Newsletter
Week 1 Term 3

It was exciting to return to my position as Headmaster over the past month, after missing most of the last term on medical leave. Thank you to my fellow Senior Leadership Team members for their work in my absence, including Deputy Headmaster – Students David Carroll for filling in as Acting Headmaster. I acknowledge all staff who stepped up during a challenging term in the School’s history.

Term 3 will be busy term as students juggle their academic and cultural commitments with a packed cocurricular calendar.

BGS Strategic Vision

Over the past six months, the School’s Senior Leadership Team has been collaborating with the Board of Trustees, parent groups, staff and students to capture the essence of a Brisbane Grammar School education.

Our school strategy creates a direction for the whole organisation. It is important that all people within our community have a clear understanding of what BGS aims to achieve.

We have articulated the School’s vision, its purpose and values in a one-page document that is being widely circulated and publicly displayed. The document informs stakeholders and anyone interested in a BGS education that our vision is “to be the best school for boys in Australia”; our purpose is to nurture each student’s development; and that it’s through the delivery of a high-quality education and a commitment to fostering a community of learners that our School Values (Learning, Leadership, Endeavour, Respect and Community) are enacted.

As members of this community, each one of us has a duty to strive for the vision, live the values and contribute to the programs that deliver the best learning experiences for the boys and families in this school.

We have also created a one-page document that highlights the critical projects for the School in the coming years. These projects represent Brisbane Grammar School’s commitment to delivering high-quality learning environments and programs.

Health and Wellbeing

BGS families must adhere to Queensland Government directives regarding border restrictions. Term 3 coincides with the cold and flu season, and parents need to continue to keep their son home from school if he is unwell, even with mild symptoms. Symptoms that may suggest a contagious illness include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, nausea or diarrhoea. Parents will be required to collect their son from school if he presents with any of these symptoms.

Social Distancing

Restrictions around social distancing in Queensland schools continue to be relaxed. BGS has maintained separation between teachers and students, but classrooms are set up to maximise collaboration between students.

Teachers will continue to remind students about the importance of good hygiene. Social areas and playground equipment will continue to be cleaned after each break. The existing social distancing guidelines will remain at the Tuckshop, with signage and School Marshals on hand to explain the process to students.

Traffic and Congestion

The same pick-up and drop-off process from Term 2 continue in Term 3. Parents are asked to remain patient during the pick-up and drop-off periods and to respect the directions of our traffic control staff, whose priority is the safety of our students.

Academic

The School is planning to offer parents the opportunity to speak with their son’s teachers via the online platform Teams. Details about the timing and arrangements for bookings will be provided later this term.

Year 10 students will soon commence the important process of subject selection for their senior years. Information and resources, including video presentations from key staff explaining the essentials of the QCE and the ATAR, will be provided to parents via MyGrammar.

The assessment calendar will be finalised and published to the community by early next week.

Cocurriculum

Cocurricular leaders have developed extensive plans for training, rehearsals, performances and competition. GPS Sports & Activities have been amended to see all Term 2 competitions (Tennis, Football, Cross Country) and Term 3 (Rugby, Basketball, Chess) sports competing concurrently during Term 3.

To limit the scale of competition days, the principle of “Arrive, Play, Go” will apply. Students need to arrive in playing attire, just before their warm-up. After they have played, students will be asked to leave the venue without changing into uniform.

Please click here to view an official statement from the GPS Association published yesterday. It contains more information about the return of the GPS competition.

Outdoor Education

Students will be able to visit the BGS Outdoor Education Centre during Term 3. Year 8 students started to attend the centre this week and will continue until Week 5. Each Year 8 class will participate in two individual day trips to Moogerah. The Year 9 Outdoor Education experience will begin in Week 6. The department is preparing to resume residential Outdoor Education programs for Years 9 and 10 this year.

Boarding

Most of our boarders are now back in Harlin House and Griffith House after boarding house restrictions were adapted over the term break. Extensive plans remain in place to ensure the safety of the boarding community and to maintain high hygiene standards.

Virtual Open Day

A reminder that our first BGS Virtual Open Day is on Saturday 25 July. We are hosting a Live Q&A from 12.00pm via the BGS Facebook page. More details are available on our dedicated BGS Virtual Open Day webpage.

 

I wish the BGS community well for Term 3. Good luck to all our boys competing for the light dark blue tomorrow in the first round of GPS competition.

Welcome to Term 3

Thank you for ensuring your son returned to school this week with the correct uniform and hair style. I’m appreciative of the support from parents, and I want to acknowledge this partnership that makes our school successful.

I consistently remind the boys about the importance of recreating daily school routines at the start of each term. School Captain Will Hay did a wonderful job covering this topic in his assembly address today. This short booklet may help you support your son restart his homework routine.

I hope you enjoyed family time during the mid-year break. I spent time with my family on their property in Toowoomba and enjoyed watching my youngest son catching up with his cousins. The laughter and noise made by a group of young children is exhilarating, at least for a while. My oldest son lives and works in Melbourne. He is finding the isolation difficult but is managing what is a challenging situation for a young man away from his family. I suspect we all have stories that both make us smile and a little sad at the moment. These challenges remind us of what is important, and we grow from these life experiences.

This week, our Years 11 and 12 students developed goals as part of their Student Learning Plan. I encourage parents to review these with your son over the weekend. Over the next couple of weeks, students will discuss their plans with their Form Tutors to establish focus for the term. At the end of term, Year 12 boys will have a second conversation with a staff member to help them move into the external exam period in Term 4.

Drop-off and pick-up zone

Safety remains our priority. The line markings in the School's drop-off / pick-up zone have been repainted, with additional lines indicating lanes, and new stop lines prior to the pedestrian crossing. We ask that parents:

• Observe and comply with all speed and traffic signs within the vicinity of Spring Hill and the shared pedestrian precinct in the drop-off /pick-up zone.
• Follow the School's traffic controllers' directions and stop signs at all times.
• Pull up and stop at the solid white lines before the pedestrian crossings, as requested to do so.
• Do not stop on the pedestrian crossings. Only proceed past the pedestrian crossing when there is enough space to do so, and the controller stop signs are not displayed.
• To assist traffic flow, please make full use of the laneways. Drive to the end of the lanes and do not leave excessive space between parked vehicles.
• Observe signs and proceed to the correct year groups pick-up zones.

A reminder that students and staff are only permitted to enter the pedestrian crossings when instructed to do so by the School’s traffic controllers. Pedestrians may be instructed to wait in the central traffic Island until vehicles have been stopped. Traffic controllers will instruct pedestrians when it is safe to proceed.

Thank you for supporting a safe student environment.

Director of Student Services
Dale Nicholas

Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre (QTAC) Presentation Wednesday 22 July 6.00pm

Applications for entry to Queensland institutions open through QTAC on Tuesday 4 August 2020. Year 12 students received a hardcopy of the QTAC Guide covering all courses on offer through QTAC in the last week of Term 2. Individual student interviews with Student Services staff will continue and be completed by the end of Term 3.

To further help Year 12 students and parents to navigate 2021 Queensland tertiary entry, the Student Services department will run a virtual QTAC presentation on Wednesday 22 July at 6.00pm.

The Zoom link will be ‘open’ from 5.55pm on Wednesday 22 July. This two-hour session includes a 45-minute presentation covering important dates, how to apply, how to order preferences, pathway options, responding to offers, EAS, ATAR release and access, and other general information.

This will be followed by Q&A until 8.00pm.

Please prioritise your attendance at this online event as it is not being recorded. This will be the only session this year for families to hear directly from QTAC about the application process.

We will email login credentials to parents and students on the morning of the event to protect access integrity for our community.

You can access the electronic copy of the QTAC guide here.

Director of Boarding
Berian Williams-Jones

A new term brings a sense of anticipation and excitement for boarders and staff alike. The start of Term 3 marks significant changes to COVID-19 restrictions and allows us to have a full boarding community once again. It has been wonderful this week to eat meals in a loud and bustling Dining Room, to address a full gathering of boys and to look through more than a handful of weekend leave requests.

While COVID-19 presented challenges to all of us at BGS, it was particularly difficult on returning boarders and those who had to stay at home. From being unable to leave the campus to studying online at home – while friends enjoyed being back in the classroom – last term presented some unique circumstances. It’s great to get back into action.

Mr and Mrs Power have made a splendid start as the Senior Boarding Tutors in Griffith House, our Middle School boarding facility. Their desire to provide the very best environment for the boarders in their care is clear for all to see. We look forward to having our program for younger boys flourish under their careful guidance.  

We are delighted to also welcome four new boarders to our residential community: Nathan Xu has joined Griffith House in Year 6; Doug Chapman (Year 9) joins his brother Harry (Year 12) in Harlin House; and Oscar Phillips and Fin Beck-Veldman have joined Year 10. We wish them well and look forward to celebrating their contribution to the residential community.

In closing, we send our warmest regards to our Houseparent, Mrs Dunn, who is currently off work. With wish her a swift recovery so that we can once again benefit from her caring presence.

Director of Student Wellbeing Programs
Philippa Douglas

Parent Information Video – Respectful Relationships with Dr Tessa Opie

Brisbane Grammar School has invited Dr Tessa Opie to record a video for parents about how our young people negotiate relationships in a digital, hyper-sexualised climate. In this video, which will be made available next week via the BGS App, Dr Opie will explore the impact of media and online pornography on our children’s expectations and attitudes to sexual activity. She will also discuss how we as parents, care givers and role models can encourage our young people to develop a healthy and realistic sense of self and ‘other’.

Dr Opie explores these matters with a positive and pragmatic approach. The in your skin® program aims to empower young people to:

• develop healthy relationship skills
• identify personal values and relationships needs
• determine boundaries around preferred sexual activity
• communicate and negotiate sexual activity
• understand and identify coercion
• understand, express, and recognise consent
• enjoy healthy, consenting, and egalitarian relationships

Dr Opie will also be speaking to boys in Year 11 on Monday 20 July and Years 7 and 9 boys on Tuesday 21 July.

Further information can be found on her website.

The Government has changed the Brisbane Show Day holiday for 2020. The Ekka Holiday will now be on Friday 14 August 2020.

As the manager of the 5A football team, I attended last weekend’s trials at Northgate. It was wonderful to see our sporting fields in action and to see the boys proudly representing their school. This weekend, many boys will participate in various fixtures at different locations. It is important that parents are aware of the guidelines regarding different activities as communicated by program leaders. BGS Northgate Match Day guidelines can be found under the Co-Curriculum tab on MyGrammar.

I was equally delighted to welcome all boys back to school on Tuesday and extend a very warm welcome to our new families in Years 6, 7 and 8. Pleasingly, most boys have returned with neat haircuts and uniforms and eager to commence the second semester. A reminder that winter uniform concludes on the first Monday in September, therefore, boys are still required to wear their blue school jumper to and from school each day.

As explained in the Headmaster’s email communication earlier this week, various COVID-19 related restrictions have been eased. However, it is important to note that the pick-up zone is continuing to operate as it did in Term 2, with designated areas for each year group. I appreciate your support in following these directions and those of the traffic controllers.

The easing of restrictions has also seen the much-anticipated return of our Outdoor Education program. Mr Jervis and the Outdoor Education team have restructured the program to ensure our Year 8 boys visit Pepperina Hill this year. I am grateful for their efforts and know the boys will thoroughly enjoy their time at Moogerah. Information will be sent via email to parents of each class closer to the date.  

The Middle School runs several clubs designed to provide academic support or extension. A full list of these clubs for Term 3 has been published in each year level tab on MyGrammar. However, I would like to highlight new opportunities that start next week.

Writers’ League assists Year 7 and 8 students to improve their writing and covers various literacy elements. It will be run by Ms Deanne Elliot and starts next week on Wednesday at 7.15am in H201.

Wordsmiths Club assists Year 5 and 6 students to improve literacy elements such as grammar, punctuation and spelling. Year 6 students may now participate in this club in Semester 2 and the club has changed its meeting time to Wednesday before school in MS302. It continues to be run by Ms Gardner.

The Year 7 and 8 Extension Maths Club is designed to cater for able Mathematicians from these year levels who would benefit from challenge. It starts next Monday lunchtime in CB104 and will be run by Ms Sally Birks. I continue to run The Year 5 and 6 Extension Maths Club in MS201 on Monday lunchtimes. Regular attendance at extension maths clubs will be one factor taken into account when selecting Middle School students to compete in this term’s ICAS Mathematics competition.

Maths clubs offering support also continue to be run for each Middle School year level twice per week.

These opportunities have been advertised to students over the last week. Further information can be obtained from the relevant staff members in the list published on MyGrammar.

This term is a new beginning. It provides an opportunity for our students to resume a much busier schedule, to reconnect fully with their Cocurriculum programs and finally, compete and perform, representing Brisbane Grammar School.

Along with our colleagues at GPS member schools, we have advocated for the opportunity for students to compete during Term 3. This has meant operating under a combined GPS COVID-19 Return to Play plan. Please click here to view an official statement from the GPS Association published yesterday. The statement outlines some of the reasonable requirements put in place at each of our schools, for our students to have this opportunity.

At GPS venues this weekend, the principle of “Arrive, Play and Go” will apply. Students will arrive and depart in their playing equipment, and parents who choose to spectate at their son’s game will be required to register via EVA Check-in (QR code app) upon arrival and departure. Other guidelines will also apply, and with our focus on enabling your sons to compete, we respectfully request your continued support of these necessary conditions over the coming weeks.

Ahead of their first fixtures, our flagship teams for Chess, Tennis, Basketball and Football were presented to the School via the Virtual Assembly this week. This recognition of sustained effort is important for these boys and our community. As I walked the ovals and courts this last fortnight, it was clear to see that beyond our flagship teams, boys of all ages are striving to improve, achieve and represent BGS to the best of their ability. I commend the efforts of our students.

The challenge posed to our students participating in fixtures this weekend is to represent our community and all that we stand for, wherever they are competing, regardless of opposition, no matter who is present. I reminded our students on assembly that this is the obligation that comes with representation. They need to know the rules, play within them, enjoy the contest and respect all participating and enabling the competition. Importantly, they must strive to compete, for every point, every play and every ball. Any group of BGS students on any day can improve and exceed even their own expectations, should they so choose.

I must thank our Cocurriculum leaders, program leaders and coaches who have worked so diligently over many months to prepare for this season. Particularly, I would like to thank Mr John Clancy, Mr Greg Di-Losa, Mr Glenn McFarlane, Mr Adam Bloch, Mr Peter Brunckhorst, Mr Michael Fancutt, Mr Harry Lee, Ms Mel Eveleigh, Mr Darrington Overstreet, Mr Daniel George and Mr Matthew McKay.

We wish all our flagship teams, and each of our students competing this weekend, every success.

Senior Dramatic Production

We are thrilled to announce that Senior Dramatic Production cast and crew are in the final stretch of rehearsals for The 39 Steps after an enjoyable term break.

In the last three weeks, the Creative Team have worked with industry professionals to amplify the set and lighting design and take the show to the next level. Set Designer Josh McIntosh has cleverly exposed the brick-wall façade of 1930s London and brought the iconic red velvet curtains of the London Palladium to life. Jason Glenwright’s masterful manipulation of light and darkness have created alluring shadows that pay homage to the film noir tropes of a classic spy caper.

The new performance dates for The 39 Steps are Wednesday 19 to Friday 21 August.

Stay tuned for the announcement of ticket sales in the coming weeks. While you wait, be sure to follow @grammarplay.bgs on Instagram to stay updated with everything Drama-related at BGS!

Ben Newth, Patrick Last and Naomi Russell
Senior Dramatic Production Creative Team

Welcome Back

After the break, we are all looking forward to making music together this semester. With relaxed restrictions, our boys should be able to meet more regularly in ensembles. Instrumental and vocal lessons will return to normal, though there will be no live concerts this term.

Reminders 

As we launch into the new semester:

• Please be vigilant about checking instrumental and vocal lesson times each week. We send reminders to Years 5 and 6 Tutor Group teachers, but will no longer publish lesson reminders for younger students in the Daily Bulletin. All students (with assistance from parents) are urged to regularly check MyGrammar for lesson times.
• Larger ensembles are rehearsing in larger venues. Please check details on MyGrammar.
• All ensembles are working towards a significant recording project, which will result in streamed concerts later in the term, including the much-anticipated Grammar in Concert. Dates to be confirmed.
• See MyGrammar for details of recording times, which are mostly in Weeks 4 and 5.

Grammar in Concert rehearsals

Grammar in Concert ensembles have extra commitments.

Sunday 9 August (Great Hall)

12.30pm – Chamber Strings

1.30pm – Vocal Group

2.00pm – GVE

2.30pm – Grammarphones

3.15pm to 4.30pm – Grammar Singers

Wednesday 12 August (Centenary Hall)

12.30pm – Senior Percussion Ensemble

1.00pm – Big Band

3.15pm – Symphonic Band

3.45pm – Symphony Orchestra

4.45pm – Guarneri Strings (This ensemble is not performing at Grammar in Concert)

Rehearsal and sport clashes

This term a significant number of boys have a clash between sporting training and music rehearsals. Boys in this situation must fill in a Rehearsal Clash Form available on MyGrammar or from the Music Office so we can track attendance. If this form is not completed, students will be marked absent from rehearsals. This is particularly important in the lead-up to the recording sessions mid-term, so please fill it in immediately.

I wish you all the best for the start of Term 3!

Peter Ingram
Head of Music

The Cross Country community is working towards the GPS Championship date of Tuesday 4 August (Term 3, Week 4). There will be no official lead up meets prior to the event. Each school is allowed to enter 12 runners per age group except for the Open age group, which will have 18 runners per school. Unfortunately, there will be no spectators allowed at the event.

To select a team, we will be holding Selection Time Trials at Victoria Park immediately after school on Friday 17 July (today) and Thursday 23 July. These trials are open to all BGS boys irrespective of whether they have been attending Cross Country training. Boys are encouraged to participate in both trials, with their best time being considered for selection purposes. These trials are important training sessions to prepare you for the challenging Limestone Park course on which the GPS event will be run.

Well done to the large number of boys who got up early during the holidays to attend school-based training sessions with their mates. 

A full calendar of Term 3 Cross Country activities is available on MyGrammar.

 

The GPS Chess season begins today, with chess players travelling to Toowoomba for our first round of games against Toowoomba Grammar. The teams lists and details of bus times can be found on the Chess page of MyGrammar.

Here’s to another successful season!

The countdown is on for the opening of the BGS Virtual Art Show 2020, Iridescence. This week we present 11 works from our 20 selected artists and next week we will showcase five stunning works by our feature artist from Quilpie, Lyn Barnes. The gallery will be live on this page on Wednesday 22 June. Get ready to secure your favourite piece of art when the online sales open at 7.00pm on Friday 24 July.

Sally Bennett
BGS Art Show 2D Convenor

Tuckshop +61 7 3834 5229
Grammar Shop +61 7 3834 5347
Roster Secretary Wendy Smith - wsmith@visis.com.au

Grammar Shop hours
Weekdays 7.30am – 11.00am

Tuckshop hours
Weekdays 7.00am – 2.00pm

To abide with the social distancing rule, we can only have one volunteer for breakfast and four volunteers for Morning tea/Lunch

Term 3
Tuesday 14 July – Friday 18 September

Term 4
Tuesday 6 October – Friday 27 November

Click here for more information on upcoming events.

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.

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

The Tuckshop and Grammar Shop are currently operating cash-free, so please plan accordingly. Please recharge your MSA cards here for use in both shops.

Tuckshop

Open weekdays before school, during breaks and at lunchtime.

The Tuckshop has a new item on the winter menu: soup. Pumpkin, chicken or minestrone soup will be prepared twice a week to provide another warming option for the colder days. Last term’s new menu items of Mongolian Hokkien Noodle with either chicken or beef are proving popular lunch choices. The Tuckshop is also trialling a lower sugar Ice Break iced coffee.

Grammar Shop

Open weekdays from 7.30am to 11.00am.

The Grammar Shop has recently relocated to the basement level of The Lilley Centre and we look forward to showing you our new premises. Staff need to maintain social distancing parameters of 1.5m, but students are welcome to try on uniforms themselves, or parents may wish to come to the shop to fit their son/s if they prefer. Please call us on 07 3834 5347 to discuss your needs.

Grammar Shop Casual Position Vacant

The Grammar Shop has an opening for a Casual Shop Assistant. If you’re interested please follow this link for further information.

Joanne Villiers
P&F Auxiliary

Light Dark Blue: 150 Years of Learning and Leadership at Brisbane Grammar School is available for purchase. The beautiful 500-page hardcover book updates the BGS story with previously untold anecdotes, rare photographs and illustrations. Standard edition and limited editions are available.

Click here to view all BGS150 merchandise – limited stocks remain.