Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolMen’s Health Week, celebrated globally each June, highlights the importance of men taking an active role in their physical health and mental wellbeing throughout the year.
A central pillar of our work in Positive Masculinity is empowering our boys to prioritise their wellbeing, by building healthy habits, supporting one another, and feeling confident enough to have open, honest conversations.
Bringing this to life, tomorrow our Secondary School will Face the Freeze, a Positive Masculinity Committee initiative that combines fun with purpose, encourages challenge, and reminds us of the importance of looking after our health. As part of the festivities, students will have the opportunity to send a number of staff members, including myself, into the dunk tank, providing plenty of entertainment while supporting an important cause.
We’re also extending this focus to our wider community. From now until 20 June, complimentary health checks will be available to staff, parents and members of the Bayside community via the Shane Warne Legacy Health Check kiosk located at the Annandale Pavilion.
Finally, as we consider our boys’ wellbeing in an increasingly digital world, I encourage Junior School parents to explore the Crowther Centre’s latest position paper on Technology Recommendations for Primary-Aged Students, which also outlines the School’s expectations.
Simon Angus
Deputy Headmaster, Head of Secondary SchoolI hope everyone had an opportunity to rest over the long weekend and is ready for the final weeks of term.
Last night we welcomed Year 9 families back to the Urwin Centre for the Service Learning Expo. It was great to hear the students speak with confidence and insight about the experiences of last week.
Well done to all students who completed the recent examination period. With papers now returned, the focus turns to reflection and the upcoming Coaching Day on Tuesday, an opportunity for students to review their progress, identify areas for growth and set clear, purposeful goals.
We then turn our attention to Semester 2 and look forward to engaging with new curriculum while setting a strong direction for the remainder of the term.
Meliora Sequamur.
Happenings & Reminders
- Tuesday 16 June – Coaching Day
- Friday 26 June -Term 2 concludes
- Wednesday 22 July – Term 3 commences
- BGS+ Community Term 2 Holiday Program Timetable
- Uniform Shop (Campus Location) – Holiday Trading Hours
Shane Warne Legacy Health Check
This month, free health checks are on offer to all staff, parents and the wider BGS community. From Tuesday 9 June to Saturday 20 June, BGS is hosting a Shane Warne Legacy Health Check kiosk on-site at the Annandale Pavilion First Aid room.
The kiosk offers quick, non-invasive checks that include measurements of blood pressure, heart rate, and other critical indicators of cardiovascular health. Opening hours are Monday – Friday from 8.30am – 4.30pm and Saturday 9.00am – 12.00pm.
Friends and family are welcome; we invite everyone in the community to take part.
For more information, watch this explainer or read the health check results document.
BGS Business Breakfast
Join us for the next BGS Business Breakfast with special guest, Hayley Morris on Wednesday 17 June at 7.30am.
Hayley is an Australian philanthropist, impact investor and social entrepreneur with over 20 years’ experience across business, philanthropy and systems change. She co-founded purpose-driven ventures, including Keys for Future-Fit Leadership Academy, Sustainable Table, Climate Zero, The Regenerative Leader, and the farm-to-table restaurant Barragunda Dining.
Hear Hayley share insights on purpose-driven leadership and how business can drive positive change. Book now.
National Reconciliation Week
National Reconciliation Week is held annually from 27 May to 3 June and provides an opportunity for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how we can contribute to achieving reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Read more from Britt Richards, Director of Experiential Education, on how the week was celebrated in the Junior and Secondary Schools.
From the Archives
Experiencing a sense of belonging is a significant factor in mental health. Being part of a school community with shared values and beliefs helps us develop a sense of identity, and can help reduce feelings of loneliness, isolation, and stress.
Just over 100 years ago, on 1 May 1926, Headmaster Dixon oversaw the laying of the foundation of the Tower Wing at BGS.
Significant occasions like this show us the value of our history and culture. Not only is the Tower a landmark building, so many of our School activities are connected with it. Feeling part of the School helps us to understand our place in the world and how we are part of something important. We also learn about our history and culture. This can help us feel we have a place in the world, and that we are part of something important.
From Reverend Waterhouse
I’m sure all of us appreciated the recent long weekend and perhaps the opportunity to sleep in, get some domestic chores done at home, or watch the Big Freeze football match at the MCG.
The occasion for the public holiday, of course, was the King’s Birthday – known previously to former generations as the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.
In Victoria, this holiday celebrating the reigning British monarch typically falls on the second Monday in June. Although Charles’s birthday is in November, the date became standard back in 1937, in honour of the birthday of King George V (Charles’s great-grandfather) in early June.
As well as being the constitutional monarch of sixteen sovereign states, King Charles (and subsequent monarchs) also has the official title of Supreme Governor of the Church of England (the Anglican Church) – a title first given to King Henry VIII.
Being an Anglican school, it is right to recognise Charles’s authority and more importantly, to pray for him, as God’s word instructs us: ‘I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority’. [1 Timothy 2:1-2].
Below is an intercession from our Anglican Prayer Book, which you might like to pray.
Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness,
bless our Sovereign Lord, King Charles,
and all who are in authority under him;
that they may order all things in wisdom and equity,
righteousness and peace,
to the honour of your name,
and the good of your Church and people;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.