Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolWe have launched APS Winter Sport campaigns positively, with our First Football, First Soccer and First Basketball teams all recording season-opening victories, reflecting how a one-team mindset can lead to success.
This weekend also reminds us of the enduring connections that define our community. Tomorrow evening, members of the Class of 1976 will return to celebrate their 50-year milestone, reconnecting with one another and with the school that helped shape their lives.
On Saturday, that collective team spirit continues as the First Football squad members from 1975, who were APS Premiers, reunite to reminisce and renew friendships.
This shared sense of belonging also extends to our current families. Last weekend, over 100 members of the International Parents Support Group came together for a uniquely Australian experience, attending an Australian Rules Football match hosted by St Kilda Football Club at Marvel Stadium.
The strength of our community, both past and present, and the connections that sustain it remain among our greatest achievements.
Finally, we extend our best wishes to our Year 6 boys visiting Bathurst Island and to our musicians and choristers competing at the Generations in Jazz festival in Mount Gambier this weekend.
Simon Angus
Deputy Headmaster, Head of Secondary SchoolTerm 2 is off to a great start, with plenty happening across the Secondary School. Last Friday, our APS Football and Soccer teams both secured opening wins against Caulfield, while our First Basketball team also recorded a victory over Haileybury.
On Monday, we welcomed Andy McGrath for a Leadership Development session with our Year 12 prefects, followed by a fantastic Jazz Night Concert on Tuesday.
At yesterday’s Assembly, we celebrated our Tennis premiership and recognised students who were awarded Sports Colours, congratulations to these students who received an award. We were also pleased to welcome our guest speaker, the Hon. Tim Wilson MP, Shadow Treasurer of Australia and Federal Liberal Member for Goldstein. Additionally, we were treated to a sneak preview of the BGS/FGS Year 10–12 production of Rock of Ages, which opens on 13 May for a four-night run. Be sure to secure your tickets here.
Next week, we look forward to the first of our Mother’s Day celebrations for Year 7 and 8 mothers, guardians and special friends, with Years 9 to 12 celebrations to follow the week after.
Finally, we wish our musicians all the best for the upcoming Generations in Jazz festival in Mount Gambier this weekend and extend our thanks to the staff supporting this event.
Meliora Sequamur.
Happenings & Reminders
- Wednesday 6 May – Mother’s Day Chapel (Years 7 & 8)
- Wednesday 6 May, 7.00pm – Crowther Workshop: How to reduce the stress of Year 12, Urwin Centre – Nexus
- Wednesday 13 May – Mother’s Day Chapel (Years 9-12)
- Wednesday 13 May to Saturday 16 May, 7.00pm – Senior Years Production: Rock of Ages Teen Edition
- The Crowther team have been working hard behind the scenes to bring you some exciting parent events in the coming weeks. For the full list of what’s coming up, visit this week’s Crowther eNews
Reading and Year 7 and 8 Book Clubs
Reading is good for boys. Reading for pleasure, particularly fiction, is correlated with higher standardised test scores across all academic subjects, including maths (yes!). Reading builds vocabulary, which in turn improves comprehension.
Readers, not surprisingly, tend to write better than non-readers. There is evidence that reading promotes empathy and tolerance. And there is no doubt that reading can teach us about ourselves.
Attitudes to reading are predominantly created in the home. If young people have positive associations with reading, they are more likely to read more.
Reading, telling stories and talking together allow our boys to experience the world from different perspectives. We look forward to seeing parents and boys at our upcoming book clubs for some great laughs and conversations.
Year 7 – May 13 Book here
Year 8 – May 20 Book here
Rock of Ages
The countdown is on for our 2026 Years 10–12 Production, Rock of Ages, and the energy in rehearsals says it all. Students have been working incredibly hard to bring this show to life, embracing the bold style, big vocals and high-octane storytelling that defines this iconic rock musical.
Set against a soundtrack of classic hits, Rock of Ages is packed with nostalgia and attitude. From powerful ensemble numbers to standout lead performances, this production is pushing our students in exciting new ways, challenging them to perform with confidence, character and serious rockstar flair.
Taking place from 13–16 May at Rosstrevor Hall, this is shaping up to be one of our most ambitious productions yet. With tickets already selling quickly, audiences are encouraged to book soon to avoid missing out.
Join us as we turn up the volume and rock the roof off Rosstrevor.
Michael Kent
Head of Drama
BGS Athletes Shine
We are proud to share that a total of five BGS students represented Victoria at the Junior National Athletics Championships in Brisbane, an outstanding achievement in itself.
These athletes all had to qualify to a very high standard to become part of the Victorian team. Read full report.
Community Footy Day
Brighton Grammar community members, past and present, are warmly invited to the Crowther Oval on Saturday 16 May to watch the First XVIII take on Haileybury in a rematch of last year’s final. Enjoy a complimentary hot drink from 1.00pm, with kick-off at 2.00pm.
From The Archives
This ball is part of BGS’s collection of sports memorabilia. It has been signed by the members of the team who won the Soccer Premiership for the first time for BGS in 1999. The current First Soccer team have had a great start to the season. Go Tonners!
From Reverend Waterhouse
This week, our Year 8 students have begun their Religious Education lessons, as part of their Health, PE and Wellbeing subject. The workbook the boys use will help them to understand the Bible’s complex and coherent story, which ultimately finds its fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ.
In the first introductory lesson, the boys are introduced to the concepts of BC and AD.
Most people are aware that BC stands for Before Christ, but there is often confusion about the initials AD – ‘After Death’ seems to be a favoured guess!
In fact, AD stands for the Latin phrase Anno Domini, meaning ‘the year of our Lord’ and refers to the period of history from the coming of Jesus (at Bethlehem during the first Christmas), up to the present time. In short, the number of years since Jesus was born.
It is a profound reality that within our world, our demarcation of time (BC and AD) has as its centre point the Jewish teacher from Nazareth. The Messiah.
Thus, whenever I need to write or type the year at hand on a document (such as an order of service for chapel), I always ensure that the letters AD precede the year – AD 2026. Why? Because Christ is alive (Resurrection Sunday) and we are basking in the light of his defeat of death and living in the presence of his ongoing kingship.
Jesus is the lord of all time and space, which is why the apostle Paul can write with such confidence, ‘now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation.’ [2 Corinthians 6:2].