Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolUK neuroscience professor Matthew Walker spoke at the Sydney Writers’ Festival this week on how sleep can be harnessed to enhance learning.
After more than 20 years of research at the University of California, Berkeley, Professor Walker believes that sleep is one of the most important but least understood aspects of our lives, affecting our wellness and longevity.
For parents of teenagers and younger children, good sleep habits can be an ongoing challenge.
Walker advises a good night’s sleep the day before and the day after an important exam for teenagers rather than staying up late to study, as the sleep the night prior helps to process new learned information, and the night after is when the brain saves and stores information.
For more sleep hygiene tips, the Crowther Centre has developed resources as part of our extensive parent program, including a position paper on sleep.
Finally, engagement, connection, and collective spirit have taken centre stage this week, highlighted by the lively interschool debate between Brighton Grammar and Firbank Grammar Junior School students on Monday, the generous response to our Annual Giving Day on Tuesday, and today’s vibrant Secondary School House Choral Festival.
I hope you have the opportunity to get a good night’s sleep this weekend (according to Walker, seven to nine hours is the optimal amount of sleep for adults).
Peter Tellefson
Deputy Headmaster, Head of Junior SchoolOur weekly eNews is our main form of communication. It is essential that parents read the weekly eNews to ensure they are aware of the day-to-day happenings within the School which, in turn, assists your son with his organisation and involvement in school activities. I am delighted to say our Junior School eNews had 588 ‘hits’ last week.
Thank you to those parents who spend the time reading our eNews and I would also encourage you to read Dr Swann’s Crowther eNews to ensure you are aware of our focus within Teaching and Learning.
I was delighted to see Junior School parents attend the Crowther Centre ‘Inspirational Leadership’ workshop presented by keynote speaker Ben Walden. This opportunity is an example of the ‘extension from the classroom’ our Crowther team provides to parents as key members of our learning community.
To raise and educate boys, parents and teachers need to have a significant understanding and appreciation of what makes boys tick. I often tell staff that boys ‘learn teachers, not subjects’. You can be the best Mathematics, English, Science, PE or Art teacher, but if you don’t understand boys, you will not be an effective teacher.
Teachers must like boys, as approval is at the heart of working successfully with boys. Boys need a sense of connectedness and belonging, to feel a part of ‘the team’.
If boys sense their teachers like them, they will work hard for their teachers and respond positively to their learning environment and the daily challenges they face. We are fortunate at Wilson House our teachers have a clear understanding of what makes boys tick.
Wilson House Happenings & Reminders
- It was great to see our ELC to Year 6 boys wearing casual clothes on Tuesday in support of our Enriching Minds Annual Appeal. Thank you to all families for your support.
- Our Junior School Instrumental and Choral Concert will be held on Thursday 12 June, 7.00pm at St Andrew’s Church. Wilson House String Orchestra, Wilson House Concert Band, Training Strings, Beginner Strings, Junior Percussion Ensemble, Junior Guitar Ensemble, Junior Voices, Junior Chamber String Ensemble, Borwick House Choir and selected Year 6 Soloists will be performing. Boys are to wear their full winter uniform and need to be seated in St Andrew’s by 6.30pm. Further details will be available via the BGS App.
- Our Prep – Year 2 boys look forward to hosting their Grandparents and Special Friends on the following dates from 9.45am to 10.40am:
Year 2 – Thursday 19 June
Year 1 – Friday 20 June
Prep – Thursday 26 June
Community Spirit
We are truly overwhelmed by the support of our community for this year’s Enriching Minds Annual Appeal.
A total of 302 donors contributed over $208,000 (well exceeding our initial target of $160,000) for our redesigned library and resource centre.
A huge thank you for the generosity shown in helping to shape a future of literacy excellence and connectedness for our boys.
Eden Phillips
Head of Advancement
Student Achievements
Congratulations to the following boys from Prep – Year 6 who will be presented with Semester 1 Specialist Effort Cards at tomorrow’s Assembly:
Art – Oscar Sowerby, Ace Cheng, Luca Di Sabatino, Oliver Zhu, Lachlan Uber, Massimo Millis, Archer Brockett, Oscar Luo, Jack Bull, Cooper Johnston
Physical Education – Teddy Melksham, Harvey Mitchell, Harrison Kemp, Roman Maxted, Bodhi Lockett, Leo Gieschen, Oliver Qiu, Eddie Snowsill, Harry Peckham, Sam Jane, Enzo Zhang, Max Taffard-Phillips, Hugo Kvid, Jack Skurrie, Thomas Mills, William McConaghy, Lachie Mylon, Tom Salvo, Harvey O’Meara, Max De Luca
Prep – Year 3 Chinese – Teddy Melksham, Myles Gieschen, Callum Ottley, Dara Pyrlis, Jamie Porter, Rocco Lambert, Lucas Tran, Dominic Du Rieu, Jagger Lees
Religious Education – Fin MacGregor, Wilson Nguyen, Joe Peckham, Willem Hoofdman, James Angus, George Hill, Ken Sorataworn, Alex Hope, Jake Knipe, Will Verco, Luqa Goodall, Gus Donald, Chris Pittis, James Forbes, Zac Turton, Nayer Soliman, Jenson Brennan, Leo Yang, Christian Ferdinands, Darby Effeney
Year 6 Debating
Congratulations to the talented Year 6 Debaters who competed against Firbank Grammar students this week. The boys demonstrated self-confidence, teamwork and critical listening skills, as well as being organised and prepared for the roles assigned to them.
Christian Ferdinands, Cooper Johnston and Parker Dawson argued the affirmative side ‘That AI should be allowed in the classroom’. Leo Xu, Thomas a’Beckett and James Ellis argued the negative ‘That work and education should be reduced to 4 days a week ’.
Nicholas Shumsky and Kevin Wu were outstanding in their roles as Co-Chairpersons. The debaters shared a morning tea and listened to feedback. Parker and Leo were awarded Best Speakers. It was an enriching experience for all participants.
Year 3 Strings Concert
Learning a string instrument is a valuable part of the Year 3 curriculum, supporting cognitive, physical, and emotional development. It enhances memory, concentration, problem-solving, creativity, and self-expression.
On Thursday, the Year 3 boys proudly presented their inaugural String Demonstration Concert. Combining three classes into a large orchestra, they delivered impressive performances for parents and Year 1 boys. Special congratulations to soloists Ethan Wang, Aden Zhang, Evan Zhou, and Arthur Wang for their outstanding contributions.
Divisional Cross Country
Congratulations to our Year 3 – 6 boys who represented BGS in our APS Divisional Cross Country this week. The standard of competition was very high and our boys’ performances were excellent.
Thank you to Aaron French and Matt Barker for their organisation and coaching, and to those parents who were able to support our BGS team. Congratulations to all boys involved and best wishes to Asher Brown, Jack Lane, William McPherson, Alex Alderton, Chris Pittis, James Forbes, Zane Mtenje, Lachie Mylon, Jack Tripis and Olly Heath who have qualified to compete in the Eastern Regional Cross Country Championships.
Amelia Barrow
Director of the Early Learning CentreOften, we talk about how our boys love a hands-on program in the ELC, but what are the specific benefits to this natural way of learning? By providing a hands-on curriculum, the right side of the brain is stimulated through creativity and imagination whilst the left side of the brain through problem solving, spatial awareness, sorting and organising.
The boys are encouraged to multi-task through speaking, listening, touching and using their senses whilst exploring their environment in a fun playful way. We have our basic five senses of touch, taste, sight, hearing and smell however we also focus on balance, and body awareness.
When planning our indoor and outdoor programs with the boys, we enjoy hearing where the boys would like to lead their learning next. Their voice is integral when developing the curriculum and ensures their engagement is focused throughout the day.
This week the boys have continued to enjoy their busy days of learning whilst having fun along the way! Our Drama show and tell was a wonderful way for parents to experience each class’s creative and imaginative skills as they go on their weekly adventures in their Drama class with Mrs Zachest.
Parenting Tips
I-CEPS Parent Day
Parent Day is an innovative online parenting event, taking place on 7 June 2025, providing parents and carers with cutting-edge research from the world’s leading universities and institutions.
Evidence shows that well-informed parenting is one of the most powerful influences on a child’s success and happiness, and this day is dedicated to making that knowledge accessible to parents everywhere. Read more below on the International Congress on Evidence-based Parenting Support.
Olivia Tims
Junior School Psychologist
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 27 June 2025. Lunch will include two slices of margherita pizza, apple juice and a chocolate treat. The cost will be $10.00 (extra 2 pizza slices $5.00). Online ordering is available through Flexischools online ordering system.
Orders must be placed by no later than Friday 20 June 2025 at 5.00pm – no late orders will be accepted. Please note that normal canteen ordering will not be available on this day.
BGS Business Breakfast
Our next BGS Business Breakfast on Monday 16 June features guest speaker Joshua Ball (OB 2013), co-founder of Farmers Pick.
Joshua will outline the journey of this subscription-based service that delivers unconventional yet fresh produce directly to consumers, promoting sustainability and reducing food waste. Since inception, Farmers Pick has saved over 10 million kilograms of produce and expanded to a team of 120 employees.
Join us at the Royal Brighton Yacht Club to hear how Joshua and Farmers Pick continues to have a positive impact on both the environment and the economy.
Free Heart Checks at BGS
During the month of June, we are offering free heart health checks to all staff, parents and the wider community. This initiative aims to raise awareness about heart health within the BGS community.
From Thursday 12 June – Wednesday 25 June, BGS will host a SiSU Health Station on-site at the Annandale Pavilion, providing convenient access for everyone to monitor their heart health.
The SiSU Health Stations offer quick, non-invasive checks that include measurements of blood pressure, heart rate, and other critical indicators of cardiovascular health.
Please share this with friends and family – we want everyone in the community to be involved and part of it.