3. The School Day

Boys in Year 7 undertake the following subjects: Design and Media, Drama, English, Food Technology, Humanities (Geography & History), Mathematics, Music (Choral and Classroom Music), Science, and Health, Wellbeing and Physical Education.

Year 7 boys will experience two of the following four languages throughout the year: Chinese, French, Japanese and Latin.

Please note that in Chinese, we offer 2 options: ‘Chinese’ for non-native speakers and ‘Chinese Advanced’ for students of Chinese background and who are aiming to study VCE Chinese First Language or Second Language Advanced in their senior years.

There is an opportunity for students new to English to study EAL (English as Another Language) or have additional literacy support. However, this support is subject to discussion and approval by the School.

The complete Year 7 subject guide provides detailed information about each of the subjects our Year 7 boys will study, including a list of themes covered, skills developed and assessment tasks.

View the subject guide

We know everyone learns at a different pace. Our Learning Strategies teachers work closely with subject teachers to provide curriculum support that ensures effective learning strategies are implemented to facilitate successful academic outcomes and maximises learning potential.

A variety of learning strategies are used in mainstream classes and in small groups to facilitate differentiated curriculum. Specialist assessments are arranged for any boy who requires in-depth assessment. The information gained is disseminated to staff with recommendations about adapting instruction in the Learning Commons.

Under the supervision of the Learning Strategies Coordinator, Sylvanna Lewis, our Study Club runs three mornings before school, and one afternoon after school, each week. This provides students with the opportunity to undertake private revision, meet with peers for group work or work closely with Sylvanna on areas of the curriculum they find challenging.

We recognise the importance of providing leadership opportunities and actively encourage all boys to be involved. In the Secondary School, boys are mentored by older boys in their House and guided through the varied leadership opportunities with the Head of Student Leadership (7-12).

Boys interested in Student Leadership will be exposed to varied roles and responsibilities. Student Leaders meet as a team on a regular basis and develop their leadership skills to ensure they leave a positive legacy. Further leadership opportunities for boys in Year 7 and Year 8 also include Library Committee, House Service, Student Voice, Wellbeing Committee and on the sporting field.

We firmly believe that leadership is something that can be nurtured and learnt through these opportunities. Our mentoring and training programs aim to develop leadership skills and capabilities in all our boys.

The Norris Family Library (located in the Wellbeing Centre) provides a current and vibrant collection of recreational reading materials of fiction, true stories and biographies, graphic novels and picture books. The Library also subscribes to a collection of e-audio and e-books to support students that prefer reading in different formats, or need audio support with their reading.

Resources in print and electronic format are made available to students via the Schoolbox, and the use of authoritative and quality resources is facilitated by subscriptions to online databases and encyclopedias.

The Library hosts lunchtime chess training and play, a hands-on MakerSpace Centre, a coeducational book club with Firbank Grammar girls and a Library Committee for students who wish to contribute to daily Library operations.

Harnessing the power and potential of technology in learning is core at BGS. Therefore it is a key priority for us to ensure all boys have a consistent experience in the classroom and a reliable device for their learning without distraction.  

All Year 7-12 students are required to take part in the BGS managed laptop program as part of the standard curriculum resources used in the classroom and at home. Laptops and a full day of IT training will be provided in the first few days of school, along with the School ICT Policies that are required to be upheld. 

All boys are supplied with an HP Elitebook x360 commercial grade laptop as part of a 3 year program.  The program ensures you and your sons are fully supported for all their technology needs and includes the laptop, a fully protective bag, interactive pen, all software, licensing, updates, significantly reduced capped price repair service, along with IT staff to provide any assistance, repairs or trouble shooting they may require.  Onsite repairs are performed by HP during their daily visit to BGS and your son will be offered a loan laptop for the duration of any repairs or re-imaging of the machine. 

Brighton Grammar School takes extensive measures to make our network a cyber-safe environment. While the boys are at School, we restrict access to unauthorised and inappropriate websites. If you would like similar restrictions to apply at home, we advise you to take the necessary steps to implement any web content restrictions on your home Wi-Fi and any other devices your son accesses in the home (including mobile phones). Your son has Qustodio installed on his School laptop as part of the School policies, and you are welcome to use this at home for parental control if you choose.

All families will receive a letter towards the end of the year outlining the full details of the laptop program including the 2024 model laptop specifications and the annual cost, and you will hear more about technology at the Parent Information Nights.

The eLearning program at BGS includes a full day laptop induction and ongoing in class laptop training and support. Heading up our eLearning program is our program is Melissa Faulkner (eLearning Coordinator 7-12) who coordinates the induction of all Year 7 boys and ensures support and training is available to those boys who may need it beyond the initial induction.

Parent participation is a key pillar in the School’s Strategic Plan. There are many ways you can stay connected at home and work including our website, BGS app (how to download), Weekly eNews (latest eNews) and BGS social media pages (follow us here).

The current assessment and School Report arrangements are as follows:

Assessment varies according to the subject and includes such things as topic tests, assignments, essays, spelling tests, oral tests, practical tasks and model building. All marks are available on Schoolbox for both parents and boys.

Reports are prepared at the conclusion of each term, offering parents a summary as to how their son has performed. Parents can access results from Schoolbox at any time for more detailed feedback and monitoring.

During the year, Year 7 boys all undertake the compulsory NAPLAN tests. The boys also participate in a variety of Mathematics, Science and English competitions. Other standardised testing is conducted during the year to assist in mapping progress.

Homework tasks will range from subject to subject, and weekly expectations will be communicated via a homework schedule. During Term 1 boys will be provided with guidance in study skills and time management. Additional ongoing support is provided at Study Club and through individual appointments.