Weekly eNews

Thursday 19 September 2024

From my observations, the younger generation is more adept at talking about and managing their mental health and wellbeing than older generations.

I am impressed every day at school with the thoughtfulness and awareness of these young BGS men, in the way they actively support each other and promote an inclusive and respectful school community.

Our school leaders set the tone. For School Captain Joe Weber, inclusion is not just a word; it’s a commitment to ensuring that every student feels valued, heard and represented. Vice-Captain of School Sam Linder has talked of the power of we, and the BGS culture and values that encourage students to be open-minded and inclusive.

The Year 12 Legacy for 2024, ‘More than a crest’, exemplifies this. You can view their video here.

In the Junior School it’s noticeable how the boys check in with each other with genuine care, whether utilising the new Buddy Bench or by being supportive friends during recent Public Speaking competitions.

Ultimately it is about acceptance: of ourselves and others, just the way we are.

Creating a culture of openness and mutual support is particularly pertinent for our Year 12s as they prepare for their final exams next term and take on the challenges that lie ahead, always backed by our dedicated staff and you as parents.

Finally, I hope you all have the opportunity for some downtime during these school holidays and I look forward to the boys’ return on Monday 7 October.

Our Year 6 performances of Finding Nemo JR. last Wednesday and Thursday were outstanding.

The choral work, choreography, stage movement, costumes, sets and props all came together to ensure the performances were enjoyed by all. We need to remind ourselves that we were entertained by 11 and 12 year olds.

Thank you to Jared Furtado for his excellent planning, preparation and leadership as Director, to Claire Clarke, Emily Fairweather, Jamie Cooney, Rob Bater, Henry Jenkins and Monica Le Couteur for their support and to Kim Phillips for her costume co-ordination and our Year 6 mums who assisted with the costumes.

Our boys’ enjoyment was obvious and they will have fond memories of their experiences on the stage. Congratulations to all boys, staff and to the many parents, families and ELC to Year 5 ‘buddies’ of Wilson House for supporting the show.

Our boys’ creative talents continued on Friday evening and the RT Hall was transformed from Finding Nemo JR. to our 2024 Dance Showcase.

Congratulations to our Year 3, 4 and 5 boys who joined our Year 7 – 12 boys, Firbank students and Hutchins School (an all-boys’ school in Hobart) on stage. It was wonderful to see our boys have so much fun as they danced with great joy and energy. Thank you to Claire Clarke for her co-ordination of our JS boys’ involvement.

Thank you to all staff, boys and parents for your efforts this term, enjoy a well-deserved break and for those still interested or who have a vested interest, may the best team win!

 

Wilson House Happenings & Reminders

• Term 3 interim Reports are now available to parents for all Prep to Year 6 boys via the Parent Portal. These Reports do not assess Achievement, but focus on Attitude, Effort and the development of various Personal and Social Skills. 

• Tomorrow will be our final day of Term 3. The following is an outline of the day:

8.50am – Chapel – Prep to Year 6

9.20am – End of Term Assembly (St Andrew’s Church), parents are welcome to attend

10.10am – Free time Winning House

12.15pm – JPG Lunch – Please note there are NO Tuck shop orders available

1.30pm – Tabloid Sports – boys can wear their Sport Uniform/House Polo Shirt plus favourite football colours

3.20pm – Normal Dismissal

• SAVE THE DATE – 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 will be available on the BGS app in Term 4.

• As marked in the Date Card, classes conclude for Term 3 tomorrow, Friday 20 September at 3.20pm. The first day of Term 4 is Monday 7 October when classes resume at 8.30am, and all boys from ELC to Year 6 are to wear their summer uniform.

• Bayside City Council will replace traffic poles at the New St pedestrian crossing over the holidays. The crossing will be closed during this period, so please ensure you take alternative routes and cross safely.

Student Achievements

• Congratulations to the following boys who will be presented with Term 3 Class Effort cards at tomorrow’s Assembly.

• The standard of competition in the Prep – Year 6 Public Speaking competition was very high and we congratulate the following boys as Year Level winners.

Prep            Noah Jewell

Year 1         Preston Liu

Year 2         Evan Zhou

Year 3         Ryotaro Otsuka

Year 4         Fraser Shaw

Year 5         Olly Heath

Year 6         Beau Williams Bundy

• The BGS Snowsports team had a fantastic showing at Nationals in Perisher. Division 4 saw Tom Salvo shine, taking 3rd in Alpine and 4th in Ski Cross, earning a spot on the podium and helping the team secure 4th overall. Mason Grollo competed in Moguls, with a notable 40th place, while Luca Rehder and Darby Effeney also delivered solid performances in Ski Cross. Jasper Morley represented Division 5 in Board GS, finishing 40th.

In Division 6, Angus Graham placed 33rd in Alpine and 38th in Ski Cross. Patrick Thornborrow managed a 9th place in Ski Cross despite a DSQ in Alpine. Henry Dou and Ethan Lin both showed great spirit, with Henry focusing on his goal to outski the competition!  Many thanks to parents for your continued support of BGS Snowsports.

 

Reflection at the end of each term always creates celebrations of what the boys have achieved and the incredible programs across all four rooms.

As we head into our final term for the year which will be action packed, it’s a great time to reflect on how far our youngest boys in the school have come this year in their development and love of learning.

Today is always a highlight in our ELC calendar with our keen footy supporters being able to wear their team colours and get out on the oval to participate in footy drills and kick to kick.

The energy in the Centre was electric all day, whether AFL enthusiasts or general sporting fans, the boys had the most wonderful day together, with one boy even suggesting, ‘Can every day be footy day?’

For our term time families, we wish you all the best for a relaxing break over the next two weeks and will see you on Monday 7 October.

For our 48 week long day care boys, we know you have an exciting holiday program planned ahead in the care of our team.

On behalf of the ELC team we would like to thank the boys and families for another spectacular Term.

 

Parenting Tips

Present Dads, Healthy Kids

TIME is the single most important ingredient in our relationships, especially when it comes to dads and their children.

The research is compelling – kids need their dads. The more a dad is present and involved in his children’s lives in a positive way, the better the outcomes for them.

Fathers make unique and direct contributions to their children’s wellbeing, from better physical health to more prosperity. Children with involved dads are smarter (they have higher IQs!) and more prosperous. They also have a better sense of self-esteem and grow up with more self-control, confidence, and self-worth.

Additionally, it’s better for Dad.

To read more see the link 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.

Friends of Art AGM

All BGS community members are warmly invited to attend the 2024 Friends of Art Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 23 October at 4.30pm in the Urwin Centre Conference Room.

Friends of Art is an active parent group at an exciting time at BGS with the Duigan Centre opening in 2025!  If you like meeting other people, want to contribute to the school community, enjoy good company and love getting involved in things that mean something, this might be the group for you. There are no prerequisites, and all are welcome.

We have opportunities to get involved across all levels of the school (ELC – VCE) ranging from an hour of your time to getting involved by joining the committee.  Several committee roles are vacant, please email us to find out more or express your interest in joining.

Diary Dates

• Friday 20 September Term 3 concludes
• Monday 7 October Term 4 commences