Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolYesterday, I announced our new building dedicated to science, creativity and entrepreneurship will be officially named the Duigan Centre, marking another significant milestone in this exciting project.
Endorsed by School Council, the name honours aviation pioneer John Robertson Duigan (OB 1901) who made history when he and his brother Reginald (OB 1904) built and flew the first Australian-made aircraft in 1910.
As Australia’s first recorded flight, it marked the beginning of the aviation era and forever changed travel for all Australians.
To recognise Duigan’s innovative and creative spirit, a group of Year 9 and 10 students are helping to reconstruct a full-size replica of the Duigan biplane at the Moorabbin Airport.
The replica biplane will be suspended from the ceiling of the new centre when it opens in early 2025 to inspire our boys to dream big and remind them of their limitless potential.
Have a great week.
Peter Tellefson
Deputy Headmaster, Head of Junior SchoolThe first of our Music Journey Concerts saw our choristers perform at St Andrew’s on Tuesday evening. What a night of entertainment!
The joy and enthusiasm of our Year 3 and Year 4 boys as they sang Best Day of my Life to our Borwick House Choir’s very moving performance of Bird to Bird was impressive. The final piece performed by our Junior School boys saw our Junior voices and Borwick House Choir combine to belt out I’m Still Standing with gusto. Special mention to Jenson Brennan for his solo performance.
Our Junior School boys provided a superb entrée to what was to come as the various soloists and choirs in the Secondary School showed the depth of creative talent at BGS that we continue to celebrate. We look forward to the Strings and Concert Band Journey Concerts next week.
The House System is an essential part of the day-to-day activities of the boys’ participation in House Swimming, Cross Country, Athletics, Tabloid Sports, Chess, Spelling, Mathematics, Public Speaking, Debating, Chantology, Trivia and Poetry which are all competitions that generate a greater sense of connectedness and enable our boys to do their best in a variety of experiences.
Our House Point System is positive affirmation for our boys’ actions which are recognised at our weekly Assembly. I look forward to adjudicating our House Public Speaking competition later this term.
Wilson House Happenings & Reminders
- Watch this week’s What Am I Learning to take a peek at our Junior School assembly as Mr Tellefson and the boys discuss the meaning of the School motto – Meliora Sequamur
- All Prep – Year 6 boys are invited to dress up for the Book Week Parade on Friday 23 August. Boys can come to school or bring a costume based on the theme, Reading is Magic. They will parade their costumes in their year levels at a special assembly.
- Save the Date – Year 6 Musical – Finding Nemo Jr
Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 September, 7.00-8.15pm. We encourage all ELC to Year 6 families to support our Year 6s. Booking information will be available soon.
Student Achievements
I was pleased to hear our Junior School boys competing in the various Snowsports Competitions enjoyed and acquitted themselves well last week.
Congratulations to Patrick Thornborrow, Angus Graham, Ethan Lin, Tom Salvo, Luca Rehder, Mason Grollo, Darby Effeney and Eddie Sauerbrunn who have qualified for the National Championships.
Thank you to our parents for your continued support and to Cindy van Dijk, Mat Steed, Troy Gendala and Basia Quill for their coordination and management of the team.
Amelia Barrow
Director of the Early Learning CentreWhat an exciting week it has been with our Book Week celebrations in the ELC. It was lovely to see the boys arriving each morning with a favourite book under their arm to share with their classroom friends.
On Tuesday we marched over to join the Lower Primary boys in our GBR Hall for the performance of Timeless. With a few of our students selected to join in with the play, the boys were completely engaged singing and dancing along with the story.
We have certainly been loving the Outdoor Program as one group excitedly decided to create their own Ninja warrior course to explore. It has been great to watch the boys build in confidence and resilience as they tackle the challenges in front of them with a supportive crowd.
Even our littlest 3-year-olds are climbing, jumping, swinging and balancing with the best of them. I’m looking forward to seeing where they will take it next.
A reminder that next week we are celebrating our dads and special friends for Father’s Day in the ELC so please check the foyer for a reminder of dates for your diary.
Parenting Tips
Dysregulation – what does that actually mean?
Dysregulation, or emotional dysregulation, is an inability to control or regulate one’s emotional responses or having emotions that are overly intense in comparison to the situation that triggered it. It can involve many emotions, including sadness, anger, irritability, and frustration.
Emotional regulation is a learned skill, and one of the pillars of emotional intelligence. Parents play a large role in shaping their child’s emotion regulation skills early in life.
Parents who model positive emotions at home may enhance their children’s ability to regulate emotions. Read more below.
Olivia Tims
Junior School Psychologist
Connor’s Run 2024
Join us in supporting the RCD Foundation’s running of Connor’s Run and help change the odds for young people facing brain cancer. Register here
Read more from Liz Dawes, Founder/CEO of the RCD Foundation, and mother of Connor (OB 2012).
JPG News
End of Term Lunch
The JPG will again be offering an end of term lunch for the ELC and Junior School boys on Friday 20 September 2024. Lunch will include a pie, apple juice and a treat. The cost will be $10.00 (extra pie $5.00).
Online ordering is available through Flexischools online ordering system. Orders must be placed by no later than Friday 13 September 2024 at 5.00pm – no late orders will be accepted. Please note that normal canteen ordering will not be available on this day.
Journey Concerts
The Music Department is pleased to showcase its fabulous music students in the two remaining Journey Concerts in August. All are welcome to attend.
Strings Spectacular – Tuesday 27 August – St Andrew’s Church – 7.00pm
Bands Showcase – Thursday 29 August – St Andrew’s Church – 7.00pm
Friends of Music have organised a raffle with a chance to win four premium tickets to see Disney’s Beauty and the Beast musical at Her Majesty’s Theatre. Purchase raffle tickets here