Weekly eNews

Thursday 11 September 2025

I came across a recent article by Arthur C. Brooks published in The Atlantic, Resist the Snark and Be Happy, and its theme of kindness resonated with me as one of the values we want to encourage in our boys.

The article explores the idea that politeness is a pathway to happiness and that making courtesy a habit, both in person and online, can significantly improve mood and wellbeing.

Our school offers many opportunities for daily interactions built on mutual respect, from structured initiatives like our peer coaching programs and student mentoring to more informal settings, such as House activities that bring together boys from different year levels and being ‘on the gate’ before and after school.

The Harmony Project (our no-phone policy during school hours) also plays a vital role in promoting positive social connections and meaningful face-to-face interactions among students.

As we mark R U OK Day today, it’s a timely reminder of the power of connection, courtesy and kindness. Checking in with those around us, today or any day, nurtures not only their wellbeing, but our own. A simple conversation can make a world of difference.

Finally, next Friday the Chairman of School Council will be writing to parents to share our key highlights and initiatives for 2025 and provide details of the 2026 fee schedule.

Today we celebrated R U OK? Day across our school from ELC to Year 12.  We have an obligation to continue to develop a caring and nurturing environment amongst our boys. 

Of course, our boys will slip up, make mistakes and poor choices, that is part of life and the learning journey our boys are on.  I think we do many things well at BGS:  setting a positive can-do culture, seeing our boys as individuals and celebrating their strengths, promoting a strong sense of connection and belonging, and supporting one another through challenging times.

Thank you to the families across ELC–Year 6 who completed the Technology Survey earlier this term. This executive report has provided valuable insights into parents’ perspectives on their sons’ use of phones, smart watches, social media and gaming. It summarises the key areas of concern raised, along with suggestions for improvement and opportunities for further support. It is our intention to facilitate a number of workshop evenings in Term 4.

Our Year 6 boys certainly ‘shined’ in Newsies JR. last night. The ‘shine’ I talk about isn’t the type that comes from the glare of stage lighting as it bounces off the stage make-up and glittery costumes. It is the ‘shine’ that comes from within. It is the ‘shine’ that our boys bring to all of their school endeavours.

Our boys are learning that hard work pays off. They learn that teamwork and practice lead to success. They learn that what you bring to your work is as important as what you take from it. They experience that learning is fun.

Wilson House Happenings & Reminders

• Best wishes to our Year 6 boys and staff travelling to Vietnam this weekend as part of our Year 6 Vietnam Cultural Exchange program – Ryan Axup, Johnny Brown, Isaac Corcoris, Parker Dawson, Cale Donald, Cooper Johnston, Krish Kanda, Charlie Lipovetsky, Ryan Qiu and Wei Wu. I look forward to visiting the group next week. Dean Bryan will be responsible for the Junior School in my absence.

• Best wishes to our Year 3 – 5 boys who will join Secondary School boys as they perform in the BGS Dance Showcase on Monday 15 September. Tickets are available here. 

• Our next Ute Full of Food will be held Thursday 18 September. Items particularly requested are: breakfast cereals, sugar, jams and spreads, pasta and pasta sauce, rice, noodles, biscuits, tins of vegetables, fruit and fish are particularly welcome, meals-in-a-can, toilet paper, bathroom supplies.

• Term 3 interim Reports will be available to parents for all Prep to Year 6 boys from Wednesday 17 September. These Reports do not assess Achievement, but focus on Attitude, Effort and the development of various Personal and Social Skills. These reports will be available online.

• Next Friday 19 September will be our final day of Term 3. The following is an outline of the day:

8.50am – Chapel – Prep to Year 6

9.20am – End of Term Assembly (St Andrew’s Church) Parents are welcome to attend

10.10am – Free time Winning House

12.15pm – JPG Lunch – Please note there are NO Tuck shop orders available

1.30pm – Tabloid Sports – boys can wear their Sport Uniform/House Polo Shirt plus favourite football colours

3.20pm – Normal Dismissal

• SAVE THE DATE – The Prep – Year 6 House Athletics Carnival will be held on Friday 24 October at Duncan MacKinnon Athletics track.  Parents are welcome to attend.  There will be an opportunity for parents to join their son for lunch at approximately 1.00pm.  Further details will be available on the BGS app in Term 4.

• As marked in the Date Card, classes conclude for Term 3 on Friday 19 September at 3.20pm. The first day of Term 4 is Monday 6 October when classes resume at 8.30am, and all boys from ELC to Year 6 are to wear their Summer uniform.

Student Achievements

• The standard of competition in the Prep – Year 6 Poetry competition was very high and we congratulate the following boys as Year Level winners.

Prep            Jacky Shao

Year 1         Nikrad Parzham

Year 2         Lachlan Wong

Year 3         Jensen Bryant

Year 4         William Curtin

Year 5         Oscar West

Year 6         Ollie French-Wright

 

• Congratulations to all Junior School boys who participated in the National Snowsports Championships last week. A special mention to Tom Salvo, Barry Bai and Felix Lewis who all finished on the podium. Thanks to Mat Steed, Cindy van Dijk and all parents for your continued support of BGS Snowsports.  Read full report here. 

• Congratulations to Asher Brown, who placed 12th at the National Cross Country Championships in Queensland early this week.  Asher represented Team Vic and BGS with pride and determination and we look forward to his future efforts in Cross Country.

• Congratulations to the following boys who will be presented with Term 3 APS Sport Awards at tomorrow’s Assembly.

 

With today being RU OK? Day, our curriculum has focused on kindness, emotions and respectful relationships. The boys discussed the importance of being kind to others, explored the ways in which they can be kind to their friends, and how to actively listen to each other. All important tools to teach our young boys.

We have also enjoyed the Spring weather this week by running out into the sunshine and coming in when it rained. Our lovely gardener Shin has been busy at work with the boys watching as he fine-tuned the new garden beds and vegetable patch. He certainly has a talent!

A reminder next week is Footy Day on Thursday 18 September and the boys are invited to wear their favourite sports teams colours on the day.

Parenting Tip

R U OK? Day

R U OK? Day encourages Australians to check in with others and start meaningful conversations about mental health and wellbeing. The 2025 theme, Ask R U OK? Any Day, reinforces the message that every day is the right day to reach out to someone who might be struggling. The day shines a spotlight on the importance of connection and having conversations with people you care about all year round. 

To mark this special day, all Junior School students will be participating in school-wide and year level specific activities, exploring the themes of help-seeking, positive connections and peer support aligned with the R U OK? messaging. We urge all families to take part, emphasising the value of genuine human relationships and reminding everyone to ask the important question, are you OK?

Olivia Tims
Junior School Psychologist

Diary Dates

• Friday 19 September Final Day Term 3
• Monday 6 October Term 4 Commences