Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolThe generosity of our community has been on full display this week. Our Annual Giving Day raised an incredible $516,665 in support of our future Indoor Sport and Event Complex, well exceeding our initial target of $350,000 and I sincerely thank our Development Office team for their outstanding work in bringing this important initiative to life.
Yesterday, our Secondary School community came together once again for Jam for James, held during Food Allergy Week in honour of Old Boy James Tsindos (OB 2021). The day featured a formal assembly and a lunchtime concert, where James’ passion and love of music was shared with friends, family, staff, students and special guests.
Secondary School boys wore black and white in recognition of the piano keys James loved so much, helping raise over $16,000 towards Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia which operates the National Allergy Support Line – a free service providing support and guidance to individuals and families living with allergy and anaphylaxis.
They say it takes a village, and this week was a great reflection of the care and generosity of the BGS community. We are grateful to our boys, staff and families for coming together in support of two significant initiatives, both centred on connection, compassion and supporting others.
Peter Tellefson
Deputy Headmaster, Head of Junior SchoolOur weekly eNews is our main form of communication. It is essential parents read the eNews weekly to ensure they are aware of the day-to-day happenings within the School which, in turn, assists your son with his organisation and involvement in school activities. I am delighted to say our Junior School eNews had 517 ‘hits’ last week.
Thank you to those parents who spend the time reading our eNews. I also encourage you to read Dr Swann’s Crowther eNews to ensure you are aware of our focus within Teaching & Learning.
To raise and educate boys, parents and teachers need to have a significant understanding and appreciation of what makes boys tick. I often tell staff that, ‘boys learn teachers, not subjects’. You can be the best Mathematics, English, Science, PE or Art teacher, but if you don’t understand boys, you will not be an effective teacher.
Teachers must like boys, as approval is at the heart of working successfully with boys. Boys need a sense of connectedness and belonging to feel a part of the team. If boys sense their teacher likes them, they will work hard for their teacher and respond positively to their learning environment and the challenges they face daily. We are fortunate at Wilson House that our teachers have a clear understanding of what makes boys tick.
Wilson House Happenings & Reminders
- It was great to see our ELC to Year 6 boys wearing casual clothes on Tuesday in support of our Beyond the Baseline Annual Giving Appeal. Thank you to all families for your support.
- There are a variety of photo days scheduled for this term. Please see information below, further details are available on the BGS app.
Monday 1 June Prep – Year 6 Class photos
Wednesday 3 June Term 2 APS Year 5/6 Sport photos
- Our Junior School Instrumental and Choral Concert will be held on Thursday 11 June, 7.00pm at St Andrew’s Church. Wilson House String Orchestra, Wilson House Concert Band, Training Strings, Training Strings Orchestra, Beginner Strings, Junior Percussion Ensemble, Wilson House Guitar Ensemble, Junior Voices, Wilson House String Quartet and Borwick House Choir will be performing. Boys are to wear their full winter uniform and need to be seated in St Andrew’s by 6.30pm. Further details are available via the BGS App.
- Our Prep – Year 2 boys look forward to hosting their Grandparents and Special Friends on the following dates from 9.45 to 10.40am;
Year 2 – Thursday 18 June
Year 1 – Friday 19 June
Prep – Thursday 25 June
Student Achievements
Congratulations to the following boys from Prep – Year 6 who will be presented with Semester 1 Specialist Effort Cards at tomorrow’s Assembly;
Art – Jeffrey Ma, Matthew Li, Knox Clark, Jagger Lees, Phoenix Ye, Paul-Augustin Souplet, Jackson Bartlett, Harry Biggin, Mason Tuckman, Thomas Wang
Physical Education – Tommy Magner, River Pettiona, Marcus Cao, Jonah Howard-Whiteley, Oskar Snorrason, Harrison Kemp, Luke Yang, Finn Lumsden, Angus McPherson, Leo Jaipaul, Jett Clements, Oliver Fox, Massimo Millis, Heath Goodwin, Noah Nandwani, Elliott Mace, Lachy Speers, Harry Scotis, Mason Tuckman, Lachie Whyte
Prep-Year 3 Chinese – Kevin Yang, Freddie Pokorny, Marcus Cao, Fynn MacGregor, Hugo Sheridan, Harrison Kemp, Rocco Lambert, Oscar Voyage, James Angus
Religious Education – Charlie Fleming, Romeo Romano, Finn Toner, Evan D’Couto, Thomas Van Hoorn, Reuben Du Rieu, Monty Pitt, Matthew Li, George Hill, Micah Lewski, Lenny Busietta, Ethan Wang, Louie Wright, Kian Malone, Sam Auditore, Christian Irons, Fraser Shaw, Louis Delaney, Alexander Alderton, Alexander Griffiths
Dorothea Mackellar Poetry competition
Congratulations to Thomas Van Hoorn, Jaxon Bennett (Y2), Christian Agar, Ethan Hering (Y3), and Oscar West (Y6), who recently submitted poems to the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Competition. This annual competition invites students to express themselves creatively and emotionally. We are proud of our students for embracing the challenge.
Divisional Cross Country
Congratulations to our Year 3 – 6 boys who represented BGS in our APS Divisional Cross Country this week. The standard of competition was very high and our boys’ performances were excellent. Thank you to Aaron French and Matt Barker for their organisation and coaching, and to those parents who were able to support our BGS team. Congratulations to all boys involved, and best wishes to Caleb Brown, Arthur Wang, Aleks Paolacci, Ken Sorataworn, Asher Brown, Jack Lane, Will McPherson, Patryk Paolacci, Eddie Ferguson and Alex Alderton who have qualified to compete in the Regional Cross Country Championships.
Liz Dendrinos
Director of the Early Learning CentreAs the weather grew colder and the leaves began to change colour, a central theme began to emerge within our ELC; Autumn had finally arrived.
Throughout the week, the boys have enjoyed Autumn strolls around the school, collecting an assortment of leaves and observing the transformations occurring in our natural surroundings. Engaging the boys in taking responsibility for their own learning sparked their sense of curiosity and joy at discovering those exceptionally rare leaves with the most vibrant colours. This also created an excellent opportunity for educators to reinforce various pre-mathematical concepts such as sorting, matching, sequencing, and classifying.
Reconciliation Week also offered an excellent opportunity for the boys to delve into Australia’s collective history. In the classrooms, the boys have engaged in discussions about what it means to belong. Belonging is one of the core principles of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and the basis of human existence, created an opportunity for the boys to gain a greater understanding of First Nations traditions, inclusivity, generosity and the importance of valuing the world we live in.
Parenting Tip
What kids actually need
We all have those nights…we’re running late, dinner is burning, the phone is ringing, and at least one child is dramatically upset. As we push through the frantic, chaotic and stressful moments, we become aware of our youngest child, vying for some attention amid the stress.
Read Dr Justin Coulson’s research results on what kids actually need.
Olivia Tims
Junior School Psychologist
JPG News
The JPG will again be offering an end of term lunch for the ELC and Junior School on Friday 26 June 2026. Lunch will include two slices of Margherita Pizza, a juice and a treat.
The cost will be $10.00 (extra two slices for $5). Online ordering is available through Flexischools online ordering system. Orders must be placed by no later than Friday 19 June, 5.00pm – no late orders will be accepted. Please note that normal canteen ordering will not be available on this day.
Chance to win
The RCD Foundation is offering the Brighton Grammar community a special early bird registration promotion for Connor’s Run 2026.
Every BGS student, parent or staff member registered for Connor’s Run by 9 June will automatically go into the draw to win a $50 Grill’d voucher.
Register now for the Connor’s Run Event Day on Sunday 13 September or Your Way Any Day All of September to participate in this wonderful fundraiser in honour of BGS Old Boy Connor Dawes (OB 2012).
Winter Swim Special
Make a splash with the BGS+ Swim in Winter Special. Students can stay active and continue to develop their swimming skills in the remaining four weeks of Term 2 for the discounted price of $70.
It’s the perfect opportunity to maintain momentum in the water during the cooler months, with expert coaching in a fun and supportive environment. Contact BGS Swim School to book.
BGS Business Breakfast
Join us for the next BGS Business Breakfast with special guest, Hayley Morris on Wednesday 17 June at 7.30am.
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.
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.