Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolIn last week’s newsletter, I touched on the important transitions many of our students experience at this time of year.
These moments mark both an ending and a new beginning in the boys’ educational journeys and are significant rites of passage that shape their sense of identity, confidence and readiness for the future.
From our youngest learners stepping into Prep, to Year 6 boys moving into Secondary School, to our Year 12s preparing for life beyond BGS, each stage brings some anticipation and uncertainty. During these times, thoughtful planning, and a consistent and supportive environment help our boys feel secure and ready for what’s next.
Across all stages, I’ve seen the same spirit of care and growth from our ELC educators guiding boys through orientation and buddy programs, to our Year 7 transition program showing both resilience and enthusiasm. For our graduating Year 12s, today marks the end of classes and the start of new beginnings, supported each step of the way by our teaching and pastoral teams.
For parents, our key message is this: these transitions are shared journeys, strengthened by our three-cornered partnership between parents, teachers, and boys, helping them progress confidently into their next chapter.
This week, we also celebrated Team Lunar, our world-champion STEM Racing team, whose achievements were recognised in assembly and later at a morning tea hosted by the Chairman of School Council, Peter Ickeringill – a wonderful reminder of what perseverance and teamwork can achieve.
Finally, a shout-out to our Secondary School students competing at the APS Athletics Finals this Saturday at Lakeside.
Have a great week.
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 2 to 6 boys who will join us next year, and we will welcome our 2026 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 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.
- Parents please note that the Junior School carpark will be closed from 11.30am – 12.15pm on Monday 20 October due to Valedictory celebrations.
- 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 13 October 2025. Boys should be locating their hat for the re-introduction of our No Hat No Play Policy. Year 5 and Year 6 boys may wear their BGS caps on Wednesdays.
- Please mark Friday 14 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 2025 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 details are available via the BGS app.
Student Achievements
Year 6 Debating
Well done to our inter school debaters who successfully argued against Loreto, Toorak ‘That the voting age should be lowered to 16’ and ‘That graffiti should not be considered art not vandalism‘. Evan Holmes, Will Kelly and Anson Fu were well prepared for their roles and rebutted strongly. Harvey Billings, Johnny Brown and Ed Burchell delivered strong arguments with lots of evidence and vocal colour. The Year 11 Loreto Adjudicators awarded the best speaker to Evan and Ed.
In both debates, the boys were proud of their speeches which were delivered to an audience of 100 girls with persuasiveness and skill.
Strings Solo Afternoon
On Tuesday, we held a special event dedicated to celebrating the remarkable talents of our string soloists from both the Junior and Secondary Schools.
Junior School performers included Ryan Cao, William McPherson, Leo Hu, Loukas Pyrlis, Jake Knipe, Robin Guo, David Mi, Thomas Mills, Zac Turton, Caleb Shen, Aden Zhang, Luca Di Sabatino, Dominic Du Rieu, Liam Xu, and Oliver Qiu.
From the heartfelt playing of our youngest musicians to the polished artistry of our more experienced students, the afternoon was a wonderful showcase of the depth, warmth, and versatility within our Strings family.
Harry Tsai
Head of Strings
Amelia Barrow
Director of the Early Learning CentreHow we love Term 4 in the ELC – there is never a moment without action and excitement!
This week we have started our Transition Program for 2026 classes by providing our current ELC3 boys the opportunity to explore our Wallaby and Bandicoot classes and meet the ELC4 teachers. How little they still look moving up to the big boys’ rooms.
Our ELC4 boys who are continuing into Prep at BGS were bursting today to head over to the Prep classrooms and playground and had so many stories to tell on their return to the ELC. We also had the excitement of meeting our youngest boys for ELC3 2026 Transition yesterday morning.
Class groups for 2026 ELC boys will be sent to parents once we have completed the 3 Transition sessions. If you have any queries, please make a time to meet with Amelia or Liz in her absence.
Christmas pageant rehearsals have begun in the classroom, and we will soon move our practice into the GBR Hall for all four classes to gather and begin learning the story of ‘The Christmas Star‘.
Thank you to families for applying sunscreen on the boys prior to drop-off and remembering to bring sunhats. We suggest that sunhats stay in the boys’ lockers, to ensure them from being lost or forgotten at home.
Parenting Tip
Why won’t my kids listen to me?
Have you ever asked your child to do something simple but no matter how many times you ask, they keep ignoring you?
You may find yourself wondering why it seems your child listens to his teachers, coaches, friends’ parents … basically anyone else but you. Why is this?
Read more below on how you can talk to your child, so he will listen.
Olivia Tims
Junior School Psychologist
Piano Collaboration Concert
A showcase of duets, trios and other ensemble work for pianists will be held on Thursday 16 October from 4.30pm in the GBR Hall. Please see flyer below for further information.
JPG News
The Brighton Grammar Junior School Family Fun Night is back in 2025!
Join us for a fun night of rides, food trucks and entertainment on the Red Square from 4.30 – 8.00pm on Friday 14 November 2025.
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 and older. Adults and children under 3 are entry free. Tickets are on sale now.
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 Thursday 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: https://www.trybooking.com/DGJZY