Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolThis week, I find myself reflecting on gratitude as an intentional practice, one that encourages us to notice, to connect and to contribute.
Positive psychology research continues to suggest that practising gratitude can support young people’s happiness and wellbeing, while encouraging a greater appreciation of their relationships with others. Recent international research also found that gratitude practices have a small but positive overall effect on wellbeing.
For our boys, this is particularly important. Gratitude helps us recognise that very little is achieved alone. Behind every milestone are people who have encouraged, challenged and supported us, and recognising their contribution, in turn, encourages us to give back.
There is much within our community I am grateful for. As Victoria marks World Teachers’ Day tomorrow, I thank our teachers for the expertise, care and energy they bring each day, from those supporting our youngest learners in the ELC through to our most senior boys entering their VCE years.
I also thank the students who have put themselves forward for leadership positions next year, and our parents and guardians for the trust, engagement and encouragement they continue to provide.
Perhaps this week we can all pause to notice someone who has helped us, acknowledge an opportunity we have been given, or simply take the time to say thank you.
Enjoy the long weekend ahead.
Simon Angus
Deputy Headmaster, Head of Secondary SchoolThis week marked the commencement of the VCE examinations, beginning with English on Tuesday. These exams will continue over the next three weeks in various clearly signed locations around the School. We ask that all students and visitors remain mindful and respectful near these areas.
Looking ahead, November is shaping up to be a busy and important month across all year levels. Our Secondary students are in the midst of exam preparation, and for some of the younger boys, this may be their first experience creating a study schedule. They are encouraged to work closely with their tutors to establish effective and sustainable study routines.
In addition to preparing for exams, our Year 9 students are getting ready for the Great South West Journey. It’s natural to feel a mix of excitement and nerves, but the sense of accomplishment that follows these experiences will be immense.
Please also save the date for our Presentation Evening on Wednesday 25 November. All students are expected to attend this special event as we celebrate their achievements and reflect on the many successes of the year. Booking details will be available from mid-November on the BGS app and eNews.
Finally, I wish everyone a restful extra-long weekend. I hope you have the chance to unwind and spend time with family.
Meliora Sequamur.
Happenings & Reminders
- Monday 2 November – Mid-term break
- Tuesday 3 November – Melbourne Cup public holiday
- Wednesday 4 November, 4.30pm – Strings Soiree
- Thursday 5 November, 5.30pm – BGS Creative Arts Showcase, Duigan Centre
- Wednesday 25 November – Secondary School Presentation Evening, Robert Blackwood Hall.
Athletics Wrap
There was plenty to celebrate at the APS Athletics Championships, with BGS athletes claiming titles, medals and a new APS record. From outstanding individual performances to a strong team-first approach, the championships highlighted the continued growth of Brighton Grammar Athletics. Read the full article.
Lachlan Connell
Head of Athletics
Frankenstein
Brighton Grammar’s production of Frankenstein was a fantastic success, bringing Mary Shelley’s classic play to life through many talented individuals from both BGS and FGS. Our director Ben Fox (OB 2023), believed that as actors we were ready to step into a completely different tone of acting, one that has never been done before at BGS, and in doing so we created a thrilling and engaging performance the whole cast was proud of.
I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of rehearsals and heard such positive feedback from countless people after the show ended. Being able to create an amazing performance is one thing, but I left the show with a second family, a group of kind and talented people who I have made life-long bonds with, bonds that will last for years to come. Congratulations again to all the staff and students involved in our production of Frankenstein we couldn’t be more grateful for everything you’ve done.
Henry Barber
Year 11 Student
Bike Safe Bayside
A free bike, e-bike and e-scooter training safety program is being developed for young people aged 10-18 years in Bayside and Brighton Grammar has been selected to be part of the pilot program.
Expressions of interest are now open for pilot training dates in December, read more here.
Creative Arts Showcase Opening Event
Discover the creativity and innovation of our Secondary School students at the 2026 Brighton Grammar Creative Arts Showcase. Featuring work from Art, Media, Product Design and Visual Communication Design, the exhibition highlights the outstanding talent and creative thinking of our students.
Guests will be treated to a selection of canapés prepared by our Year 10 Food Technology students.
The opening event takes place on Thursday 5 November from 5.30pm.
Attendance is free; however, guests are asked to RSVP here for catering purposes.
From Reverend Waterhouse
Dear BGS Family. This week, a more personal reflection from me …
Last week, I had the honour of spending time at the bedside of two people who have now passed and gone to glory at the Lord Jesus Christ’s side.
The first was our much-loved and remarkably brave fellow tonner Jacob Thomson, who died after a two-year battle with leukemia. The Headmaster and I had the opportunity to anoint Jacob with oil, sing over him and pray some prayers for him and his family.
The second was my own mother, Jan, who was in palliative care in a Sydney Adventist hospital. In God’s kindness, he allowed her to hold on until I could fly up and spend time with the family singing hymns and praying around her, before she died ninety minutes later.
The context and circumstances between both saints are very different and certainly generate contrasting levels of grief, questioning and words of comfort.
However, what is identical is that Jacob and Jan had a firm foundation in both knowing and trusting in Jesus. As such, both are now with the Lord, free from suffering and anticipating a resurrected body when Christ returns to renew this earth. As the apostle Paul affirms, ‘to live is Christ and to die is gain.’ [Philippians 1:21].
It is somewhat appropriate that this Sunday is All Saints Day (in old English, All Hallows Day), a day to given thanks for former saints and believers who have now departed this life. I encourage you to pray the prayer below at some stage during the long weekend:
We thank you, loving God,
for all your servants, known to us and unknown,
who have departed this life in your faith and fear:
give us grace so to follow their good examples,
that with them we may be brought to a joyful resurrection,
and be made partakers of your heavenly kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.