Weekly eNews

Thursday 17 October 2024

At this time of year, when the pursuit of academic excellence can dominate the lives of many young people, it’s easy to lose sight of the importance of maintaining a balanced lifestyle.

We are aware of the fine line between the need to maintain focus while allowing time out for breaks and relaxation.

This is why our ELC program includes a timetabled rest period so our ELC boys can have some downtime to recharge, and our Junior School boys have structured mindfulness practice for 10 minutes after recess daily for the same reason.

In the media this week, Smiling Mind’s Chief Executive Officer Sarah LaRoche said: ‘Building mental fitness skills like mindfulness not only help kids concentrate better in class, but also gives them the tools to manage stress, build emotional resilience, and stay calm when faced with distractions.’

Secondary School boys have 10 minute breaks between classes and are encouraged to maintain their co-curricular pursuits, keep to a steady study and sleep schedule, make time for exercise and relaxation and keep up those activities that they enjoy (including their part-time jobs), to balance the academic demands of school life.

Studies have shown that establishing daily routines can significantly improve mental health, boost productivity, and increase overall wellbeing. According to research from Duke University, about 40% of our daily activity is driven by habit and, when we build positive habits and routines, we set ourselves up for success.

Achieving a balance between academic pursuits and personal wellbeing is critical for nurturing students who are not only successful in their studies but also resilient, happy, and socially engaged, which we aspire to for all our boys.

Finally, good luck to the Class of 2024 as they begin their Valedictory celebrations tomorrow and Monday before commencing their study leave in preparation for VCE exams.

In comparison with many independent schools, Brighton Grammar is considered small in terms of enrolment numbers. I believe it is a great strength of our School as our numbers allow a stronger sense of belonging and connectedness within year level groups, and ensures all boys are known across the School.

The close proximity of the Junior and Secondary Schools is also a significant advantage. Another benefit is the focus we place on transition which is very well-managed at BGS.

Last week, we welcomed back those Year 12 boys who attended the Junior School for Wilson House Revisited. They spent time visiting teachers in the classrooms, opening their time capsules and reminiscing about their Junior School days. 

Many boys commented on how they loved their time in the Junior School and were happy to come back and walk down memory lane.

It is important we provide support and guidance as our ELC boys venture across the car park to our Prep classrooms, and our Year 6 boys walk from Wilson House to Year 7 and the Urwin Centre.

In the coming weeks, our Year 6 boys and parents will have their first formal day and presentation, we will also host our new Year 3 to 5 boys who will join us next year, and we will welcome our 2025 Prep boys to the corridors of Wilson House. These programs are also a reminder of how fast the end of the year is approaching.

 

Wilson House Happenings & Reminders

• Thank you to Rob Ogilvie and Lucy Kervin-McDermott for facilitating our Year 6 mentoring white water rafting weekend on the Mitta Mitta river and to our Year 6 boys and parents who enjoyed the weekend.

• Parents please note that the Junior School carpark will be closed from 11.30am – 1.00pm on Monday 21 October due to Valedictory celebrations.

• All boys are now wearing the summer uniform. The wearing of the broad-brimmed hat during recess and lunch is compulsory. Boys should be locating their hat for the re-introduction of our ‘No Hat No Play’ Policy. Our Year 5/6 boys may wear their BGS cap on Wednesdays.

• Please mark Friday 15 November in your diary for the Junior Parents’ Group’s Family Fun Night from 4.30 – 8.00pm. This is our major JPG fundraiser for 2024 and I am sure we will all enjoy this year’s event. The organising committee is working hard to ensure this year will be entertaining for all. Further details will be forwarded to parents via the BGS app.

• The Prep – Year 6 House Athletics Carnival will be held tomorrow, Friday 18 October at Duncan MacKinnon Athletics track. Parents are welcome to attend. There will be an opportunity for parents to join their son for lunch at approximately 1.00pm. Further details are available via the BGS app.

Student Achievements

• Our 2024 Bookmark competition was held during our Book Week celebrations last term. Well done to all participants, the designs that the boys created were outstanding.  Congratulations to our 2024 Bookmark competition winners.

 

How we love Term 4 in the ELC – there is never a moment without action and excitement!

This week we have started our Transition Program for 2025 classes by providing our current ELC3 boys the opportunity to explore our Wallaby and Bandicoot classes and meet the ELC4 teachers. 

Our ELC4 boys who are continuing on into Prep were bursting today to head over to the Prep classrooms and playground and had so many stories to tell once they got back to the ELC.

We also had the excitement of meeting our youngest boys for ELC3 2025 Transition yesterday morning. Class groups for 2024 ELC boys will be sent to parents once we have completed the three transition sessions. If you have any queries, please make a time to meet with me.

Christmas has also begun with our pageant rehearsals in the classroom practising the songs. We will soon move our practice into the GBR Hall for all four classes to gather and begin learning the story of The Christmas Star.

Our ELC4 boys have also returned to their swimming lessons and we look forward to seeing their progress since Term 1.

Thank you to families for applying sunscreen on the boys prior to their day commencing and remembering to bring in their sunhats. We recommend that you leave your son’s hat in his locker so it does not get lost.

We look forward to wishing our Year 12 boys all the best and high fiving them goodbye in our beautiful tradition of Beating The Bounds when the Year 12s revisit all sections of the school on Monday. It is a special moment for our boys to see where they will be in 13 – 14 years’ time!

Parenting Tips

Why won’t my kids listen to me?

Have you ever asked your child to do something simple but no matter how many times you ask, they keep ignoring you? 

You may find yourself wondering why it seems your kids listen to their teachers, coaches, friends’ parents … basically anyone else but you. Why is this? Read more below on how you can talk to your child so they listen.

Olivia Tims
Junior School Psychologist

JPG News

JPG Family Fun Night

The Brighton Grammar Junior School Family Fun Night is back in 2024!

Join us for a fun night of rides, food trucks and entertainment on the Red Square from 4.30 – 8.00pm on Friday 15 November 2024.

Tickets are $50 per child. The Family Fun Night wristband gives each child unlimited rides. Each child will receive a show bag when the wristband is pre-purchased via Trybooking.  Rides are suitable for children three years and older.  For adults and children under three, entry is free.  Tickets are on sale now

Pudding and Christmas Cake Varieties 

The Brighton Grammar Junior Parents Group is delighted to once again offer you a superb range of homemade Mandi’s Christmas Puddings and Christmas Cakes, just in time for Christmas!

• Traditional Christmas Pudding (round 500g, 1Kg, 1.5Kg, 2Kg; log 500g, 1kg)
• Macadamia and Brandy Pudding (log 500g, 1Kg)
• Gluten Free Pudding (round 500g, 1Kg; log 500g, 1kg) (no gluten, lactose or dairy)
• Date and Toffee Pudding (log 500g, 1Kg)
• Triple Chocolate Pudding (log 500g, 1Kg)
• Chocolate and Orange Pudding (log 500g, 1Kg)
• Chocolate Rum and Raisin Pudding (log 500g, 1Kg)
• Mango & Brandy Pudding (log 500g) 
• Mandi’s Classic Christmas Cakes (600g or 1.4Kg) (The cakes come beautifully boxed)

Final orders by 5.00pm Friday 1 November – No late orders can be accepted. The puddings will be sent home with the boys before the end of Term 4.

 

Diary Dates

• Friday 18 October Prep - Year 6 House Athletics Carnival
• Friday 15 November JPG Family Fun Night