Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolAn essential component of our Effective Learner Model is developing readiness to learn, as highlighted within the Learning Dispositions quadrant.
Being prepared to learn is a foundation for academic achievement, which was celebrated at yesterday’s Secondary School Academic Colours assembly and also evidenced at Junior School assemblies with awards presentations throughout the term.
Helping students develop the skills needed for learning readiness was also the focus of last night’s Year 7 parent workshop presented by the Crowther Centre.
I extend my thanks to the 1,182 members of the BGS community who shared their insights through our 2024 School Improvement Tool survey. Your feedback is invaluable for identifying our strengths and areas for growth.
The key themes for our Executive team to consider include:
- Continuing to promote positive masculinity, emotional wellness and inclusive practices across academics and sport
- Expanding co-curricular opportunities that complement our academic approach
- Maintaining a positive school culture and a strong sense of community and belonging
Our strong average net promoter score reflects that we are on the right track, successfully providing a high-performance educational experience for your sons.
Finally, we honour the dedication and service of BGS Governor Don Cameron (OB 1951) who passed away this week. Don was a past parent, former Chairman of School Council (2000 – 2004), OBGS Honorary Life Member and former OBGS President. His outstanding contributions to BGS embody our Year 12 Legacy of honouring the past and those who have gone before us.
We also send our sincere condolences to the Melbourne Grammar School community after the sudden passing of one of their Year 12 students, Edward Millear this week.
Simon Angus
Deputy Headmaster, Head of Secondary SchoolAt yesterday’s Academic Colours assembly, we recognised and celebrated students who have excelled in their studies. It featured an inspiring keynote speech from Prefect Angus Giles and a Legacy Update from our School Captain and Vice Captains.
We also announced Melville as the winner of the House Swimming competition – an exciting achievement. Well done, Melville House!
This weekend I have the pleasure of visiting 99 of our Secondary School music students at Music Camp in regional Victoria. This camp provides an invaluable opportunity for the boys and Music staff to dedicate uninterrupted time to rehearsals in preparation for the year’s events.
Beyond the music, the camp fosters strong social and musical connections within ensembles, creating a supportive and collaborative environment.
Ensembles attending the camp include the Secondary String Orchestra, Corelli String Orchestra, Intermediate Big Band, Senior Big Band, and the Ten Tonners.
As we look ahead, there are several key music events to mark in your calendars:
- Wednesday 12 March – Upper Strings Solo Soirée, 4.30pm, GBR Hall (Junior School)
- Wednesday 19 March – Woodwind Solo Soirée, 4.30pm, GBR Hall (Junior School)
- Thursday 20 March – Year 9 Performance Evening, 5.00pm, SS Rehearsal Studio
- Thursday 27 March – Semester 1 Concert – Large Ensembles, 7.00pm, St Andrew’s Church
I look forward to experiencing the energy of Music Camp this weekend and seeing our students showcase their talents in the weeks ahead.
Meliora Sequamur.
Happenings & Reminders
- 27 February, 2.00 – 8.30pm – Parent Teacher Student Discussions
- 1 March, 2.00pm – Opening of The Duigan Centre
- 3 March, 2.00 – 8.30pm – Parent Teacher Student Discussions
- 5 March, 4.30pm – Upper Strings Solo Soirée
- 10 March – Labour Day Public Holiday
- The School has received multiple complaints from neighbours recently as parents are not parking appropriately and obstructing driveways, with residents often unable to access their homes. We ask for parent assistance to abide by parking and traffic bylaws during drop off and pick up times.
Ready to Learn workshop
It was wonderful to see so many Year 7 parents at our Ready to Learn workshop last night.
Our Year 7s have settled into their new routines remarkably well. However, we understand that the transition from primary school to secondary school can feel like a big leap – not only for your child but for you as parents too.
Going from knowing everyone and everything to navigating new relationships and supporting your child’s growing independence can bring mixed emotions. Read more from Kristen Molloy, Associate Head of the Crowther Centre and Kirsten Dunsby, Head of Year 7.
Parent Survey – Mobile Phone and Social Media
As a school community, we are uniquely positioned to help our young people develop healthier, more harmonious relationships with technology, hence the launch of our Harmony Project.
We would appreciate your participation in the survey below to help inform and shape the School’s policies and procedures around this important issue of boys and screens.
To have your say, please complete this short parent survey.
BGS Business Breakfast
Our next BGS Business Breakfast on 19 March features guest speakers Thomas Burns (OB 2016) and his sister Anabelle Burns, founders of Femmé Organic.
Owning and operating their small family business, Thomas and Anabelle are on a mission to inspire change and simplify the market by providing plastic free, organic, sustainable and biodegradable sanitary care products.
They are already making waves, stocking with large retail companies such as Priceline and partnering with businesses such as TLC Healthcare, Grill’d, KOOKAI, Cotton On, RACV and more.
Join us at the Royal Brighton Yacht Club to hear their story, from inspiration to concept, setbacks, criticism and now the thriving business that Femmé Organic is today.
BGS Generations, including Uncles!
The BGS Generations program acknowledges boys with BGS heritage including sons, grandsons, great-grandsons and, more recently, nephews and grandnephews of Old Boys. In recognition of these ties, boys receive a pin to wear on their blazer.
The 2025 presentation of Generations pins is coming up soon so, please ensure we know all your family connections by completing this form here, if you haven’t already.
This includes brothers, fathers, uncles, grandfathers, great uncles, and great grandfathers.
The School is always delighted when an Old Boy enrols his son at BGS, especially if the Old Boy himself is a second generation BGS student.
Please note:
When determining third or fourth generations, there is no distinction between paternal or maternal grandfathers and great grandfathers.
Uncles and their nephews will receive a ‘Generations Family’ pin in the absence of any other Old Boys in their direct lineage.
If you have any questions, please email Kate Speirs
Free Heart Checks at BGS
During the month of February, we are offering free heart health checks to all staff, parents and the wider community. This initiative aims to raise awareness about heart health within the BGS community.
From Sunday 16 February – Thursday 27 February, BGS will host a SiSU Health Station on-site at the Annandale Pavilion, providing convenient access for everyone to monitor their heart health.
The SiSU Health Stations offer quick, non-invasive checks that include measurements of blood pressure, heart rate, and other critical indicators of cardiovascular health.
Please share this with friends and family – we want everyone in the community to be involved and part of it.
From Reverend Waterhouse
Last weekend, I spent an enjoyable Saturday morning watching an APS Cricket match at Port Melbourne (made even better by the fact that BGS won!).
At one point during the game, dark clouds loomed and after light rain became a heavy downpour, the covers were brought on by the boys and play was suspended for about fifteen minutes until the sun gloriously shone again and play was back on, albeit with limited overs.
It was a remarkable contrast of weather in such a short period of time, and it reminded me that there are some things beyond our human control, which are fully under God’s providential hand.
In his famous Sermon on the Mount in the gospel of Matthew, Jesus affirms that: ‘Your Father in heaven causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.’ [5:45].
The God of the universe is not indifferent or impotent; rather, He graciously sustains his creation and lovingly sends blessings upon those who both celebrate and ignore Him. He does this so that we will remember our place in this world and respond to him accordingly in reverence.
So the next time you are basking in welcome sunshine or rain, don’t forget to thank the One who precisely provides such sustenance.