Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolYou only have to look around the school at any given time after hours to see that it rarely stops.
A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated staff who continue to show up for our boys well beyond the school day. Over the past couple of weeks alone, staff have assisted with our Year 12 Long Day Program, various Mother’s Day celebrations from ELC-Year 12, Rotary Bayspeak public speaking events, our senior years production Rock of Ages, Crowther’s Year 7 and 8 Book Clubs for parents and sons, Year 6 camp and countless moments in between that often go unseen.
I often speak about the ‘iceberg effect’ of school life: so much of what makes a great school happens below the surface. Our Maintenance Team, for example, are tending to the school well before the sun rises to ensure everything is ready for the day ahead, while many others quietly give their time before and after hours in support of our boys and community.
Our Community Day held last weekend, centred around four First teams playing games at home, was a particular highlight for me. Seeing so many families (past and current), Old Boys, boys and staff gathered together – not because they had to be, but because they genuinely want to be part of it.
It was a wonderful reminder of the strength of our community. There is something quite unique about a school community that continues to turn up for one another, whether on the sidelines, in the audience, at a Chapel service or simply sharing a conversation on the gate.
It is these moments, both big and small, that shape the culture of BGS and make this such a connected and special place for our boys to grow and learn.
Have a great week.
Simon Angus
Deputy Headmaster, Head of Secondary SchoolLast night I had the pleasure of attending the 2026 BGS MasterChef Competition for our international students. The evening was a wonderful celebration of culture, creativity and community.
Students had clearly invested significant time in researching, preparing, cooking and presenting an impressive range of dishes, many of which reflected cherished traditions and memories from their home countries. The pride with which students spoke about their food was matched only by the quality of what was served. It was a genuine privilege to be part of the evening and to sample such a diverse array of cuisines.
Many of our music students are currently in the midst of AMEB practical examinations. These assessments require sustained commitment, discipline and courage, and we wish all students the very best with their preparation and performances. At assembly yesterday, we recognised three students, Yiding Hong, Raymond Wang and Isaac Goh, who all recently completed their AMusA level through AMEB. This is an outstanding achievement that reflects years of dedication and a very high level of musicianship. Congratulations to these students on a remarkable milestone.
Finally, there is tremendous momentum building around Jam for James, an initiative celebrating the life, legacy and love of music of James Tsindos (OB 2021) in support of Food Allergy Awareness Week. Students are invited to wear black-and-white-themed casual clothes, with a gold coin donation, on Wednesday 27 May, while a special assembly and lunchtime jam session will raise awareness of food allergies and advocacy.
Thank you to the many students, staff and families who have already shown such generosity and care. If you would like to support James’ legacy and this important cause, donations can be made here.
Meliora Sequamur.
Happenings & Reminders
- Friday 22 May – Closing date for Daniel’s Donuts pre-orders
- Tuesday 26 May – BGS Giving Day
- Wednesday 27 May – Jam for James Day students can wear black and white casual clothes for a gold coin donation
- Monday 8 June – King’s Birthday
Record-breaking success
Brighton Grammar students were key members of the APS Representative Swimming team and contributed to the team winning the Boys’ Division at the 2026 Victorian School Associations Competition (VSAC) at MSAC.
Year 11 students William Tan and Will Luo, Angus Youl (Year 10) and Fletcher Davies (Year 9) also helped the team to win the overall Combined Boys & Girls competition for the 7th year in succession.
The VSAC event showcases the best talent from across all School Sport Associations around Victoria. Read full report.
Beyond the Baseline
BGS Giving Day is Tuesday 26 May, and this year our goal is to raise $350,000 in support of our new Indoor Sport & Event Complex. This exciting development will be a space where students can push further and achieve more, and a home for more APS opportunities, community access and family conveniences.
Thanks to the generous support of one BGS family, all gifts will be doubled during the 18 hour Giving Day.
Families can support us on the day through our giving page and help our boys go beyond their baseline.
Secondary students can also get involved by pre-ordering a Daniel’s Donut for lunchtime collection on Tuesday 26 May. If donuts aren’t to their taste, a Shoot for Hoops competition will be held on the Secondary School basketball courts during lunch. For $5 per 5 shots, Secondary students can test their skills with prizes awarded for 1st and 2nd place.
Eden Phillips
Head of Advancement
Jam for James Day
In support of 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.
All Secondary School students can wear black and white casual clothes on this day for a gold coin donation.
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.
Rock of Ages
After months of rehearsals and preparation, the 2026 BGS / FGS Years 10–12 Production of Rock of Ages brought the energy and excitement of 1980s rock to Rosstrevor Hall across four sold-out performances. Featuring standout performances, high-energy choreography and a huge team effort behind the scenes, the production was a memorable celebration of student talent, creativity and community. Read full report.
From the Archives
Rock of Ages was another top-class performance, adding to BGS’s history of regularly staging sell-out shows. Michael Kent and the production team demonstrate a community operating at its best. Everyone has a role to play, from being showered in flames on stage through to selling popcorn during the interval (at least 130 boxes of popcorn were sold each night!)
Many of BGS’s performances are preserved in the Archive – on 16mm film, VHS tapes and DVDs – along with programs, photos and other memorabilia.
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.
Free Self Service Health Check
In June and in conjunction with Men’s Health Week, free health checks are on offer to all staff, parents and the wider BGS community, to raise heart health awareness.
From Tuesday 9 June to Saturday 20 June, BGS will host a SiSU Health Station on-site at the Annandale Pavilion First Aid room, providing convenient access for everyone to monitor their heart health.
Opening hours are Monday – Friday from 8.30am – 4.30pm and Saturday 9.00am – 12.00pm.
The SiSU Health Stations offer quick, non-invasive checks that include measurements of blood pressure, heart rate, and other critical indicators of cardiovascular health.
Friends and family are welcome; we invite everyone in the community to take part.
For more information, watch the Health Station how to and explainer or read the health check results document.
BGS Business Breakfast
Join us for the next BGS Business Breakfast on Wednesday 17 June at 7.30am with special guest, Hayley Morris.
Hayley is an Australian philanthropist, impact investor and social entrepreneur with over 20 years’ experience across business, philanthropy and systems change. She co-founded purpose-driven ventures, including Keys for Future-Fit Leadership Academy, Sustainable Table, Climate Zero, The Regenerative Leader, and the farm-to-table restaurant Barragunda Dining.
Hayley also leads the Morris Family Foundation and is a Director of The Morris Group, while also supporting leaders as a certified coach in vertical development.
Hear Hayley share insights on purpose-driven leadership and how business can drive positive change. Book now.
Year 7 Bible Presentation
Last Thursday, we were finally able to distribute our official BGS Bibles to our Year 7s. This brings a joyful end to a two-year process of preparation and printing through our relationship with the Bible Society of Australia.
Deputy Headmaster and Head of Secondary School, Simon Angus, spoke a few insightful words at the ceremony about the significance of receiving a school Bible. Reverend Waterhouse prayed, and then House Tutors presented boys with their Bibles, which we hope will stay with them throughout their whole Secondary School journey.
Inside the Bibles, aside from space to write their name and Head of Year, the pages also helpfully contain the School’s motto, hymn and prayer and a number of helpful pages about finding solace and guidance in life.
We look forward to the current boys and subsequent Year 7 cohorts using these Bibles for upcoming Church inductions and Religious Education lessons.
From Reverend Waterhouse
I wonder what your most treasured gift is? A handwritten letter? A keepsake from a grandparent? A piece of jewellery?
A number of years ago, my uncle gifted me a travelling Communion kit, which was previously owned by his father, my grandfather, for the purpose of delivering the Eucharist to bedridden parishioners in hospital. I greatly treasure this kind of gift.
Coming up this Sunday in the Christian calendar is the celebration of Pentecost – fifty days after Easter – which commemorates the sending down of the Holy Spirit from the Ascended Son and the Heavenly Father, upon the first disciples in the city of Jerusalem.
Jesus had previously spoken of the Spirit as a promised gift this way: “Wait for the gift my Father promised, which you heard me speak about … in a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.” [Acts 1:4-5].
On the day of Pentecost, we are told that the disciples, after being filled with the Spirit (which looked like tongues of fire upon their heads), ‘began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them.’ [Acts 2:4].
The Holy Spirit is free gift, generously given to those who turn to Christ in repentance and faith. The Spirit not only consoles us and comforts us but also reminds us that we have God himself living in us.
What a gift!