Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolAlongside academic excellence, we want our boys to develop character, take responsibility, and recognise the positive contribution they can make to the lives of others. Service is an important part of that education.
Earlier this term, our 2027 Secondary School Chapel Servers were inducted by Rev Peter Waterhouse in St Andrew’s, a place that has long been central to Chapel and school life at BGS. Their commitment, alongside that of our Junior School Chapel Servers, is a reminder that belonging to a community also means contributing to something greater than ourselves.
The lessons learned through Chapel and service are every bit as valuable as those taught in the classroom. They build empathy, humility and a sense of purpose, reminding our boys that their knowledge and abilities are most valuable when put to good use.
We see this spirit of service across the school, from our senior students who are raising awareness for men’s mental health through Movember, to the Junior School’s ongoing support of our Ute Full of Food program for St Mark’s Centre in Fitzroy. These initiatives also reflect our commitment through +M to helping boys and young men lead healthy, connected and purposeful lives.
Whether serving in Chapel, supporting a cause or simply looking out for others with kindness, every act matters. Often, it begins with recognising a need and choosing to make a difference.
Have a good weekend.
Simon Angus
Deputy Headmaster, Head of Secondary SchoolWelcome back after an extended long weekend. It was lovely to have some time to reflect on everything that has happened so far this term and prepare for the weeks ahead.
I’m looking forward to this evening’s Creative Arts Showcase. It’s always a great opportunity to celebrate the creativity and talents of our students and wider community, and one not to be missed. The showcase opens at 5.30pm in The Duigan Centre.
Next Tuesday, our Year 9s will embark on the Great South West Journey, exploring the stunning landscapes of the Lower Glenelg, Discovery Bay and Cobboboonee National Parks. Through activities including canoeing, mountain biking and bushwalking, the journey will encourage the boys to step outside their comfort zones, embrace new challenges and build resilience in a supportive environment.
Finally, our Year 12s continue to feel well supported throughout their examinations, and it has been great to see their positive energy in the Quad before and after sitting their exams.
Meliora Sequamur.
Happenings & Reminders
- Thursday 5 November, 5.30pm – BGS Creative Arts Showcase, Duigan Centre
- Wednesday 25 November – Secondary School Presentation Evening, Robert Blackwood Hall
- Monday 30 November, 7.00pm – Community Carols Service
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.
School Bus Service
Our school bus service offers families a safe and convenient option for travel to and from school, with stops located close to home.
The service is available to all BGS students from Prep to Year 12, as well as siblings attending Firbank. Families can book for a full term at a subsidised rate, or purchase casual passes, offering greater flexibility.
For further information, including routes, booking and terms and conditions, visit the school bus webpage.
From the Archive
Chapel servers have always played an important role at Brighton Grammar School. In the early days of the School, Divinity was a mainstay of the curriculum and many students found their vocation in the Church.
Today, Chapel Servers play an important part in the Junior and Secondary School communities, fostering a sense of connection and belonging.
The images from the Archive this week include photographs of a Divinity display from the 1950s, a procession of Chapel Servers walking through St Andrew’s Church in 1978, the induction of some of the Chapel servers in 1999, a collection of Junior School song books, and a Crucifix made from driftwood by Jackson Noske for iDesign.
From Reverend Waterhouse
This week is a unique week in our social calendar, as Victorians bask in the convenience of a public holiday dedicated to a horse race. My family up in Sydney – especially my brother who is a teacher – is a little curious that the majority of school students enjoy a welcome mid-term long weekend, except of course for our Year 12s, who will ideally see it as a couple of extra study days for their remaining examinations.
Every year at this time of the year, I am always reminded of a very kind gift, given to me thirty years ago by a university ministry friend of mine, with whom I recently reconnected after a period of about twenty years without face-to-face contact.
The gift was a photo montage of the two of us and other ministry friends from our days at the University of Wollongong. Most interestingly is a Bible verse from Psalm 147 in the Jewish Old Testament, which is printed at the top of the picture frame: ‘God’s pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.’ [vss. 10-11].
While horses and the act of humans domesticating equines are originally part of God’s good creation in Genesis at the beginning of the world, it is also comforting to know that at the end of the day, what brings joy most of all to the Creator is not a race result, but his human creation trusting and serving him.
We do this ultimately by walking in step with the Lord Jesus, he who was in his ‘very nature God’. [c.f. Philippians 2:6].
Following Christ is the surest bet on this side of Heaven!