Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolMen’s Health Week, celebrated globally each June, highlights the importance of men taking an active role in their physical health and mental wellbeing throughout the year.
A central pillar of our work in Positive Masculinity is empowering our boys to prioritise their wellbeing, by building healthy habits, supporting one another, and feeling confident enough to have open, honest conversations.
Bringing this to life, tomorrow our Secondary School will Face the Freeze, a Positive Masculinity Committee initiative that combines fun with purpose, encourages challenge, and reminds us of the importance of looking after our health. As part of the festivities, students will have the opportunity to send a number of staff members, including myself, into the dunk tank, providing plenty of entertainment while supporting an important cause.
We’re also extending this focus to our wider community. From now until 20 June, complimentary health checks will be available to staff, parents and members of the Bayside community via the Shane Warne Legacy Health Check kiosk located at the Annandale Pavilion.
Finally, as we consider our boys’ wellbeing in an increasingly digital world, I encourage Junior School parents to explore the Crowther Centre’s latest position paper on Technology Recommendations for Primary-Aged Students, which also outlines the School’s expectations.
Peter Tellefson
Deputy Headmaster, Head of Junior SchoolIn many respects, our world has become increasingly risk averse. We work hard to create environments that are safe, supportive and carefully managed for our boys more than ever before.
Yet, at the same time, a less visible and arguably more complex risk has emerged; one that unfolds quietly behind closed doors and on personal devices, often out of sight and out of mind.
Children are spending extended periods of time online, frequently without the developmental capacity to navigate what they are viewing.
While technology has an important role in modern life and learning, we must acknowledge the imbalance that can occur when screen time displaces the essential experiences of childhood: unstructured play, movement, creativity and human connection.
Our boys need time outdoors. They need to ride bikes and climb trees, explore their world, take risks in safe and tangible ways, and develop resilience through real-world interaction.
As a school, our responsibility is to partner with families in setting thoughtful, informed boundaries that reflect both the opportunities and the risks of the digital environment. We cannot ignore the research regarding the negative impact of excessive screen time and exposure to social media. We are in the privileged position to guide young people to find ways to create a more harmonious relationship with technology.
Please read the Crowther Centre’s most recent publication Technology Recommendations for Primary-Aged Students to understand the School’s expectations. Our aim is to implement a deliberate and consistent approach to expectations around technology access and use, both at school and at home.
Wilson House Happenings & Reminders
- Our second Term 2 Year 6 Indigenous Program visit to Pormpuraaw School located on the west coast of Cape York Peninsula departed today. Best wishes to Alex Alderton, Archie Ewert, James Forbes, Edward Lawes, Jack Moncrieff, Leo Suszko, Christian Trubiano and Thomas Verco. I look forward to visiting the boys next week. Lachie Foott will be responsible for the Junior School in my absence.
- Our Junior School Instrumental and Choral Concert will be held on Thursday 11 June, 7.00pm at St Andrew’s Church. Wilson House String Orchestra, Wilson House Concert Band, Training Strings, Training Strings Orchestra, Beginner Strings, Junior Percussion Ensemble, Wilson House Guitar Ensemble, Junior Voices, Wilson House String Quartet and Borwick House Choir will be performing. Boys are to wear their full winter uniform and need to be seated in St Andrew’s by 6.30pm. Further details are available via the BGS App.
- Our next Ute Full of Food will be on Thursday 18 June. Items particularly requested are: breakfast cereals, sugar, jams and spreads, pasta and pasta sauce, rice, noodles, biscuits, tins of vegetables, fruit and fish are particularly welcome, meals-in-a-can, toilet paper, bathroom supplies.
- Our Prep – Year 2 boys look forward to hosting their Grandparents and Special Friends on the following dates from 9.45 to 10.40am;
Year 2 – Thursday 18 June
Year 1 – Friday 19 June
Prep – Thursday 25 June
Student Acheivements
- Congratulations to the following boys from Prep – Year 6 who will be presented with Semester One Specialist Effort Cards at tomorrow’s Assembly;
Chinese – Leo Jaipaul, Lenny Busietta, Ethan Wang, Nico Longo, Teddy Ratnagobal, Harrison Coxon, Aaron Sun, Jake Soweby, Yash Singh Banswara, Joe Hall, Mo Chen
Drama/+M – Charlie Fleming, River Pettiona, Elijah Shen, Shaun Li, Frankie Clynk, Leo Loughnane, Luke Yang, Lachlan Wong, Angus McPherson, Arthur Wang, Henry Kalmanovich, Angus Ray, Paddy Jeans, Teddy Ratnagobal, Lachlan Uber, Harvey Soo, AJ Santic, Louis Delaney, Alex Alderton, Hector Gorman
Design & Technology – Jeremy Zhang, Louis Donoghue, William Brindle, Ben Verco, Frankie Clynk, Joe Peckham, Oskar Toner, Ben Zhang, Lachlan Uber, Robin Guo
Science – Lachlan Bennett, Freddie Pokorny, Jack Reith, Shaun Li, Dara Pyrlis, William Wang, Nico Longo, Gus Donald, Harrison Coxon, Tom Selwood
- Congratulations to the following boys from Years 3 and 4 who will be presented with Attitude and Effort cards at tomorrow’s Assembly.
Liz Dendrinos
Director of the Early Learning CentreThere is nothing quite like a long weekend to reset our bodies and minds. The boys certainly returned to school with a spring in their step, prepared for the upcoming week.
Despite the short week, the boys have been busy winter workers throughout the four classrooms. Boys certainly do not experience the cold as we do, and spending time outdoors is consistently a highlight of their daily routine.
It is fascinating to observe how the energetic bodies of boys begin to self-regulate the instant they enter open spaces (almost as if a burden has been lifted from their shoulders). This also serves as a reminder of the necessity for boys to have opportunities throughout their day to expend their energy, which aids in maintaining their mental concentration and health. We have been fortunate this term, experiencing very few days confined indoors due to warmer than usual weather.
A friendly reminder that with the rising incidence of illnesses, we ask parents to assist us in minimising infections by keeping their sons at home when they are unwell and informing us of any illnesses.
We also ask that you communicate with your son’s teacher regarding the reason for his absence, to ensure that all children, families, and staff are made aware of any concerning viruses. Strengthening immune systems is crucial; however, the number of unwell children and staff will directly affect our operations, so we appreciate your cooperation in advance.
Parenting Tip
Friendship is a skill
Speak to any school leader, psychologist, teacher, or person involved with children in a kindergarten or school and ask them what the most common challenge they confront is when dealing with students, and the answer will almost always be the same, friendships.
Friendships are at the very heart of our wellbeing, or our distress. The quality of our relationships is core to our happiness. Read Dr Justin Coulson’s insights below.
Olivia Tims
Junior School Psychologist
Shane Warne Legacy Health Check
This month, free health checks are on offer to all staff, parents and the wider BGS community. From Tuesday 9 June to Saturday 20 June, BGS will host a Shane Warne Legacy Health Check kiosk on-site at the Annandale Pavilion First Aid room.
Opening hours are Monday – Friday from 8.30am – 4.30pm and Saturday 9.00am – 12.00pm.
The kiosk offers quick, non-invasive checks that include measurements of blood pressure, heart rate, and other critical indicators of cardiovascular health. Friends and family are welcome; we invite everyone in the community to take part.
National Reconciliation Week
National Reconciliation Week is held annually from 27 May to 3 June and provides an opportunity for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how we can contribute to achieving reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Read more from Britt Richards, Director of Experiential Education, on how the week was celebrated in the Junior and Secondary Schools.
BGS Business Breakfast
Join us for the next BGS Business Breakfast with special guest, Hayley Morris on Wednesday 17 June at 7.30am.
Hayley is an Australian philanthropist, impact investor and social entrepreneur with over 20 years’ experience across business, philanthropy and systems change. She co-founded purpose-driven ventures, including Keys for Future-Fit Leadership Academy, Sustainable Table, Climate Zero, The Regenerative Leader, and the farm-to-table restaurant Barragunda Dining.
Hear Hayley share insights on purpose-driven leadership and how business can drive positive change. Book now.
BGS+ Community Term 2 Holiday Programs
The BGS+ Community Campus will be busy with many holiday programs from coding to many different sports, something for everyone. Check out the Term 2 holiday program timetable
Brighton Grammar Uniform Shop
Holiday Trading Hours
JPG News
The JPG will again be offering an end of term lunch for the ELC and Junior School on Friday 26 June 2026. Lunch will include two slices of Margherita Pizza, a juice and a treat.
The cost will be $10.00 (extra two slices for $5). Online ordering is available through Flexischools online ordering system. Orders must be placed by no later than Friday 19 June, 5.00pm – no late orders will be accepted. Please note that normal canteen ordering will not be available on this day.