Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolOne of the things that makes our school so special, and in fact is one of our greatest strengths, is the strong sense of belonging that exists across our community.
We know boys thrive when they feel connected to those around them, building the confidence, resilience and motivation to discover their strengths.
What is particularly special about belonging at BGS is that it extends well beyond a boy’s time at school. It creates lifelong connections and brings together generations of students, families and staff.
I am reminded of this often, when attending Old Boy reunions, welcoming back our longest-serving members of staff, seeing current and past parents at school events, or speaking with our young Old Boy mentors and scholars. In each of these interactions, there is a shared sense of connection and pride that reflects the enduring strength of our community.
As we mark R U OK? Day today and come together to support Connor’s Run this Sunday in honour of Connor Dawes (OB 2012), the importance of checking in, showing care and staying connected is more evident than ever.
Have a good weekend and continue to look out for one another.
Simon Angus
Deputy Headmaster, Head of Secondary SchoolToday we acknowledge R U OK? Day at BGS. It’s a simple question, but an important one. Taking a moment to check in can make a real difference and reminds people that we care. We see that spirit in our students every day, supporting their fellow Tonners, celebrating their successes, offering comfort when things are tough, or simply lending a hand with schoolwork.
Yesterday we held our second Father’s Day celebration, welcoming the dads of our Year 9–12 students to BGS for breakfast and a special Father’s Day Chapel service. Thank you to our Chapel guest speaker, Angus Macnab.
Our Dance Night Performance Evening next Monday is always a highlight of the year and a great opportunity to celebrate the creativity and talent of our students. There are limited tickets still available here.
A reminder that the last day of term is House Athletics Day. As we head into the final week of Term 3, I encourage everyone to finish strongly and take pride in all we have achieved together this term.
Meliora Sequamur.
Happenings & Reminders
- Monday 14 September, 7.00pm: BGS Dance Night
- Friday 18 September: House Athletics Day
- Friday 18 September: Term 3 concludes
Careers Immersion Program
The Year 10 Careers Immersion Program was a two-day experience designed to help students broaden their understanding of the pathways, opportunities, and possibilities available beyond school. Through first-hand exposure to university life, industry professionals, and Old Boys, students gain valuable insights into future study options, career pathways, and the skills needed to navigate an ever-changing world of work.
On Day 1, all students attended Deakin University, where they explored university life, learned how it differs from school, and heard from academics across Law, Psychology, Criminology, and Business/Commerce.
On Day 2, students selected from two experiences. One group visited Holmesglen and the St Kilda Football Club Academy to explore careers in sport, trades, and alternative pathways. The other attended Ormond and Trinity Colleges at the University of Melbourne, where they participated in a digital defence workshop, heard from current university students, and learned about college life.
Read full report from Ilana Nissen, Career Counsellor.
Literature Inspired Science
Chemistry class? No, it’s actually an English Literature class!
After reading Perfume, a Patrick Süskind novel that investigates a world in which the olfactory sense is the dominant sensory mode, Year 10 Literature students spent some time in the chemistry laboratory concocting their own perfume, providing a chance to put into practice something inspired by literature.
Kathryn Counihan
English Teacher
Martyrs Gift Fundraiser
Keep alive the over 50-year relationship between BGS and Martyrs Memorial School Papua New Guinea by helping us support the ‘Martyrs Gift’ in aid of programs to improve adult literacy. Every dollar goes towards giving men and women a second chance, so they can transform their lives.
Please donate here.
BGS Snowsports Shine
BGS Snowsports athletes have capped off an outstanding season with an exceptional haul of medals at the Australian Interschools Snowsport Championships at Perisher, showcasing the talent, determination and competitive spirit of our students on the national stage.
In the Secondary School competition, Tom S added a national silver medal in Division 3 GS, further highlighting the depth of BGS talent across the program.
In total, BGS athletes secured three individual National podiums and two team podiums, an outstanding achievement against the best school Snowsport athletes from across Australia. Congratulations to Tom and to all 33 BGS boys who represented Victoria at Nationals. Their achievements are a wonderful reflection of the commitment, teamwork and ambition that define BGS Snowsports.
Britt Richards
Head of Snowsports
Calling all Art Angels
Are you available to lend a hand in the lead-up to our annual Art Show from late-Term 3?
A friendly group, no artistic experience required – just a willingness to help and support our Secondary School students. A range of tasks available, both on-site and also from home.
Enquiries to Michael Hawkins.
Futsal Nationals
Congratulations to our BGS students who have been selected to represent Victoria at the upcoming Australian Futsal Association National School Futsal Championships.
We are delighted to have three students selected for their respective state teams:
- U13 Boys: Alexander L (Year 7)
- U16 Boys: Ethan S and Charles S (Year 10)
Adding to the BGS representation, Andy Burnett, Head of BGS+ Soccer and Futsal, has also been selected as Head Coach of the U12 Boys state team for the championships.
The competition will take place from 28 September to 1 October, with matches being held across multiple venues in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
We wish Alexander, Ethan, Charles and Andy all the very best and look forward to following their progress at the championships!
From The Archives
BGS promotes a strong sense of community and belonging. Meliora Sequamur: Brighton Grammar School 1882-1982 states, “In his advertisements Crowther emphasized three important points concerning his boarders. ‘The preparation of work is carefully supervised and judiciously assisted at evening study’ – as indeed it was. Secondly, boarders had ‘the advantage of regular sea bathing’… Last, but by no means least, he could rightly claim that boarders were, ‘as far as is consistent with school discipline, treated as members of the Headmaster’s family’. Many remembered their boarding days precisely in those terms. One recalled the Doctor, Mrs Crowther and her sister, as the father, mother and aunt of a family of boys, ‘the father greatly respected, the mother loved, and the auntie very well liked’.
The ‘family’ of 1886 included two brothers, C. J. and F. D. Mitchell. Their father, David Mitchell, whose career as a building contractor had culminated in the Exhibition Building in 1880, had been appointed Victorian Commissioner to the Indian and Colonial Exhibition in London. Their sister, then Mrs Armstrong, sailed with him. As Madame Melba, she was to become the operatic star of Covent Garden.’
There is a copy of a letter from Dame Nellie Melba in the Archive. In this letter, penned in her easily recognizable hand on her custom-engraved stationery featuring her elegant monogram, Dame Melba apologises to Madame Janzen and Captain Antrein for missing them while in Melbourne. This shows a strict adherence to the social etiquette of the time. Apologizing for missing someone but immediately offering a future date was standard practice for maintaining friendships and essential networking ties.
From Reverend Waterhouse
It’s been a joy to once again host our two Father’s Day chapel services during the last two Wednesdays, after our delicious breakfast in the Duigan Centre. As well as to our school caterers, Pinwheel, many thanks go to Simon Gadsden and Angus Macnab, our two guest speakers for the Year 7-8 and Year 9-12 services, respectively.
One of the sentiments usually shared at these occasions is the adage, Like father, like son. It’s a more formal way of saying “A chip of the ol’ block”; that is, the son reflects something of the father, in terms of appearance, personality or mannerisms, whether we like it or not!
Over the years, people have sometimes commented to me that they find it hard to trust in God, because we cannot physically see him. While that is true – and in one sense, it is a mercy of God that we cannot behold his unapproachable light – we can get to know the Son, Jesus, through his words in the Bible and by speaking to him in prayer. As we do get to know the Son, we therefore get to know the Father.
In John 14, Jesus said, ‘If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.’ [vs. 7]. Jesus is not a mere likeness of the Father … he is the exact radiance of the Father (c.f. Hebrews 1:3), as they, along with the Holy Spirit, are an expression of the one triune God.
Regardless of the relationship we may have with our own fathers or our own sons, what a privilege it is to be able to know the perfect Father, through the perfect Son.