Weekly eNews
Ross Featherston
Headmaster, Brighton Grammar SchoolWelcome back to what is always a significant final term of the school year and one which has started at a rapid pace, with a focus on our strong foundation of high performance.
Over the break, we celebrated the outstanding success of Team Lunar (five Year 11 boys supported by staff) who were crowned 2025 Aramco STEM Racing World Champions in Singapore, from a field of 83 global teams and 1.8 million STEM program participants worldwide. Team Ad Astra also did exceptionally well, finishing in 15th place overall. You can read more about their achievements.
This commitment to excellence was echoed by our BGS Sailing team, who achieved strong results in representing Australia at the Secondary School Team Sailing Interdominion Championship in Goolwa SA, where Australia defeated New Zealand.
In addition, Year 12 student, Tom Paddington, and young Old Boy Alex Turner (OB 2024) were both selected for the Australian U19 cricket team and delivered outstanding performances in the First Youth Test against India in Brisbane.
This week, we have also witnessed the innovation and creativity of our Year 8 students during iDesign week, a key initiative of our STEM program that encourages new ideas and entrepreneurial thinking.
It has also been a week of transitions across the school. Junior School students, in particular our Year 6s, are starting to prepare for their move into Year 7, and for our Year 12s, who have shown exemplary leadership this year, are now embracing the final weeks of their schooling journey.
During the holiday period, minor capital works progressed with the near-completion of two key projects – the refurbished Secondary School Library and the new kitchen classroom in The Duigan Centre – and the addition of a new basketball precinct in the Tower forecourt.
Finally, tomorrow marks World Mental Health Day, a timely reminder for us to focus on wellbeing within our community. It is a chance to look out for one another, to connect, and to feel empowered to reach out for support whenever it is needed.
All the very best for the term ahead.
Simon Angus
Deputy Headmaster, Head of Secondary SchoolTerm 4 is underway, marking the final stretch of the academic year. Our Year 12 students have had a busy break, with study/syndicate/trial exams onsite and further study at home. We continue to support them and wish them well at this important part of their academic journey.
To our younger students, the message is clear: this is a time for focus, respect, and support. As our Year 12s approach their final moments at school, let’s ensure they have the space and quiet needed to finish strong.
This term is significant for everyone, as it represents the ‘grand final’ for each year level. Whether students in Year 7 or Year 12, now is the time to work hard and prepare to celebrate the successes that follow.
We look forward to the Year 12 Valedictory Days, which begin on Friday 17 October, followed by the Valedictory Dinner on Monday 20 October. These events will be memorable highlights in the remarkable journey of our Year 12 cohort.
We are also very pleased to announce our newly appointed 2026 School Prefects. Over the next two weeks, they will serve in a probationary capacity before their formal induction on Valedictory Day next Friday. Congratulations to:
- Captain of School: Kenneth Yeung
- Vice-Captains of School: Jack Power and Jack Carson
- House Captains/Prefects: Sunny King (Armstrong), Oaks De Zeeuw (Crowther), James Crewdson (Dixon), Arki Butler (Fairweather), Sandro Macnab (Hancock), Archie Bull (Melville), Tom Hogan (Rofe), Will Naughton (School)
- Portfolio Prefects: Leo Reeve (Inclusivity), Angus Beaton (JS Engagement), Emit Subasinghe (Service & Environment), Tyson Bradley (Sport), Nicholas Michele (Student Council), Sam Lorback (Academic), Philip Edselius (Arts & Culture), Sam Anderson (Community & Engagement)
During the break, our STEM racing team, Team Lunar, claimed the World Championship title in Singapore, competing against 83 international teams. Congratulations to the boys on this outstanding achievement! Well done to all BGS boys who also represented the School over the break including our other STEM racing world finalists, Team Ad Astra, and also to our sailors for competing on the international stage.
Meliora Sequamur.
Happenings & Reminders
- 9 October, 4.30pm – iDesign Open Exhibition and Presentation Night
- 14 October, 4.30pm – Strings Solo Afternoon, GB Robertson Hall
- 16 October, 4.30pm – Piano Event – Duos & Trios, GB Robertson Hall
- 17 October – Year 12 Valedictory Day 1
- 20 October – Year 12 Valedictory Day 2
- 24 October – Wear it Purple Casual Clothes Day
- 28 October, 4.30pm – Semester 2 Concert Chamber Music, GB Robertson Hall
- 30 October, 7.00pm: Year 9-11 play, Romeo and Juliet, at Rosstrevor Hall.
- 3 November – Mid-term Break
From Masterpieces to Madeleines
After visiting the French Impressionism exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria last term, Unit 1/2 students studied an impressionist painting of their choosing.
In preparation for the oral assessment, the students took both their French language skills and artistic flair to the Arts room to put into practice their learning.
Each boy paired up to describe in French their picture to their partner, who followed their lead without looking at the original, and the resemblances were striking.
Also, in a Grill’d kitchen first and to celebrate the completion of Unit 4, French students successfully baked madeleines, a delicious, sweet treat that refuelled and recharged them before trial examinations over the holiday period.
Bravo à nos chefs et bonne chance pour la suite !
Elodie Lyoen
Head of French
BGS Rugby Success
Congratulations to our talented Rugby players for an outstanding season. After finishing as First XV Rugby minor premiers and runners-up in the VSRU Grand Final, several students have been selected for Victorian State teams, with some earning leadership roles. Read more here.
Sailing Championship
BGS Sailing represented Australia at the 2025 Interdominion Team Sailing Championship, hosted by Goolwa Regatta Sailing Club in Adelaide in September.
The best sailing schools from Australia and New Zealand compete for the Interdominion Trophy. Brighton Grammar was one of three Australian schools in the Open Division at this regatta, following a strong performance by our team at the National Championships held in July.
After three full days of sailing with great sportsmanship and skill shown by all teams, Australia was the outright winner, claiming the Interdominion Trophy from the combined results of the women’s and open divisions. Read full report from Lachlan Dever, Year 9.
Crowther House Care Packs
During the last week of Term 3, a group of Crowther House students and staff visited the Monash Children’s Hospital as part of The Crowther House Care Pack Initiative. It was an eye-opening and meaningful experience.
Armed with 20 care packs for children undergoing cancer treatment, the delivery of the care packages showed us how even a small gesture can bring a smile to someone’s day. Seeing the patients continuing their schoolwork and staying positive through tough times was truly inspiring, and we hope our packages helped brighten their day.
The staff at Monash were incredibly welcoming and took the time to show us around the hospital, giving us an insight into the amazing work that happens behind the scenes. The visit made us reflect on how lucky we are to be healthy and grateful for what we have. It was an unforgettable experience that left us all inspired to keep giving back.
Oaks De Zeeu & Sam Anderson
Year 11
Top Performances
Congratulations to our Year 10 and Year 9 Futsal teams who competed at the Australian Futsal Association State School Titles this week.
Our Year 10 team of Xavier Monaghan, Callum Brown, Corban Papadopoulos, Kevin Zhang, Ollie Bailey, Charlie Denning, Fred Denning, Leo Curwen, Finn Strachan won their division.
The Year 9 team of Henry Dai, Simon Yao, Billy Tzaferis, Oliver Hall, Adith Pawar, Charlie Schutz, and Phong Nguyen placed second in their division.
A great effort by both teams to showcase their skills in a high-level competition.
Athletics Day Fundraising
Thanks to all those who helped raise funds for Martyrs’ Gift at the 102nd annual House Athletics. All eight Houses worked together by donating goods and selling food and drink on the day. A special mention to the boys (and of course parents) who baked goods for the bake sale stall and to those who served most of the day, amongst other things preparing 480 sausages in bread and 90 bacon rolls.
This year we raised $4,385 to go directly to aid literacy programs in Papua New Guinea. This means that over the last few years we have raised more than $15,000 to aid our friends in PNG. It is money that goes a long way, and our community should be proud.
Mark Sainsbery
Head of Crowther House
MasterChef Cooking Competition
Late in Term 4, the international student community proudly hosted a lively MasterChef Cooking Competition, an event that brought together students, teachers, and BGS Old Boys in a celebration of food and friendship. The afternoon was filled with laughter, teamwork, and delicious aromas as participants showcased their culinary talents.
We were honoured to welcome back several Old Boys and invite teachers to serve as judges for the competition. Their presence created a warm and collaborative atmosphere, allowing students to share meaningful moments and strengthen connections across generations of the BGS community.
The competition featured a wide variety of dishes inspired by different cultural traditions, from classic Asian favourites to modern Western creations. Each dish reflected the unique backgrounds and stories of our students, celebrating the diversity that makes our school community so special.
The event was not only about cooking but also about embracing and appreciating our multicultural heritage. It reminded everyone that food has the power to bring people together, spark conversation, and build lasting friendships. The international community looks forward to continuing this wonderful tradition in the years ahead.
Ethan Bao, Frank Wu and Jerry Mei Ms Wen Yan
International Students Leaders International Students Coordinator
BGS Custom Stripe Shirt
The Meliora Club has teamed up with Melbourne fashion label Caravan & Co to create the ultimate BGS shirt. Made of 100% lightweight cotton poplin, with a bold custom stripe in school colours, the shirt is suitable attire for the sporting sidelines or as everyday wear.
Don’t miss your chance to own this exclusive shirt and show your BGS pride everywhere!
More details available here.
From Reverend Waterhouse
This first week back at school is somewhat of a peculiar week of contrasts. On Monday, we had a commencement service and then on Wednesday we had a Valedictory service for our Year 12s, where we honoured them, prayed for them and sent them out after their last formal Chapel service with us.
The first of the two Bible readings we heard read out were some familiar words from the Jewish Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes, written by King Solomon: ‘There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens …’. [3:1-15]. The passage reminds us that in life, there are indeed many contrasting times of saying hello and saying goodbye, weeping and laughing, searching and giving up, living and dying.
We also heard some enduring words of Jesus from the gospel of John, that he was born into this world in order to give the gift of “life to the full.” [10:10].
As our Year 12s prepare to soon depart this school, begin exams and find their way in the world, at the valedictory service they were also all given a lit candle from their Head of House, in order to remind them that they are to be lights in this world and to keep their gaze fixed on the true light of this world, Jesus Christ. [c.f. John 8:12].
We indeed wish the Year 12s well.