Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolThis week, I have been attending the International Boys’ Schools Coalition (IBSC) Australasian Regional Conference, hosted by Prince Alfred College and St Peter’s College in Adelaide, in my role as Vice Chair, Australasia, of the IBSC Board of Trustees.
With the theme, Cultivating Humanity: A Compelling Responsibility in Boys’ Education, the conference brought together educators from boys’ schools across the region to share best practice and explore how we can continue to strengthen our approach to boys’ learning and development.
The role of the IBSC in connecting schools and elevating professional dialogue in boys’ education is significant. Opportunities such as this allow us to reflect, challenge our thinking and return to our own context with ideas that can further enhance the experience of our boys.
BGS was well-represented, with Zoe Tamplin and Darcie Clarke leading a workshop on self-regulation, connection and the positive power of community shaping Secondary School students. Joanne Davies and Ingrid Howren presented on cultivating healthy masculinities in Junior School boys. Their session showcased our Positive Masculinity (+M) curriculum, now successfully in its second year, and highlighted the impact of a deliberate, evidence-informed approach in supporting boys’ growth, connection and development.
Finally, I wish all our BGS mothers and the many special female role models in our community a very happy Mother’s Day this Sunday.
Simon Angus
Deputy Headmaster, Head of Secondary SchoolThis week, we honour the mothers and caregivers whose influence shapes our lives in countless ways. Yesterday, we held our Mother’s Day Breakfast and Chapel at St Andrew’s for our Year 7 and 8 students. Thank you to all mothers and special guests who were able to attend.
It was heartwarming to see the boys take pride in accompanying their mothers and guests, making introductions to their peers and others attending. A special thank you to Carly Lyons for her inspiring speech, and to everyone who contributed to the success of this beautiful event. We look forward to welcoming the mothers and guests of our Year 9–12 students next Wednesday.
Congratulations also to the 47 students involved in last weekend’s Generations in Jazz, a fantastic achievement and a true celebration of our students’ talents and dedication! The 10 Tonners were awarded Most Outstanding Tenor Section across the choirs in our division, an amazing feat from Connor Giles, Kenneth Yeung and Max Zhou.
Our Year 12 students continue their work on the Legacy Project. Now in its 11th year, it has become an integral part of the Year 12 experience. It provides an opportunity for our boys to pause, reflect and consider the mark they wish to leave on the School. The Class of 2026 has chosen the theme Face the Fire. It invites them to lean into challenge, lead with authenticity, and contribute meaningfully to the community around them.
Through this project, our students move beyond personal achievement to consider impact: how their actions, relationships and leadership shape something enduring for those who follow. It is a powerful reminder that leadership is not defined by position, but by the legacy each boy chooses to create.
Finally, excitement is building for the upcoming production of Rock of Ages, opening next Wednesday, 13 May. This joint production with Firbank Grammar promises to be another outstanding showcase of the creativity and talent of our Years 10–12 students.
Meliora Sequamur.
Happenings & Reminders
- Tuesday 12 May, 4.30pm – Chamber Music Concert
- Wednesday 13 May – Mother’s Day Chapel (Years 9-12)
- Wednesday 13 May to Saturday 16 May, 7.00pm – Senior Years Production: Rock of Ages Teen Edition
Outstanding Performance
A group of 47 Brighton Grammar music students, supported by dedicated BGS staff and parents, delivered outstanding performances at the Generations in Jazz Festival in Mt Gambier, South Australia. Read report from Jared Furtado, Director of Music and Head of Choral.
Rock of Ages
The countdown is on for our 2026 Years 10–12 Production, Rock of Ages, and the energy in rehearsals says it all. Students have been working incredibly hard to bring this show to life, embracing the bold style, big vocals and high-octane storytelling that defines this iconic rock musical.
Taking place from 13–16 May at Rosstrevor Hall, this is shaping up to be one of our most ambitious productions yet. Join us as we turn up the volume and rock the roof off Rosstrevor.
Michael Kent
Head of Drama
BGS Runners Shine
The BGS Cross Country team delivered an outstanding performance at the Athletics Victoria All Schools Road Relay Championships, finishing second overall in the highly competitive U18 male event. Read report from Nick Kong, Head of Cross Country.
Sport at BGS
With the Winter Sport season kicking off last weekend, it has been fantastic to see our boys demonstrating such dedication to their training sessions and matches. The energy and enthusiasm on display each week reflect not only their love of competition, but also the enjoyment they gain from spending time with friends and representing the school with pride.
Each week, more than 63 teams take part in APS matches across seven sports, competing at venues both near and far. It is a significant commitment, and we are proud of the way our students embrace both the fun and the challenge that sport provides.
Sport continues to play a central role in shaping the culture at Brighton Grammar, where participation, teamwork, and character development are valued just as highly as results. Training sessions and weekend fixtures offer important opportunities for personal growth.
A key part of this experience is learning resilience. Sport naturally brings challenges—losses, mistakes, injuries, and setbacks—and how boys respond to these moments is what helps define their development. They are encouraged to stay positive, remain committed, and speak with their coaches, asking for feedback so that they understand their areas for development.
Read full report from Rob Cooper, Director of Sport.
Jam for James Day
In the lead-up to Food Allergy Awareness Week, the School will remember James Tsindos (OB 2021) to celebrate his life, legacy and love of music.
A special assembly and lunchtime jam session in the Tower Forecourt will be held in James’ honour on Wednesday 27 May, with a keynote address from Maria Said AM, Health Strategy and Advocacy Manager at Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia, who will speak about food allergy awareness and advocacy.
James’ family, friends and peers return to BGS for this special day which has a casual clothes colour theme of black and white, symbolising James’ love of piano and music.
To support James’ legacy and this important cause, please consider making a donation.
Supporting Animals in Need
The Vocational Major Class are supporting the Australian Animal Protection Society this term. They will be delivering pet food donations to the charity on 28 May. Donations can be brought to school and placed in the collection points located in either the SS Quad or the Urwin Centre.
Year 7 and 8 Book Clubs
Reading is good for boys. Reading for pleasure, particularly fiction, is correlated with higher standardised test scores across all academic subjects, including maths (yes!). Reading builds vocabulary, which in turn improves comprehension.
We look forward to seeing parents and boys at our upcoming book clubs for some great laughs and conversations. Book in for our wonderful Year 7 and Year 8 parent and son book clubs on May 13 and May 20.
Community Footy Day
Past and present community members are invited to the mighty Crowther Oval on Saturday 16 May for our inaugural Community Footy Day. Enjoy the free Dalziel Club BBQ, and while you’re there, have a complimentary coffee! Make sure you also spare a moment to view the recent instalment celebrating our seven APS Football Premierships that proudly hang from the Annandale balcony.
Community members are invited to form a guard of honour as our 1st XVIII take to the field at 1.50pm. Event details here.
From The Archives
On Saturday 2 May, the BGS 1st XVIII hosted Scotch College in Round 2 of the 2026 Draw, winning 100 to 60 points. Among the onlookers were members of the 1975 APS Football Premiers, the first BGS team to win the title.
The well-deserving victors were presented with ‘The Winning Ball’, part of the BGS Football memorabilia.
From Reverend Waterhouse
It was a joy this week (as we will also do next Wednesday morning) to celebrate Mother’s Day at school with the early morning breakfast, followed by our chapel service together with both boys and mums present.
One of the wonders of the incarnation – the historical reality of God taking on flesh and becoming human in the person of Jesus – is the fact that God the Son had an earthly, biological mother in the person of Mary.
Traditionally, Anglicans, while not believing in the need to pray to her directly, do honour Mary as a central person in God’s salvation story. Out of all the hundreds of thousands of Israelite girls in Jewish history, she was the one chosen to be highly favoured and give birth to the promised child, a descendent of King David (just as we sing each year in the Christmas carol Once in Royal David’s City).
In Luke 11, after Jesus gives a rousing speech, a listener in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth.” Jesus replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (vss. 27-28).
Jesus rightly obeyed and honoured his earthly mother, yet he also recognised that what is most important is paying attention to the teaching of Mary’s son!
There is a lovely prayer in our Anglican Prayer Book, which you might like to pray on Mother’s Day:
Loving God,
who chose the blessed virgin Mary
to be the mother of your incarnate Son:
grant that we, who are redeemed by his blood,
may share with her in the glory of your eternal kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.