Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolResearch findings on the positive impact that sports participation has on our children’s academic performance during their school life and beyond caught my eye in an article in The Age over the weekend.
The study by the University of Sydney was unique because it tracked over 4000 students aged from four to 21 years.
Using data from the Federal Government’s Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, researchers found that kids who played sport throughout their childhood and into adolescence performed better academically.
Participation in sport was associated with higher NAPLAN scores, better school attendance, and a higher likelihood of university admission.
This study validates the BGS educational approach of learning (academics), playing (sport, outdoor education), creating (music, dance, drama) and being (our +M program).
These four essentials underpin the holistic development of our boys, to lead them to become well-rounded individuals who can thrive in varied aspects of life, at school and beyond.
Peter Tellefson
Deputy Headmaster, Head of Junior SchoolThank you to all Prep – Year 3 and 5 Argyle parents for attending our Parent Information Evening on Tuesday, we look forward to your ongoing engagement and commitment, and to our Prep to Year 3 teachers for their various presentations. I appreciate those parents who forwarded an apology if unable to attend.
Our Year 4-6 Information Evening will be held tonight commencing at 7.00pm. Prep to Year 6 Parent/Teacher Discussions next Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 February will also provide another opportunity to further develop relationships.
Our Junior Parents’ Group (JPG) plays such an important role in the life of the Junior School, not only through fundraising, but even more so by maintaining a sense of connection and community within the Junior School. Thank you to Alexandra Dever (Parent Liaison), Fiona Cozens (Secretary), Jo Saadie (Treasurer), Carli Stavrakis (Volunteer and Year Level Facilitator), Dearne Spring and Leigh Peckham (Fundraising), Ross Stewart (Events), Sarah Suszko, Sarah Vautin, Kate Croft (Hospitality) and Jacey Zhang (General Committee).
The JPG is seeking additional support in various class representative roles, if you are interested in assisting, please email the JPG. The JPG meets on the first Tuesday of each month and parents are more than welcome to attend. All families are invited to join the JPG at the Welcome Family Picnic, Friday 23 February from 5.00-7.30pm on the Red Square.
Wilson House Happenings & Reminders
- Our Year 4-6 Parent Information Evening, Thursday 8 February, 7.00-8.30pm. ELC will be held on Thursday 22 February. Please see the BGS app for further information.
- I ask our Junior School parents to co-operate with the School’s policy and not include nuts or food containing a high concentration of nuts such as peanut butter in their boys’ lunches.
- BGS has a policy which requires parents who wish to assist or participate in any class activities or excursions to have a current ‘Working with Children Check’. Application forms are to be completed online.
- Parents are encouraged to access the 2024 Junior School Handbook which will answer many questions and assist with your son’s transition.
- When entering and exiting the Grosvenor Street car park the safety of our boys is paramount. The drop-off/pick-up zone is on the left-hand side of the driveway. Parents who use the drop-off/pick-up zone will need to approach this area via the northern (Oval) side of the tree at the far end of the car park. The exit lane is on the right-hand side; these areas are clearly marked. To assist with the flow of traffic in the car park we ask all boys from the ELC and Junior School not to play on the Adventure Playground after school. Click here for further directions. I would ask all parents to support this request.
- Our Prep to Year 2 parents are invited to attend the Early Years Literacy Workshop on Tuesday 20 February from 9.00am-1.00pm in the GBR Hall. Read more here, booking details are available via the BGS app.
- Our Outdoor Education Program involves all Prep to Year 6 boys and is a compulsory component of our School’s curriculum. The diversity, skill development and range of opportunities our boys experience is excellent. In Term 1, our Year 5 will attend camp from 19-22 March. Year 5 parents are invited to attend an online Information Session to be presented by the Outdoor Education Team on Tuesday 27 February at 9.00am. Further details are available via the BGS app.
The Crowther Centre
At Brighton Grammar, we are dedicated to leveraging research-evidence to power our teaching, learning, and wellbeing programs through the Crowther Centre. Read full article from Dr Ray Swann about our work, which encompasses applied research, instructional coaching, partnership with world-leading experts, and continual assessment of our initiatives.
Amelia Barrow
Director of the Early Learning CentreKeeping boys active and engaged is integral in our ELC programs and we love coming up with new ways to get the boys moving and physically engaged.
As adults we plan our own level of activity such as organised sport or going for a walk; however, physical activity for our young boys means a focus on movement and active play. So why is this so important?
Physical activity in children helps improve confidence and self-esteem as well as develop healthier social, cognitive, and emotional skills. It can also build muscle strength, concentration and coordination.
Outdoor nature play provides the boys with wonderful opportunities for creative and imaginative play with the avoidance of screens and predictive experiences.
The World Health Organisation recommends that 3-5 year olds should be offered at least three hours of energetic play spread throughout the day and limit sedentary activities such as screen time to a maximum of one hour. Having a routine for bedtime is always a great way to ensure the recommended 10-13 hours of sleep for our boys.
This week we welcomed the start of our Physical Education program with Claire Clarke in our wonderful Invicta gym and our swimming program for our Bandicoot and Wallaby boys.
Our Bilby and Wombat boys will be venturing out to Invicta in the coming weeks once they have settled into their new routines. We can’t wait for the boys to share their tales of challenge and adventure!
Parenting tips
Riding the Waves
Anxiety in our young people is at an all-time high. It has been rising for decades, and since COVID the numbers have exploded. Why the huge rise?
Social media is the common scapegoat. There are good reasons to blame Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, but they are not the most convincing reason. A majority of kids use social media (and screens) at surprisingly high levels with no mental health difficulties.
It’s not social media. Or friendship issues. Or a lack of outside play. Or not enough physical activity. They all contribute to anxiety. They always have. But they don’t explain the huge rise. To read more on what does, follow the link below:
Olivia Tims
Junior School Psychologist
JPG News
Year Level Representatives and Volunteers
The JPG is looking for Year Level Representatives, and a general pool of volunteers to assist on any level. For Year Level Reps, it is preferable we have one volunteer from each class, but 2-4 people per Year Level is great.
Representatives work as a team to co-ordinate social events within their year level and arrange volunteers for one event per year within their Year Level (i.e. mustering 4 volunteers for delivering food to classrooms for the end of term lunches). Tasks are neither onerous nor time consuming and it is an opportunity to facilitate communication, connectedness and contribution within the school community.
Please email Junior Parents Group if you are interested in being involved, either representing your Year Level or any form of volunteering. The more the merrier.
Celebrating sons and grandsons of Old Boys
Boys take great pride when following in the steps of their fathers or grandfathers. When Old Boys enrol their sons at BGS, the School also takes much pleasure in celebrating this multi-generational link. To assist us, we ask parents of our multigenerational BGS boys to click here and complete the ‘BGS Generations form’ so that the School can acknowledge our current second, third and fourth generation BGS boys. If parents have already completed this form, there is no need to complete the form again.
Please return completed forms the BGS Development Office, 90 Outer Crescent, Brighton VIC 3186 or via email.
International Parents Support Group
The International Parents Support Group is open to all parents from around the world, with a special focus on those from non-Australian backgrounds or nationalities.
Join us for a welcoming morning tea on Friday 16 February at Rosstrevor Hall. For more details, please contact Maggie Lynch or phone 0425 786 683.