COVID-19 Advice for BGS Community

UPDATE FROM HEADMASTER
Monday 13 July 2020

Dear BGS Community

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

I look forward to students returning to school for the start of Term 3 tomorrow. It is sure to be a busy term as students juggle their academic and cultural commitments with a packed cocurricular calendar. It is important boys return ready to engage in the teaching and learning process, and wearing their uniform proudly with an appropriate hairstyle.

I encourage you to read through the important updates below.

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 must 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 will maintain separation between teachers and students, but classrooms will be 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 will 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. Parents are kindly requested not to use the Park Hotel, located diagonally opposite BGS on the corner of Gregory and Wickham Terraces, for drop-off or pick-up. A recent article in The Courier-Mail indicated Brisbane City Council will launch a parking blitz around several Brisbane schools this week, including BGS.

Academic

Students and parents will have invested time over the break reviewing report results and, more importantly, using the feedback from teachers to plan for improved study and revision routines for Semester 2. 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 Monday 20 July.

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. Program leaders will provide more details specific to their sport this week.

Outdoor Education

Students will be able to visit the BGS Outdoor Education Centre during Term 3. Year 8 students will attend the centre during Weeks 1 to 5, and each 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

Boarding house restrictions were adapted over the term break. The new guidelines now allow all BGS boarders to live on campus in our boarding houses. There are extensive plans in place to ensure the safety of the boarding community and to maintain the highest hygiene standards.

Term 3 Events

Please see the below table, which remains the same as communicated at the end of last term. ‘In- person’ events are subject to Government guidelines for venue capacity. COVID-19 restrictions have forced changes to some important Term 3 events. Some events have had to be cancelled or postponed until a later date, while others will continue under a revised format. The following table outlines these changes.

Event	Status	Contact	details
Parent-Teacher Interviews	Revised Format	Years 9 to 11: Dean of Administration Years 5 to 8: Head of Middle School Administration and Events	Parent-teacher interviews will be rescheduled for later in Term 3.
BGS Art Show	Virtual	BGS Art Support Group	Friday 24 July Online exhibition of 2D works.
BGS Open Day	Virtual	BGS Communications	Saturday 25 July Live Q&A sessions with key BGS staff.
Year 11 Semi-Formal	Postponed	Deputy Headmaster – Students	17 October Format will be determined following Government guidelines.
Year 12 Formal	Possible Revised Format	Deputy Headmaster – Students	18 September Format will be determined following Government guidelines.
Year 8 Quest	Revised Format	Head of Middle School Administration and Events	The Quest will run as an internal activity only.
Concerts	Revised Format	Head of Music	Term 3 concert formats will be communicated by the Music Department.
Drama Productions	Revised Format	Head of Drama and Dramatic Productions	Limited audience numbers and recorded performances.
Grandparents’ Day	Revised Format	Head of Middle School Administration and Events	Format will be communicated at the beginning of Term 3. Likely to be an online event.
Father’s Day Breakfast	Postponed	Head of Middle School Administration and Events	Likely to be held at a date to be determined in Term 4 following Government guidelines.
Year 6 Canberra trip	Cancelled	Head of Middle School Administration and Events	Cancelled due to health concerns.
Year 10 Subject Selection Evening	Online	Dean of Administration	Online information and department-specific presentations.
Student Wellbeing Series: Tess Opie	Revised Format	Director of Student Wellbeing Programs	Sexuality and relationships education information session for students as scheduled. Information session for parents cancelled. Possible webinar being investigated.
Student Wellbeing Series: Internet Safe Education	Online	Director of Student Wellbeing Programs	Webinar for Year 8 students. Information session for parents cancelled. Possible webinar being investigated.
Support Group Meetings	Online	Various	Online meetings will continue in Term 3 until further notice.

Anthony Micallef
Headmaster

UPDATE FROM ACTING HEADMASTER 
Wednesday 17 June 2020 

Dear BGS Community

My aim in this communication is to provide parents with clarity on a range of important matters ahead of Term 3. As the Queensland Government provides further COVID-19 updates, the School will continue to keep its community informed. The education of your sons, delivered in a safe environment, remains our priority.

I would like to remind you that Headmaster Anthony Micallef will return from medical leave to resume his role leading the School on Monday 22 June. He has made a full recovery from the pulmonary embolism that threatened his health and is looking forward to once again leading the community.

Health and Wellbeing

I would like to acknowledge the wonderful effort of parents in keeping their sons away from school this term when unwell. It is evidence of the priority placed on the safety of the community. Term 3 coincides with the cold and flu season. Parents must 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 these symptoms.

Boarding

Amid the challenges brought about by COVID-19, BGS Boarding has made a significant advancement in the opening of Griffith House, a new facility for Middle School boarders. While Griffith House is already full and has a waiting list, Queensland Health directives mean we are only able to use half the beds, as is the case in Harlin House.

We intend to be able to offer accommodation to all our boarders from the start of Term 3. If there is no change to the Government directives, we have a plan in place to secure a temporary boarding facility. We will communicate these details, if required, directly to parents in due course.

Academic

Student reports will be available from Friday 26 June. Parents will be notified via email when reports go live on MyGrammar.

Year 10 subject selection will be conducted online in Term 3. From Monday 3 August, a range of resources that include coverage of QCAA assessment requirements, QTAC tertiary entrance pre-requisites and descriptions of all senior subjects, will be available for students and parents.

Regular parent-teacher interviews will not proceed as published in the calendar at the start of 2020. The School is examining alternative ways of providing feedback opportunities to parents.

Virtual Assemblies will continue for the foreseeable future during Term 3.

Parent Survey

During the home-based learning period, parents provided valuable data via surveys to inform our decision-making processes through what were unprecedented challenges. As this term ends, I once again invite you to provide feedback on your son’s transition back to the on-campus setting, and your reflections on your son’s school experience over this entire period. The survey is short and should take a few minutes to complete. It can be accessed via this link and will be available until midnight on Sunday 21 June.

GPS Sport and Activities

Planning for Term 3 GPS competitions continues to progress in accordance with the GPS Return to Play plan and the Queensland Government Roadmap for easing COVID-19 restrictions. We anticipate changes as the Government restrictions move from Stage 2 to 3, over the upcoming term break. Program leaders will keep students and parents informed of any changes in planning, should it be necessary. The latest information for each program will be updated to the Cocurriculum pages on MyGrammar.

GPS Basketball, Football, Tennis and Chess fixtures will commence in Week 1 of Term 3. In GPS Rugby, the first four weeks of the term have been allocated to preparation, trials and grading games. The first GPS Rugby fixture will be held on Saturday 8 August (Week 4). The First XV (only) will play on Friday 18 September (Week 10). The GPS Cross Country Championships will be split into Junior (10 - 12 years) and Senior (13 years - Open) events, held over Weeks 4 and 5, with dates to be confirmed. The GPS Gymnastics Championships will take place in Week 8.

Arrangements for our return to GPS sport and activities will challenge us in many ways. The spectator experience will be very different, as we maintain our focus primarily on the boys competing. It would be premature to state these differences with certainty at this stage; however, we anticipate spectator limits at each venue, limited spectator amenities, set windows for entry and exit according to game times, and a GPS Association-wide application of the principles of Arrive, Play, Go.

Outdoor Education

The Outdoor Education department is prepared for a return to programs to start Term 3. A set of program options are in place accounting for the level of restrictions at the time. The options include Outdoor Education activity days based at BGS or Northgate Playing Fields, day trips to Moogerah or Moogerah residential programs. The revised calendar allows each class to participate in an Outdoor Education program this year. The experiences have been shortened to ensure every student can participate.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award Adventurous Journeys conducted by Outdoor Education teachers have also been rescheduled in the calendar. There is an expedition planned for the September and December term breaks. The Semester 2 Outdoor Education calendar is available on MyGrammar. A short video explaining the calendar, program and activity outlines is available here.

Traffic and Congestion

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is not surprising that we have observed a substantial reduction in the number of students using public transport to travel to and from school. This is obviously contributing to an increase in traffic congestion during drop-off and pick-up. Parents are requested to remain patient during this challenging period and to respect the directions of our traffic control staff whose priority is the safety of our students.

The Park Hotel is located diagonally opposite BGS on the corner of Gregory and Wickham Terraces.  The operators of the hotel have reported an increase in the incidence of parents using its property for drop-off and pick-up, which is impacting the hotel’s operations. Parents are kindly requested not to use The Park Hotel for drop-off or pick-up.

Cross River Rail Impact on BGS

The Queensland Government’s Cross River Rail Project includes 5.9km of twin tunnels under the Brisbane River and Brisbane CBD. The northern tunnel will run beneath the north-west boundary of Brisbane Grammar School and will emerge directly behind Brisbane Girls Grammar School adjacent to the Inner City Bypass. The cycle and pedestrian path that runs along the rear boundaries of both schools will be closed from 22 June 2020 to early 2021. Cycle traffic will be diverted to College Road and Gregory Terrace.

Both schools have formally communicated to the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority their concerns of the cycle traffic detour decision, including risks of injury and additional congestion. Both schools have also expressed similar concerns to our local Council member. Parents are requested to be aware of increased cycle traffic during drop-off and pick-up.

Term 3 Events

‘In-person’ events are subject to Government guidelines for venue capacity. COVID-19 restrictions have forced changes to some important Term 3 events. Some events have unfortunately had to be cancelled, others will be postponed until a later date, while others will continue but under a revised format. The following table outlines these changes.

Event	Status	Contact	details
Parent-Teacher Evenings	Revised Format	Years 9 to 11: Dean of Administration  Years 5 to 8: Head of Middle School Administration and Events	Parent-teacher interviews will be rescheduled for later in Term 3. Further details provided at the beginning of next term.
BGS Art Show	Virtual	BGS Art Support Group	Friday 24 July Online exhibition of 2D works.
BGS Open Day	Virtual	BGS Communications	Saturday 25 July Live Q&A sessions with key BGS staff.
Year 11 Semi-Formal	Postponed	Deputy Headmaster – Students	17 October Format will be determined following Government guidelines.
Year 12 Formal	Possible Revised Format	Deputy Headmaster – Students	18 September Format will be determined following Government guidelines.
Year 8 Quest	Revised Format	Head of Middle School Administration and Events	The Quest will run as an internal activity only.
Concerts	Revised Format	Head of Music	Format for Term 3 concerts will be communicated by the Music Department.
Drama Productions	Revised Format	Head of Drama and Dramatic Productions	Limited audience numbers and recorded performances.
Grandparents’ Day	Revised Format	Head of Middle School Administration and Events	Format will be communicated at the beginning of Term 3. Likely to be an online event.
Father’s Day Breakfast	Postponed	Head of Middle School Administration and Events	Likely to be held at a date to be determined in Term 4 following Government guidelines.
Year 6 Canberra trip	Cancelled	Head of Middle School Administration and Events	Cancelled due to health concerns.
Year 10 Subject Selection  Evening	Online	Dean of Administration	Online information and department-specific  presentations.
Student Wellbeing Series:   Tess Opie	Revised Format	Director of Student Wellbeing Programs	Sexuality and relationships education information session for students as scheduled.  Information session for parents cancelled. Possible webinar being investigated.
Student Wellbeing Series: Internet Safe Education	Online	Director of Student Wellbeing Programs	Webinar for Year 8 students.   Information session for parents cancelled. Possible webinar being investigated.
Support Group Meetings	Online	Various	Online meetings will continue in Term 3 until further notice.

I acknowledge the length of this communication; however, it is important to provide early information about the many activities scheduled for Term 3. More detailed information will be provided about specific events closer to them occurring.

I reiterate my thanks for your ongoing support of the School during Term 2. I look forward to students returning to school for the start of Term 3 on Tuesday 14 July.

David Carroll
Acting Headmaster | Deputy Headmaster – Students

UPDATE FROM ACTING HEADMASTER
Wednesday 20 May

Dear BGS Community

We are excited to welcome Years 5 to 10 students back to campus on Monday 25 May. The School will return to the normal (pre-pandemic) timetable in Week 6. Home-based online learning will end on Friday 22 May. This will be explained to all students, along with further important information about the transition back to school, as part of a Virtual Assembly on that day.

We understand some students may remain home due to concerns about COVID-19. We ask that you please contact your son’s Head of Year if that is the case for your family. Students who are unwell or unable to attend school will be directed by their teachers to where they can access relevant learning materials to ensure they are supported and maintain access to the curriculum.

Interim reports outlining your son’s engagement and progress in learning across all his subjects will be published this week. An email from the Deputy Headmaster – Teaching and Learning will advise parents when these are available.

Health and Wellbeing

Parents must 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 these symptoms. We appreciate your support to assist in maintaining the wellbeing of the BGS community.

Dean of Students

As you are likely aware, Headmaster Anthony Micallef’s medical leave has been extended by the Board of Trustees until the end of Term 2. With this certainty, it is important for me to be able to focus primarily on the position of Acting Headmaster until Anthony’s return.

I will continue to have oversight of the Deputy Headmaster – Students portfolio, with a member of the Student Wellbeing Team assigned to a temporary role as Dean of Students to focus on the practical aspects of my usual position. Due to his previous experience acting in my position, Simon Conway has agreed to step into this temporary role for the rest of this term. Brad Scholes will step into the Head of Year 10 role, and Jon Hopes will provide him with support as Assistant Head of Year 10, for the remainder of the term.

Week 6 Timetable

All students Years 5 to 12 will be on campus and in classrooms.

• Form Class each morning will revert to an 8.20am start.
• Years 5 to 8 Period 6 will finish at 3.00pm (to facilitate a staggered pick-up).
• Years 9 to 12 Period 6 will finish at 3.10pm (we will move to a 3.00pm finish in Term 3 when Northgate training is expected to resume).
• Please also note that the Independent Study Afternoon ISA on Thursday 11 June has been cancelled.

Outdoor Education

The Outdoor Education Department is anticipating a return to outdoor programs in the coming months. The decision will be dictated by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), Queensland Government recommendations, and BGS leadership. The goal for 2020 is to provide an outdoor experience for every student in Years 5 to 10. Fortunately, Years 5 and 7 boys completed their Outdoor Education experience pre-pandemic. The Year 8 cohort has been participating in a set of outdoor related tasks during Term 2, and each class in the Year 9 cohort will have an Outdoor Education lesson at school in Term 2.

In Terms 3 and 4, we anticipate providing an outdoor experience for all Years 6, 8, 9 and 10 students in line with recommendations from the authorities. This could be in the form of a Northgate day trip, a Moogerah day trip or a residential Moogerah experience. The decisions will be made as the health authority recommendations are received. We hope to have students back at Pepperina Hill, embracing the chance to join their friends in reconnecting with nature as soon as possible.

GPS Sports and Activities

The Great Public Schools Association of Queensland (GPS) provided a statement yesterday with an update on the planning for a return to competition in Term 3. Further updates will be provided over the coming weeks, as we prepare to recommence training while observing all relevant directives. Please click here to read the full statement.

Boarding

The number of students returning to the residential community continues to grow and by the start of next week we expect to be accommodating most of our boarders across both Harlin House and the recently created Griffith House. The operation of BGS Boarding continues to be shaped by directions from Queensland Health, but we remain ever hopeful that restrictions on leave and activities will soon be eased and we can return to more familiar routines.

Mobile Phones

To accommodate the COVID-19 Safe App, all students will be temporarily permitted to carry their mobile phone in their pockets. Middle School parents need to contact their son’s Form Tutor should they wish for their son to carry his mobile phone. Phones must remain on silent and not be used during the school day.

Pick-up Zone

The Pick-up Zone now opens from 3.10pm. Students are required to wait in designated year level areas to minimise physical contact. Brothers should wait together in the zone of the youngest sibling. Click here to view the Pick-up Zone map.

Parent Meetings

To minimise the number of visitors on campus, any parent meetings that would normally occur on campus need to be conducted online. This decision has been made in the interest of community safety. The School will be guided by health authorities as to when face to face meetings can resume on campus.

For the latest updates from the School, please visit the COVID-19 Advice for BGS Community section on the BGS website.

David Carroll
Acting Headmaster | Deputy Headmaster – Students

UPDATE FROM ACTING HEADMASTER
Wednesday 13 May

Dear BGS Community

It was wonderful to see Years 11 and 12 students back on campus to start this week. They were certainly excited to see each other in person. The boys were as enthusiastic as I’ve seen them to return to school. We are equally excited about the expected return of Years 5 to 10 students on Monday 25 May.

Update on Headmaster Anthony Micallef

On Wednesday 29 April, I wrote to the BGS community to advise that our Headmaster Anthony Micallef was taking leave for treatment of a recent medical condition, unrelated to COVID-19. The Headmaster has asked that I share with you the following additional information about this health matter.

Mr Micallef experienced a medical episode which saw him hospitalised for treatment of a physical condition. He is now at home recuperating and will continue to do so throughout this term. He’s receiving excellent medical attention and although the recovery period is slower than anticipated, he is making good progress.

As a result of his ongoing recuperation, the Headmaster’s medical leave has been extended by the Board of Trustees until the end of Term 2.

I have been in regular contact with Mr Micallef throughout this period. While he is frustrated that he could not be on campus to welcome the return of Years 11 and 12 students on Monday or for the return of the rest of the student body in a fortnight, he is excited for the boys and the School.

Mr Micallef has also expressed his pride to be part of the BGS community during this difficult period. He has greatly admired the commitment and hard work of students and staff and the support of parents in meeting the challenges.

I will remain Acting Headmaster for the duration of Term 2 until Mr Micallef’s expected return at the beginning of Term 3.

Social distancing and movement around campus

Social distancing measures have been implemented at BGS. This is explained to students through comprehensive signage, floor markers and seating labels. Some of the usual and more direct routes between our buildings, classrooms and offices are now unavailable. These measures are in place for the safety and wellbeing of all on campus. It is important students follow these directives.

Boarding

It has been heartening to welcome back more than 30 boys to boarding at the start of this week. They have brought a welcome energy to the residential community. The constraints surrounding the operation of boarding facilities in this period are significant, but we are hopeful that in due course we will be able to offer on-campus accommodation to all our boarders.

Academic

Monday 18 May is the start of Week 5, which marks the mid-point of Term 2. This is a transition week for the School as we prepare for the anticipated return of Years 5 to 10 students on Monday 25 May (Week 6).

The essential information about Week 5 is as follows:

• The whole school returns to the six periods per day regular timetable.
• Years 11 and 12 students will be in classrooms engaged in face-to-face learning.
• Years 5 to 10 students continue with home-based learning for the week.
• There will be 10-minute breaks between periods to enable lesson and teacher changeovers.

All students will receive their Week 5 timetable by email from the Dean of Curriculum by the end of this week.

Parents are reminded that the assessment calendar is live and that many due dates are imminent.

GPS Sports and Activities

The Great Public Schools Association of Queensland (GPS) released a statement on Friday 8 May outlining a plan for a staged return to Sport and Activities. Click here to read the full statement.

To progress our planning, students have now been invited to register their interest in Terms 3 and 4 sports and activities, under a modified competition plan. Students may access the register via the 'Register Term 3 & 4' tab in the Cocurricular Activities channel in Teams.

Once registration selections are collated, we will work with the GPS Association to build competitions. If we are unable to accommodate all interests, we will offer alternative Cocurricular involvements through a second registration round. Registrations close at 3.00pm on Thursday 14 May.

Parent surveys

I wish to offer my appreciation to parents for taking the time to complete our weekly parent surveys. They provide valuable information to allow for evidence-informed decisions. Thank you for your pleasing feedback about the work of BGS staff in the most recent parent survey.

For the latest updates from the School, please visit the COVID-19 Advice for BGS Community section on the BGS website.

David Carroll
Acting Headmaster | Deputy Headmaster – Students

UPDATE FROM ACTING HEADMASTER
Wednesday 6 May 2020

Dear BGS Community

The Queensland Government has announced that from Monday 11 May 2020 students in Years 11 and 12 will be able to return to school. We are looking forward to the return to campus of those students next week and the added connection that the face-to face environment enables.

We understand that some parents of Years 11 and 12 students may choose to keep their son at home due to concerns about COVID-19. If parents choose to do this, I ask that you get in touch with your son’s Head of Year.

To safeguard all students and staff, it is important that students who are unwell remain at home. The BGS Health Centre will communicate with families of vulnerable students to provide direction around a return-to-school plan.

The Education Minister is expected to announce on Friday 15 May 2020 whether all other year levels (Years 5 to 10) will return to school on Monday 25 May 2020 (Week 6), as is currently planned. The current home-based learning arrangements will remain in place for Years 5 to 10 students until that time. Students of essential workers and vulnerable children in Years 5 to 10 will continue to be able to attend school for supervision.

The planning of resources and lessons for the next seven school days up until Friday 15 May have been completed and continuity of learning is the priority. The following summary outlines essential information about the transition back to on-campus teaching and learning:

Week commencing Monday 11 May. The current timetable will continue for all students until Friday 15 May in order to complete the pre-planned 10-day cycle.

• Year 11 and 12 students will have their lessons delivered in classrooms.
• Years 5 to 10 students will continue to receive their lessons online.

Week commencing Monday 18 May. The School will transition to a six-period timetable cycle.

• Years 11 and 12 students will have their lessons delivered in classrooms.
• Years 5 to 10 students will continue to receive their lessons online.

Week commencing Monday 25 May. The School will move to the regular timetable.

• All students will be back on campus (pending confirmation by Queensland Government).
   

Specific information for Years 11 and 12 students

BGS recognises the critical importance school activities and routines play in restoring feelings of normality and social equilibrium. Consequently, time to re-establish social connections and learning routines will be factored into the transition process as our Year 11 and 12 students return to campus. Social distancing will be required and explained to students. This week we are installing additional signage, floor markers and seating labels to promote social distancing. The School’s cleaning and sanitation processes have been intensified.

The School continues to have high expectations for Years 11 and 12. The boys are to return to school in their full winter uniform with their hat and with a hair style that meets school protocols.

Tutor Groups will commence at 8.15am on Monday 11 May. Period 1 will be a Student Wellbeing Curriculum lesson that includes a virtual year level assembly, ahead of boys moving into their academic classes for the remainder of the day. Classes will conclude at 3.00pm.

All Years 11 and 12 students will be emailed in the coming days with their individual timetable and room allocations for next week. Note the additional details below:

• Additional sessions in English and Maths have been timetabled, in recognition of the Internal Assessment priorities in these subjects, particularly for Year 12.
• The extensive support available for students via Teams and Canvas will continue.
• Heads of Year will be closely monitoring and tracking students. Parents are encouraged to make contact should any concerns arise during the transition process.

The Tuckshop will be available for students with measures in place to practise social distancing. There will also be additional measures implemented to control student movement around the campus and our cleaning regimes increased, especially in high traffic and practical activity zones.  

Changes to the pick-up process will be communicated in due course in preparation for the anticipated return of all Year levels.

Student Services will be available to provide support and guidance as required.
 

Thank you

As we transition to a return to campus, I would like to thank parents and guardians for their support. I also commend our students for their engagement during this difficult period.

It will be important over the coming weeks that students remain committed to their studies as we transition back to the traditional mode of teaching. For Years 5 to 10 students, I encourage you to remain focused over the coming weeks and continue to use GrammarFit and GrammarWell.
 

For the latest updates from the School, please visit the COVID-19 Advice for BGS Community section on the BGS website.

David Carroll
Acting Headmaster | Deputy Headmaster – Students

UPDATE FROM ACTING HEADMASTER
Wednesday 29 April

Dear BGS Community

Firstly, I wanted to inform you that Headmaster Anthony Micallef is currently taking leave for treatment of a recently diagnosed medical condition, unrelated to COVID-19.

I have been in regular contact with Anthony, and he is in good spirits and unsurprisingly focused on the School. I wish him a speedy recovery on behalf of the BGS community. I will be Acting Headmaster until he returns and will keep you updated as appropriate.

Tuition Fee Discount

The Board of Trustees has decided to discount Term 2 tuition fees by 10%. The decision reflects a desire to support the BGS community in a financially responsible manner in these difficult times.

A reminder to please click here and complete the survey, which will inform us how you wish the discount to be applied in respect to your son/s. Note, you must complete a separate survey for each son you have at BGS. For example, if you have two sons, complete two surveys. Please confirm your discount option by completing the survey by Friday 15 May 2020.
 

Parent Feedback

Before the term break, parents were invited to provide feedback via a survey on perceptions of their son’s experience of home-based learning. The data collected proved valuable in helping to shape our timetable, curriculum and wellbeing planning for Term 2. As part of our commitment to an evidence-informed approach to ongoing decision making as we navigate this period of home-based learning, I invite you to provide feedback again.

Please click here to provide feedback on the first two weeks of Term 2. The data will assist us in making adjustments to our current home-based educational program. It will also inform our thinking about the curriculum post-pandemic. The survey will close at 7.00pm on Saturday 2 May.
 

Academic

The Term 2 Assessment Schedule has been finalised and is now available via MyGrammar. Using this schedule as a regular reference point will assist students and parents in planning priorities and managing time efficiently.

While all subjects have adjusted their courses and assessment to better align with online curriculum delivery and the home-based learning environment, the essential knowledge and skills will still be assessed and student progress reported on.

Parents of Year 12 students will have noted that most IAs this term are research or report based, with only a small number of exams scheduled. Meeting the defined checkpoints is essential to student progress. Parents are encouraged to monitor these dates and submission requirements across their son’s subjects.
 

Student Wellbeing

Parent Contact

A reminder that Form Tutors will contact parents over the coming weeks to check the progress of students’ home-based learning and ensure they are managing with the change. Parents of boys in Years 9 to 12 will be contacted in Weeks 2 to 4, and parents of boys in Years 5 to 8 will be contacted in Weeks 2 to 5. Calls will predominately be made on Thursday afternoons.

Please continue to contact your son’s Head of Year if you wish to speak to someone before the Form Tutors contact you.
 

GrammarWell

GrammarWell, the School’s new digital Student Wellbeing Platform, is now available via MyGrammar. Students can explore the platform and discover wellbeing resources to keep them happy, healthy and get the most out of school and life.

Please click here to watch our Director of Student Wellbeing Programs explain GrammarWell in more detail.

 

Boarding

The BGS Boarding community continues to actively care for a small number of boys who are living in Harlin House, and a far greater number who are learning at home or with their guardians. We thank all of our families for their continued support and engagement.

Please click here to watch our Director of Boarding provide a summary of what BGS Boarding plans to achieve by 22 May.
 

For the latest updates from the School, please visit the COVID-19 Advice for BGS Community section on the BGS website.

David Carroll
Acting Headmaster | Deputy Headmaster – Students

UPDATE FROM HEADMASTER
Friday 24 April

Dear BGS Community

As we commence Term 2, the Board of Trustees acknowledges the challenging circumstances presented to us all by the COVID-19 pandemic. We thank all our parents, guardians and students for your cooperation and enthusiasm in preparing for the new term.

We also acknowledge the hard work undertaken by BGS staff to deliver a high-quality home-based learning experience for our students in line with the directive from the Queensland Government.

Extensive work has also been undertaken to meet the Federal Minister’s directive that the School remains open for onsite learning for students of essential workers and others where appropriate.

As a result, we believe there will continue to be a smooth delivery of the curriculum, albeit under different circumstances to normal. We will continue to invest a tremendous amount of effort to enrich the online delivery of academic, wellbeing and cocurricular programs for our students.

The Board of Trustees has been closely monitoring educational developments and considering how the School can best support our community and help to ease the unprecedented impact imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. There remains a high level of uncertainty as to how we will be required by the State Government to deliver educational programs going forward.

I am pleased to advise that as part of the School’s interim response to the pandemic, the Board of Trustees yesterday approved a 10% reduction in the level of Term 2 tuition fees. Details of how this reduction will be implemented will be outlined in a separate communication from the Chief Financial Officer in the coming days.

The School will continue to monitor the ongoing impacts of the pandemic on the School’s operations through the remainder of Term 2 and assess whether any further reduction in tuition fees will be offered in respect of Terms 3 and 4. An announcement in this regard will be made prior to the commencement of Term 3 when we have further information.

We again want to thank all our parents, students, staff and leadership for the way everyone has responded so positively and cooperatively in these difficult times.

The wellbeing of all students, along with maintaining our high standard of education, remain the priorities of Brisbane Grammar School.

Anthony Micallef
Headmaster

COVID-19 UPDATE FROM HEADMASTER
Wednesday 22 April

Dear BGS Community

The COVID-19 pandemic ensured an interrupted end to Term 1, but through the dedicated work of BGS staff, the School was prepared to begin home-based learning for Term 2. The boys will continue to learn from home until at least Friday 22 May.

What happens after Week 5 is still unclear. My hope is that students return to school, and we can get on with the business of learning on campus and enjoying the benefits of being at BGS.
 

Parent and Student Information

The School remains committed to ensuring the physical, intellectual and emotional wellbeing of our students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more via the BGS Home-based Learning Parent Handbook, which can be accessed here. A student version of the handbook has also been produced. Please encourage your son to read the handbook, available here.

I want to praise all students, but particularly our Year 12s, who have made an extremely positive start to the year. The Class of 2020 has led with distinction, despite the challenges.

There is much to look forward to the while the boys learn from home, particularly our first Anzac Day virtual assembly, which will be available to students on Monday morning.
 

BGS Together

During this unprecedented and uncertain time, one practical thing we can all do is support BGS families and their businesses. Many of us feel helpless with the news of constant closures and would welcome an opportunity to make a difference.

For that reason, we are offering to promote the goods and services offered by BGS families to the BGS community. The BGS Together initiative is now live on the BGS website.  Please use this resource to support the BGS community. If you wish to promote your goods or services to the community, please click here.

The Senior Leadership Team and the Board of Trustees are fully cognisant of the many difficulties, including financial issues, that the COVID-19 pandemic presents. As we have done in the past, the School will work on a case-by-case basis with anyone experiencing hardship as a result of loss of employment, extended unpaid leave or a decline in business due to the COVID-19 lockdown.
 

Academic

Term 2 Parent-Teacher Interviews
Having considered a range of options and alternatives, the Senior Leadership Team has determined that conducting parent-teacher interviews in the current circumstances is not viable. Instead, we will provide parents with an interim report outlining student progress in the home-based learning phase of this term. A suitable reporting format will be developed, and the School will aim to provide this report by the mid-term point. We will also provide the usual end of semester report in June.

Year 12
Just before term break, the QCAA issued subject-specific direction on the nature and timing of the next internal assessment in General and Applied subjects for each learning area. This information has been supplemented with an extensive list of answers to frequently asked questions that BGS will use to make informed decisions that support our senior students.

The QCAA continues to respond to the concerns about changes to learning and senior assessment by regularly refreshing the FAQs webpage for parents and students. The myQCE team is also available to respond to queries via the ‘Ask us a question’ form on the myQCE website. I encourage parents and Year 12 students to access these links.
 

Student Wellbeing

GrammarWell
An initiative we are excited to launch this week is GrammarWell – our digital Student Wellbeing Platform. Within the six key areas – mental fitness, peak performance, connecting with community, the great indoors, acts of kindness and beautiful news – the boys will find activities to spark their curiosity, information aimed to support their wellbeing, and opportunities to interact with their peers.

Many boys enjoyed participating in class challenges towards the end of last term and we received a large number of entries in our BGS Learning From Home photo competition. Within the Connecting with Community section on GrammarWell, boys will continue to find fun and challenging activities aimed to keep them connected and engaged with our BGS community.

It is also important to note that Student Services will remain available to support students. Contact information for each of our School Counsellors is included in the BGS Home-based Learning Parent Handbook.

Weekly parent and student surveys will continue to be conducted this term to provide us with valuable information regarding student engagement and wellbeing. Data gathered from the surveys informs both our communication and curriculum planning.

To learn more about how the Student Wellbeing program is continuing to support students, hear from the Deputy Headmaster - Students and Head of Middle School here.
 

Cocurriculum

GrammarFit
To provide, regular physical activity for all our students during this period of home-based learning, the Performance Development team has launched a new initiative, GrammarFit.

At 7.00am each weekday morning our staff will stream a 30-minute general workout, catering for students of all ages and levels of fitness. These commenced yesterday. Students can access the initiative via the GrammarFit channel in Teams.

To learn more about how the Cocurriculum program is continuing to support students, hear from the Deputy Head – Cocurriculum here.

For the latest updates from School, please visit the COVID-19 Advice for BGS Community section on the BGS website.

Anthony Micallef
Headmaster

COVID-19 UPDATE FROM HEADMASTER
Wednesday 15 April

Dear BGS Community,

On Monday 13 April 2020, the Queensland Government announced that schools will continue providing home-based learning for the majority of students. School campuses will remain open to children of essential workers, and other children whose parents need to send their children to school due to the nature of their employment. This mode of curriculum delivery will commence on Tuesday 21 April 2020 and continue until at least Friday 22 May 2020.

Given this announcement and the recent direction of Federal Education Minister the Hon Dan Tehan, that all independent schools remain open, BGS will continue to deliver home-based learning to all students. We have and will continue to invest a tremendous amount of effort to enrich the online delivery of academic, wellbeing and co-curricular programs to our students. BGS teachers and support staff will work from school to facilitate the continuity of learning for the boys, whether they are at home or supervised at BGS.

In relation to boarding operations, Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ) contacted the Queensland Chief Health Officer late last week through the Director General of Education. As of Thursday 9 April, the Chief Health Officer’s view was that boarding should not re-open fully at this stage. We are conscious of our obligation to families of essential workers, and to our international and Indigenous communities. We will look to provide a truncated boarding program within Harlin House, should it not be possible for these boarders to study from home or under the direct supervision of their parents. As ever, we invite other boarding families to contact our boarding community directly to explore what further support can be offered at this time.

If you intend to send your son to school commencing Tuesday 21 April 2020, it is important you complete the survey here so that we can arrange the appropriate supervision.

BGS is committed to making the next five weeks of learning as smooth as possible for parents, students and teachers. The School will continue to support student learning outside the traditional face-to-face setting. BGS has developed a digital parent handbook that provides further information on home-based learning and outlines the School’s expectations of its students. The handbook includes frequently asked questions, so that parents can easily access important information. Click here to access the BGS Home-based Learning Parent Handbook. I have also provided an overview of the Term 2 academic, student wellbeing and co-curricular programs delivery below.

In closing, I wish to extend the Board of Trustees’ and Senior Leadership Team’s united praise for the exceptional work of BGS teachers and school staff throughout this situation. Despite the challenges, staff have and will continue to provide stability and confidence for our students.

As this situation continues to develop, I ask for your patience as we endeavour to navigate new territory in the weeks ahead.

Anthony Micallef
Headmaster
 

BGS Academic Program Delivery Term 2 2020

Academic / Online Timetable

Every student will receive a new timetable designed to optimise home-based learning experiences and to provide a set routine for each school day. Students will continue to study the same subjects, but these will be differently arranged. The online timetable runs on a 10-day cycle, meaning that students study their subjects in three longer blocks each day. The longer sessions of 75 minutes better suit the pace and structure required for effective home-based learning.

• Each school day begins with a wellbeing check-in with Tutor Groups at 8.15am – an important point of connection and a daily readiness check for students.
• The short breaks in between lessons enable students to recharge, stretch and move, set up for the next class and resolve minor technical issues.
• Students will also have Consolidation and Preparation Study Sessions timetabled each day, with set routines and checklists of essential learning activities.
• These sessions also provide opportunities for students to contact their teachers outside of regular class time to ask follow-up questions and receive feedback on drafts.  

Assessment will be adapted to better suit the home-based learning environment and a revised assessment schedule will be published early in the term. All assessment tasks are structured so as to provide markers, called checkpoints, for students and parents to monitor and track progress through units of study.

The opportunity for each boy to stay engaged with his studies and demonstrate his learning progress is fundamental to our curriculum design and delivery.   
 

BGS Student Wellbeing Program Delivery Term 2 2020

The Student Wellbeing team is focused on developing practices that can be implemented while students are engaged with home-based learning. The focus is centred on four key themes:

• Student and parent connection;
• Individual care;
• Positive behaviour management; and
• Community engagement.

Data will be collected by the School’s data team, which will be analysed, evaluated and communicated to ensure our practices become more effective in supporting students, staff and parents.

Each section of the wellbeing portfolio (Wellbeing Programs, Student Services, Boarding and Health Centre, and Outdoor Education) has developed a plan to be implemented from the commencement of Term 2.

Every effort will be made to connect with students and their parents during the boys’ absence from the campus. The model of individual care will have staff making contact on a regular basis with students and parents. Our actions will focus on connecting boys to the community in ways familiar to them and providing opportunities for new activities. The Student Wellbeing team believes opportunities exist to build stronger links with students and their families during this time.

Another exciting innovation is the BGS Student Wellbeing Platform - a space for students to remain connected with their friends and get involved. This new platform will become an important source of information for students and parents on ways to stay happy, healthy and connected to each other.
 

BGS Cocurriculum Program Delivery Term 2 2020

For all Terms 2 and 3 Sports and Activities, program leaders are providing weekly training programs, throughout the home-based learning period. These will be accompanied by supporting videos, where applicable. Program leaders will also be tracking engagement in these programs. Students can access these programs via MyGrammar.

Head Coaches will work directly with flagship squads and development team members to ensure they are undertaking more specific home-based training.

To cater to the needs of our BGS community, the Performance Development team will provide GrammarFit, each school-day morning throughout the home-based learning period. These 30-minute general workouts, for all ages and levels of fitness, will be available at 7.00am each morning, commencing Tuesday 21 April. Details on accessing GrammarFit will be available via the MyGrammar Cocurriculum page on Friday this week.  

Instrumental and vocal tuition, as well as selected ensemble rehearsals, will continue online throughout the home-based learning period, as will rehearsals for our dramatic productions. Program leaders have communicated with these students and will continue to do so.

A comprehensive Cocurriculum program overview, including the list of Activities (internal clubs and special interest groups), which have transitioned to online delivery, is available here.

COVID-19 UPDATE FROM HEADMASTER
Friday 3 April

Dear BGS Community,

We have experienced an extraordinary past few weeks. At our first virtual Senior School Assembly this morning, I spoke to an empty Centenary Hall, and I must say I missed the usual cacophony of boys’ voices that traditionally starts the assembly. I also introduced the virtual Middle School Assembly to connect with our youngest members of the community. I hope all boys listening and watching from home still felt a sense of inclusion and belonging.

During both assemblies, I encouraged boys to monitor their health closely. I explained that the purpose of this isolation is to keep as many Australians as safe and healthy as possible, and I urged them to take care of themselves and each other (from a safe distance, of course). No matter what happens this year, they should be proud of themselves, their resilience, and their ability to adapt to extreme circumstances. I am proud of the way BGS students are coping with this crisis.

I sincerely hope our BGS families are safe and well and that each student has adjusted to studying and learning online from home. We have all been heavily impacted by the measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. I am grateful for your support and understanding, and I thank everyone for their hard work and patience as we transitioned to remote schooling. The positivity shown across our community has been outstanding, and I appreciate how everyone has worked together to get the job done.

The School is preparing for several scenarios next term. Our first preference is to celebrate the students’ return to campus on Tuesday 21 April. If that cannot happen, boys and their teachers will transition to a more wide-ranging online teaching and learning environment. It will be challenging, but we will support students and inform parents.

The Studies Directorate has liaised with the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) to confirm the revised assessment requirements for Years 11 and 12. They have also formed a revised Term 2 timetable, should the delivery of online curriculum continue beyond the holiday period. A revised assessment calendar for all year levels is being developed, and we will advise students and parents in due course.

I assure you the School is doing everything it can to minimise the impact on the boys’ studies and to keep them socially connected to the School by offering continuity of curriculum, access to teachers and modified assessment, among other measures.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your son’s Head of Year. If your son needs assistance, he can contact his Form Tutor, Head of Year, Assistant Head of Year or one of the School Counsellors in Student Services. Boys are encouraged to make use of our confidential counselling and wellbeing services. The School is here to support our students.

The Australian Government has launched an official ‘Coronavirus Australia’ app you can download for accurate advice. More information is available here. Throughout the term break, I will continue to take advice from government authorities and will update the community of any developments.

I hope you stay well and safe. My very best wishes for the coming weeks. We continue to be here for the students today and in the days ahead.

To read the School’s latest updates on the issue, please continue to visit the COVID-19 Advice for the BGS Community page on the BGS website.

Kind regards,

Anthony Micallef
Headmaster

If you would like up-to-date information about COVID-19, please visit the Que​ensland Health website.

People cannot attend any BGS site if they:

• have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days; or
• arrived in Australia from overseas.

People affected by any of the above situations can return to BGS after 14 days isolation and without presenting any symptoms of the virus.

BGS has increased its health and hygiene practices to amplify infection control, through:

• targeted cleaning in public and shared spaces, with a focus on hard surfaces;
• additional hand sanitiser units; and
• communication campaigns to raise awareness of healthy hygiene habits.

The School has purchased a mechanical fogging machine to sanitise student social spaces, lockers, and other larger areas.

To minimise the risk of spreading infection, we request all persons at our sites to adopt the following practices:

• social distancing measures have been put in place;
• any member of the community exhibiting flu-like symptoms instructed to seek medical advice;
• regularly clean hands with soap or alcohol-based hand rubs;
• cover nose and mouth with a flexed elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing; and
• avoid contact with anyone who has fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, or laboured breathing.

Persons affected by self-isolation can return to BGS after 14 days isolation and without presenting any symptoms of the virus.

The BGS Health Centre (07 3834 5222) and your local GP can provide guidance if required. Below are some key contacts to note:

• Queensland Health advice and information
• Metro North Public Health Unit (07 3624 1111)
• 24/7 National Coronavirus Health Information Line (1800 020 080)
• 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84)