Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolIt was such a privilege to be at the Crowther Oval to witness our 1st XVIII game against Haileybury College last Saturday.
Whilst the result went our way (and hats off to Haileybury for the spirit in which the game was played), the true privilege for me was to see the manifestation of all the great things we talk about when considering our BGS community.
I am quite sure all aspects of our community were present on Saturday. From one end to the next, our youngest students from the ELC formed a guard of honour prior to the game and members of our Sequamur Society were hosted for a function in the BHIVE.
In between, we had current students from across the whole school as part of our Chantology cheer squad, current and past parents, Old Boys (junior and senior), current and past School Council members, members of the FGS community, grandparents, siblings, cousins, a wide variety of current and former staff – the list goes on.
BGS 1st XVIII v Haileybury Photo Gallery
Amongst this coming together of our community, two things stood out for me. Firstly, the benefits of being a single campus school for boys, where our older students can act as positive role models for our younger students, and our younger students can see their heroes up close while crucially developing a sense of belonging and connection.
We know that being connected to a community is critical for boys and young men and is one of the three key pillars of our +M model. Secondly, the passion for BGS and the meaning our school holds for all members of our community.
The joy that moments like last Saturday bring to the whole community illustrates the role BGS plays in the lives of our current students and also the lingering sentiments that members of the BGS community feel for their school.
Meliora Sequamur.
Simon Angus
Deputy Headmaster, Head of Secondary SchoolNext week, Secondary School students will have the opportunity to engage in valuable discussions with their parents and teachers during our Parent-Teacher-Student Discussions. These meetings are crucial for setting and reviewing academic goals for the remainder of 2024. We encourage all students and their families to participate actively in these discussions to ensure a successful academic year.
The APS Winter Sport season continues this weekend, with our 1st Football team heading into the final two rounds undefeated. Our teams have shown remarkable performance across all sports, and we look forward to seeing all students enjoy the remaining fixtures. Let’s continue to support and cheer on our teams as they strive for success.
This week, we celebrated BGS Languages Week. On Monday, the Languages Faculty hosted a quiz to highlight the importance of languages, both academically and socially. We extend our gratitude to the amazing Language Faculty for their ongoing passion and dedication to promoting language learning within our school.
On a personal note, I had the privilege of taking my Year 11 Physics class to the Australian Particle Accelerator on Tuesday. This visit provided a fantastic opportunity for our students to engage with some of Australia’s top scientists and gain insights into advanced scientific research. It was a memorable experience for everyone involved.
Finally, I would like to remind all families that if your son requires extended time off during the term for necessary family trips or other personal reasons, it is important to seek permission from the Director of Students. This allows us to provide the necessary support for your son during his time of absence.
Meliora Sequamur.
Happenings & Reminders
- Watch this week’s What Am I Learning video to see Dr Swann discuss the importance of coaching with Headmaster Ross Featherston and hear Toby (Year 6) and Arty (Year 11) talk about their coaching experience
- Wednesday 31 July at 7.00pm – Safe Partying Webinar. To register click here
- Thursday 1 and Tuesday 6 August – Parent Teacher Student Discussions
See email sent 17 July for details on how to book your interviews
Classes will conclude at 1.00pm on both days - Thursday 8 to Saturday 10 August – Frozen JR tickets now on sale
- The 2024 BGS Winter Appeal. To donate please click here, please ensure you include ‘Winter Appeal’ in your payment description
Connor’s Run
Mark your calendars for Connor’s Run this September 15!
Join us in this fun-filled event to support the Robert Connor Dawes Foundation’s fight against pediatric brain cancer.
Whether you choose the traditional 18.8km, 9.6km, or the new 3km Little Bird Loop, there’s a distance for everyone. Participate your way by running, walking, rolling, or even dancing! Share your journey on social media with #connorsrun and celebrate your achievements with music and activities at the finish line. Let’s make this September more fun than run!
For more details and registration, visit Connor’s Run.
Frozen Jr. Musical
Mark your calendars for August 8-10 and join Year 7 – 9 Brighton Grammar and Firbank Grammar students as they proudly present Frozen Jr.
APS Foodbank Can Drive
I trust everyone enjoyed the recent break and is now prepared for another successful semester. Reflecting on our remarkable achievements in the APS competition last semester— victories in the Head of the River, State Championship in Sailing, F1 in Schools, among other accolades—we have ample reason to take pride in our accomplishments. Our school has established a formidable reputation within the APS community.
As we embark on this new semester, we encounter fresh challenges and hurdles. In a series of recent meetings, the school captains and I have devised an initiative aimed at fostering not only athletic prowess but also creativity and imagination.
Our inaugural challenge is a test of philanthropy and community spirit: we seek to gather the largest number of canned goods as a school. The subsequent challenge calls for ingenuity and collaboration, as we endeavor to construct the most impressive structure with these cans, inspired by the Olympics. These efforts will be assessed by Food Bank, the beneficiary of our collected goods.
As the smallest school in the APS, our success hinges on the collective effort of every member of our community. Participation from all is essential if we are to rival the larger schools in this noble endeavor.
Let us commence this semester with determination and unity, striving for victory in this competition and thereby reinforcing our esteemed reputation within the APS. I urge you all to contribute generously to this cause, ensuring our school not only excels but also supports those in need. Students can bring canned goods to two locations: a table outside Mr. Featherston’s office (St. Andrews end) and a table in the Nexus (Urwin Centre).
Joe Weber
School Captain
Two Undefeated Bayside Rivals go head-to-head
There was a huge build up to the 1st XVIII Football game between the undefeated Brighton Grammar and Haileybury College.
Both schools were drumming up support; there was a social media countdown clock, and both school communities were gathered for a mouth-watering contest. Read full article from Jack Joslin, Director of Sport.
From Reverend Waterhouse
I do hope that you are looking forward to the Paris Olympic Games, starting this weekend, as much as I am.
It will indeed be a welcome sight to see crowds back at all the different sporting events, unlike the Tokyo Games, where Covid-19 made the spectator-less viewing experience something of a soulless affair.
The apostle Paul – who wrote 13 of the 27 New Testament books – was very familiar with the Ancient Games of the Greco-Roman empire. In his first letter in AD 55 to the Corinthian church near Athens, he wrote, ‘Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.’ [1 Corinthians 9:25].
This is the glorious hope of the Christian gospel: while all ‘earthly’ trophies and triumphs will ultimately fade with the passage of time, Christ offers us all the enduring crown of eternal life with him.
That is a prize worth pursuing while we have opportunity to do so.