Weekly eNews

Ross Featherston

Headmaster, Brighton Grammar School

The vibrant community spirit at Brighton Grammar is demonstrated by the dedication of students and staff to charitable causes.

Recently, boys from Hancock House led a Clean Up Australia Day initiative at Brighton Beach, demonstrating their commitment to the environment and tomorrow Rofe House students will be selling hot cross buns in aid of The Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.

As well as our ongoing support of Ute Full of Food, later this term, a group of Secondary School students and staff will come together for the World’s Greatest Shave, raising vital funds for the Leukaemia Foundation.

Our Brighton Grammar team – Issa Sheikh, Ollie Graham, Luke Shen, Fergus Ingram, Alexander Rozentoul, Josh Weber and Emily Beaton – have collectively raised over $10,000. A shout out to Emily, our Director of Community Engagement, who has raised over $8,000 for this very worthy cause and will shave her head along with the boys on Friday 28 March. You can donate to our team members here.

Emily Beaton with some of our World’s Greatest Shave participants

An engaged and supportive community is one of our School’s most valuable strengths and plays a vital role in enhancing the boys’ academic achievements and social growth, proving that the impact of education extends well beyond the classroom.

Finally, good luck to all BGS crews competing at the Heads of the River in Nagambie on Saturday.

Peter Tellefson

Deputy Headmaster, Head of Junior School

I always enjoy the opportunity to escape from the office and see our boys in action.  I was fortunate to spend time with our Year 5 staff and boys at the Briars this week. 

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 resilience, and the boys have great support from the staff and their friends. The boys embraced the various activities, both indoors and outdoors; giant swing, leap of faith, flying fox, archery, bushcraft, damper making, initiative games, scavenger hunt, obstacle course, bushwalking and overnight campout.  I enjoyed my time visiting camp; the boys’ support, encouragement and care for each other was impressive to see.

A strong sense of belonging and connectedness has a positive effect on boys’ self-esteem and confidence. Our Outdoor Education Program, House System and the Buddy Program are opportunities, over and above the pastoral support our boys gain from their day-to-day classroom experiences, that enhance the boys’ sense of belonging and connectedness.

Wilson House Happenings & Reminders

• We welcome our Prep – Year 2 Fathers next week to our Father’s mornings on Wednesday 26 March (Prep), Thursday 27 March (Year 1) and Friday 28 March (Year 2). See the BGS app for further details.

• JPG Easter Raffle and Donations – Each boy is asked to contribute an Easter egg for the raffle. Other donations of any type of Easter items (bunnies, chickens, fluffy toys, baskets etc.) are most welcome. Donations can be left in the tubs provided in Junior School Reception and the ELC.

  Raffle tickets sales are now open. Prep – Year 6 students will be able to purchase from the playground before school or by placing tickets in an envelope in the box at reception.  A ticket collection box is also available in the ELC.  Please see the BGS app for further details.

• Our first Ute Full of Food for this year will be held on Thursday 3 April. Brighton Grammar has a long-standing commitment in supporting St Mark’s Anglican Church in Fitzroy. All food items will be transported by the Ute to St Mark’s, where it is distributed to needy families. Dried pasta; tinned meats, vegetables and fruits; breakfast foods; tea and coffee – all these would be much appreciated. The Ute will leave the Junior School at 9.00am.

  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. Given that some of St Mark’s clients are street people and often sleep rough, ring-pull cans are preferable; they don’t always have access to can openers or cutlery. Our generosity is certainly appreciated.

Student Achievements

• Congratulations to the following Year 6 boys who will be appointed to leadership positions at tomorrow’s Assembly.

Mindfulness – Seb Hussey, Ethan Lewski, Max Malerba, Sam Martin, Lachie Mylon, Harvey O’Meara

Science – Isaac Corcoris, Max De Luca, Lachie Harkness, Kevin Wu

• Congratulations to Osborn Wang, William McPherson, Chi Nguyen, Harry Han, Nathan He, Jason Li, Oscar Xu, Arron Fu and Jack Liu who performed at the Upper Strings Soiree last Wednesday.
• Best wishes to the following boys who were selected to compete at the Regional Swimming trials tomorrow – Enzo Zhang, Edward Oliver, Ben Scales, Olly Heath, Zane Mtenje, Edward Burchell

Liz Dendrinos

Acting Director of the Early Learning Centre

This week’s highlight was the boys wearing their cultural outfits to celebrate Harmony Day and the continuing message, Everybody Belongs. The day presented many opportunities for the boys to come together and celebrate their cultural backgrounds and core Australian values.

In the classrooms we reflected, discussed and acknowledged everyone’s identity, inclusivity, and sense of belonging. Our Headmaster, Ross Featherston, also joined the ELC fun by bringing along his favourite book to share with the boys.

Respect is also an integral element to our curriculum in the ELC and guiding the boys’ behaviours to show respect to their peers and teachers is key to this. This is essential in being able to provide the boys with a sense of security and identity.

When children have a positive sense of identity it assists them to experience respectful, responsive relationships and strengthens their engagement and interests with the curriculum and their school environment.

Our boys have been working hard behind the scenes on their JPG Mothers’ Day gifts which we know our mums will love next term. Next week we begin our Easter crafts in preparation for our Buddy Easter Egg Hunt.

A big thank you for all the Easter raffle donations and tickets. Our donation box in the foyer is being closely watched by the boys each day!

Parenting Tips

Celebrating Harmony Week

Harmony Week is held annually in March across Australia. The goal is to encourage everyone to appreciate and celebrate differences and promote a sense of community and belonging.

To read more, see the link below for suggestions on how parents can engage their children in discussions about diversity, inclusiveness and multiculturalism.

Olivia Tims
Junior School Psychologist

JPG News

JPG Easter Collection & Raffle

JPG Easter Donations – Each boy is asked to contribute an Easter egg for the raffle.  Other donations of any type of Easter items (bunnies, chickens, fluffy toys, baskets etc.) are most welcome. Donations can be left in the tubs provided in Junior School Reception and the ELC from Monday 17 March.

Raffle tickets sales are available from Thursday 20 March.  Prep – Year 6 will be able to purchase from the playground before school or by placing tickets in an envelope in the box at reception.  A ticket collection box is also available in the ELC.  Please see the BGS app for further details.

End of Term Lunch

The JPG will again be offering an end of term lunch for the ELC and Junior School boys on Friday 4 April.  Lunch will include a burger, juice and treat. The cost will be $10.00 (extra burger $4.00).  Online ordering is available through Flexischools online ordering system.  Orders must be placed by no later than Friday 28 March 2025 at 5.00pm – no late orders will be accepted.