Newsletter
Week 2 Term 3

Focus on Respectful Relationships

Respectful relationships education is a vital component of the Student Wellbeing program at Brisbane Grammar School. It is also a tangible example of our commitment to the School’s Respectful Relationships Cultural Project. This project, alongside the Bullying and Student Leadership Cultural Projects, will underpin student wellbeing, engagement and outcomes in the years to come.

It is essential young people are equipped with the knowledge, understanding and skills through evidence-based education to develop respectful relationships with themselves and others. BGS is committed to educating students in this critical area and equipping parents and caregivers with the skills they need to support their children.

Students will discuss various aspects of respectful relationships education during Student Wellbeing lessons this semester. BGS boys will be challenged to consciously consider their relationship values, attitudes, and expectations, in a social climate that feeds misleading and often harmful messages about sex and relationships.

The intent of engaging boys in robust and pragmatic discussions is to empower them to make good choices about relationship expectations and enable them to establish safe personal boundaries for themselves and others.

Early to mid-adolescence is a critical life stage in the development of young people, including ideas about sexuality and corresponding attitudes and values. Research shows that school-based sexuality education improves the sexual health outcomes of young people.

The resources used to support our lessons have been developed in consultation with Dr Opie, founder of In Your Skin. Dr Opie has extensive expertise in discussing and exploring sensitive topics with young people in a range of settings.

In 2018, Dr Opie co-published a national position paper as lead author, detailing comprehensive, evidence-based sexuality and relationships education in Australian schools. She recently published a paper that considers the role of sex-positive education in preventing sexual assault among high school students.

In 2021, Tessa was involved in the National Health and Physical Education Curriculum Leaders Forum, presenting her work on sexual health and safety in the context of consent education.

To further support the curriculum delivery at BGS, Dr Opie spoke to Years 7, 8, 9 and 11 students about the world of relationships earlier this week. Each presentation was tailored to meet the needs of boys at different stages of their development.

Resources to help parents and caregivers initiate conversations with their children can be found in the For Parents section of GrammarWell.

BGS and BGGS have reviewed the Grammar Bus Pilot 2022, which commenced at the start of Term 2, to assess its success and make adjustments for Term 3.

One of the key reasons for the initiative is to reduce traffic congestion within our Spring Hill community and support a reduction of our carbon footprint over time.

The evaluation of the pilot over Term 2 found:

• Taking on board parent feedback, we will combine the Clayfield route with a Newstead/Teneriffe/New Farm loop to cover these additional catchment areas.
• The early morning and late afternoon buses for both the Ashgrove and Clayfield routes received low patronage – these buses will be discontinued.
• The Ashgrove service is reasonably well utilised on the late morning and early afternoon run. These services will continue unchanged in Term 3.

The new Clayfield/Newstead/Teneriffe/New Farm route, including a map, bus stops, and timetable, are detailed here on the Grammar Bus Pilot webpage. The Ashgrove route and stops are also included on that page, along with an FAQ section.

The cost of the bus is a subsidised flat fee of $3.50 per trip ($7.00 return). Your son needs to use his BGS Card to tap on entry to the bus. Boys only need to tap on the bus, and do not need to tap off when exiting. There are separate terminals for BGS and BGGS which are signed clearly with each school's name.

BGS students do not need to register to use the service, but please email transport@brisbanegrammar.com if your son plans to use the service for the first time in Term 3.

 

Brisbane Grammar School continues to follow advice from the Queensland Government and the Chief Health Officer regarding COVID-19.

Last weekend, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk strongly advised face masks to be worn while indoors to help curb the spread of the current wave of COVID-19. We support and encourage students and staff wearing masks at BGS, but they are not mandatory. We also encourage vaccination for all eligible members of the school community.

Current known cases of COVID-19 remain low among students and staff at BGS. We understand this can change quickly. Consequently, BGS continues to maintain several infection control measures, including an ongoing heightened cleaning regime and hygiene stations around campus. Classrooms continue to be well ventilated; air purifiers operate where windows do not open, and pedestrian flow signage is in place in selected areas of the campus. It is crucial that boys remain at home if they are unwell.

If your son is absent from school due to COVID-19 or any illness, it is advisable – when he is able – to check-in via Teams Chat with his teachers to let them know his progress and seek clarification as required. It is important for students to let their class teachers know if they are well enough to participate in learning from home.

The partnership between the School and BGS families in the management of COVID-19 has been extraordinary over the past few years. I am grateful for your continued support as we navigate the ever-changing landscape.

The BGS COVID-19 Team continues to monitor and plan for effective infection control management at the School. I will continue to update you as the term progresses.

Kind regards,

David Carroll
Acting Headmaster

Director of Boarding
Berian Williams-Jones

Boarding Tour

One of the great privileges of my role is the opportunity it affords to visit regional and remote areas of Australia. In doing so, we host former and current boarding families, and reach out to prospective boarders.

The first few weeks of this term have seen much community activity, with a BGS Boarding event in Darwin and two days at the Katherine Show. We recently travelled to regional Queensland and New South Wales for a parent gathering in Narrabri before attending the Boarding Expo event in Moree.

I was particularly taken by two interactions, both of which took place during our visit to Katherine.

We were approached at our show stall by a retired couple who introduced themselves as Baydon and Robyn Lane. It transpired that Baydon was a BGS Old Boy, having left in 1962. He spoke warmly of his time at the School and the experience of his sons, who also attended BGS. They had each spent a term boarding, and he and his wife had fond memories of their sons' time in Harlin House.

We were also fortunate to come across Harry Renfree, a former boarder who left BGS in 1991. Harry is now settled and living back in Katherine, running a successful landscaping business in the town. From his frame it was not hard to believe that he had been a front row player for the BGS Rugby First XV in his day, and equally recounted some wonderful stories and events from his time in Boarding.

It was a delight to meet the Lanes and Harry, whose lives at been touched by both BGS and by the residential experience, and to connect with them as part of the Boarding Tour.

Parents’ Dinner     

Our Parents’ Dinner takes place on Saturday 20 August at the conclusion of a day of GPS sport against TSS. I encourage parents to respond to the invitation sent earlier this week, so that we can begin to plan with accuracy for what I know will be an enjoyable evening for all.

Director of Outdoor Education
Derek Jervis

9E arrived at Moogerah in Week 1 for their Outdoor Education experience focused on ‘leading self’. The class were energetic and enthusiastic from the time they arrived, and took the opportunities to develop their outdoor skills and knowledge during the experience. The class had some windy conditions for their first activity paddling on Lake Moogerah, and developed their rescue skills practicing deep water T-rescues in the single kayaks.

Julian Anderson showed a genuine interest in the outdoors and in learning to understand the local area. Julian was a keen and enthusiastic participant who demonstrated initiative and maturity when assisting his classmates on the high ropes course. Thomas Chambers and a small group of his peers chose the extra challenge of continuing the expedition to the summit of Mt Greville. This reflected Tom’s willingness to engage and fully participate in every activity. Tom took the time to enjoy the view from the summit looking over the Great Dividing Range and learn about the local area's history.

James Reinke was a capable student in the outdoors and proved to be a valuable member of his expedition group. James worked hard around the campsite, showing initiative, and providing great support to his peers. Alex Kim proved to be a mature and thoughtful participant. Alex stayed positive through every challenge, and during reflection activities demonstrated a clear and articulate understanding of the objectives and benefits of Outdoor Education.

Baryal Mansoor maintained an excellent attitude towards the challenges of the week. Baryal was willing to push himself, stay positive and was celebrated for demonstrating the motto at Moogerah that ‘It’s the effort put in that counts’. Daniel MacPherson was a considerate classmate willing to look after his mates. Daniel put the needs of his peers first, and his positive attitude had a great impact on those around him.

Year 11 Outdoor Education Leaders Charlie Munday, Henri Cardell-Ree and Taj Saini were a strong and reliable team of leaders. They were excellent mentors for the Year 9 students and reflected on their past experiences at Moogerah to make the most of their leadership role.

A short movie of the boys' experiences can be viewed via the 9E Video link.

Outdoor Education photos are now available via the School’s photo management system, Pixevety. The platform helps the School safely manage and share our photos. This user guide provides instructions on how to access, navigate, search and download photos. The system uses single sign on and must be accessed via MyGrammar > Useful Links > Pixevety. Once activated, you will be prompted to enter a login email and password, but please do not attempt to login this way. Instead, go back to MyGrammar and click on Pixevety again. You can then view the photos by clicking on the Outdoor Education Year 9 folder in Pixevety.

Director of Student Wellbeing
Philippa Douglas

Special Report: Building Resilience

The pandemic has impacted the mental health of some young people. As families settle back into pre-COVID routines, there seems to be a sense of optimism about what lies ahead.

Unfortunately, children and teens are not immune to what is now being termed the ‘psychological pandemic’. Young people are at risk of not achieving the primary demands of developmental tasks such as independence, identity formation, or obtaining and maintaining peer relationships. What young people need most in the current environment is support, understanding, empathy and encouragement from caring adults. They live up or down to the expectations we set for them.

If there is a panacea to the adversity caused by the pandemic, it is the building of resilience. Resilience is the capacity to face, overcome, be strengthened and transformed by adversity. Never before have parents needed the skills, the knowledge and the strategies to build resilience in their children as much as they do now. Seven integral and interrelated components comprise being resilient, and these can help young people thrive and develop healthy coping strategies.

7 Cs of Resilience

1. Competence
2. Confidence
3. Connection
4. Character
5. Contribution
6. Copying
7. Control

This SchoolTV Special Report explores the 7 Cs of Resilience and includes suggested strategies on how adult carers can best facilitate them.

During the holidays, 21 BGS students travelled to Far North Queensland for nine days to experience life in remote Indigenous communities, along with BGS staff Mr Adrian Howard and Ms Cassidy Davies. The group spent time in three remote communities: Wujal Wujal, Buru and Maaramaka, all in the Cape York region.

Welcomed to Country by the Traditional Owners at each of the Homelands, the group were were brushed by the local bottlebrush plants and smoke from the ironbark on the fire. Welcome to Country is a significant cultural tradition where Elders and Traditional Owners speak to the spiritual ancestors of their Country, asking them to welcome visitors and allow them permission to be present. It is a gesture that fosters mutual trust and respect among the Traditional Owners and visitors.

The group was astounded by the extensive knowledge the Traditional Owners have of their Country, and each evening of the Immersion the group had the opportunity to ask the Traditional Owners, in each of the Homelands, questions about Indigenous life and current Indigenous issues. These discussions, debates and reflections were perhaps the most valuable experience of the Immersion, helping students form their own opinions about reconciliation and Australia’s future after hearing firsthand experiences from Indigenous Australians. Throughout their time in the Homelands the group enjoyed swimming in the local creeks, waterfalls, and snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, exploring the rainforest and learning on Country from the Traditional Owners about their culture, history and future.

BGS celebrated and recognised NAIDOC Week at a special assembly today.

Crystal Thompson
Public Purpose Coordinator

We enjoyed welcoming Year 6 parents to our Parent Reading Engagement evening this week. Hosted by our Middle School Reading and Literacy Advisor Michelle Ragen, the evening focused on the importance of parental engagement in learning and provided practical strategies for parents to engage their sons in reading. As part of our endeavour to further engage parents in learning and to spark our boys' love of reading, parents in Years 5 and 6 are invited to participate in the Paired Reading Challenge. A letter outlining how to be involved has been sent via email. We look forward to welcoming parents to next week’s Book Week events – the Book Week Breakfast for students in Years 5 and 6 and the Book Week Trivia night for students in Years 7 and 8.

This week, our Year 8 boys joined girls from BGGS to participate in the annual event, ‘The Quest’. Students formed a company of four and were challenged to design a product that met a set of strict criteria. Each company then pitched their product to the ‘marketing executives’ and were evaluated on criteria of creativity, marketing skill, technical skill, ethics, collaboration and communication. The Quest is a highlight of Year 8 and I thank all staff involved for facilitating this experience.

Many boys will participate in Rugby and Basketball fixtures tomorrow. A reminder that students must wear the correct uniform, including hats and jumpers. Students staying to support flagship teams must change into full school uniform. Your support is appreciated.

Junior Dramatic Production | Three weeks to go!

The past two weeks have seen an increased focus on set, lighting, and media designs to communicate the show's artistic vision and enhance the performances on stage. Our production assistant, Mr Jack Woolrych, has been creating the finishing touches for digital media sequences that highlight the characters' fragile and often erratic minds.

This play asks the audience to question the genetic and environmental influences of evil. Are we made into monsters, or born that way?

Purchase tickets to this year’s Junior Dramatic Production, DNA, here.

• Venue: BGS Theatre
• Dates: Thursday 11 August and Friday 12 August
• Time: 6.00pm
• Ticket prices: Adults – $30, Students – $20

Follow BGS Drama on Instagram (@grammarplay.bgs) for updates and snapshots during the final weeks of rehearsals.

Dominic Russell, Sarah McDonald and Sally Loane
Junior Dramatic Production Creative Team

We are incredibly proud of the efforts of all boys who auditioned. It is clear that our Middle School community is filled with talented and enthusiastic performers.

We are delighted to announce the cast of this year’s Middle School Dramatic Production, Journey to Awedon.

Cast

• Anthony Samios
• Bharathi Kumar
• Christopher Lee
• Dougal Smyth
• Edward Douglas
• Fred Barrett
• Hamish Smyth
• Hamish Treweeke
• Henry Woodward
• Keeran Chang
• Luke Allen
• Magnus Wechsel
• Matthew Amato
• Ned Wilson
• Nicholas Blanch
• Orlando Dunn-Mura
• Sachin Nanda
• Saxon Gottliebsen
• Tarin Langton-Lockton
• Vincent Voller
• Will Angelini
• William French
• Zachy Yap

Follow @grammarplay.bgs on Instagram for updates and behind-the-scenes footage.

Jeffrey Lewis, Chloe Aldred and Ben Newth
Middle School Dramatic Production Creative Team

Around the World in 80 Minutes

Thursday 28 July (Week 3)
6.00pm (students to arrive no later than 5.45pm)
Centenary Hall

Adults $10, Students/Concession $5
Click here to book online

We will celebrate music from all over the world with plenty of variety and fun on offer. Special theming, costuming and food will again be a feature.

Ensembles involved: Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonic Orchestra, Grainger Band, Williams Band, Symphonic Band, Grammar Vocal Ensemble, Vocal Group, Saxophone Ensemble, Clarinet Ensemble. Students to wear performance uniform (white shirt and tie).

String Fest (Senior String Festival)

Some of South East Queensland’s finest string players will gather at BGS to form a massed string ensemble under the directorship of Mr Stephen Chin to perform some outstanding repertoire, with performances by individual ensembles including our own Grammar Chamber Strings. The festival will run from Saturday 23 July to the final concert on the evening of Tuesday 26 July.

Latin Fiesta

Thursday 4 August (Week 4)
6.00pm
Centenary Hall

Come along and enjoy some Latin music, jazz and other favourites as all of our jazz bands and percussion ensembles entertain you.

Australian Combined Schools Music Festival 2023

A reminder that this exciting touring opportunity is happening next year. Some of the finest student musicians from around the country will be gathering in Perth from Wednesday 28 June to Saturday 1 July 2023 to form a Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band and Choir. Our more experienced performers are invited to submit applications which are due to the Music Office by Monday 25 July. For more details, go to MyGrammar.

Performance Awards

Term 3 is the season of Performance Awards, where our young musicians have the opportunity to prepare and present their finest repertoire. There are sections for all ages and for all levels of experience. Experienced external adjudicators provide valuable feedback to all performers with place-getters also recognised at the end-of-year Music Dinner. Entry is open to all students, whether they take lessons at the School or not. Entries are now open in the following categories:

Music Performance Awards​

The Performance Awards for each studio (Brass, Strings, Woodwind, Vocal, etc.) will be conducted in Weeks 6 - 7 this term. More information here.

Students in group tuition will be automatically entered in the Awards for their instrument/voice. Students in private tuition or external tuition will need to complete the Online Entry Form by Thursday 11 August.

Concerto Performance Awards

The Concerto Awards will be held on Sunday 28 August in the Great Hall from 9.00am.​

Online Entry Form | More information here.

Chamber Music Performance Awards

The Chamber Music Awards will be held on Sunday 28 August in the Great Hall from 12.30pm.​

Online Entry Form | More information here.

Composition Awards

​Submissions are due by Friday 9 September.

Online Entry / Submission​ | More information here.

Peter Ingram
Head of Music

Musketeers Support Group AGM – Thursday 11 August, 7.00pm

The Musketeers Support Group for BGS Fencing will hold its Annual General Meeting via Teams on Thursday 11 August at 7.00pm, followed by a short Ordinary meeting.

All voluntary positions on the support group committee will be declared vacant. Please consider nominating for these positions as we need them filled to continue providing whites hire and fundraising for our fencing boys.

Nominations for the following positions must be received by Thursday 4 August 2022:

• President
• Vice-President
• Secretary
• Treasurer

To make a nomination for a position, please email Musketeers Secretary Rebecca Lowe (musketeers.support@brisbanegrammar.com) for a completed Position Nomination Form or Ordinary Membership Form. These forms can be found on the Fencing page on MyGrammar. 

To RSVP to the Teams meeting, please email Fencing Director Melanie Chin at fencing@brisbanegrammar.com. A Teams invite will be forwarded to your email address.

For more information about the Musketeers Support Group or the AGM, please contact President Julia Lim at musketeers.support@brisbanegrammar.com.

Term 3 Internal Fixtures

The first round of Term 3 Friendly Friday Fixtures looked like lots of fun. It was great to see fencers testing themselves and trying different weapons. It was also time for more experienced fencers to try their hand at refereeing. The second round of Term 3 fixtures is on tonight for all Years 9 to 12 students who signed on for this activity. Check Teams for the sign-on list.

These are informal internal fixtures and out of season. Students wishing to fence who are involved in other sport or activities in Term 3 should honour their in-season commitments as a priority.

Melanie Chin
Fencing Director

Last weekend, a group of Years 9, 10 and 11 students attended the Queensland South School Championships at Wyaralong Dam.

The boys had a great two-day campaign, taking home 11 medals including three gold, three silver and five bronze.

Thank you to Rowing Queensland for organising the regatta, Rockhampton Grammar School, All Hallows School, Stuartholme School and Brigidine College for their support across the weekend.

Thank you to our coaches who came out to assist and those who wore multiple hats. Finally, thank you to the amazing parents for your help setting up, pulling down, rigging, and de-rigging (and banana bread)!

Gold

Year 9 Quad - Ryan, Max-ze, Arki, Flynn, Tom (and coach Jon)
Year 10 Four - Tom, Nathaniel, Lachie, Ed, Hamish
Open Four - Sam, Ned, John, Reid, Lachie

Silver

Year 10 Quad - Tom, Nathaniel, Lachie, Ed, Alex
Year 11 Double - John, Reid
Open Four - Jake, Hugh, Ryan, Seth, Hamish

Bronze

Year 10 Double - Lachie, Nathaniel
Year 11 Double - Jake, Ryan
Year 10 Quad - Matthew, Boris, Isaac, Jay, Kate (Stuartholme)
Year 10 Four - Matthew, Isaac, Boris, Jay, Alex
Open Quad - Sam, Ned, John, Reid, Lachie

Matt Marden
Rowing Director

Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award Ceremony

Last Friday, three BGS Old Boys from the Class of 2021 were recognised for their efforts in the Duke of Edinburgh Program at Brisbane City Hall. Cade Barrientos, Joshua Wong and William Ruddell (pictured below, L to R) were presented their Gold Awards alongside another 78 young Queenslanders. To receive this award, a participant needs to be involved in a physical activity, a service opportunity and learn a skill, each for at least 56 hours. They also participate in a five-day Adventurous Journey; a highlight for many students. We look forward to seeing more students complete the Gold Award this year with several students very close to the requirements.

Casey Walker
Award Leader

The P&F Auxiliary is a subcommittee of the P&F Association that facilitates fundraising and fosters parent fellowship and the sense of strong community at Brisbane Grammar School. All profits are returned to the School to enhance the experience for students and families.

Grammar Shop

Open weekdays from 7.30am to 11.00am.

PAYMENT and ONLINE ORDERS

The Grammar Shop is currently operating cash free.  Purchases can be made in-store and online using Visa, Mastercard or your BGS Card account, which can be accessed here (MyGrammar > MyStudent > BGS Card).  

When the Grammar Shop is busy, it is difficult to stop and make calls to parents for payment.

Please ensure funds are available for students before they come to make purchases. If you have selected a 'daily limit' for the BGS Card account, this will need to be removed prior to the student making the purchase. 

The online store can be accessed by entering the BGS Card system and then clicking the ‘Grammar Shop Online’ link at the top centre of the screen.

Safety guidelines regarding social distancing and hand sanitising will continue in the Grammar Shop. 

Returned embroidery

Please click here or go to MyGrammar | P&F Auxiliary | Embroidered Blazer/Item Pick up list to check whether your blazer or other embroidered items are ready to be picked up. We appreciate your collecting these items as soon as possible.

Tuckshop

Open weekdays before school and during breaks.

The Tuckshop provides a selection of hot food, fresh salads, wraps, rolls and drinks.

The Tuckshop is currently operating cash free. Therefore, the BGS Student ID Card is the only payment method. Please add funds to your Student ID Card here (MyGrammar > MyStudent > BGS Card).

Safety guidelines regarding social distancing and hand sanitising will continue in the Tuckshop.

P&F Auxiliary

Tuckshop +61 7 3834 5229
Grammar Shop +61 7 3834 5347
Roster Secretary Lana Szumowski - auxiliaryvolunteers@brisbanegrammar.com

Grammar Shop hours
Weekdays 7.30am – 11.00am

Tuckshop hours
Weekdays 7.00am – 2.00pm

What a great day at Northgate last Saturday! The place was pumping with many visitors for the U11 Rugby Festival and matches against Downlands. A very big thank you to all who assisted us in the canteen and barbecue. We look forward to meeting more of you as the season progresses.

BGS will kick off its GPS season this week against Brisbane State High School. Please come along and support the teams and make a day of it. The grandstand should be full as King G gets the boys going for the First XV match at 2.15pm. We'd love to see the stand completely filled with boys each home game.

For your convenience the game day schedule is printed below.

The Normanby Blues Merchandise Sales will now be solely at the home games (the online shop has closed), come and say hello at the merchandise table on the main field side of the canteen.

In case you missed it… please sign up here to volunteer in the canteen or barbecue. The more the merrier, particularly in the rush between 10.00am and 1.00pm where we tend to struggle.

Jonte Lowe
Normanby Blues President
M 0411 476 472
normanbyblues.support@brisbanegrammar.com

Click here for more information on upcoming events.

Term 3
Tuesday 12 July - Friday 16 September

Term 4
Tuesday 4 October - Friday 25 November