Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolAs we prepare to farewell the Class of 2026, it is natural to reflect on effort and subsequent achievement. The boys have worked hard over many years to reach this point, and they should take great pride in all they have accomplished.
While academic success remains an important goal, evidence increasingly tells us that student wellbeing and academic performance are not competing priorities. Research continues to show that students who feel connected to their school are more engaged in learning, experience higher levels of wellbeing and are better equipped to navigate challenges. This applies to ELC and Junior School students as well.
Class of 2026
As our Year 12 students begin their study leave to prepare for exams, it is worth remembering that success is supported by healthy habits. Our Crowther Centre produces a range of resources that highlight the importance of adequate sleep, regular exercise, meaningful social connection and structured routines in promoting both wellbeing and academic performance. Sleep, in particular, supports concentration, memory and emotional regulation, yet many students underestimate its importance during periods of intense study.
Parents also play a vital role. Young people benefit enormously from knowing that they are valued not simply for their results, but for their character, effort and contribution to others. The conversations around the dinner table, the encouragement offered during moments of uncertainty and the reassurance that wellbeing comes before any mark or ranking remain profoundly important.
The Class of 2026 has demonstrated that they are capable, compassionate and connected young men and I wish them well as they begin their Valedictory celebrations tomorrow.
Peter Tellefson
Deputy Headmaster, Head of Junior SchoolIn comparison with many Independent Schools, Brighton Grammar is considered small in terms of enrolment numbers. I believe it is a great strength of our School as our numbers allow a stronger sense of belonging and connectedness within Year level groups, and ensures all boys are known across the School. The close proximity of the Junior and Secondary School is also a significant advantage. Another benefit is the focus we place on transition which is very well-managed at our School.
Last week, we welcomed back those Year 12 boys who attended the Junior School for ‘Wilson House Revisited’, they spent time visiting teachers in the classrooms, opening their time capsules and reminiscing about their Junior School days. Many boys commented on how they loved their time in the Junior School and were happy to come back and walk down memory lane.
It is important we provide support and guidance as our ELC boys venture across the car park to our Prep classrooms, and our Year 6 boys walk from Wilson House to Year 7 and the Urwin Centre. In the coming weeks, our Year 6 boys and parents will have their first formal day and presentation, we will also host our new Year 1 to 6 boys who will join us next year, and we will welcome our 2027 Prep boys to the corridors of Wilson House. These programs are also a reminder of how fast the end of the year is approaching.
Wilson House Happenings & Reminders
- Thank you to Rob Ogilvie of our Outdoor Education Department for facilitating our Year 6 Mentoring white water rafting weekend on the Mitta Mitta river and to our Year 6 boys and parents who enjoyed the weekend late last term.
- Parents please note that the Junior School carpark will be closed from 11.30am – 11.45am on Monday 19 October due to Valedictory celebrations.
- All boys are now wearing the summer uniform. The wearing of the broad-brimmed hat during recess and lunch is now compulsory. 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.
- Please mark Friday 13 November in your diary for the Junior Parents’ Group’s Family Fun Night from 4.30pm – 8.00pm. This is our major JPG fundraiser for the year and I am sure we will all enjoy this year’s event. The organising committee is working hard to ensure this year will be entertaining for all. Further are available via the BGS app.
Liz Dendrinos
Director of the Early Learning CentreWe absolutely love Term 4 in the ELC – it’s packed with action and excitement from start to finish!
This week, we’ve kicked off our Transition Program for 2027 with our current ELC3 boys visiting our Wallaby and Bandicoot classes and meeting our current Pre-Prep teachers. It’s amazing to see how small they still look as they move into the older boys’ spaces.
Our Pre-Prep boys who are heading to Prep at BGS were thrilled to visit the Prep classrooms today, and they came back with so many wonderful stories to share. We also had the joy of welcoming our newest ELC3 boys for the 2027 Transition yesterday morning. Once we’ve finished all three Transition sessions, we will send out the 2027 ELC class groups to parents.
Our Pageant rehearsals are now underway, with the boys practising their songs in the classrooms and GBR Hall. Soon we’ll move our rehearsals to Rosstrevor Hall, where all four classes will come together to learn the beautiful story of The Christmas Star.
Thank you to all our families for applying sunscreen to the boys before drop-off and remembering to pack sunhats. We recommend keeping sunhats in lockers, so they don’t get misplaced or left at home.
Student Achievements
Interschool Debating
Well done to our Interschool Debaters who successfully argued against Loreto, Toorak ‘That graffiti should be considered art not vandalism‘ and ‘That parents should provide their children with pocket money‘. Marcus, Hugo, Ed, Oscar, Fraser and Ollie were well prepared for their roles and delivered strong arguments. The Loreto adjudicators awarded the ‘best speaker’ to Marcus and Oscar. In both debates, the boys were proud of their speeches which were delivered to an audience of 100 girls with passion and skill.
Jane Lowe
Learning Support/Enrichment Teacher
Bookmark Competition
As part of this year’s Book Week celebrations, our Junior School students have embraced the theme, Symphony of Stories, through our annual Bookmark Competition. This creative initiative encourages boys to express their love of reading by designing a bookmark inspired by the theme. Winning entries are professionally printed and proudly shared with family, friends, and the wider school community. It’s a wonderful way for students to celebrate books, showcase their artistic talents, and take pride in a meaningful prize.
2026 Bookmark Winners
Prep Kurrajong: Louis
Prep Fivedale: Jeremy
1 Banksia: Teddy
1 Heath: Alexander
2 Acacia: Ethan
2 Waratah: Jack
3 Burke: Oliver
3 Hovell: Lachlan
3 Wills: Boston
4 Bass: Parker
4 Cook: James
4 Flinders: Liam
5 Argyle: Mickey
5 Purse: Jesse
5 Scott: Jake
5 Zachariah: Barry & Aaron
6 Discovery: Haruta
6 Endeavour: Billy & Henry
6 Investigator: Oscar & Loukas
6 Resolution: Jack & Thomas
From the Archive
Exam season is upon us, the time when students have the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned over the previous years.
Recently we have cleaned and treated some 100-year-old cash books in the School Archive. One book in particular stands out, not just for the immaculate rows of neatly penned entries, but for the number of old examination papers tipped in or nestled between pages. The book had prudently been repurposed after its life as a cash book to a repository for examination records.
Good luck to all the students sitting exams over the next few weeks. I wonder where copies of their examination papers will appear 100 years from now?
Parenting Tip
Screen Time Problems
Screens are woven into almost every part of your child’s school day. There are laptops at school, phones on the bus, YouTube after school, gaming with friends, group chats pinging throughout the evening and homework that genuinely requires a device.
Despite Australia’s under-16 social media restrictions, conversations with parents in schools suggest social media remains a significant issue for many families.
Read Dr Justin Coulson’s suggestions below on what can we do about it.
Olivia Tims
Junior School Psychologist
BGS Swim Encouragement Meet
We’re excited to announce our Term 4 Race Night next Friday, 23 October!
Whether it’s your first time racing or you’re looking to sharpen your race skills in a supportive and fun environment, this is a great opportunity to get involved, challenge yourself, and celebrate the progress you’ve made over the last term.
Date: Friday, 23 October
Location: Brighton Grammar Pool
Flyer Attached: 2026 Term 4 Race Night
Book here: https://www.trybooking.com/au/event/1661157
We’d like to see as many of you there as possible — it’s always a great night for swimmers, families, and supporters alike!
We’ll also be having a BBQ during the meet. If you would like to volunteer as a timekeeper or a chef, please let me know.
Jackson Sainty
Head Swim Coach
JPG News
The Brighton Grammar Junior School Family Fun Night is back in 2026! Join us for a fun night of rides, food trucks and entertainment on the Red Square from 4.30pm – 8.00pm on Friday 13 November 2026.
Tickets are $50 per child. The Family Fun Night wristband gives each child unlimited rides. Each child will receive a show bag when the wristband is pre-purchased via Trybooking. Rides are suitable for children 3 Years & older. Adults and children under 3 entry free.
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, 900g, 1.5kg, 2kg; log 500g, 900g)
- Macadamia and Brandy Pudding (log 500g, 900g)
- Gluten Free Pudding (round 500g, 1kg; log 500g, 900g) (no gluten, lactose or dairy)
- Date and Toffee Pudding (log 500g, 900g)
- Triple Chocolate Pudding (log 500g, 900g)
- Chocolate and Orange Pudding (log 500g, 900g)
- Chocolate Rum and Raisin Pudding (log 500g, 900g)
- 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 6 November – No late orders can be accepted
The puddings will be sent home with the boys before the end of Term 4. Order are open now via TryBooking