Weekly eNews

Ross Featherston

Headmaster, Brighton Grammar School

Academic engagement, high performance and creativity are at the forefront of our school’s focus this year.

A look at this week’s calendar illustrates well how we integrate these foci in the range of experiential learning experiences on offer as our Year 8 students undertake the challenges of the Hattah Kulkyne Journey, our Year 6 boys rehearse for their performances of The Pirates of Penzance Jr, our musicians together with Firbank Grammar present an exceptional musical showcase and our Year 12s engage in the Syndicate Learning program to prepare them for VCE exams.

All contribute to providing a holistic approach to our students’ development into adulthood.

We wish our team well as they kick-off the inaugural Positive Masculinity International Conference tomorrow. This event is a testament to the dedication of Dr Ray Swann who has led our work in promoting positive masculinity at BGS. With an impressive registration count of over 180 attendees, it is a clear sign that we are leading the way in this space.

Finally, this Sunday is Father’s Day, a time to reflect on the significant male role models in your, and your son’s, life. Happy Father’s Day to all BGS dads.

Simon Angus

Deputy Headmaster, Head of Secondary School

Yesterday we celebrated our second Father Son Chapel with Year 9 -12 boys and their fathers. It was wonderful to see so many boys with their fathers and to witness their interactions.

Last Friday we held our inaugural BGS Dance night. What a night! Seeing the boys embrace this new program and the joy on their faces as they stunned the audience with their skills in their routines was priceless. Thanks to all of the staff from both the Junior and Secondary Schools for their dedication in supporting this new and exciting program.

I was then thrilled to see and hear the depth of talent of our boys at last night’s musical event,  A Spring Rhapsody – New Beginnings.

Year 8s from Armstrong, Crowther, and Dixon Houses departed for their Outdoor Program on Monday to Hattah-Kulkyne National Park. I hear they are having a fabulous time canoeing, hiking and mountain biking.

As we approach the end of Term 3, our Year 12 students and Year 11s who are studying a Unit 3/4 subject are well entrenched into their study routines as they work towards their final examinations next term. We ask the whole community to be mindful and respectful of their learning environment as we support our senior students. 

Meliora Sequamur.

Happenings and Reminders

• Friday 15 September – Last day of Term 3

BGS Dance Fever

Last Friday marked a historic moment, one that had been 141 years in the making! Our vibrant community was treated to a dazzling spectacle, courtesy of our exceptionally talented BGS dance students in the inaugural Brighton Grammar School Dance Night, and it was nothing short of sensational!

Our Junior School and Secondary School boys graced the stage together with electrifying performances that spanned an array of styles, from the groove of hip-hop to the glitz of Broadway jazz and musical theatre. Read full article from Michael Kent.

VCE French Conversation

The Brighton Grammar Year 12s had a fabulous French afternoon VCE conversation with 48 students from St Kevin’s, St Michael’s, Firbank and Shelford.

The students were all eager to practise their language skills and had a great time chatting about their lives, interests and hopes for the future. The event was a huge success, our boys did a stellar effort representing the School.

The Tonners did a très bon travail with minimal faux-pas and made a few new friends from other schools along the way.

What a formidable time for all attendees! Vive le francais!

Karine Coste
Head of Languages Faculty

National Champions

Year 12 students Erik Kyparisis and Jenson Galvin are the Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) 2023 national competition winners.

In mid-August, I had the privilege of accompanying Erik and Jenson to Canberra for the national Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) facilitated by the Rotary Club of Canberra Sunrise.

This significant event brought together students from 17 esteemed schools from around Australia, for an intense two-day debate. Held in the historic Senate ‘red’ room of the Old Parliament House, the event provided a fitting setting for the young and clever minds to discuss and negotiate global issues.

Immersed in the dynamics of role-playing the political process, the experience was truly inspiring. Erik and Jenson exhibited a natural flair for diplomacy and politics, adeptly handling intricate discussions. Their skillful negotiation abilities hint at potential careers in these fields. Read the full article by Kirsten Dunsby.

Athletics Launch

An inspiring athletics launch featured Essendon Football Club players Andrew McGrath (OB  2016) and Archie Perkins (OB 2020) who shared how their athletic background powered their success in football.

Thanks to Mark George for his event organisation and acknowledge Darran Goodger’s enduring dedication to athletics. During the evening, we celebrated the seamless synergy between track skills and other sporting achievements.

Better athletes – better at all sport. 

All students are encouraged to come along to the Athletics Camp on 18-20 September. Contact me for more details.

Christopher Dale
TIC Athletics

Student Achievements

Congratulations to Leo Grollo who took out first place for the second consecutive year in the Division 2 Slopestyle at the Victorian Interschools Snowsport championships with a dominant 20 point lead. Leo is also through to Nationals with BGS Teams for Moguls (he came 6th overall) and Ski Cross. View full results here.

Congratulations to Leo Reeve (Year 9) and Jesper Bignell (Year 7) who competed in the National Cross Country Championships on the weekend. 

• Leo won gold in the Under 17 Para race. An amazing result!
• Jesper ran 52nd in the U14 race.

William Tan and Will Luo (Year 8) represented Victoria at the School Sports Australia Swimming Championships in Sydney on the weekend. 

It was an unforgettable experience as the boys fostered new friendships and team rapport with more than 50 Victorian metropolitan and regional secondary school swimmers (able-bodied and multiclass) and competed as one team against the other States and Territories. 

Both boys achieved personal best times and made finals in their individual events. The best moments were of course competing in the Team Vic relays where William’s Freestyle and Will’s Breaststroke strengths came into play. Go Team Vic!

From Reverend Waterhouse

Last Sunday evening, I ventured off to Marvel Stadium to watch Greater Western Sydney play Carlton; a confession: I wasn’t supporting the Blues!

Both during, and certainly after, the game, particularly on the walk back to Southern Cross station, I had the overwhelming sensation of feeling ‘alone’. Despite the presence of thousands of other sports-loving citizens, it appeared that I was often the solitary wearer of an orange and white jersey in a sea of blue. Indeed, there was something almost exciting and reaffirming about fleetingly glimpsing a fellow GWS supporter amongst the masses.

It reminded me of Jesus describing the road that leads to true life as a narrow road, which ‘only a few find’ [Matthew 7:14].

If we ever feel that we are either lonely, alone or enduring a solitary journey through the peaks and troughs of life, don’t forget that in Christ, we have access to a faithful friend who is keen to walk beside us.