Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolThis week, we launched 100 Acts of Kindness with our Year 7s, a new initiative encouraging all students to complete 100 meaningful acts of kindness throughout the 2026 school year.
Students are being guided to make kindness a daily habit, both in how they treat others and how they contribute to our community.
Acts of kindness may be simple yet impactful: including others, expressing gratitude, supporting classmates and friends, volunteering, caring for the environment, or showing patience and respect. We also reminded students that kindness toward themselves is equally important.
Kindness is a core expectation at our school and is an essential part of what unites us as one community. We share the same crest, the same campus, and the same commitment to supporting one another.
As we head into the long weekend, I encourage all students and our broader community to practise kindness in every interaction.
As the ancient Greek storyteller Aesop reminds us, ‘No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.’
Finally, our new Uniform Shop opens on Saturday 14 March, located next to the Duigan Centre in St Andrews Street for parents’ convenience. Join us for the opening at 8.00am.
Peter Tellefson
Deputy Headmaster, Head of Junior SchoolLast Friday was our School Officers’ and Chapel Servers’ Induction Service, with all boys from Prep to Year 6 attending. It was rewarding to see our Year 4 to 6 boys guiding our younger students into St Andrew’s Church for the first time, modelling behaviours and demonstrating the BGS way. We are fortunate to witness the warmth, direction and care our older boys provide throughout the year.
Thank you to Father Lord for leading the service, Ms Fairweather and Borwick House Choir for the superb singing, and to the families who supported their sons. We look forward to the leadership of our Year 6 boys in 2026.
I share part of my address to the boys, as it has been a difficult time for our community:
The last two weeks have been challenging and difficult as we come to terms with the tragic passing of one of our youngest learners in Prep, Matthew.
It is natural for you to be curious and ask questions. ‘How did he die?’ and ‘Why did he die?’ are obvious questions to ask when we try to make sense of something that is confusing, frightening, upsetting and makes us sad.
It is important that we don’t get involved in inappropriate conversations and rumours, being respectful and thoughtful in these situations matters. I am proud of the way you have responded, as you have been respectful, thoughtful and we have honoured the privacy of Matthew’s family.
Mrs Main was so impressed with Matthew’s organisation. He loved to draw, he was a great listener, and he was hungry to learn.
Matthew was one of the first Prep boys to be dropped off in the carpark without his mum or dad taking him to the classroom. He set this as a goal and achieved it on Day Two of our school year. He was proud to be a BGS boy, but one trait that Mrs Main observed from Day One and I think the most important trait to highlight: Matthew was kind.
Matthew shared a close connection with Finn in Year 5. Last year, Finn was Matthew’s big buddy. Finn and Matthew had a wonderful connection and friendship.
With Finn’s permission, I share an extract of a very personal and heartfelt letter he wrote to Matthew’s parents.
This letter demonstrates how kind and thoughtful Finn is. His kindness so evident in his words and actions. Kindness is doing something for someone else without being asked to do it and without expecting anything in return. Writing this letter to Matthew’s parents was not an easy task. It stirred up lots of feelings and emotions for Finn.
Regardless of his own feelings, he chose to do it, as he knew these precious memories would be treasured by Matthew’s mum and dad. Finn showed enormous courage and bravery.
I challenge every boy to follow in Finn’s footsteps as he has led by example.
Acts of kindness happen regularly in our school, but if we are to be a school that is a special place to belong to, we all need to demonstrate random acts of kindness each and every day.
One simple act can accomplish so much: a smile, a nod, a word, a hand.
It does not have to be something big. You can let someone go ahead if you are in a line, pick up rubbish, invite someone to play, say thank you or offer to help someone in need.
All of our teachers work hard; they are committed to support you and they care for you. They teach you that kindness is simple.
At BGS, we want you to pass kindness on to each other, and as teachers we need to help and encourage you with our kindness.
When this occurs and we all practice kindness, our classrooms, our playground and our school change for the better and so will the world we live in.
Finn has led the way with his kindness, in honour and respect of Matthew, I challenge all of us to be kind.
Best wishes to all families for the extended holiday weekend.
Wilson House Happenings & Reminders
- Tomorrow our boys will participate in our Prep – Year 6 House Swimming carnival. Further details are available via the BGS app. Years 3 – 6 will depart at 8.45am and Prep – Year 2 at 10.30am. The JPG have kindly arranged for a coffee cart at the pool.
- Thank you to all ELC parents and classroom teachers for their commitment to our ELC Parent Information session last week.
- This week’s Crowther eNews outlines the importance of routines for our boys with insight from Rebecca Taylor, Head of Teaching and Learning, Junior School.
- Join us for the opening of our brand-new Uniform Shop located next to the Duigan Centre on St Andrews Street. Saturday 14 March at 8.00am
- 2027 Term Dates are now available.
Liz Dendrinos
Director of the Early Learning CentreThis week marked the beginning of library sessions for the Pre-Prep boys. Through experiences like library, the boys are encouraged to engage with their new environment while fostering a positive connection with literature.
The library has a unique ability to transport us to a magical place, reminiscent of a time before digital technology became prevalent. The boys discover joy in exploring the shelves and browsing through countless titles to find the perfect book. This setting allows our wonderful librarians to share their passion for reading with the young learners, with the intention that they will become enthusiastic readers.
Our weekly visits extend beyond just the library itself; they also provide the boys with a chance to become acquainted with other areas of the Junior School. It is the highlight of their week as they stroll past classrooms and the front foyer, waving at staff and reinforcing the idea that we are all part of the Brighton Grammar School community.
We appreciate the families who joined us for our Parent Information Evening last week; it was a valuable opportunity for parents to gain a deeper insight into our curriculum and the dedication and effort invested in each boy. It also serves as a wonderful occasion for families to connect and build relationships with one another. After all, ‘it takes a village to raise a child.’
A friendly reminder that Monday is a Labour Day Holiday, and the school will be closed. We wish everyone a well-deserved mini break.
Parenting Tip
Discussing War and Conflict
With the recent escalation of conflict involving Iran, children may be hearing or seeing distressing updates through the 24 hour news cycle, social media and conversations at school. Even when events are geographically distant, repeated exposure to images, headlines and commentary can heighten anxiety, particularly for young people whose understanding of the world is still developing.
This special report provides practical guidance to help families navigate conversations about war and conflict in a measured, age-appropriate way, while reinforcing hope, empathy and resilience.
Olivia Tims
Junior School Psychologist
JPG News
JPG Mother’s Day Gift
This Mothers’ Day give Mum, Grandma and that special person in your life a personalised gift with a print of your son’s artwork! Each gift comes with a tea towel designed with your child’s artwork in colour on the front and some delicious chocolates. Gift costs $35 (plus Trybooking Fee) – multiple orders for each child welcome! Bookings close Friday 6 March. As these tea towels are printed externally no late orders can be accepted. Gifts will be handed to the boys in time for Mother’s Day (Sunday 10 May).
Please contact the Junior Parents’ Group if you require further details.
End of Term Lunch
The JPG will again be offering an end of term lunch for the ELC and Junior School boys on Thursday 2 April 2026. Lunch will include a burger, juice and treat. The cost is $10.00 (extra burger $4). Online ordering is available through Flexischools online ordering system. Orders must be placed by no later than Friday 27 March 2026 by 5.00pm – no late orders will be accepted. Please note that normal canteen ordering will not be available on this day.
BGS Generations, including Uncles!
The BGS Generations program acknowledges boys with BGS heritage including sons, grandsons, great-grandsons and, more recently, nephews and grand-nephews of Old Boys. In recognition of these ties boys receive a pin to wear on their blazer.
The 2026 presentation of Generations pins is coming up soon so, please ensure we know all your family connections by completing this form here, if you haven’t already.
If you have any questions, please email Kate Speirs at obgs@brightongrammar.vic.edu.au.