Weekly eNews

Thursday 25 June 2026

As we head into the Term 2 break, there is one special reminder I would like to share.

Each year, our New Parent Survey asks families why they chose BGS for their son. While a range of factors contribute to that decision, the number one reason, year in and year out, is the quality of our staff.

As a school, we are fortunate to have outstanding teachers and professional support staff who show up for our boys every day.

Much of what they do happens above and below the surface. They plan engaging lessons, provide feedback, encourage curiosity and challenge our boys to strive for their best. They take the time to understand what makes each boy tick.

They will stop in the yard for a chat or wait after class to listen and genuinely engage with our boys, building the relationships that help them feel valued and connected.

It is through these relationships that our staff are also able to have the conversations about the less fun stuff: uniform standards, haircuts, learning behaviours and missed homework. Our boys know these conversations come from a place of care. We have high expectations and a genuine interest to help them be their best.

Like all of us, our staff have families, commitments and busy lives beyond the school gates. Yet each day they turn up, are fully present, and invest their time, energy and expertise into your sons.

Thank you for your ongoing support throughout the term. I wish all in our community a well-deserved break and look forward to welcoming the boys back on Wednesday 22 July.

 

School life has been busy this term and it is hard to believe we have reached the halfway mark of 2026.

A snapshot of the term saw our boys participate in a variety of learning experiences; ELC to Year 2 Firbank visits, Year 6 Debating, Year 4 and Year 6 Outdoor Education Program, Mother’s Day morning, Homeroom and Sport photographs, Year 5 Goldfields visit, House Cross Country, Music Camp and Junior School Instrumental and Choral Concert, Year 6 Indigenous Program – Bathurst Island & Pormpuraaw, APS Sport, Division and Regional Cross Country, Year 6 Immigration Museum and Street Art tour and Reconciliation week activities, Year 1 Como House excursion, Prep – Year 2 Grandparents and Special Friend’s mornings, Year 3/4 St Kevin’s Cross Country exchange and our support of the Annual Giving appeal.

I am appreciative of the great work from our boys and staff and the continued support of all parents.  Best wishes for the break, enjoy being out of the school routine and to those who are travelling, keep safe.

 

Wilson House Happenings & Reminders

• Tomorrow will be our final day of Term 2. The following is an outline of the day:
  • 8.50am – Chapel – Prep to Year 6
  • 9.20am – End of Term Assembly (St Andrew’s Church) Parents are welcome to attend
  • 10.10am – Free time Winning House
  • 12.15pm – JPG Lunch/watch Socceroos game – Please note there are NO Tuck shop orders available
  • 1.30pm – Tabloid/Maths games – boys can wear their Sport Uniform/House Polo Shirt
  • 3.20pm – Normal Dismissal

• Prep to Year 6 Semester 1 Reports will be available online from 4.00pm today via the BGS app. Parent-Teacher Interviews are scheduled for early next term on Wednesday 29 July and Thursday 30 July. Booking information will be posted early next term. Homeroom teachers will be available to meet with parents.

• Congratulations to our Prep to Year 2 boys who, over the last two weeks, have been superb hosts at our Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ mornings. The boys enjoyed their music performance and classroom activities. Thank you to Emily Fairweather and Jenni Thom for the singing and preparation, to Jessica Ewington for her overall organisation as Lower Primary Co-ordinator and to our Lower Primary team for their classroom activities.

• Last Wednesday was our last round of APS Sport for the Term. Congratulations to all boys involved in Football, Cross Country, Netball and Volleyball. Thank you to all staff who have coached and managed teams, to the many parents who support their sons on a weekly basis, and to Aaron French for his excellent organisation. Term 3 Sports are Soccer, Basketball, Hockey and European Handball.

• Term 3 commences Wednesday 22 July; boys continue to wear their winter uniform.

 

Student Achievements

• Congratulations to the following boys from Prep – Year 2 who will be presented with Term 2 Attitude & Effort cards at tomorrow’s End of Term Assembly.

• Congratulations to the following boys from Years 3 – 6 who will be presented with Term 2 Academic Excellence cards at tomorrow’s End of Term Assembly.

 

The end of each term presents a lovely opportunity to reflect on the boys’ growth and development over the past 10 weeks.

During Term 2, the boys feel settled and into a rhythm of classroom routines and expectations, while also fostering new peer relationships and a sense of independence. It is important to assist children at this stage in cultivating a strong sense of identity, confidence, and autonomy, as these elements are vital for their overall wellbeing and future development.  

By allowing the boys to attempt tasks independently, while providing guidance when necessary, and teaching them how to navigate social interactions, we enable them to make mistakes, build resilience, and foster a sense of pride. It is truly heartening to observe the boys carrying their school bags into the ELC, unpacking their belongings into their lockers, and bidding their families farewell in the morning as they eagerly begin their day of learning.

This week, the boys had a great time learning about the Winter Solstice, which was recognised last Sunday as the longest night and shortest day of the year. They were surprised to discover that this occurs because the earth’s axis tilts the farthest away from the sun, resulting in less than 12 hours of daylight.

To celebrate this unique phenomenon, we invited the BGS Outdoor Education Team to set up a fire pit. This allowed the boys to delve deeper into the winter season and engage in important discussions about fire safety, all while enjoying cooking and storytelling activities around our campfire.

Tomorrow the boys are looking forward to the end of term lunch provided by our fabulous JPG. We also want to wish our families who are not enrolled in our holiday program, a restful three-week break. We cannot wait to hear the boys’ adventures on the first day of Term 3, Wednesday 22 July.

 

Parenting Tip

Are boys in crisis?

Something is happening with boys. You can feel it in the conversations parents are having, in the questions teachers are raising, in the data that keeps arriving from researchers and health departments. The question is whether we’re willing to look at it clearly… and do something about it. Read insights from Dr Justin Coulson below.

Olivia Tims
Junior School Psychologist

 

BGS+ Community Term 2 Holiday Programs

The BGS+ Community Campus will be busy with a wide range of holiday programs, from coding to many different sports, there is something for everyone. Check out the Term 2 holiday program timetable

 

Brighton Grammar Uniform Shop

Holiday Trading Hours

Noone Brighton Grammar Uniform shop
19-21 St Andrews Street 
Brighton Vic 3186
Ph: (03) 6141 6673 
Email: bgs@noone.com.au 

Opening Hours (during Term 2 break)
Friday 10 July 1.00pm-4.00pm
Monday 13 July 9.00am-12.00pm
Friday 17 July 1.00pm-4.00pm
Saturday 18 July 9.00am-12.00pm
Tuesday 21 July 1.00pm-4.00pm

JPG News

This Father’s Day, give Dad, Grandpa or that special someone a personalised mug adorned with your child’s artwork, filled with chocolate treats. Gift costs $35 (plus TryBooking Fee) and multiple orders for each child are welcome! 

Orders can be placed here, with the closing date for orders being Thursday 30 July. As these mugs are printed externally, no late orders can be accepted. Gifts will be handed to the boys in time for Father’s Day (Sunday 6 September). Further details are available via the BGS app.

Diary Dates

• Friday 26 June End of Term 2
• Wednesday 22 July Term 3 Commences