Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolThe generosity of our community has been on full display this week. Our Annual Giving Day raised an incredible $516,665 in support of our future Indoor Sport and Event Complex, well exceeding our initial target of $350,000 and I sincerely thank our Development Office team for their outstanding work in bringing this important initiative to life.
Yesterday, our Secondary School community came together once again for Jam for James, held during Food Allergy Week in honour of Old Boy James Tsindos (OB 2021). The day featured a formal assembly and a lunchtime concert, where James’ passion and love of music was shared with friends, family, staff, students and special guests.
Secondary School boys wore black and white in recognition of the piano keys James loved so much, helping raise over $16,000 towards Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia, which operates the National Allergy Support Line – a free service providing support and guidance to individuals and families living with allergy and anaphylaxis.
They say it takes a village, and this week was a great reflection of the care and generosity of the BGS community. We are grateful to our boys, staff and families for coming together in support of two significant initiatives, both centred on connection, compassion and supporting others.
Simon Angus
Deputy Headmaster, Head of Secondary SchoolIn yesterday’s assembly, we welcomed the Tsindos family for our annual Jam for James Day. Each year, this event raisies awareness of allergies and anaphylaxis while also showcasing the talent and ambition of our student musicians. Thank you to the Tsindos family who also help us to honour the life of James (OB 2021) on this special day.
Today, the House Choral Competition was held at St Andrew’s Church. As always, it was a vibrant display of musical talent, House spirit and friendly competition. Congratulations to Armstrong House on their win.
As we approach the final weeks of Term 2, there is a noticeable increase in focus and momentum. Year 9 students have begun their mid-year exams, followed by Service Learning Week next week, where they will take part in a range of hands-on experiences across Melbourne and beyond, including visits and workshops focused on family violence support, urban ecology, food insecurity, homelessness, refugee experiences, sustainable fashion, sustainable architecture, and First Nations connection to Country. Meanwhile, best of luck to Year 10 and 11 students as they commence exams next week.
Meliora Sequamur.
Happenings & Reminders
- Monday 1 June to Friday 5 June – Year 9 Service Learning Week
- Wednesday 3 June – International Parent Workshop: Supporting your son at school
- Monday 8 June – King’s Birthday
MasterChef Competition
Following on from last year’s huge success, the international student community proudly hosted the MasterChef Cooking Competition once again.
This memorable cultural celebration brought together many students from non-English speaking backgrounds along with our Headmaster and many teachers who supported the boys and judged the competition. This event highlighted a strong sense of belonging and friendship that continues to define our international community.
Read the full article by our International Student Leaders.
Free Self Service Health Check
In June and in conjunction with Men’s Health Week, free health checks are on offer to all staff, parents and the wider BGS community, to raise heart health awareness.
From Tuesday 9 June to Saturday 20 June, BGS will host a SiSU Health Station on-site at the Annandale Pavilion First Aid room, providing convenient access for everyone to monitor their heart health.
Opening hours are Monday – Friday from 8.30am – 4.30pm and Saturday 9.00am – 12.00pm.
The SiSU Health Stations offer quick, non-invasive checks that include measurements of blood pressure, heart rate, and other critical indicators of cardiovascular health.
Friends and family are welcome; we invite everyone in the community to take part.
For more information, watch the Health Station how-to and explainer or read the health check results document.
Chance to win
The RCD Foundation is offering the Brighton Grammar community a special early bird registration promotion for Connor’s Run 2026.
Every BGS student, parent or staff member registered for Connor’s Run by 9 June will automatically go into the draw to win a $50 Grill’d voucher.
Register now for the Connor’s Run Event Day on Sunday 13 September or Your Way Any Day All of September to participate in this wonderful fundraiser in honour of BGS Old Boy Connor Dawes (OB 2012).
BGS Business Breakfast
Join us for the next BGS Business Breakfast on Wednesday 17 June at 7.30am with special guest, Hayley Morris.
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.
Hayley also leads the Morris Family Foundation and is a Director of The Morris Group, while also supporting leaders as a certified coach in vertical development.
Hear Hayley share insights on purpose-driven leadership and how business can drive positive change. Book now.
From the Archives
Tuesday’s Annual Giving Day was a remarkable show of the strong culture of philanthropy at Brighton Grammar, raising over $516,000 towards our new Indoor Sport and Event Complex.
The generosity of our community was first recorded in 1923, when the Old Brighton Grammarians’ Society launched the School’s first fundraising campaign for the building of the Crowther Pavilion, which still stands today, in memory of our founder, Dr G H Crowther.
The following year, Canon Hancock, Vicar of St Andrew’s, led a landmark campaign to raise funds to save BGS, which had been put up for sale by the Crowther family. Through community support and a loan, the newly formed Brighton Grammar School Association was able to purchase the school and secure its future. In the decades since, further successful campaigns have funded new facilities and created opportunities through scholarships and academic prizes.
The History of Philanthropy display, curated by our Archivist Dr Caroline Webber, at the Heritage Centre (next to the new Uniform Shop on St Andrews Street), explores this legacy and is open until 6 June.
From Reverend Waterhouse
What do Neapolitan ice cream, a three-leaf clover and the different states of H20 (water) all have in common?
They are some of the (ultimately inadequate) illustrations that people have used over the years to try and explain the Christian concept of the Trinity: the idea of one God being Father, Son and Holy Spirit concurrently.
Perhaps in a similar manner, all of us are one person in identity, yet we have multiple personas such as mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister, etc.
Funnily enough, the word Trinity does not appear in the Bible, yet this Sunday (the first Sunday after Pentecost) in our Christian calendar is marked as Trinity Sunday, as an occasion to recall and celebrate God’s trinitarian nature.
Within the Trinity, there is a distinct order of relationship, whereby the Father sends the Son into the world to be born, to teach, to be betrayed, and ultimately to die for the sake of atoning for the sins of a broken world.
However, this same Son in the power of the Holy Spirit is also raised by the Father to new life on the third day and they now freely gift the Spirit to all those who put their trust in Jesus.
As the apostle Paul affirms: ‘When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God … joint heirs with Christ.’ [Romans 8:15-17].
We really can’t adequately comprehend the fullness of the Trinity on this side of heaven, but it is a glorious reality worth remembering and holding onto!