Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolThe final term of the academic year is always a busy one and this first week of term is a good example of the full schedule of activities planned for students, together with their academics, over the next 10 weeks.
The culmination of a year’s work by our Year 8 boys (and their mentors) is on show in iDesign week, the APS Athletics competition is gearing up while our Years 3-6 boys compete in House Athletics and our Year 6 students start their transition program to Secondary School.
The Class of 2024 are in the final stretch of their schooling journey and we are committed to supporting them through this critical period as they prepare for VCE exams while at the same time celebrating their time at Brighton Grammar.
It is always bittersweet to farewell boys and their families; however, this cohort has demonstrated their understanding of the significance of community. They have experienced firsthand the support, camaraderie, and strength that comes from being part of a close-knit group and hopefully have cultivated connections with each other and the School that will last a lifetime. They have exemplified their legacy: more than a crest.
Finally, today is World Mental Health Day which is a timely reminder for all in our community (staff, parents, boys) to take the time to check in with each other and take some time for self-care.
All the very best for the term ahead.
Peter Tellefson
Deputy Headmaster, Head of Junior SchoolWelcome back to our final term of the 2024 school year. Hard to believe as the year continues to fly by at a rapid pace.
I hope this newsletter finds you well-rested from the weekly routine. I am sure the next 10 weeks will be most productive and will see great consolidation in your son’s learning.
Special welcome to Gonzague (1H) and Paul-Augustin (2W) Souplet and to returning student, Maverick Heffer (1H) and their families. We wish these boys and their families a long and happy time at Brighton Grammar. I am sure our current boys and families will make them feel welcome.
I was fortunate to travel to Vietnam during the holidays with our group of primary aged international travellers, 12 boys from Year 6 – John Allen, Charlie Auditore, Harry Griffiths, Harry Heard, Hamish Hoy, Jeremy Ma, Jasper Mace, Dylan McGilton, Lance Sun, Alex Telders, Kevin Xie and Henry Zhang, accompanied by Joanne Davies, Rob Bater and Claire Clarke, who represented our Junior School on an international tour.
The boys visited three cities, Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh. They visited various museums, exhibitions, a Water Puppet show, Golden Bridge, Marble Mountains, My Son Ruins, lantern making classes and a boat trip along the Mekong Delta. As you could imagine, they loved the local cuisine and a visit to the Cu Chi tunnels was a thrill for the boys. The boys had a wonderful experience, and they have shared many stories and recounted their adventures.
The highlight of the trip was a visit to our friendship school, Nguyen Sieu in Hanoi. The boys loved their time attending various classes; maths, science, global perspectives and traditional handicraft making. The trip was a huge success. Our touring party did us proud and I look forward to seeking potential interest from our current Year 5 families who may be interested in their son travelling to Vietnam in September 2025.
Our Prep to Year 3 boys will have plenty of fun on their Outdoor Education Experiences this term.
Year 2 – 10 – 11 October – Mornington Peninsula
Year 1 – 28 October – Day trip to Point Leo
Prep – 29 October – Day trip to St Kilda
Year 3 – 30 October – 1 November – Healesville Sanctuary & Candlebark Farm
It is rewarding to see our boys respond to the various challenges they face whilst on camp; homesickness, change to routine, different food and sleeping arrangements and activities that may take them out of their comfort zone. These experiences build the boys’ resilience, and they have great support from the staff and their friends.
Wilson House Happenings & Reminders
- Thank you to the JPG and to Year 1 parents for their organisation and assistance of our end of Term 3 lunch.
- All boys are now wearing the summer uniform. The wearing of the broad-brimmed hat during Recess and Lunch will be compulsory from Week 2, Monday 14 October 2024. Boys should be locating their hat for the re-introduction of our No Hat, No Play Policy. Our Year 5/6 boys may wear their BGS cap on Wednesdays.
- Our Year 5/6 APS Sport training commenced this week. Competition begins on Wednesday 9 October.
- The Prep – Year 6 House Athletics Carnival will be held on Friday 18 October at Duncan MacKinnon Athletics track. Parents are welcome to attend. There will be an opportunity for parents to join their son for lunch at approximately 1.00pm. Further details are available via the BGS app.
Student Achievements
- We congratulate the students who undertook the Australasian Problem Solving Olympiads (APSMO). The four test papers contain unique questions that focus on the student’s ability to solve mathematical problems in a creative manner. The best performers were:
Year 4: 1st; Nathan He & Thomas Wang, 2nd; Jackson Bartlett & Zac Turton
Year 5: 1st; Arron Fu, 2nd; Leo Yang & James Ellis, 3rd; Ryan Qiu
Year 6: 1st; Terry Ji, 2nd; Leo Wang, 3rd; Andy Chen, Charles Zhu and Lenny Lui
- Congratulations to all the boys who participated in this year’s Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge. Each boy will receive a signed certificate from the Premier’s office. The following boys read the most books in their Year level. These boys will receive a badge for their blazer at assembly.
Harrison Kemp, Jeffrey Ma, Jagger Lees, Eli Roberts, Loukas Pyrlis, Aidan Hasseldine, Jeremy Ma
Amelia Barrow
Director of the Early Learning CentreWhat a wonderful beginning to our favourite term of the school year.
The boys bounded into the Centre on Monday morning with excitement and enthusiasm after their holidays. Some classes enjoyed sharing their holiday photos with their peers, whilst others enjoyed having centre stage at group time describing every detail of their break. What lucky boys!
The Long Day Care Holiday program was a great success with the boys enjoying exciting and fun activities each day. We thank Miss Ngo and Miss Stefanelli for leading the program. What busy boys we had during the spring break!
This term always highlights the development and growth that has been mastered throughout the year. Although it is such a rewarding reflection, it also highlights the boys’ transition to their next step.
Our 2025 ELC Transition Program begins next week with our current ELC3 boys experiencing the ELC4 classrooms for three sessions on Tuesday mornings, and we will also welcome our 2025 ELC3 boys on Wednesday mornings.
Our ELC4 boys have developed so much this year and are now ready to practise being Preps. They will travel across the car park to Prep over the next three Thursday mornings. We wish the boys well as they embark on this exciting big step.
The return of our ELC4 swimming lessons next Wednesday has our Wallaby and Bandicoot boys pumped to get back in the pool with all of their friends. More information will be provided from your son’s teacher.
Just a reminder that Term 4 is a Sunsmart term and all boys should now be wearing their summer hat. It is a requirement that your son starts his day at school with his sunscreen already applied. Staff will then support the boys with reapplication after lunch. If your son requires his own sunscreen, please let your son’s teacher know.
A Term 4 calendar with important dates has been placed at the entrance of the ELC to help with reminders. As it is such a busy term ahead, please be mindful of checking the BGS app and eNews for any information.
We look forward to a wonderful last term together!
Parenting Tips
The case for risky play
Remember playgrounds? I’m talking about the real deal: towering metal structures, splintery wooden forts, rocket ships you could climb up into for forever, and swings that sent you soaring; playgrounds where skinned knees and the occasional lost tooth were badges of honour, not cause for panic.
Today, those playgrounds are becoming an endangered species. In their place, we’ve erected sanitised, plastic-coated play areas that prioritise safety over adventure.
Rather than making playgrounds as safe as necessary, we’re making them as safe as possible. Swings barely leave the ground, monkey bars are disappearing, soft fall cushions the ground, and the merry-go-round? It’s been banished to the realm of nostalgia.
We’ve become so obsessed with a well-intentioned desire to protect our kids from every possible bump and bruise that we’ve forgotten something crucial: kids need risk. Read more below.
Olivia Tims
Junior School Psychologist
JPG News
Pudding and Christmas Cake Varieties available for purchase:
The Brighton Grammar Junior Parents Group is delighted to once again offer you a superb range of homemade Mandi’s Christmas Puddings and Christmas Cakes, just in time for Christmas!
- Traditional Christmas Pudding (round 500g, 1Kg, 1.5Kg, 2Kg; log 500g, 1kg)
- Macadamia and Brandy Pudding (log 500g, 1Kg)
- Gluten Free Pudding (round 500g, 1Kg; log 500g, 1kg) (no gluten, lactose or dairy)
- Date and Toffee Pudding (log 500g, 1Kg)
- Triple Chocolate Pudding (log 500g, 1Kg)
- Chocolate and Orange Pudding (log 500g, 1Kg)
- Chocolate Rum and Raisin Pudding (log 500g, 1Kg)
- Mango & Brandy Pudding (log 500g)
- Mandi’s Classic Christmas Cakes (600g or 1.4Kg) (The cakes come beautifully boxed)
Final orders by 5.00pm Friday 1 November – No late orders can be accepted. The puddings will be sent home with the boys before the end of Term 4.
FOM Secondhand Uniform Shop
If your son needs a summer academic or sport uniform, or if you need to offload outgrown items, please consider the FOM Secondhand Uniform Shop.
For the first three weeks of Term 4, donation tubs are available at the Secondary School, Junior School and Urwin Centre reception areas. Please leave donations of wearable, clean and current uniforms. All funds raised support the work of the Music Department.
For enquiries or to purchase a uniform, please contact Friends of Music