4. Co-Curricular

BGS provides a broad range of additional activities for the boys to pursue. Sport, debating and public speaking are undertaken by all Years 7 and 8 boys, while a host of other activities are encouraged.

Boys are also strongly encouraged to be involved in activities with Firbank Grammar students such as Chess, Book Club, Drama and Philosophy Colloquiums.

  • Year 7 Outdoor Education Program

    The Year 7 Outdoor Education Program is held during Term 1 on the Mornington Peninsula and is compulsory. The program involves developing a sense of belonging and forging relationships with peers and staff, in turn setting a platform for a positive and productive year ahead.

    During the program, boys will be involved in a variety of introductory activities including overnight camping, challenging bush walking, camp cooking, focused around the coastal environment. A surf lesson, beach safety skills session, team building and problem solving activities and community living is also undertaken.

    In Year 7 we start to reinforce outdoor education skills within a low challenge environment to allow for new learning and enjoyment, and to build the foundations for sequential programs later on in the Secondary School. 

     

  • Sport

    Participation in the APS interschool sports competition during the Summer and Winter seasons is compulsory. Boys choose one sport per season from the following options:

    Summer: Badminton, Cricket, Diving, Swimming, Tennis and Touch Football.
    *Highly experienced Year 7 2023 sailors can register their interest in our Senior Sailing team with the Director of Sport

    Winter:  Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Hockey, Rugby and Soccer.

    In Spring (mid-August to mid-October), participation in school sport is not compulsory although actively encouraged. Sport options for Spring are Athletics and Water Polo. Boys who are keen on skiing are encouraged to join our Snow Sports team to compete at Mt Buller in August.

    There are a number of teams available in each of these sports to cater for individual sporting abilities within the year group. As a general rule, boys can expect to be involved in school sport every Saturday morning throughout Terms 1 and 2 and including the first four weekends of Term 3. There is no school sport on long weekends during these terms and the vast majority of school sport is completed by midday on Saturday. Summer sport resumes in October. During Term 1, training is held on a morning before school from 7.00am for most sports. This day for 2023 will be communicated to parents before the end of the year.

    Winter training afternoons for Year 7 boys are usually either Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Training concludes at 5.15pm. When training is off-campus, buses will be provided to transport boys to and from the training venue. For the Saturday competition, buses are provided only to Geelong Grammar, Geelong College and Haileybury Berwick. Otherwise it is expected parents will transport their sons to Saturday sport. Participation in parent support groups is also encouraged.

    Weekly sports information, including team selection and fixtures, can be accessed via the BGS School Stream app and Schoolbox.

  • Music

    Music is a vibrant part of the fabric of our School. There are two components to Music: Curricular (Classroom Music) and Co-Curricular (Instrumental Music and Ensembles). In the Secondary School, these two components work closely together as the curriculum in the Secondary School (7-12) is centred on instrumental studies. The Year 7 course promotes the exploration of music through playing, singing, listening and composing.

    In Year 7, all boys have one semester of Classroom Music. There are four classes each fortnight with the following structure:

    • 3 classes – class ensembles, improvisation, keyboard lab and composition
    • 1 class – choral class

    Please note: Class ensembles give all Year 7 boys the opportunity to play their instruments with their peers in class. All boys are strongly encouraged to learn an instrument to enable them to participate in class ensemble and maximise their learning.

    The School encourages all students to learn an instrument to make the most of their curricular and co-curricular experiences as boys will play their instruments in class and also in ensembles. There are four options for instrumental learning in Year 7. In Term 4 you will receive an online form in which you can inform us of your choices. Please see information below:

    Group Music Lessons 1

    • Only New Year 7 students eligible, must be beginner level
    • Semester 1 only (ie 14 lessons)
    • 45 minute FREE lesson each week
    • All lessons from 8-8.45am Thursday mornings
    • Move to Private Individual or Paired Lessons (where possible) in Semester 2 (see information below)
    • Preferences taken on the following instruments: flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, violin, viola and cello
    • School chooses instrument based on preferences and availability

    Group Music Lessons 2

    • Only Year 6 group lesson students continuing same instrument from Brighton Grammar Junior School eligible
    • Boys who were in their first of the Junior School Band Program in Year 6 are eligible for group lessons for Semester 1 only
    • No cost to parents in Semester 1, then move to Private Individual or Paired Lessons (where possible) in Semester 2 (see information below)

    Individual Music Lessons

    • All students at any ability level eligible for ongoing lessons
    • Choice of: following instruments flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, violin, viola, cello, double bass, percussion, singing, guitar or piano
    • At cost to parents. Rates competitive with other schools and local music studios.

    Paired Music Lessons

    • All students eligible for ongoing lessons if a suitable lesson partner can be determined
    • Not appropriate for students at/above AMEB Grade 3 or equivalent
    • Choice of following instruments: clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, violin and cello
    • At cost to parents. Rates competitive with other schools and local music studios

    Music Bursaries

    In 2023, bursaries will cover 50% of instrumental tuition (30 minute weekly individual lessons, 28 lessons per year) and 100% of instrumental hire from Year 7 to 10.

    A number of bursaries will be awarded by the Music Staff to selected current students in Term 4 2022. Applications for these bursaries will be made by instrumental staff before being considered by a panel. All 2023 Year 7 students will also have the opportunity to apply for a bursary early in the new year on the following instruments:

    • Bassoon
    • Trombone
    • Double bass
    • Trumpet
    • Euphonium
    • Tuba
    • Flute
    • Viola
    • French horn
    • Violin
    • Oboe

    For more information, please contact the Music Department at music@brightongrammar.vic.edu.au.

  • Drama and School Production

    All Year 7 boys study Drama as part of the curriculum and are encouraged to become involved in the annual School Production with our sister school Firbank Grammar.

    Boys involved as cast members develop self-confidence, group cooperation, problem solving and social skills. Boys who do not want to act can become members of the production crew and learn about set construction, lighting, sound, props, costumes and make up. These stagecraft areas allow students to develop responsibility, group cooperation, initiative and the understanding of theatre technologies and craft. 

    Stay tuned early in 2023 for the big announcement of what show we will be doing and how you can get involved either by auditioning or signing up for backstage.

  • Debating and Public Speaking

    Our Debating program offers interested boys in Year 7 the opportunity to participate in our Interschool Debating program with Firbank Grammar, once a term. The Debating coaching program usually runs before school and is supported by Senior Debaters and Past Student coaches.

    The Debaters Association of Victoria (DAV) runs a Junior Secondary Program which begins in Term 3. Keen debaters from Year 7 and 8 are encouraged to nominate for a place in our teams. The DAV Junior Secondary Program is held after school and involves travelling. In addition to this, a select group of students participate in the DAV regional Public Speaking training program and competition.

  • Combined Activities with Firbank Grammar

    At BGS we know boys have unique learning needs, and recognise part of a rounded education is the ability to work collaboratively and build social connections with girls.

    One of the special components of the BGS Year 7 program is the experience of combined days and events with Year 7 Firbank Grammar girls. The program includes academic experiences and social events planned and supervised by staff from both schools.

  • Clubs and Activities

    Our staff organise clubs and activities throughout the school year. These include: Book Club, Chess Club, Art Club, Improv Club, Media Club, Service Committee, Library Committee and F1 in Schools.

  • Philosophy Colloquium

    A Philosophy Colloquium is held three times a year as an important part of academic enrichment for students and is aimed to enhance the development of metacognitive skills. The kinds of subjects considered in the Colloquium may range from abstract conceptual questions – such as, ‘What is Truth?’ or ‘How Do We Know?’ – to questions about the philosophy underpinning the development of individual human rights laws, as embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.