtenje for his representation of BGS as the Victorian State Swimming Championships last week. Zane finished an amazing second in the U12 50m Breaststroke. Well done to Zane on his efforts in swimming this year.
Adult Swim Sessions at BGS
Adult swim sessions for our BGS community members over the age of 18 are now available in the BGS pool. Sessions focus on lane swimming within a squad format with additional focus available to support participants. To find out more, complete the enquiry form here.
Amelia Barrow
Director of the Early Learning CentreWhat a special week we have had in the ELC hosting our Mother’s Mornings in all four classes. The boys loved spoiling their mum or special guest to show how much they loved them and were bursting with pride when presenting their gifts.
Our Library sessions continue to be a highlight of the week as the boys excitedly tour the Junior School on their walk over. Having the choice of any book in the Library can often overwhelm the boys with endless opportunities, however this promotes great independence and decision-making skills.
Weekly Drama lessons with Mrs Zachest are always active and energetic with the boys excited to discover their latest adventure. We look forward to welcoming parents to view their son’s class in the coming weeks.
Next Monday and Tuesday afternoons we will be hosting our Parent Teacher Discussions in the Junior School Lower Primary Classrooms with bookings closing shortly. This is a wonderful opportunity to discuss your son’s development as well as his targeted learning intentions.
We thank parents for their understanding in keeping their sons at home when unwell. We continue to have more cases of COVID as well as high temperatures and colds in the Centre.
We would like to wish all of the Mums and Grandmothers a very happy Mother’s Day this Sunday. We hope you enjoy the special gifts made by the boys!
Parenting Tips
Listening is helping
Children won’t always come to you with their real concerns. The only way to uncover the actual issue is by listening. In the link below Ross Judd, one of Australia’s highly respected authors, explores why listening matters and shares tips and strategies to help.
Olivia Tims
Junior School Psychologist
Student Safety
As part of the School’s ongoing commitment to student safety and community courtesy, we remind all families about the importance of keeping our neighbours’ driveways and designated clear zones unobstructed during drop off and pick up times.
Please do not park or idle your cars in front of neighbouring driveways, staff access points, or areas marked as No Parking / No Stopping zones.
Thank you for your support and understanding.