Weekly eNews

Junior SchoolSecondary SchoolCrowther Centre

Ross Featherston

Headmaster, Brighton Grammar School

This year, APS Sport introduced Grand Final matches for Firsts teams, adding a new dimension to the APS competition. Following the success of our summer season highlighted by our APS Tennis Premiership, there is plenty to look forward to in the final weeks of winter sport.

Our First XVIII Football, First XV Rugby, First XI Soccer and First V Basketball teams are all performing strongly and remain firmly in contention for Grand Final appearances. We look forward to supporting them as they conclude their seasons.

Our broader co-curricular program continues to provide boys with meaningful opportunities to discover new interests, develop their skills and build confidence. This evening, our Dance Troupe will take to the stage at Firbank Grammar’s Dance Lab.

Next month, our Secondary School musicians, performers and production crew will join their FGS counterparts for the biennial Combined Concert at the Melbourne Recital Centre and the Year 7-9s production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory JR.

Meanwhile, our Junior School boys are eagerly preparing for their Year 6 production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – another milestone in their BGS journey.

These experiences are the result of deliberate planning and a commitment to providing opportunities that support boys at every stage of their development. Every decision we make is guided by what will best serve our students, both now and in the future.

Through thoughtful planning and responsible stewardship of our resources, we can continue to provide exceptional opportunities while safeguarding the long-term strength and sustainability of the school.

I look forward to seeing many of you at the wide range of events over the coming weeks.

Simon Angus

Deputy Headmaster, Head of Secondary School

This week at BGS, we celebrated Languages Week, with the Languages Faculty running a variety of engaging activities to highlight the academic and social value of language learning. A big thank you to our passionate and dedicated languages team for their continued efforts in inspiring students across the school. A lovely highlight of the week was the language teachers delivering this week’s blessing in Chapel, each in their respective language.

Last weekend, both our First Rugby and First Football teams secured their places in this year’s Grand Finals. This is an outstanding achievement and a wonderful reflection of the commitment, dedication and teamwork demonstrated by our students. Attention now turns to this Saturday’s results as we look to lock in more APS Grand Final spots. On a similar theme, congratulations to three of our First XVIII football players, Arki, Tyson and Jake who have made the U18 All Australian Team for 2026.

Next week, our Parent, Teacher and Student Discussions commence. These conversations provide an important opportunity to reflect on each student’s progress, celebrate their achievements, and set clear, purposeful goals for Semester 2.

Please note that we are using a different online platform to conduct the discussions. A limitation of this platform is that interviews will automatically conclude once the allocated time has elapsed, with a countdown timer displayed on the screen throughout the discussion. If you require more time with a teacher, please contact them afterwards to arrange a follow-up conversation.

Finally, I would like to wish all students participating in tonight’s Dance Lab at Firbank the very best of luck. It is always fantastic to see our talented dance troupe boys sharing their passion and skills on stage. Several of these students will also represent BGS in Hobart next month, and it is exciting to see our dance program continue to go from strength to strength.

Meliora Sequamur.

Happenings & Reminders

Australian Synchrotron visit

Whenever I go to the Australian Synchrotron, people always ask me when I come back, ‘What on Earth is a synchrotron?’ The simplest answer is that it’s one of Australia’s most powerful scientific research facilities.

Inside, electrons are accelerated to almost the speed of light and guided around a circular ring by powerful magnets. As they change direction, they produce incredibly bright beams of light that scientists use to study materials in extraordinary detail.

This facility is used by researchers from universities, hospitals and industry to tackle real-world challenges. From developing new medicines and improving cancer treatments to designing better batteries, creating advanced materials and studying ancient fossils and artworks, the Australian Synchrotron plays a vital role in scientific discovery.

For our Physics students, the visit is an opportunity to see that the concepts they learn in the classroom, electric and magnetic fields, charged particles, electromagnetism and modern technology are not just theories in a textbook. They are the foundation of cutting-edge research happening right here in Australia.

Hopefully, the next time someone asks, ‘What on Earth is a synchrotron?’, our students will have a great answer.

Chris Dale
Head of Physics

Dance at BGS

The BGS Dance Program continues to go from strength to strength in 2026, with an exciting term ahead. Tonight, our students will perform at the FGS Dance Lab as they build towards the annual BGS Dance Night on Monday 14 September at Rosstrevor Hall.

Although the program is now in its fourth year, we are still celebrating many firsts. Audiences will see our first student-led choreographed work, set to Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit, created by Dance Captain Stefan alongside Lachlan, Connor and Branden.

In another milestone, BGS students will perform in our first-ever collaboration with FGS dancers. The routine will also mark the first time BGS Dance has presented a tap dance on stage.

A special thank you to our new DanceSport Coach, Hanna Harvey, whose enthusiasm, expertise and commitment have already made a wonderful contribution to the continued growth of the program.

Chris Horsey
Head of Dance

Futsal Success

Our students delivered outstanding performances at the AFA Victorian Champion of Champions Futsal Competition in July, with teams from Years 7, 8 and 10 all progressing to the semi-finals and qualifying for nationals.

The highlight of the tournament was our Year 8 team being crowned Under 14 Victorian Champions, securing their place at the Australasian Champion of Champions in Brisbane this November.

This remarkable achievement is a wonderful reflection of the continued growth and success of the BGS Futsal program. While the results were impressive, what stood out most was the determination, sportsmanship and respect shown by our students, who represented BGS with pride, both on and off the court.

Andy Burnett
Head of BGS+ Soccer and Futsal

BGS Business Breakfast

Join us on Tuesday 25 August as we welcome Nicolas Cann (OB 2003), founder and CEO of Blobfish International and founder of Fur Media, as our Business Breakfast guest speaker.

What started as a simple idea in Australia in 2015 has grown into an international business operating across Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the US, with expansion into Japan and South Korea. Through Blobfish International, Nic helps some of the world’s biggest brands connect directly with consumers through targeted sampling, activations and partnerships.

Nic is also the founder of Fur Media, Australia’s pet-focused digital out-of-home media network, which reaches pet owners through more than 200 veterinary clinics nationwide.

Passionate about entrepreneurship and building scalable businesses from unconventional ideas, Nic will share insights into innovation, growth and creating memorable brand experiences.

Don’t miss this inspiring morning with one of Brighton Grammar’s entrepreneurial success stories. Book now.

From the Archives

Congratulations to Year 11 student William, who successfully completed the Mots croisés originally published in the 1925 Grammarian and featured in last week’s eNews. Well done, William! We hope you enjoy your prize.

From Reverend Waterhouse

Last Thursday, our Year 8 Urwin Centre leaders, Chapel Servers, the School Captain, the Headmaster and I, travelled to St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, in order to participate in the biennial combined Anglican Schools service.

Hosted by the Archbishop of Melbourne, Ric Thorpe, this was an opportunity for students, chaplains and heads from 29 Anglican schools from across the state to all come together in one place, in order to participate in a time of thanksgiving and encouragement.

 

While the Anglican schools from across the state all differ in terms of history, demographics, cost, numbers and social identity, we are all united, not just by our connection to the Anglican church but also by a number of other key pillars:

1.BELIEVING – places where everyone in the school community is invited to experience God’s love.

2.THINKING – places where we like to think, asking lots of questions about our world, ourselves, other people and God

3.WORSHIPPING TOGETHER – Anglican schools come together in Chapel to meet with God and each other.

4.WELCOMING ALL – Anglican schools seek to tell the story of Jesus while also ensuring the stories of others are welcomed, heard, explored and respected.

5.LOVING AND HELPING OTHERS – Anglican schools provide a place where everyone in the school community can learn from the example of Jesus.

We are indeed blessed at Brighton Grammar to be part of such a wonderfully rich network of places of education.

 

Diary Dates

Read other eNews from this week