BGS provides a broad range of additional activities for the boys to pursue.
Sport
The Sport program is focused on assisting boys to develop skills, attitudes and competence in making decisions in the pursuit of an active, healthy lifestyle. Emphasis is given to sportsmanship, teamwork and participation. Facets of the program include:
House Sport
Boys compete in various House sports – athletics, cross-country running, swimming and tabloid sports.
Year 3 and Year 4 Sport
The internal sport program for Year 3 and Year 4 boys is timetabled for Friday afternoons.
Year 5 and 6 APS Sport
All boys in Year 5 and 6 participate in the APS Primary Sports Competition on Wednesdays. Matches are played from 1.15pm to 3.00pm (plus travel time when required).
Boys are required to select one sport for each term from the options below. Selections are made one term in advance.
Term 1 – Cricket, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis
Term 2 – Australian Rules Football, Cross Country Running, Volleyball, Lawn Bowls
Term 3 – Basketball, European Handball, Hockey, Soccer
Term 4 – Athletics, Badminton, Touch Football, Water Polo
Year 5/6 APS Sport Training will be conducted on Monday afternoons. Year 5 training runs from 3.30–4.30pm and Year 6 training from 3.30–4.45pm.
Music
“All Brighton Grammar boys SING!”
Music is a vital element in boys’ development and involves teaching and nurturing skills that are unique to this Key Learning Area. The innovative Classroom Music Program is based on the Kodaly philosophy of developing aural perception before instruments are introduced. The Music Program offers a variety of opportunities for boys, who are encouraged to participate in choirs and instrumental groups in addition to the general class music lessons. Music is taught in our purpose built music building.
All students are able to undertake individual instrumental lessons whilst at school.
Specific aims of the Music program include:
Singing: building fine musicianship through a sequential singing based curriculum. Boys develop a love of singing and the ability to sing in tune and in parts.
Music Notation: notating what they hear, read and write through music notation, as well as signs, names and symbols
Creating: creating melodies and rhythmic patterns, and using the correct notation.
Listening: exposing boys to many different musical styles, including visiting performers
Playing: using correct techniques and exposure to a variety of instruments, including tuned and untuned percussion instruments, and a choice of all orchestral instruments appropriate to the age of the boys.
Moving: physical movement, including choreography and folk dance
Performance: developing confident performance and ensemble skills.
Classroom Instrumental Program
All boys in Years 3 and 4 learn a stringed instrument (violin, viola, cello or double bass), in groups of four to six. This two-year program provides a strong basis for our String Ensembles and Orchestra. In Year 5, boys are encouraged to continue with strings or commence the study of a wind or brass instrument. All boys then participate in our Junior Concert Bands. Throughout the program students gain valuable skills on a particular instrument and learn how to participate in a music ensemble. Boys progress through different ensembles, based on their ability. There are also smaller chamber ensembles in guitar, strings and percussion that boys can participate.
Individual Music Lessons
Boys in all year levels from Prep to Year 6 can enrol in individual music lessons on a variety of instruments: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, piano, guitar, percussion, voice, violin, viola, cello and double bass.
Lessons are given by specialist instrumental tutors who design individual programs to suit the boy’s own rate of progress.
All boys progress from group lessons to individual instrumental lessons whilst at school.
Choirs
All boys receive appropriate choral training in Choral classes in addition to Classroom Music. Borwick House Choir is an auditioned choir from boys in Year 5 and 6, and Junior Voices is an auditioned choir for boys in Year 3 and 4. The criteria to join these choirs is a good sense of pitch and tone, as well as a committed and great attitude.
Performance
During the year there are numerous opportunities for boys to perform, which contribute to the boys’ development of a sense of personal achievement, thereby reinforcing a positive self-image. In the Junior School, all boys are actively and regularly involved in performance opportunities throughout the year. All boys are encouraged to sing in assemblies and chapel services, as well as regular performance opportunities:
- School concerts
- Chapel Services
- Music festivals
- Solo Performance opportunities
- Presentation Night
- Carol services
- End-of-term assemblies
- Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day
- Special assemblies
- Lower Primary Christmas Pageant
- Year 6 Musical
Click here for further details on our Music Program or contact via email
Outdoor Education Program
The BGS Outdoor Education program commences in Prep and Year 1 with a field trip; Year 2 (Mornington Peninsular) experiences an off-site sleepover for one night. Boys in Year 3 (Healesville) and Year 4 (Anglesea) attend an annual three-day journey. The Year 5 boys (four days) attend The Briars (Mt Martha) and the Year 6 boys (five days) attend Camp Coolamatong which includes an expedition to the Gippsland Lakes.
During Outdoor Education journeys, the boys are given an awareness and appreciation of local flora and fauna, and camp craft skills. The boys enjoy the experience of living ‘under canvas’, daily hikes, bush studies, daily chores, and the responsibility of looking after themselves and their classmates.
Combined Activities with Firbank
At BGS we know boys have unique learning needs and recognise part of a rounded education is the ability to work collaboratively and build social connections with girls.
One of the special components of BGS is the experience of combined activities with Firbank Grammar. The program includes academic experiences planned and supervised by staff from both schools.
Activities & Clubs
We offer a number of activities and clubs for the boys throughout the week. This provides opportunities to socialise with others, share their talents or find a quiet space to read and play. Activities available include Gardening, Board Games, Science Club, Library Club, Chess, Art Club, Music, Mindfulness, Sport and Design & Technology.
BGS Plus offers a range of innovative extra-curricular programs run after school and at lunchtimes for boys to develop their skills and interests, take on new challenges and follow their passions whatever they may be.
Share Community Campus brings the community together after school and during the holidays, sharing Brighton Grammar School facilities for the benefit of all. So whether your child is into performing arts, sports or coding, or if you are looking for high-quality programs to keep your little ones entertained and learning while you are working, Share Community Campus is here for you. Please see the link below to see what is on offer.