Weekly eNews

Thursday 26 June 2025

I am writing to you this week from the IBSC Conference in Boston, MA. The IBSC (International Boys’ Schools Coalition) is a global network that connects educators from boys’ schools to share ideas, research, and best practice. We’re fortunate to have staff both presenting and attending this year’s conference to represent BGS.

After 31 years of dedicated service, Maggie Lynch OAM retires from BGS at the end of this term. Maggie joined the staff of BGS as an ESL teacher in 1994 and she has been a tireless advocate for our international boys and families ever since, most recently as Coordinator of the International Parents’ Support Group.

Maggie’s association with BGS pre-dates 1994, as parent of Simon (OB 1993), Adrian (OB 1994) and Andrew (OB 2007). I wish Maggie and her husband Frank (also OAM) a long and happy retirement but expect to see her around our community as an IPSG volunteer.

It’s been a busy and exciting term in our Junior School, which wraps up tomorrow with another much-loved House competition. This year marks a new first: a friendly Mathematics Competition that celebrates teamwork, House spirit, and a fun end to the term. Boys from Prep to Year 6 will take part, with older students stepping in to lead and support their younger peers through each activity and shared mathematical thinking.

I hope you and your family have the opportunity for some downtime over the holiday break and I look forward to welcoming the boys back to school on Wednesday 23 July.

School life has been busy this term and it is hard to believe we have reached the halfway mark of 2025.

A snapshot of the term saw our boys participate in a variety of learning experiences; ELC to Year 2 Firbank visits, Year 6 Debating, Year 4 and Year 6 Outdoor Education Program, Mother’s Day morning, Homeroom and Sport photographs, Year 5 Goldfields visit, Cross Country, Music Camp and Junior School Instrumental and Choral Concert, Year 6 Indigenous Program – Bathurst Island and Pormpuraaw, APS Sport, Division and Regional Cross Country, Year 6 Immigration Museum and Street Art tour and Reconciliation week activities, Year 1 Como House excursion, Prep – Year 2 Grandparents and Special Friend’s mornings, Year 3/4 St Kevin’s Cross Country exchange and our support of the Annual Giving Appeal.

I am appreciative of the great work from our boys and staff and the continued support of all parents.  Best wishes for the break, enjoy being out of the school routine and to those who are travelling, keep safe.

 

Wilson House Happenings & Reminders

• Tomorrow will be our final day of Term 2. 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/Maths games – boys can wear their Sport Uniform/House Polo Shirt

3.20pm – Normal Dismissal 

• Prep to Year 6 Semester 1 Reports will be available online from 4.00pm today via the BGS app. Parent-Teacher Interviews are scheduled for early next term on Wednesday 30 July and Thursday 31 July. Booking information will be posted early next term. Homeroom teachers and Specialist Staff will be available to meet with parents.

• Congratulations to our Prep to Year 2 boys who, over the last two weeks, have been superb hosts at our Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ mornings. The boys enjoyed their music performance and classroom activities. Thank you to Emily Fairweather and Kt Goosey for the singing and preparation, to Jessica Ewington for her overall organisation as Prep-Year 2 Coordinator, to Alison Main, Isabelle Sharp, Susan Robertson, Victoria Fisher and Paul Strain for their classroom activities.

• Last Wednesday was our last round of APS Sport for the term. Congratulations to all boys involved in Football, Cross Country, Netball and Volleyball. Thank you to all staff who have coached and managed teams, to the many parents who support their sons on a weekly basis, and to Aaron French for his excellent organisation. Term 3 Sports are Soccer, Basketball, Hockey and European Handball.

• Term 3 commences Wednesday 23 July; boys continue to wear their winter uniform.

Student Achievements

• Congratulations to the following boys from Prep – Year 2 who will be presented with Term 2 Attitude and Effort cards at tomorrow’s End of Term Assembly.

• Congratulations to the following boys who will be presented with Years 3-6 who will be presented with Semester 1 Academic Excellence cards at tomorrow’s End of Term Assembly.

Lower Strings Soirée

The inaugural Lower Strings Soirée was a special event dedicated to celebrating the incredible talents of our Cello and Double Bass soloists from both the Junior and Secondary Schools.

Junior School performers included Oskar Toner, Ryan Cao, Oliver Zhu, Aden Zhang, Arthur Wang, Linc Caspar, Eason Dong, Jack Moncrieff, and Ryan Qiu. Secondary School performers were Tobias Knaack, Krix Xu, Lenny Lui, and Joey Williams.

From the heartfelt performances of our youngest musicians to the polished artistry of our older students, the evening was a beautiful celebration of the depth, warmth, and versatility of the Lower Strings family.

Congratulations to all our performers for their dedication and courage in taking the stage and thank you to our music staff and families for your ongoing support in nurturing the next generation of string musicians.

Harry Tsai
Head of Strings

Save the Date

Set a reminder for 28 July when tickets go on sale for the always incredible Pink Dinner! It’s a fun night for the women of our BGS community to connect, share some laughs, and this year, support the Leukaemia Foundation. Book a table of 12 or individual tickets (we’ll aim to seat you with your preferred Year level). Gather the girls and get ready for a great night! Booking link will be shared early next term.

The end of each term is a lovely time to reflect on the boys’ growth and development over the past 10 weeks.

In Term 2 the boys feel settled and into a rhythm of classroom routines and expectations, as well as creating new peer relationships and independence. Helping children at this age develop a strong sense of identity, confidence and independence is essential for their overall wellbeing and future growth.

By encouraging the boys to explore independently while providing guidance when needed and equipping them with skills to navigate social situations, we allow them to learn from mistakes, build resilience, and cultivate a sense of pride. It is wonderful to see the boys carry their school bags into the ELC, unpack their items into their locker and say goodbye in the morning as they happily start their day of learning.

This week the boys have enjoyed learning about the Winter Solstice (recognised last Saturday) as the longest night and shortest day of the year. The boys were fascinated that this is due to the earth’s axis tilting the furthest away from the sun, giving less than 12 hours of daylight.

We discussed that although it is the day of greatest darkness, Solstice is also a time of great hope for the sun’s rebirth. We also enjoyed researching how some countries celebrate Solstice with festivals and great feasts.

Tomorrow the boys are looking forward to the end of term lunch provided by our fabulous JPG. We also wish our families who are not enrolled in our holiday program, a relaxing three week break and cannot wait to hear the boys’ adventures on the first day of Term 3 on Wednesday 23 July.

 

Parenting Tip

Healthy Body Image

Body image is a growing concern for many children, girls and boys alike, and it’s showing up earlier than ever. Research shows that a third of five-year-old girls already express concerns about their weight. Even before they can confidently cut their food with a knife and fork, many are worrying about keeping food out of their mouths.

 The pull of the perfect body starts young and builds thanks to social media (the super-peer). And fewer of our children – both boys and girls – grow up feeling comfortable in their own skin.

Read Dr Justin Coulson’s tips below.

Olivia Tims
Junior School Psychologist

 

JPG News

Coat Drive

We are collecting clean, pre-loved children’s coats to help ‘Our Village Australia’ (previously St Kilda Mums) support vulnerable families and children this winter. To donate, please drop donations in the marked collection bin at Junior School Reception before the last day of Term 2. The coats will be taken directly to Village Australia. Any questions email the Junior Parents’ Group.

 

Diary Dates

• Friday 27 June Final Day Term 2
• Wednesday 23 July Term 3 Commences