Weekly eNews

Thursday 15 May 2025

Literacy remains a key focus for our teaching staff given its direct impact on our students’ growth and academic achievements.

Research tells us that reading is central to academic success, and is also linked to positive wellbeing, improved empathy, increased understanding of self and a better understanding of one’s place in the world.

As I mentioned in my video to the community on Tuesday, this year we are creating a central library and resource hub in the Secondary School, where boys can not only engage in quiet study and reading, but also collaborate, create and nurture their individual pursuits.

We are looking to our community to champion this culture of literacy excellence and connectedness through our Enriching Minds Annual Appeal, launched this week.

We aim to raise $160,000 on our Giving Day – Tuesday 27 May – to help bring this unique space to life. Read more about the appeal, and your support is greatly appreciated.

My congratulations to the BGS/FGS student cast and crew of High School Musical, being staged this week at Firbank Grammar, on their remarkable talent and teamwork on show in their nightly performances.

Finally, I can also recommend the upcoming presentation by UK actor and keynote inspirational speaker Ben Walden on Thursday 22 May, which the Crowther Centre is offering to our community.

Ben is one of the best speakers I have ever heard, and I believe all will enjoy the leadership lessons he will share.

 

This week, we held our Mother’s Day Chapel Service for Years 9–12 students and their mothers or special guests at St Andrew’s Church.

Special thanks to our guest speaker, Assoc/Prof Louise Owen, mother of our School Captain Charlie Sabin, for her touching speech and to everyone who assisted in the success of this event. 

Last night, I had the pleasure of attending the opening night of High School Musical – what an incredible performance! Congratulations to all the boys and girls involved. If you’re attending tonight or tomorrow, you’re in for a real treat.

Looking ahead, we are excited to welcome guest speaker Ben Walden, who will deliver an inspiring leadership session to the BGS community on Thursday 22 May – this is one not to be missed.

Meliora Sequamur.

Happenings & Reminders

• 14 to 17 May – High School Musical (Firbank Gym)
• 22 May – Creativity at BGS with Ben Walden
• 9 June – School Closure: King’s Birthday
• SchoolPix photos have been distributed to House Tutors from Years 7-12. Over the next week, students should receive their photos from their tutor.
• SchoolPix summer sport team photos are now available for purchase, order details here.

Chamber Music Concert 

On Tuesday the Term 2 Chamber Music Concert showcased the talent of over 50 Secondary School musicians performing in Cellobration, the Guitar Ensemble, Early Strings, the Wind Ensemble, the Flute Ensemble, the 4 String Quartets and 2 Piano Quintets. 

In Chamber Music, musicians play their own line, being both a soloist and an ensemble player simultaneously, to hone their high performing skills. Thank you to the ensemble directors and the always supportive Friends of Music.

Harry Tsai
Head of Strings

 

APS Pride Round 

This Saturday marks the Pride Round First Football game between Brighton Grammar and Melbourne Grammar. To promote the game, First Football Captains Archie Ludowyke and James Arnold and Inclusion and Diversity Prefect Andrew Zhang were at Melbourne Grammar’s assembly meeting their MGS counterparts.  

Since 2017, this annual event has been a celebration of respect, diversity, inclusion and community and we have a full home fixture with three First games played against Melbourne Grammar starting at 10.00am with the First Football Pride Game played at 2.00pm on the Crowther Oval. All welcome. 

First fixtures (home)
Soccer – BGS vs Melbourne Grammar, 10.00am, Mitchell Oval
Rugby – BGS vs Melbourne Grammar, 12.30pm, Wilson Reserve
Football – BGS vs Melbourne Grammar, 2.00pm, Crowther Oval (Pride Round)

First fixtures (away)
Basketball – BGS vs Caulfield Grammar, 8.50am, MSAC
Hockey – BGS vs Scotch College, 9.45am, Montgomery Pitch (SC)

Bayside Youth Awards

We’re proud to congratulate Kenneth Yeung (Year 11) on his recent nomination for the 2025 Bayside Youth Awards.

Kenneth was recognised for his outstanding contribution to community service – a true reflection of the Tonner spirit.

While he didn’t take home the award, Kenneth’s dedication, humility and commitment reflect the School’s values of: Respect, Integrity, Accountability and Passion.

Anna Ladas
Director of Service

Annual Giving Appeal

The BGS Annual Giving Day will take place on Tuesday 27 May. Parents are reminded that, for the cost of a gold donation, boys may wear casual clothes to school on that day.

Visit the Enriching Minds Appeal to learn more or to donate online.

From Reverend Waterhouse

As a new Federal Parliament has just been sworn-in, it is worth being reminded of a key purpose of governments.

In his first letter to his protégé, Timothy, the apostle Paul writes, ‘I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.’ [2:1-2].

British writer C. S. Lewis (author of the Narnia Chronicles) puts it this way: “It is easy to think the State has a lot of different objects—military, political, economic, and what not. But in a way things are much simpler than that. The State exists simply to promote and to protect the ordinary happiness of human beings in this life.

A husband and wife chatting over a fire, a couple of friends having a game of darts in a pub, a man reading a book in his own room or digging in his own garden—that is what the State is there for.”

Here is a prayer from our Anglican Prayer Book, which I encourage you to pray:

Most gracious God, ruler of the nations,
we pray for the Parliament of this Commonwealth,
its members and officers.
Direct their work and influence their decisions
to the advancement of their glory,
and the safety and welfare of this country,
so that peace and happiness, truth and justice,
may be established among us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Diary Dates

• Wednesday 14 - 17 May High School Musical - Years 10 - 12 production
• Thursday 22 May Creativity at BGS: Inspirational Leadership presentation