Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolLast week I attended the Anglican Schools Australia Conference in Perth alongside Deputy Headmaster and Head of Secondary School Simon Angus.
The conference theme, Grace-full Hospitality, prompted thoughtful discussion about how generosity, belonging and faithfulness are intentionally lived within our school communities.
It also provided me with an opportunity to reflect on how our Anglican identity is expressed at BGS, not only through worship, but also through service, learning, pastoral care and the everyday relationships that shape our school.
One idea that resonated strongly was the importance of reflection. In an environment where there is constant activity, taking time to pause can bring clarity and perspective.
This was reinforced during our recent Staff Day, when staff were guided through a breathwork session by life coach Trevor Hendy, providing an opportunity to reset before a busy school term.
Whether through reading, a walk or a few moments of stillness, these quiet pauses help us make wiser decisions and focus on what’s most important. I read this article recently published in The Atlantic, observing that intentional solitude is not only about withdrawing from the world but preparing ourselves to engage with it more thoughtfully.
This is an important lesson for our boys. Learning is about more than just completing the task: it requires time to reflect on feedback, consolidate understanding and recognise opportunities for growth.
As the term quickly gathers pace, I hope you are also able to find a few minutes this weekend to pause, reflect and enjoy time together with your family.
Peter Tellefson
Deputy Headmaster, Head of Junior SchoolI always look forward to my ‘meet and greet’ to start each day, 8.00am – 8.30am is a highlight of my day as our boys arrive at school.
The constants are always the shaking of hands and ‘good morning’! Smiles, sometimes tears, insightful comments, family news and updates, Library books, show and tell, weekend activities, additional sport bags and musical instruments and Collingwood prompt our conversations. The countdown for our Preps was on last week as 100 days at school was fast approaching.
Our Preps celebrated their significant milestone last Tuesday. The boys had a busy day; counting their 100 objects, building towers with 100 blocks, made pictures of 100, decorated their 100 day hats, danced with glow sticks and enjoyed pizza for lunch.
Mr Featherston and I enjoyed our classroom visit and chat with the boys. We both shared photos of our days in primary school and the boys asked various questions for us to respond to about our school experiences.
The learning taking place in our Prep classroom is impressive. Congratulations to all our Preps, they are 100 days older and 100 days smarter. It is a pleasure to watch our boys grow and develop in so many facets of life; in Prep it’s dramatic, particularly in the second half of the year.
Thank you to Alison Main, Isabelle Sharp and Georgia Rosini for the wonderful learning environment they provide and to all parents for your continued support.
One of the great strengths of our school is the strong sense of connection and belonging our boys experience at BGS. Last Saturday, our current Pre-Prep boys transitioning into Prep 2027 were fortunate to create the guard of honour as our First XVIII Football team ran out onto the Crowther Oval. They had a great time as they cheered our boys to victory.
It was wonderful to see so many Junior School boys and parents come together last Saturday to provide support and experience the success, but more importantly, the pride and passion that comes with being a Tonner.
Wilson House Happenings & Reminders
- Our Prep – Year 6 boys will welcome their dads into the classroom for activities and to celebrate Father’s Day from 8.30 – 9.15am as below:
Prep – Tuesday 1 September
Year 1 – Wednesday 2 September
Year 2 – Friday 4 September
Year 3 – Monday 31 August
Year 4 – Monday 7 September
Year 5 – Tuesday 8 September
Year 6 – Thursday 3 September
- This year’s Book Week theme is Symphony of Stories. The Book Week Parade will be held on Friday 28 August. See app for further details.
- As marked in the BGS Calendar, Monday 17 August is a mid-term break and the Junior School Office will be closed for the day.
- Save the Date – Year 6 Musical – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang JR. – Wednesday 9 September and Thursday 10 September from 7pm – 8.15pm. We encourage all ELC to Year 6 families to support our Year 6s. Booking information will be available soon.
Student Achievements
Wilson House String Orchestra Strikes Gold
Strings at Brighton Grammar is still in full swing after our Secondary School Europe String Tour — and last Thursday’s result proved it.
After three weeks off over the school holidays, and with half our orchestra away in Canberra in Week 1, our 41 boys from the Junior School Wilson House String Orchestra stepped up in Week 2 and delivered: Gold at the Victorian School Music Festival.
Beyond the performance quality, what stood out was their presentation, appearance and discipline both on and off stage — the same professionalism our older boys showed on the international stage in Europe. No excuses, no dip in standard — just boys who turned up, focused, and truly Made it Happen.
This achievement is a wonderful example of Positive Masculinity in action. The boys took ownership of their performance, supported one another, and upheld high standards through teamwork, resilience, and respect.
Congratulations to every member of the Wilson House String Orchestra on this outstanding achievement and thank you to our dedicated families and staff for their ongoing encouragement and support.
Harry Tsai
Head of Strings
Victorian Cross Country Snowsport Championships
Five BGS Junior School students competed at the Victorian Cross Country Interschools Snowsport Championships held at Mount Buller on Sunday, 2 August.
Conditions were tough with high winds, but our boys – Jasper (Y6), Rory (Y6), Finn (Y5), Fred (Y5) and Jack (Y5) – skied brilliantly. Taking on schools with much larger teams, they fought hard in true Tonner style.
They showed an impressive level of determination, resilience, and plenty of grit. Well done boys, you should all be incredibly proud of your efforts.
Congratulations to Jasper (Y6) and Rory (Y6) on their appointment as Snowsports Captains for 2026.
Britt Richards
Head of Snowsports
Liz Dendrinos
Director of the Early Learning CentreIt’s back to business this week in the ELC, with many of the boys observed enjoying the many new activities set-up within the classrooms. Whether it be art, storytelling, building, or imaginative play- allowing the boys the freedom to express themselves often opens opportunities to develop remarkable focus, persistence and independence.
This week, in community and group settings, our ELC boys teamed up with their friends in the Junior School to take part in an Indigenous smoking ceremony. This meaningful cultural event provided the boys with a special opportunity to witness different traditions while connecting with one another. Ceremonies like this foster a sense of respect, gratitude, and inclusivity, reminding us of the important role that culture, connection, and care for our environment play in our lives.
It was all about lights, camera, and action for our boys as they posed for their individual and class photos this week. Families can preview and order these photos online via Schoolpix.
Our Term 3 Parent/Teacher interviews are set for Monday, August 10, and Tuesday, August 11, with bookings closing soon, please check the BGS app. These interviews will take place in the Junior School, so enjoy the stroll across the car park to our lovely Lower Primary classrooms.
Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)
Each year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). Criteria is used to identify students that receive reasonable educational adjustments or assistance because of a disability as determined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, and the Disability Standards for Education 2005. The NCCD has been progressively implemented since 2015 and has recently been linked to funding for schools.
The NCCD provides state and federal governments with the information they need to plan more broadly for the support of students with disability. The school will provide data to the Australian Government in such a way that no individual student will be able to be identified – the privacy and confidentiality of all students is ensured.
Further information about the NCCD can be found on the NCCD Portal. If you have any questions about the NCCD, please email David Eggleston.
Parenting Tip
Our Biggest Resilience Mistake
We are accidentally raising fragile children.
It’s not because we’re bad parents. It might be the opposite. It’s because we’re “good ones”. We love our kids so much that we smooth the path ahead of them, intervene when things get hard, and rescue them from discomfort before it has a chance to teach them anything.
It feels like protection. It might be the opposite. But it takes wisdom to know the difference. And it’s hard because it seems that the stakes are high. Click the link below to read more from Dr Justin Coulson on how to avoid resilience mistakes.
Olivia Tims
Junior School Psychologist
BGS Business Breakfast
Join us on Tuesday 25 August as we welcome Nicolas Cann (OB 2003), founder and CEO of Blobfish International and founder of Fur Media, as our Business Breakfast guest speaker.
What started as a simple idea in Australia in 2015 has grown into an international business operating across Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the US, with expansion into Japan and South Korea. Through Blobfish International, Nic helps some of the world’s biggest brands connect directly with consumers through targeted sampling, activations and partnerships.
Nic is also the founder of Fur Media, Australia’s pet-focused digital out-of-home media network, which reaches pet owners through more than 200 veterinary clinics nationwide.
Passionate about entrepreneurship and building scalable businesses from unconventional ideas, Nic will share insights into innovation, growth and creating memorable brand experiences.
Don’t miss this inspiring morning with one of Brighton Grammar’s entrepreneurial success stories. Book now.
BGS+ Swim Race Night
Whether it’s your first time racing or you’re looking to sharpen your race skills in a supportive and fun environment, this is a great opportunity to get involved, challenge yourself, and celebrate the progress you’ve made over the last term.
Students from Years 2 – 6 are invited to compete at the BGS+ Swim Race Night on Friday 21 August from 6.00 – 7.30pm at the BGS Pool. Warm up commences from 5.30pm. Further details and booking information is available via the BGS app.
We’d like to see as many of you there as possible – it’s always a great night for swimmers, families, and supporters alike!