Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolSchool reunions bring together alumni who share a common history and experiences and serve as a platform for Old Boys to reconnect and develop lasting relationships.
This week, OBGS President Andrew Rutter (OB 1980), along with some of our staff, joined Old Boys in Perth to recall memories and strengthen positive connections of their time at school.
Recently, members of the Class of 1994 travelled from both overseas and around Australia to reunite after three decades. The upcoming Spring edition of Meliora Sequamur, due out this month, will highlight these well-attended reunions, including a London event, spanning 10, 20, 40 and 50 year milestones. These gatherings are a testament to the strong sense of belonging at BGS.
While these events provide Old Boys with an opportunity to reflect on the past, I am always struck by how well these past connections are transformed into the present, acting as a catalyst for ongoing collaboration and community ties.
Finally, next Friday the Chairman of School Council will be writing to parents with details of the 2025 fee schedule and our plans for the year ahead.
Have a great week.
Simon Angus
Deputy Headmaster, Head of Secondary SchoolToday we acknowledge R U OK? Day at BGS. The messaging of this simple premise is truly powerful – taking the time to check in on others can be a small but important gesture that shows we care.
We see our students demonstrating their care of others, like showing up to support their mates in their endeavours, saying congratulations or commiserations when needed, or helping out with schoolwork.
Today I write to you from our Year 8 Outdoor Education program at Lake Hattah. It is great to see our boys enjoying the outdoors (and some nice weather).
Tomorrow is RCD casual clothes day. Robert Connor Dawes (OB 2012) passed away in 2013 after a brain cancer diagnosis. As a school we have proudly supported the RCD Foundation since its inception over 10 years ago.
Thank you to all students from contributing to this cause through our casual clothes day and especially to all those who are participating in Connor’s Run this weekend.
Meliora Sequamur.
Happenings & Reminders
- 13 September – BGS Dance Night, 7.00-8.15pm
- 20 September – Term 3 concludes
- 7 October – Term 4 commences
- 7-12 November – BGS Community Art Exhibition at Bayley Arts in Highett
- Winter Sports photographs are now available for purchase. Please see BGS app notice from 3 September for further details.
Athletics Success
Our Athletics team has experienced a successful start to the season. Our Friday twilight meets have been a great success with excellent participation.
In the All-Schools Relays last Wednesday, Ariel Friedrich gave our U14 medley team a significant lead in the 800m leg, which we held to secure a memorable victory, thanks to stellar performances by Jaque MacCallum Carter, Ned Lowe, and Teddy Bowen (all Year 7).
Our U14 4x100m relay team of Charlie Xia, Josh Maclean, Ned Lowe, and Teddy Bowen (all Year 7) earned a bronze medal, and U16 squad of Jack McArthur, Mitchell Carney, Edward Urquhart, and Will Tan (all Year 9) also captured bronze in their 4x100m relay.
Read full report from Lachlan Connell, Head of Athletics.
Water Polo Report
The Firsts Water Polo team has experienced a season of ups and downs, narrowly losing several matches by just two goals or less but demonstrating resilience and determination every week.
After rallying support at assembly, thanks to Caiden Perla-Dowdell and Lachlan Lewis, the team was eager to see a strong turnout at their Friday night match against Caulfield Grammar.
Read more from David Liddle, Head of Water Polo.
Music High Flyers
We are thrilled to celebrate the achievements of a large number of Junior and Secondary School Music students who have been performing and competing statewide recently:
Samuel He (Year 7) 1st Place – Acoustic Guitar 16 years and under – Ringwood Eisteddfod.
James Melgaard (Year 7) 1st Place Trumpet – 14 year and under brass, and 3rd Place French Horn – 16 years and under brass – Monash Youth Eisteddfod. James has also been performing as a member of the professional orchestra for the Heidelberg Choral Society and West Gippsland Chorale performances of the Brahms Requiem.
Also performing in the orchestra were James’ father, Dave (BGS Class of 1996), and BGS Head of Bands, Kurt Abell (pictured below).
The following boys have also passed the first round audition and will compete for the upcoming Victorian State Instrumental Championships on 12 and 13 October:
Hanming Shen (Year 9) – piano, Kingsley Lin (Year 7) – piano, Samuel He (Year 7) – guitar.
We also have numerous students who have recently achieved further AMEB performance and theory exam success. Keep enjoying your music, boys!
Susie Heggie
Head of Music Curriculum
From Reverend Waterhouse
Last Friday evening, I attended the elimination final match at the MCG, along with almost 98,000 other spectators!
When entering the ground, all of us naturally knew that while approximately half of the crowd would leave the game elated, the other half would leave deflated.
As it happened, I was allocated a seat in a Hawthorn Bay directly next to a father and daughter supporting the Bulldogs. I thus felt compelled to somewhat temper my celebrations, as I have always sought to adhere to an adage, I once heard referenced by football coach Mick Malthouse: “Be humble in victory and gracious in defeat.”
More importantly, I am also constrained by God’s Word, through the apostle Paul’s wise affirmation in the book of Romans that we are to ‘rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.’ (12:15).
This doesn’t mean that there is no place for celebratory exuberance or even a gentle ribbing of rival fans! It does mean that we are willing to demonstrate both empathy and sympathy for others through the highs and lows of daily life.
Such was the example of Christ, who entered our world as one of us, so to share our humanity.