Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolCo-curricular activities offer students valuable opportunities to spark new interests and develop strengths they may not discover in the classroom alone.
Our diverse co-curricular program includes experiences such as interstate tours like this week’s Year 6 Canberra trip, joint musical productions with Firbank Grammar (with final rehearsals taking place for The SpongeBob Musical), and recent parent-son cooking classes.
The enthusiasm of our Year 7-8 students in Food Technology is a strong reminder of the important link between healthy nutrition and effective learning.
Good food choices support focus, energy and overall wellbeing. Even something as simple as a balanced breakfast can positively impact your son’s day. Staying hydrated is equally as important.
As a school, we’re committed to working in partnership with families to support healthy habits so boys are better equipped to concentrate, manage stress, and be ready to learn.
The Crowther Centre has a number of helpful resources, including our Position Paper on Nutrition , which I encourage you to read and discuss with your son.
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, 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 on Friday. 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 had prepared 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, Mary Clark and Julie Granger for the wonderful learning environment they provide and to all parents for your continued support.
Wilson House Happenings & Reminders
- A special thank you to our BGS community who donated over 100 children’s coats to the Our Village Winter appeal. They were very grateful to receive our donations.
- 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 2 September
Year 1 – Wednesday 3 September
Year 2 – Friday 5 September
Year 3 – Monday 1 September
Year 4 – Monday 8 September
Year 5 – Tuesday 9 September
Year 6 – Thursday 4 September
- This year’s Book Week theme is Book an Adventure. The Book Week Parade will be held on Friday 22 August. See app for further details.
- Please view this infographic from Victoria Police on biking and riding e-scooters. We encourage you to continue having conversations with your sons regarding road safety.
Amelia Barrow
Director of the Early Learning CentreThis week the boys have enjoyed their jam-packed curriculum across all four classes with a variety of interest areas being taught. Although a little chilly in the morning, we have taken advantage of the blue skies with our outdoor program, and preparing to plan our vegetable patch planting with Mr Shin.
It was lights, camera, action for our boys this week with their individual and class photos. Previewing and ordering these photos is available online through Schoolpix.
Our ELC4 boys and Wombats were visited by our Year 11 Psychology students as well this week, who provided fun based activities to help with their studies on assessment procedures. Our boys were in awe to have the big boys play games and spend time in the ELC. It was also lovely to hear the Year 11 boys talk about their time in the ELC and reminisce.
With Book Week in just a couple of weeks, the boys have started to enjoy reading the finalist books. We also look forward to joining the Lower Primary for a performance of “Garden of broken things” on Tuesday 19 August and can’t wait for pyjama day on Thursday 21 August for a snuggly day to read books and enjoy indoor activities for Book week.
Our Term 3 Parent/Teacher interviews are scheduled for Monday 11 August and Tuesday 12 August with bookings now open, please see the BGS app for further details. These will all be held in the Junior School, so please enjoy the walk across the car park to our wonderful Lower Primary classrooms.
Parenting Tip
Sibling Relationships
Sibling relationships are often a child’s first and longest-lasting social connection. These bonds can offer companionship, support and opportunities to develop important life skills such as empathy, negotiation and conflict resolution. However, like all close relationships, sibling dynamics can be complex. Differences in temperament, age, needs and parental attention can all contribute to tension or rivalry. As a parent or caregiver, your role in shaping the tone of sibling relationships is vital.
Creating a home environment that celebrates each child’s unique strengths and avoids direct comparisons helps reduce rivalry and fosters mutual respect. This edition of SchoolTV offers insights to support young people in developing positive, lasting sibling bonds that can remain strong well into adulthood.
Olivia Tims
Junior School Psychologist
Pink Dinner
Tickets are now on sale for the 2025 Pink Dinner, 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).
BGS Business Breakfast
At our next BGS Business Breakfast on 27 August, guest speaker Tim Toner, co-founder and CEO of Affinda Group, will offer his insights on the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
Affinda Group is a rising force in AI, driving growth through two innovative ventures: Affinda (AI-powered document processing) and Draftable (legal document comparison software). Trusted by over 1,750 customers across 75 countries, they are supported by some of Australia’s leading family offices.
Join us to hear Tim’s story of founding the Group, including his advice on how to make AI work for you, with some interactive examples.
Friends of Music Second Hand Uniforms
