Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolRead, grow, inspire is the theme of Book Week 2023 (19 – 25 August) and it is one that is relevant to all of us regardless of age.
Reading ignites imaginations and helps our children to develop their vocabulary and their writing and critical thinking skills. It is especially important for our students to continue to read as they reach early adulthood, and the onus is on us as parents and educators to lead by example and read.
At the start of each term, I share with staff the books that I have read over the holiday break, and we have active staff and parent book clubs across a range of year levels. A current recommendation is Demon Copperhead, a modern take on the Dickens classic David Copperfield.
With research showing that reading benefits both your physical and mental health, and those benefits can last a lifetime, I hope you can find the time to unwind with a good book over the weekend.
Peter Tellefson
Deputy Headmaster, Head of Junior SchoolThe 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.
These competitions 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 Poetry competition later this term.
I am a strong believer ‘that the little things count’. So often I remind the boys how important their manners are and when speaking to an adult to make good eye contact, these two examples are ‘little things’ that make a difference and build confidence in boys.
We have a responsibility to assist our boys develop a sense of pride in themselves, their family and their School. I love the start to my day and ‘meeting and greeting’ the boys. I continue to be impressed with our boys and how they present themselves and engage appropriately with their peers and adults at school.
A special welcome to the following new boys and their families to Wilson House: Jack Webster (ELC3 Wombat), Harry Sun (Prep Fivedale) and Samuel He (6 Resolution). We wish these boys and their families a long and happy time at Brighton Grammar. I am sure our current boys and families will make them feel welcome.
Wilson House Happenings & Reminders
- This year’s Book Week theme is Read, Grow, Inspire. The Book Week Parade will be held tomorrow, Friday 25 August and Prep – Year 6 boys are invited to dress up for the parade. Boys can come to school dressed in costume or bring a costume to school based on the theme Read, Grow, Inspire. See the BGS app for further details.
- Save the Date – Year 6 Musical – The Pirates of Penzance Jr – Wednesday 6 September and Thursday 7 September from 7.00pm – 8.15pm. We encourage all ELC to Year 6 families to support our Year 6s. Booking information will be available soon.
Student Achievements
- Congratulations to all boys who competed in the Junior School Spelling Bee. Well done to our Year Level Champions and to our overall winner, Liam Dever.
Year 3 – Liam Dever
Year 4 – James Ellis
Year 5 – Terry Ji
Year 6 – Branden Turner
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 the GBR Hall for the performance of Frank’s Red Hat. With a few of our boys selected to join in with the play, the boys were completely engaged singing and dancing along with the story of Frank the penguin who was full of crazy ideas. The story took the boys along an arctic journey, teaching the boys about perseverance and risk-taking, whilst celebrating differences.
We have certainly been loving the Outdoor Program as a group excitedly decided to create their own Ninja warrior course to explore. It has been great to watch the boys build confidence and resilience as they tackle the challenges with a crowd supporting them. Even our littlest three 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.
This week we also welcomed a new friend Jack in the Wombat class and we hope Jack has a wonderful rest of the year making lifelong friends at BGS.
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
Our Words Matter
For close to 200 years, children have sung in the schoolyard, ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones but words shall never hurt me.’
We all know that’s not true. However, it’s not just cruel words that have the capacity to hurt.
Sometimes as parents, we surprisingly hurt our children in the way we offer praise or correction. To read more, click the link below:
Olivia Tims
Junior School Psychologist/Head of Psychological Services
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 15 September 2023. Lunch will include a pie, juice and a treat. The cost will be $10.00 (extra pie $5.00).
Online ordering is available through Flexischools. Orders must be placed by no later than Friday 8 September 2023 at 5.00pm – no late orders will be accepted.
Please note that normal Tuck shop ordering will not be available on this day.
