Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolI 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.
Simon Angus
Deputy Headmaster, Head of Secondary SchoolToday we acknowledge R U OK? Day at BGS. The message behind this simple question is powerful – taking the time to check in on others can be a small but important gesture that shows we care. We see our students demonstrating this care every day: supporting their mates in their endeavours, offering congratulations or comfort when it’s needed, or lending a hand with schoolwork.
Earlier this week, we held a Secondary School celebration for our First XI Soccer team, who proudly secured the APS Soccer Premiership earlier this term, a testament to their hard work, teamwork, and dedication.
We look forward to welcoming back the second half of our Year 8s who are on their OE program this week. Thank you for lending us your sons for six days, they are having a great time at Lake Hattah but will all appreciate a hot shower on Saturday on their return.
Our Dance Night Performance Evening next Monday is a highlight of the year and a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the creativity and talent of our students.
We also welcome the dads of Year 7 and 8 students for a breakfast and Father’s Day Chapel service on Wednesday morning.
As we move into the final week of Term 3, I encourage everyone to finish strongly, continue to support one another, and take pride in all that we have achieved together this term.
Meliora Sequamur.
Happenings & Reminders
- Monday 15 September, 6.00pm – Dance Night, Rosstrevor Hall
- Friday 19 September – Term 3 concludes.
Athletics Update
BGS has opened its Athletics season with a strong showing at the Victorian All Schools Championships, where our relay teams proved they can match it with the best in the state.
The U14 4x100m relay team of George Byrne, Jackson McPherson, Angus Van De Water and Cameron Aldridge ran superbly to qualify for the State final, finishing 5th overall. The U16 4x100m team of Max Lawrence, Oliver Green, Spencer Hofmann and Teddy Bowen also made the final, securing 5th place in a very competitive race.
There were also two near-podium performances that underline the potential of this squad. The U14 100m relay team missed a bronze medal by only 0.24 of a second, while the U16 Medley relay team of Ariel Friedrich, Oliver Cole, Max Lawrence and Teddy Bowen finished 4th, just 0.6 of a second away from bronze.
Read full report from Lachlan Connell, Head of Athletics.
Spaghetti Tower Challenge
The Spaghetti Tower Challenge is a wonderful STEM activity that allows budding BGS science enthusiasts to explore design, critical thinking, and innovation. Teams are given limited resources, time and one simple objective of construct a tower which will support one marshmallow at the top. The group that builds the highest free-standing tower wins the competition.
The participating teams have to work with 20 pieces of spaghetti, one metre of string, one roll of tape and one marshmallow to achieve the goal. Needless to say, this challenge goes beyond constructing the tower.
As much as our Year 8 students had fun executing the challenge, they also showed critical skills of communication, team participation, lateral thinking, adaptability, resilience, collaborative problem solving and planning. All in all, 45 minutes of fun filled building frenzy came to an end with our three winning teams.
Sudipta Gangopadhyay
Laboratory Technician
Nationals Success
It’s been a record-breaking year for BGS on the snowfields – with nine podium finishes and many more top 10 results at the 2025 Australian Interschools Snowsport Championships.
A total of 65 boys from Junior and Secondary Schools competed at the Victorian Interschools Championships, with 30 qualifying through to Nationals held at Mt Buller. This is the largest number of students in the history of the program, and a clear reflection of the depth and commitment of our students and parents.
Read report from Mat Steed, Head of Snow Sports.
From Reverend Waterhouse
Last Friday evening, courtesy of my daughter’s football club membership, I was able to attend the qualifying final between Geelong and Brisbane at the MCG.
It was an interesting experience sitting in the seats as a largely neutral supporter, especially because it meant that I could dispassionately enjoy the contest, without getting too caught up in the emotion of the umpires’ decisions.
Suffice to say, when a spot in a preliminary final is on the line, decisions and calls made by the on-ground arbiters in yellow do make a difference. The other reality is that, being human, the umpires will inevitably get some things right and some things wrong (the perceived ratio depending on which team you are supporting!).
Leaving aside the arena of sport, our innate desire for fairness and justice are even more amplified within the fields of legal contests, medical care or employment conditions, particularly when judgments made affect us personally.
Such wishes are reasonable, but on this side of heaven, we are bound to be disappointed at times, for no one has perfect authority or knowledge. Except one.
In the book of Genesis, the patriarch Abraham calls out, ‘Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?’ [18:25]. Indeed, he shall, and in the future, all things will be put right through Jesus Christ, he who has been given ‘authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.’ [John 5:37].
Thank God that he has entrusted the refereeing of our lives and the world to such a wise and suitable Saviour.