LET US KEEP PURSUING BETTER THINGS
BRIGHTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL COMMUNITY JOURNAL
MELIORA SEQUAMUR WINTER 2016
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OUTDOOR EDUCATION
EDITOR IN CHIEF Natalie van Wetering vanweteringn@ brightongrammar.vic.edu.au
KEY CONTRIBUTORS Andrew Biggin Peter Toms Oli Keats
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Rebecca Cavalôt
PHOTOGRAPHY Dr Andrew Lee Andrew Biggin Mark Chew
DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Ross Donnan www.rossdonnan.com
18 STEM
PRINTER Adams Print PRINT REGISTRATION Registered by Australia Post: 100001167
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HIGH PERFORMANCE LEARNING
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WELLBEING
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BGS IN THE COMMUNITY
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OLD BOY NEWS
IAN PAROISSIEN RETIRES
Leadership from within A fond farewell to Ian Paroissien Over the past 15 years, BGS has evolved into a true leader in boys’ education. And we all know this couldn’t happen without strong leadership from within. For more than a decade, outgoing Chairman Ian Paroissien led BGS from the front. Ian recognised that to deliver the best educational experiences, BGS needed to consider not just the what, but the why. Under Ian’s leadership, the Council, in collaboration with headmasters Michael Urwin and Ross Featherston, an extraordinary $50 million was invested into major facility development at BGS. Monumental physical changes that occurred include: • The Senior School re-development. The new Library Resource Centre, Hay Family Lecture Theatre and Atrium replaced the old Memorial Library, enabling the ‘healing’ of the Quad. • The development of our awardwinning Middle School. During the ‘healing’, opportunity knocked. The site of the old Girrawheen nursing home was secured for the future, leading to the eventual development of the Middle School. • Playing fields redevelopment project. A major drought prompted a redevelopment of the playing fields, including infrastructure for massive underground water storage to protect BGS from future dry spells. • The Peter Toms ELC. The new ELC doubled BGS’s capacity for preschoolers. • The Hancock Wing re-development. More recently, contemporary, agile 2
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learning spaces were created though the redevelopment of one of our oldest classroom areas. • The Wellbeing Centre. The engine room of our commitment to the mental wellbeing of our boys will open in July 2016. • The Junior School STEM Centre. This year, we opened the doors of the STEM Centre to house our popular junior science and technology program. • The new sports pavilion. Plans are well underway and the funding model is in place to build a new sports pavilion to support the physical wellbeing of current and future generations of boys. • The Crowther Centre. Under Ian’s direction, the Council believed that to be a truly great school, our teaching and learning needed to be supported by evidence. This led to the visionary establishment of BGS’s own research facility. However, perhaps even more significant is what we can’t see. Under Ian’s guidance, BGS developed a much clearer sense of who we are, and why we do what we do. Ian’s greatest legacy is the quiet yet insistent way he taught us the importance of having a strategic approach to all we do at BGS. One of the greatest challenges Ian faced was filling the shoes of previous BGS Headmaster Michael Urwin. It took Ian more than a year until he found not just ‘safe hands’, but the right person, in Ross Featherston. Ian also strengthened BGS’s engagement with alumni and the wider
Ian and his wife Barbara at a recent farewell function
Brighton community, through events such as the cricket and football Team of the Century dinners; the BGS Corporate Breakfast program; and establishing the BGS Hall of Fame. A generous BGS benefactor himself, Ian also initiated the prestigious Chairman’s Circle, which celebrates and acknowledges the most generous donors to BGS. From second-generation BGS boy and BGS parent, to a great leader who allowed and enabled the people around him to do their jobs, Ian – we thank and salute you.
New Chair of Council Peter Ickeringill
Ian has passed the baton of Chairman to Peter Ickeringill, a long-serving member of the BGS Council and father of three Old Boys, Thomas, James and Charlie. Peter is a global partner at Baker & McKenzie. Peter and his wife Melina also have a daughter Martha currently attending Firbank. WINTER 2016 3
INNOVATION AND LEARNING
What’s so great about the ‘great’ outdoors?
What does ‘outdoor education’ mean to you? Perhaps you loved going on camp when you were a kid? Or do you shudder at the memories of endless cold nights and wet socks? Maybe you struggled with the physical nature of the activities and came back feeling like you weren’t ‘good enough’? From ELC to Year 12, the re-imagined Outdoor Ed program at BGS is challenging the school camp clichés, creating learning journeys that Head of Outdoor Ed and program pioneer Cam Barry believes are crucial to the School’s ultimate mission of creating successful men. 4
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Outdoor Education feature
Disconnect between children and nature Cam has tapped in to research by American author and journalist Richard Louv, who coined the phrase ‘Nature Deficit Disorder’ to describe the alienation of children from the natural world. Louv believes the benefits of a strong nature connection can be life-altering – from boosting a child’s mental acuity and creativity to reducing obesity, anxiety and depression; from promoting health and wellness, to simply having fun. Cam agrees with Louv and believes that BGS’s strict ‘no tech’ policy is essential to enabling nature to do its work. Interestingly, he reports that the boys don’t tend to miss the technology once
they’re away (more their family and homecooked food). “When you take boys away from technology and the distractions of society, they naturally gravitate towards to outdoors,” says Cam. “Curiosity about the natural environment flourishes and they start to feel that connection with nature.” However, it doesn’t happen overnight, which is why BGS’s Outdoor Ed programs evolve over the year levels’ extended journeys of a week or more. “Boys thrive when challenged,” says Cam. “We need to give our boys more credit – they’re actually much more capable than we think they are.” WINTER 2016 5
INNOVATION AND LEARNING
Leadership and teamwork BGS’s Outdoor Ed programs also focus on creating a sense of community; a community where everyone has a part to play. Keeping the groups small (usually capped at 12 to 15 boys) allows each boy to take on leadership roles and key responsibilities. Playing a role within a small community develops a boy’s sense of self-worth and self-confidence, and helps him learn to make his own decisions. The programs also provide opportunities for older boys to mentor younger boys. In the newly established Outdoor Ed Leadership Program (OELP) Year 11 boys are trained to become assistants on Outdoor Ed camps for younger boys. The student leaders are selected for their capacity for empathy, understanding, initiative and because they are safe, effective operators. These OELP leaders organise their own schedules and workloads, and are trained outside of school hours. It is essential they make time to meet with younger boys and invest in building a rapport. And while they are there to support the younger boys, like the staff, the student leaders don’t give the younger boys all the answers. “If the boys have a problem, they can come to the staff and OELP leaders, but we won’t give them a solution. We encourage them to work it out themselves. They make the decisions that affect the whole group so they are learning to be accountable for their actions as well as to develop solutions that work for the whole team,” says Cam.” It’s an important part of the learning journey, replicating how the boys will operate in a team beyond BGS – be that at work or society or in relationships.
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Outdoor Education feature
The campfire: a circle of
trust
Cam believes that much of the programs’ learning and growth takes place around the campfire, when the activities and challenges of the day are done. The campfire debrief is a daily ritual in most programs; a circle of trust where each boy gets to voice his personal positives and negatives from the day. The campfire participants must also abide by strict rules: 1. Everyone has the right to an opinion. 2. Everyone must listen to and respect those opinions. 3. Anything said stays with us on our journey – it’s not to be discussed at school. The campfire sessions promote respect, integrity and accountability. However,
most importantly, the campfire ritual engenders a sense of belonging. As Cam puts it, talking openly and calmly in a nonjudgmental environment “breaks down the grunt” and opens doors for boys to connect with each other empathetically. It gives the boys the opportunity to be caring to their peers, and to step up and help someone who may be struggling. Sure, the BGS Outdoor Ed program provides challenging learning in the great outdoors but the aim isn’t to see who’s faster, better or stronger; Outdoor Ed is actually about socialising, collaboration, accountability and problem solving. Wet socks aside, at its heart, Outdoor Ed at BGS is about creating better men. And what could be more important than that? WINTER 2016 7
INNOVATION AND LEARNING
Snapshots of Outdoor Education at BGS
Lakeside learning Year 6 boys spend a week at Lake Camp Coolamatong experiencing activities including raft building, Trangia (portable camp stove) cooking, canoeing, mountain bike riding, beach hiking, sailing and camping out at Rotamah Island. This is all first-level experience for what becomes much more challenging in the years to come.
The Big Fella Camp The gruelling one-day climb up and down the ‘big fella’, Mt Bogong (Victoria’s highest peak), went from 6am to 10pm. This trek served as a metaphor to the Year 12 boys, who over the three-day camp, learned Year 12 is not a sprint but a marathon requiring grit, focus, teamwork and sheer hard work. 8
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Health and PE Teacher Ben White with Head of Senior School Ray Swann
The inaugural Year 9 Sea Change Great South West Journey
After almost six months’ preparation, each group of 10 to 11 boys experienced the challenge of an extended 12-day journey of six days of coastal bushwalking in the Great Discovery Bay area, three days of canoe touring in the Lower Glenelg National Park, and three days of mountain bike riding through the Cobboboonee National Park. However, the physical exertion was just part of the challenge. Each boy also contributed to leading and managing their group, sleeping together under large tarps,
individual and group cooking responsibilities, navigating, sharing the load by carrying additional equipment, setting up hygiene stations and ensuring all of their group members were safe. Essentially, this journey, and the BGS Outdoor Education program generally, are about building better men. They forge character, build resilience and self-esteem, develop greater self-confidence and help with the difficult transition from boy to man.
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INNOVATION AND LEARNING
New York, New York In an exciting first for BGS, 10 boys, and art staff members Steve Emmitt and Simone Lewis, headed off to New York for an exciting 10-day art tour. The boys visited New York’s iconic centres of art such as Metropolitan Museum of Art (the MET), Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the American Museum of Natural History, the Museum of the City of New York, and the Guggenheim. A deeper appreciation and understanding of the art was gained by not just looking, but by participating in workshops and special guided tours, including the Brooklyn Street Art Walking Tour. But a visit to the ‘Big Apple’ wouldn’t be complete without also experiencing the sweeping views of New York from the ‘top of the rock’ (Rockefeller Center) and the Empire State Building, visiting the Statue of Liberty, the very moving 9/11 Memorial and Museum, riding around Central Park and Manhattan, and catching a Broadway show and an NBL basketball game to top off an amazing art and cultural experience. 10
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Art at BGS
Red sand project
By Martin Kulesza, Year 9 Back in May, you may have noticed some red sand in the cracks of the pathways around the Senior School. This was the work of Ms Lewis’s Year 9 art class. The sand was not an accident, but part of a global installation art project. The Red Sand project is an initiative set up by artist Molly Gochman. Her aim was to fill up cracks in pavement or on the ground with red sand to show that society overlooks many things, including marginalised people. These people include those at risk of human trafficking, exploitation and slavery. Communication was key to the success of this project. We talked to heads of Senior School, the maintenance workers and the cleaning staff. It was vital to have permission for the installation and to ensure the cleaning or maintenance staff didn’t blow or sweep the sand away. The red sand was installed in three locations, which were chosen because they
were undercover and in places that people would notice. We also took pictures of our work once it was installed. We needed precise photos that showed both the sand, but also its surroundings. Molly Gochman even acknowledged our work and included some of our images in her blog. Our photos will act as a permanent reminder of the installation and our experience. WINTER 2016 11
Street art – keeping it real One way to make art real and relevant to boys is to share with them the globally recognised Melbourne street art scene. The Year 6 boys recently toured the CBD laneways with a street artist who pointed out some of the amazing art works in the nooks and crannies of our city. The boys discovered hidden gems and were exposed to a wide variety of street artists. Not surprisingly this expedition led to many questions on the differences between subway, street art and illegal graffiti. Some questions were answered by the follow-up visit of experienced graffiti artist Ashely Goudie. (see next story)
Focus on ART 12
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I thought it was interesting that people spend hours putting up a piece and then it was taken down.
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INNOVATION AND LEARNING
Boys learn graffiti from a master Experienced graffiti artist Ashley Goudie is on a mission to teach people all about the culture, language, techniques and laws of modern day street art and subway art. Ashley visited the Junior School four times recently to spend time with each of the Year 6 art classes, first sharing the theory of street art and then demonstrating some of the skills he has built up over the past 30 years. Ashley also talked about the legalities of street art. Many were surprised to learn that not all graffiti is illegal; there are some places in Melbourne where it is allowed. However, they learned it is illegal to carry spray paint and that every illegal tag on trains and in lanes is documented by the police on special software called Vandal Tag. It shocked them to learn that if a graffiti writer gets caught for one illegal
tag, the police will check the database and the tagger will also get caught for any other instances of illegal tagging recorded in the past. The boys were also taught about the culture and ‘rules’ amongst the artists themselves, including ‘don’t cap if you can’t burn’, meaning don’t paint over someone else’s work unless you can do a better job. The session finished with Ashley creating a tag for each boy – on paper of course!
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Focus on ART
INNOVATION AND LEARNING
Middle School self portraits After studying colour theory, art movements and artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Matisse and Andy Warhol, along with observational drawing skills and Photoshop to manipulate their own photographs, the Year 8 School boys created their own drawn self-portrait.
Above: Flynn Chan (Year 8) Right: Harry Fisher (Year 8)
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Ai Weiwei enthrals and inspires our boys No matter what the exhibition, the NGV make visits to the gallery meaningful to children of all ages. This was the case when the Year 2 boys went to see the remarkable Ai Weiwei and Andy Warhol exhibition. The boys were blown away by Ai Weiwei’s sculpture Forever Bicycles. “At the art gallery we saw a huge bike bridge made by Ai Weiwei. He creates incredible artworks made of bikes. He turns the bikes upside down or sideways and stacks them up so that they soar,” explained one boy. On returning to school and inspired by the bike sculpture, the boys used chickpeas and toothpicks to create their own amazing balanced sculpture.
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Chooks ‘sleepover’ at the ELC Back in May, the ELC had some special visitors for a sleepover; Mrs Pitt’s chooks came for their annual sleepover. Last year, the chooks had a challenging time finding a few minutes’ peace to lay their eggs! This year, we made sure the boys understood our expectations of respect for all living things.
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Perhaps a future in fashion design?
Year 10 students in the Visual Communication Design class have been applying their design skills to a whole new medium – branding in fashion design. Once their design was completed, the boys ‘pitched’ their ideas to their peers and then had them professionally printed. Cool work guys!
Understanding Boys Launched in early 2016 as part of the new BGS website, Understanding Boys is a hub of information curated from around the world that helps parents raise and educate their sons.
Some are serious, some are more lighthearted. But the over-riding objective remains the same – equipping parents, educators and other influencers to produce successful men.
At Brighton Grammar, we believe that by providing up-to-date, relevant, evidence based information to parents, they will be more equipped to support their sons become fine young men.
These articles are distributed through the Understanding Boys Facebook page which already has in excess of 25,000 followers who actively engage in commenting and sharing the material we publish.
We try to give our readers the courage to have the difficult conversations, the strength to make the tough decisions, the grit to stand strong against their son’s resistance and the insights to guide him on his journey to manhood. Understanding Boys covers a range of topics, including wellbeing, respectful relationships, parenting, gaming, sex and pornograph. The information is presented in various formats – articles, research insights, reports, cartoons, opinion pieces, tip sheets, reviews, podcasts, video and infographics.
If you’re not a follower already, like us today like us today by searching Understanding Boys on Facebook.
Follow us brightongrammar.vic.edu.au/ understanding-boys/ facebook.com/understandingboys
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at BGS INNOVATION AND LEARNING
SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING MATHS
With the Junior School’s STEM Centre now open, and exciting new opportunities for handson learning in the middle and senior years available, STEM at BGS is thriving.
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STEM Mathematics
The Big Squeeze The theme for Math’s Week this year was ‘Let’s Investigate!’ The emphasis was on applying maths investigations to real-life situations to show the boys how much fun (and how handy) maths can be. The Year 2 investigation centred around providing an orange juice for each boy in the class. They had to find out if it was cheaper to squeeze fresh oranges or buy orange juice in a bottle. Using skills in multiplication, division and money calculations, the group concluded that freshly squeezed was the way to go.
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STEM Science
GTAC visit A group of aspiring scientists from Year 8 were lucky to be selected for an inspiring visit to Gene Technology Access Centre (GTAC), Victoria’s leading source of life science learning and education. Through participating in workshops with practising scientists, the boys were able to conduct research using cuttingedge technology. Equally impressive to the boys was the opportunity to spend their lunch break in the university food hall, which allowed them to experience the buzz and atmosphere of uni life.
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Birdman rally “Clunk! Clunk! Clunk! I stepped up the stairs nervously, waiting to fly my plane. Then it was my go… Whoooooshh – my plane took off. But then a gust of wind blew the plane down and it hit the fence.” Will, Year 4
STEM Technology
STEM Engineering
Construction site visit One of the interesting new subjects on offer in Year 10 this year is Applications of Maths and Engineering. Theory came to life recently when 21 boys and their teacher Anthony Keane visited the construction site of The Fawkner in St Kilda Road, a large office block being converted into modern apartments. The visit offered a real-world understanding of engineers’ work. The boys were guided around the site by
senior engineers from Icon Construction. The boys considered issues including renovation versus a new build, waste in demolition (environmental) and cost of structure. The visit also highlighted the number of different trades and engineers involved in a major project such as this and how important it was for all disciplines to work together to make the development a success. WINTER 2016 21
INNOVATION AND LEARNING
It’s time to learn about work The Year 11 Job Skills workshop, held in May, was organised by BGS Careers Counsellor Sophie Keele to assist the boys enhance their skills in self-marketing when seeking part-time or casual employment. “I want to raise awareness of effective work habits, good work ethics and employability skills that can be applied in the workplace,” explained Sophie. “These skills can also be applied to planning and applying for work experiences, and for university entrance interviews”, said Sophie. The workshop was presented from the employer’s perspective. A large group of employers, managers and workplace trainers, all with first-hand experience dealing with young casual/part-time employees or trainees, answered questions relating to job seeking and retention. The boys also participated in a mock interview conducted by an external human resources professional and received written feedback on interview performance to help to identify strengths and opportunities for improvement.
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STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
Developing a high performance culture
Past Scholar Mentoring Program: a (newish) Old Boy’s perspective By Oli Keats (OB 2014)
As I headed into my first class as a ‘past scholar’, I was hit with an overwhelming sense of unfamiliarity. Sure I’d spent 13 years at BGS as a student, but this was different. I had absolutely no idea how I was going to help the current BGS boys to prosper. What would a first year arts student know about teaching anyway? I was about to find out… It was Matt McClellan, my Year 12 Further Maths teacher who’d asked me to participate in the Past Scholar Program. He said he felt I’d achieved a good result due to sheer hard work (rather than sheer natural talent), and that some of the current boys could learn from that. Matt also felt that having a recent past student in the classroom could offer the boys a perspective on learning that he couldn’t. Despite Matt’s encouraging words, I was anxious. I wasn’t sure about being a role model. But the minute Harry Hill yelled out “Keatsy”, in my first class, I knew I had the boys’ attention and my fears took a back seat. As the 2015 end-of-year exams neared, I began to feel more comfortable in my new role as a Further Maths tutor. In Matt’s class, I was the ‘specialist’; specifically assigned a small group of students to provide another opinion on how some problems could be solved alternatively, in Biddy Duckham’s class I was the ‘floater’, walking around answering individual 24 WINTER 2016
Oli Keats (OB 14)
questions. As clichéd as it sounds, knowing my role made me feel more at ease at the fact I was now part of the teaching process. One of the boys in my class, Alex Mastromanno, said having me as a tutor helped because “feeling comfortable with someone you know allows you to throw away some of your fears.” No matter how great the teachers are, they can be intimidating at times. With me, the boys feel like they won’t be judged for their answers; they’re more likely to speak up and ‘have a go’. Initially, I entered the tutoring role as I wanted to maintain my strong connection to BGS. However, over time I found myself more and more invested in the boys I worked with throughout the year. In many ways, their results were as important to me as my own personal VCE study score was back in 2014. Walking back into BGS in 2016 was tinged with sadness – I missed the now ‘Old Boys’ of 2015. But as I write this, halfway through the year, I can see how this year’s senior students are developing the same determination to succeed as their predecessors. They may be no Harry Hill yelling my name this year, but I like to think having “Keatsy” around will play a small part in future success of the class of 2016.
Little boys learn from their footy heroes
Thanks to Christopher Ride and Interactive for these exciting opportunities.
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It was cool to find out what they do in their spare time. They train outside and sometimes go out with their friends. Will B
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The Junior School welcomed football players from North Melbourne Football Club last term, including Drew Petrie, Luke McDonald, Scott Thompson and Aaron Black.
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HIGH PERFORMANCE LEARNING
Copacabana Copa makes Brighton the hottest spot north of Havana Widely hailed as the best musical production to have ever been staged at BGS, Copacabana was a high energy, colourful, entertaining show from start to finish. The depth of talent and memorable performances from the leading players was supported enthusiastically by the slick ensemble. Myles Collins’ direction and Adrienne Mewett’s choreography were masterful, and the costumes, set and lighting were awe-inspiring. A special shout out to the two BGS percussionists, Mitch Dow and Steven Zhang, who shone in the midst of the half student, half professional band directed by BGS Director of Music Jamie Ransome.
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Music at BGS
HIGH PERFORMANCE LEARNING
We’re in the swing The thousands of young musicians competed in this prestigious Generations in Jazz Festival in Mount Gambier in May. The BGS Senior Big Band scored 96/100 for their performance at the annual event, which placed the band an impressive fourth out of 27 bands in in Division 3. The boys in the successful Senior Big Band were: Saxophones: Eric Jiang, Michael Wang, William Feng, Teddy Lovell and Steve Suits. Trumpets: Nick Moran, Ben Durkin, Charlie Hannah and Max Purcell. Trombones: Lachie Collie, Liam McInerney and Mitz Metaxas. Rhythm section: Phillip Guo, Alex Nicholas, Nick Semmens, Mitch Dow and Jack Morrison.
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Junior music “Prep to Year 4 music classes are active learning times. Year 3 boys began their strings lessons and are getting into the habit of taking instruments home to practice.” Nina Sofo, Music Teacher Prep boys have had their first introduction to formal note reading and writing.
“This is the first time I wrote music.” Zac
“The xylophone is fun. We made up a tune and played it together.” Henry
Little Mermaid Jr ‘Under the sea’ came to life at this year’s combined BGS and Firbank middle year’s production of Disney’s Little Mermaid Jr in April. WINTER 2016 29
HIGH PERFORMANCE LEARNING
Dramatic outbursts are encouraged
Alex Adams (Year 10) has just come back from a photo shoot for BGS. Alex’s passion with performing arts started when he was just five, making mini movies with his brother Nick. It was the start of something significant. In Year 6 Alex began acting in BGS productions and by Year 8, he’d scored a professional agent. From soccer boy in the Moving Victoria ad to some on-screen extra work including Winners and Losers and Barracuda, Alex caught the eye of the Neighbours casting crew and was offered the role of ‘problem child’ Cameron McPhee. Alex credits the strong work ethic instilled through his BGS drama classes and productions for his star turn – in particular, the guidance of BGS Head of Drama Myles Collins. “As Mr Collins says, ‘there are no small parts, 30 WINTER 2016
just small-minded actors’”, says Alex. “If you have a good work ethic and attitude, and take the time to build connections, you never know where it may lead.” Apart from starring in BGS photo shoot (pictured), for
now Alex is concentrating on school, however there’s no doubt that he has the right combination of star quality and strong work ethic needed to fulfil his dreams. Alex Adams is definitely one to watch.
ELC exceeds national standards once more Every few years, kindergartens and childcare centres undergo an audit by the Department of Education and Training against seven National Quality Standards. Preparing for this assessment is a huge task. Once again, Director of the ELC Amelia Barrow and her team have ensured our ELC has exceeded the national standard on all seven of these Standards. Congratulations to the whole ELC team.
Chess success Our chess teams achieved great success against schools from all over Victoria in the Mount Alexander Schools Chess Competition in Castlemaine. Our A team – Phillip Guo, Sasha Parsons, Kai-Yee Hall, William Speyer and Victor Jakobus – got off to a good start but suffered an early loss. Our B team – William Wu, Mitchell Kelly, Paris Sitzoukis and Year 8 boys Edward Forster and Jaikob Akinci – moved rapidly into second place, and held this position throughout the day. Paris Sitzoukis (Year 11) was the top scorer for the day, winning 6 of his 7 matches; William Wu and Jaikob Akinci both achieved five wins and a draw. Final results saw the A team finishing third in our division. Every boy got a medal and was part of a trophy-winning team.
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Your name here
Leave your mark on our supporters wall
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ENABLEMENT
Your support, carved in stone You may have already heard about our exciting plans for a purpose-built sporting hub, which will provide BGS boys and staff with access to the very best in equipment, facilities and sporting technology. But did you know that, as a BGS barracker, your generosity will earn you a permanent place on our supporters’ wall? Donations of any size are gratefully received. However, those who donate gifts of $1000 or more will have their name permanently inscribed on our supporters’ wall – a key feature on the exterior of the new sports pavilion. We need you, our barrackers to get behind this groundbreaking project. Please go to the BGS website to find out how you can play a permanent role in BGS sporting history.
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AROUND THE SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY
Rugby preseason camp For the first time ever, the whole BGS rugby club went away to Anglesea for a pre-season boot-camp during the Easter break. The 64 BGS rugby players and seven staff trained four to five times a day, watched rugby games, set goals and talked rugby. Three days of intense training was capped off with two wins against Geelong Grammar – a perfect way to start the season.
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Melbourne Rebels supporting BGS rugby
Congratulations Billy!
Melbourne Rebels rugby captain Nic Strizaker, Head of Strength and Conditioning Shane Lehane and Old Boy Billy Gray (2015) who is playing for the Rebels U20 team, joined BGS’s Head of Health and PE Peter Whitehead and the Middle School rugby players to share some exciting news about the involvement of the Rebels in BGS rugby. At the meeting last term, it was announced that all BGS rugby players would receive free 2016 Rebels membership and the opportunity to wave a special Rebels BGS banner at home games. In addition, four Rebels players (including Sean McMahon and Tom English) have been assigned to BGS, with each of the guys making four visits to training here at School during the season to share insights and support the boys; an amazing opportunity for all our rugby players from Year 7 up.
Billy Gray (OB 15) has been selected to play for the Australian U20 Rugby Union side to play in the Rugby World Cup. Billy was our 1st XV Captain in his final year at school and since then he has gone on to play for the Rebels and Power House 1st Grade. We are incredibly proud of Billy and all the hard work he has put into achieving this honour. He is a great role model for our junior players and shows everybody what can be achieved through hard work and determination. Through his coaching role, Billy is currently passing on his knowledge of the game to the U14 and U16 BGS Rugby teams.
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HIGH PERFORMANCE LEARNING
National Athletics Championship BGS was privileged to have three boys representing Victoria in the March National Junior Athletics Championships in Perth: Jackson Sweet (Year 8), Jack Saunders and Aaron Leferink (both Year 9). Jackson Sweet Gold in the U14 High Jump and Bronze in the U14 Triple Jump. Jack Saunders 4th in the 800m final after qualifying fastest. Aaron Leferink Triple gold medallist winning the U15 200m, 4 x100m relay, and 4 x 200m relay and two silver medals in the 100m and 100m hurdles. Aaron was also captain of the Victorian team for the National Little Athletics Championship where he won gold for the U15 multi-event. Aaron also recently won the Bayside Leader Sports Star award. In the article in The Leader he said he had big long-term plans, but a shorter-term goal was to break a magic junior milestone. “I’d love to get under 11 seconds for the 100m sprint,” he said. “Sub-11 at this age means I should go well when I get older.” It seems we have an Olympian in the making!
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Aaron Leferink
Cross Country State Championships
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
Our BGS boys won the 4 x 2km relay event convincingly with an aggregate time one minute faster than the rest of the field of 33 teams. The gold-medalwinning team was: • Caden Arnold 7.54 • Joshua Hudghton 7.49 • Sam Flockart 7.44 • Sam Banfield 7.46.
Under 14 Cross Country State Champions. L-R: Caden Arnold, Joshua Hudghton, Sam Flockart and Sam Banfield.
Individual event 3km The aggregate score of these four boys in the individual 3km event resulted in them winning the team event, making them the best team in the state. • 6th – Sam Flockart 10.17.4 • 9th – Sam Banfield 10.36.5 • 28th – Josh Hudghton 11.17.4 • 48th – Tom Burnell 11.45.1
L to R: Josh Hudghton, Sam Banfield and Sam Flockart (Tom Burnell absent).
As a result of their success, Sam Flockart and Sam Banfield will compete for Victoria at the National Cross Country championships in August.
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HIGH PERFORMANCE LEARNING
Bright future for BGS hockey With the combined strength of strong results, competitive selection, skilled coaching and the Wick’s Club parent support group, BGS hockey is preparing for a bright future.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
At the time of printing the First XI are sitting second on the ladder, having just won four games in a row. The Seconds have also had some solid results and there have been many solid performances from the 7/8 and 9/10 teams. Another sign of our success is the number of boys playing in representative teams. Nicholas Loycke (goal keeper, Year 10) and Craig Marais (Year 8) both played in the U15 Victorian State Team. Brad Marais (Year 10) played in the U16 Victorian School Boys’ team and was recently selected to play in the U18 Victorian State Team at a competition in Launceston in early July. U 21 Australian Hockey player Josh Bretherton joined the BGS coaching ranks this year. Josh’s understanding of forward structure and mid-field movement in particular has already seen drastic improvement in the First’s mid-field movements, as well as a much better conversion rate. 38 WINTER 2016
Ice hockey AJ Harris Jr (Year 5) has won a place on the under 14 Victoria state ice hockey team. AJ is the youngest boy to make the cut and the only 2005 birth year in the entire team. (The team allows 2003, 2004, and 2005 birthdays to try out). AJ will join two other BGS boys, Owen Dials and Andrew Penca (both Year 7).
Nic racing ahead U/16 Australian cricket captain, Mackenzie Harvey Mackenzie ‘Macca’ Harvey (Year 10) has captained Victorian in the 2016 State U/16 cricket championships. Macca scored 95 not out (84 balls) in one game and 191 runs for the tournament. Macca led the team to the final where they were defeated by NSW. Macca’s leadership and individual efforts were rewarded further when he was named U/16 Australian captain at the end of the tournament. Macca will lead the team in a series against Pakistan later this year, as well as being involved in the national U/17 tournament next summer.
Up-and-coming driver Nic Carrol (Year 11) has been hitting the racetrack in the Australian Formula Ford series, a competition renowned for producing future motor racing champions. However, not everything goes smoothly in racing. Nic was recently involved in a bingle in Race 2, which saw damage to his car and a visit to the medical centre, although he still managed to drive in Race 3 and finish on the podium at the end of the day. Nic’s ‘calm head’ after dealing with major adversity is admirable and will serve him well in his racing future.
Boys win silver at the NSW state rowing
Robert Capp (Year 11), Nicholas Phillips (Year 10), Jackson Mahan (Year 11), Will Lewis (Year 11) and Simon Farrow (Year 11) won silver in School IV at the NSW State Championships in Penrith, home of the Sydney Olympics rowing course.
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Ethan in action at the regatta.
Ethan sets the course Ethan O’Brien (Year 10) has been selected as a member of the Victorian Sailing Team for 2016/17 as a result of outstanding achievement in the National Championships, National Youth Championships and State Championships in the 420 Dinghy. In April, despite challenging weather conditions, Ethan successfully competed in the Club Marine – Victorian Youth Sailing Championships involving 150 boats and 190 competitors from all over Australia, hosted by the Mornington Yacht Club. Ethan and his partner James finished as second best Victorians and third overall, just behind the current Australian champions and current New Zealand champions. This success follows their recent ranking of third in the 420 state titles.
Lachie Caldwell Congratulations to Lachie Caldwell (Year 8) on his selection in the Yachting Victoria State Team for the upcoming 2016/2017 season. This follows Lachie’s crowning as a national champion in January after beating a field of 80 boats at the 2015/16 Sabot Australian Championships.
Matty proves age is just a number Placing in the top 10 in three sailing state championships in three different classes of boats is an incredible feat for any school boy. But what makes Matty Goss’s (Year 5) achievement even more amazing is that he’s just 10 years old. Matty also skippered the BGS Senior Sailing Team in the state championships recently, narrowly missing out on the finals. Having already been selected by the state coach to be a part of the 2016 Victorian Optimist Development Squad, Matty’s now aiming to be one of the youngest sailors ever to make the Victorian Sailing Team. 40 WINTER 2016
Lifesaving bouys Darby Hipwell (Year 8) was crowned U14 Best Beach Competitor across the 2015/2016 Victorian Junior Lifesaving Season. This ranks him number one overall in the state. The Victorian Junior Lifesaving Championships in Warrnambool produced some great results for a number of BGS boys representing their local clubs. Jordan Hayter (Year 8) took gold in the Aqua Cameron. Luke Matthews (Year 8) also won gold after a dazzling performance with his U14 Surf Relay team. Ben Sullivan (Year 7) secured bronze in the U13 Beach Sprint, while Tom Burnell and Charlie Schwerdt (both Year 7) teamed up to claim bronze in the U13 Belt & Reel.
Senior Public Speaking 2016 In June, David Lawlor (Year 11) won the Senior Public Speaking competition with a score of 47/50 points. His prepared speech on ‘Why Donald Trump should be President’, included “irony and biting satire, which was outstanding” explained adjudicator Ray Swann. The annual competition involved 22 boys from Years 11 and 12 and challenged their thinking, speaking and presentation skills. The runner-up was Lachie Collie and commendations were given to Darcey Delagnes, Tyler Jackson and Rob Tongs.
Water polo Will Paynter (Year 11) is having another great year in the pool, having represented the Vic Seals in the National League Water Polo competition this season. Playing at this standard at such a young age is a tremendous achievement; many members of this team have been selected to represent Australia at the Olympics in Rio this year. Will has also been selected to represent Australia at the Pan Pacific Games in New Zealand in July competing against teams from all over the world. WINTER 2016 41
New Wellbeing Centre The former Girrawheen Chapel has been transformed to house our new centre for wellbeing, which opens for the beginning of Term 3. This space will be used by students, staff, parents and the wider bayside community. Thanks to the BGS community, the project was fully funded by donations.
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WELLBEING AT BGS
Practicing mindfulness with high-energy boys sounds like a challenge, but the Year 2 boys love their daily practice. Listening to sound is common, but challenges such as identifying where a specific sound is coming from helps the boys to focus on the present moment, bringing a sense of calm and clarity to their school day.
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Staff wellbeing Training in wellbeing practices is just as important for the staff, as it is for the boys. Director of Business and Support Services, Michael Arceri, organised an inspiring professional learning session for the support staff early in the year where former Australian Olympian swimmer Matt Welsh OAM challenged everyone to become a ‘life athlete’. Matt gave lots of ideas about how to use mental health, good nutrition and moderate exercise to be the best possible version of yourself.
Former Olympian Matt Welsh (left) and BGS Director of Business and Support Services Michael Arceri.
Men’s Shed at BGS Did you know we have a Men’s Shed at BGS? Men’s Shed is a community-based, non-profit, non-commercial organisation that is accessible to all men. It provides a safe, friendly and healing environment where men are able to work on meaningful projects at their own pace in the company of other like-minded men. A major objective is to advance the wellbeing and health of male members and to encourage social inclusion. The Men’s Shed at BGS is well equipped with tools. It meets on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings. For more information, contact President Lyall Jarman on 03 9596 8920 or email brightonmensshed@gmail.com
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WELLBEING
Gratitude for buddies The Junior School buddy program nurtures positive characteristics such as friendliness, respect, inclusiveness and valuing difference. A morning tea on the oval provided an opportunity for the younger boys to consider their buddy’s strengths – is he kind, fair, curious, creative, honest, energetic, humorous, forgiving? The buddy program has had an extremely positive impact on the whole of the Junior School, which is particularly evident in the playground.
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THREE CORNERED PARTNERSHIP
Parent seminars An important part of our commitment to the three corner partnership of student, parents and the school is hosting a range of parent information sessions about specific learning programs, changes to the way we teach and sessions around issues related to raising boys. This year has had several excellent sessions on offer to parents, including: Cybersafety in the Junior School: following on from her sessions with Year 6 boys, cybersafety expert and ex-member of Victoria Police Susan McLean talked to Year 6 parents about keeping their kids safe in cyberspace. Topics included what kids do online, online grooming, digital
Across the school we actively look for opportunities to invite family to involved with the boys learning. These mums joined us for Mother’s Day.
footprints and reputations and setting boundaries at home. Alcohol and other drugs: presented by BGS’s parent education service, Understanding Boys, international leader in addiction issues Dr Nicole Lee and other experts guided parents through the alcohol and drugs minefield. Visible Learning: Ray Swann Director of the Crowther addressed a packed Hay Lecture Theatre about BGS’s new school-wide approach to our teaching practice, Visible Learning, which draws on Professor John Hattie’s (Melbourne Graduate School of Education) extensive global research.
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BGS IN THE COMMUNITY
Connecting with Indigenous communities By providing opportunities to interact in a meaningful way with Aboriginal communities, BGS is allowing boys to develop a deeper understanding of Indigenous perspectives, promoting relationships, respect and reconciliation.
Powerful stories in Cape York Within two hours of arriving in Queensland, the 22 Year 9 boys on the Cape York Sea Change Program had their feet in the mud, a spear in their hands and were immersed in the stories of Kuku Yalanji culture and ancestral traditions. The boys ate like kings that night. They explored the beach, mangroves and coastal reef of Cooya Beach to hunt crab and collect mangrove mussels, periwinkles and oysters, cooking up a foraged feast to serve with damper. Over 11 days, the boys experienced the true spirit of the Australian landscape, camping under the stars, hiking in the rainforest, swimming in waterfalls, snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, even taking a face-to-face encounter with a cassowary in their stride. However, from the Indigenous Kowanyama community to cosmopolitan Cairns, powerful stories were what tied this trip together and turned it into an unforgettable experience. From the Wujal welcome ceremony – which pays respect to the Traditional Owners of the land through passing smoke over the body, and water over the head – to the visual depictions of culture in the ancient Quinkan rock art sites, the boys
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embraced the stories of our ancestors. But the most powerful stories of all emerged through the connections the boys made with the Kowanyama State School students. For many, the conversations were truly eye-opening as the boys learned about Kowanyama’s cultural heritage and the issues the community and school children face. In many ways,
the BGS boys’ experiences are a world away from the Kowanyama kids’, but the boys listened, questioned and responded with respect and sensitivity. The boys left Cape York with powerful stories to share, a deeper understanding of, and connection to Indigenous culture, and, importantly, a deeper sense of their own identities as Australians. WINTER 2016 49
Milikapiti Indigenous exchange Now in its eighth year, a small group of our Year 6 boys, three girls from Firbank and staff from both schools visited Milikapiti on Melville Island as part of the annual Milikapiti Indigenous Exchange. The Milikapiti kids and BGS boys experience significant different lifestyles and challenges, but we are proud to see the quality and genuineness of the interaction between young Australians of such diverse backgrounds and life experiences. We look forward to hosting our Milikapiti friends in August.
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School fundraisers
Fundraising for those in need has never been busier than over the last semester. Under the management of the student charity committees, the following has been raised: • Over $6000 for The Will Murray Foundation. The whole School was rocked when we found out about Year 8 BGS boy Will Murray’s accident back in January. Will was paralysed after jumping from a pier. BGS and the entire Bayside community have pulled together to support Will and his family. • $1300 for The Martyr School in PNG. The Year 9 Sea Change boys also built church pews at the school. • $10,000 of food for the homeless through Ute Full of Food. In Term 1, $4700 of non-perishable food restocked St Mark’s in Fitzroy to aid the homeless, donated along with bundles of unwanted clothing. This was followed by an additional $5,316 of food in May. • $900+ raised by in support of Kenyan boys Timothy and John – two boys who have been sponsored by the Middle School for several years.
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BGS IN THE COMMUNITY
• 2016 Brain Week in memory of Robert Conner Dawes (OB 2013). The BGS prefects organised the inaugural BGS v Firbank quiz, a prefect bake sale, a Go Grey Day and sold merchandise for the RCD fund.
WonTok 2016 In May, 15 boys from BGS were invited to attend the annual WonTok conference, along with other students from various schools across Victoria. This year the conference was held at BGS. WonTok is a program run through the Anglican Board of Mission and UnitingWorld that raises awareness about poverty and other major problems affecting the world of today.
Science club hosts weather broadcast Junior School ‘Science Alive’ Club founder, Jackson Court (Year 6) organised an awesome visit by Channel 10 weatherman of 20 years (and father of Year 7 boy Adam), Mike Larkan. Mike answered loads of questions from the boys and parents, and slipped in a couple of live crosses to the news in between. A fun way to bring science alive!
In groups, we explored different world problems, including gender equality, climate change, the socio-economic status of different countries, and poverty. Our eyes were opened to the problems in other countries across the globe as well as the problems we face closer to home, such as the global warming and carbon emissions. We were astounded by some of the facts and situations people in both third-world and developed countries are facing. It gave us all a real motivation to try to make an impact and assist wherever possible. Cam Berry (Year 10) WINTER 2016 53
STAFF NEWS
Christopher, Campbell (OB 15) and Sally Clapp
We’re sad to share that Sally Clapp has left BGS after eight years on staff. Sally has generously contribution the School in a number of crucial admin roles, and her enthusiasm and helpful nature will be sorely missed.
Joshua Geddes, conductor of the Senior Symphony Orchestra, Middle School Concert Band and French Horn teacher was awarded the Rosemary and John Hopkins Conducting Award from the University of Melbourne in May for excellence in conducting and work with community and school groups. His work at BGS was acknowledged as an important aspect of his conducting career.
Sally is proud parent to two outstanding BGS leaders, Patch (Captain 2012) and Campbell (co-Vice Captain 2015). Always a dedicated barracker for the School, Sally has been involved in supporting co-curricular sports and activities including hockey, school productions, debating and concerts. Nick Tsiavos, double bass teacher and conductor of the Middle School String Orchestra, was awarded a grant from the Australia Council for the Arts to take his ancient chant and modern instrumentation concert, Immersion, to Greece. Immersion toured Athens, Ioannina, Hydra, Piraeus and Lefkada for three weeks in July. 54 WINTER 2016
Christian Machar, Head of Middle School Humanities, has recently written a chapter for the new Oxford University Press Victorian Curriculum Year 7 History text. He also presented at the Oxford Education Conference in Melbourne about the changes to Humanities in the Victorian curriculum. Christian is pictured here (right) with fellow presenter, author and comedian Anh Do.
Time to say goodbye After 27 years, BGS legend Robbie Quelch has tendered his intention to retire at the end of Term 3. Parents, boys, staff and Old Boys will all miss seeing him around the grounds, always willing to stop for a chat. BGS wishes you all the best Robbie!
L-R Adam Thorn, Doug McKelvie and Robbie Quelch from the maintenance team at BGS.
Candid camera Staff at work
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The Court of Companions commemorates those members of staff who have worked at BGS for 15 years or more.
What are they up to now?
Provides a snapshot of ‘life post BGS’ experienced by former members of staff.
Brendan Mathews
Hector Walker
Brendan Mathews still scoring prodigious pars and birdies.
Hector Walker, back to his regular Sunday afternoon announcing on 3MBS.
I retired from BGS at the end of 2012 after 24 enjoyable years. However, my retirement plans were short lived –Scotch College asked me to re-introduce Latin and I spent two fruitful and challenging years there. Since full retirement, my wife and I have become seasoned European travellers. I have also honed my golfing skills and represent Latrobe Golf Club in Senior Pennant. With June Senyard (who wrote a book on the greatest golfer to attend BGS, Harry Williams) and Murray Cropley, I am researching, updating and writing a history of the past 25 years of Latrobe.
It is 25 years since I retired and I was determined to spend whatever time was left to me doing something useful. I trained as a programmer/presenter on radio 3MBS-FM and it’s now 30 years since I first went ‘on air’. It remains the highlight of my week. I was a volunteer at Bayley House for 23 years and established regular connections with the Cancer Council, Peter Mac (prostate cancer research), Very Special Kids and the Heart Foundation. About a year ago I entered a local agedcare residence. Though restricted, I still manage to be useful and I am currently helping in a reorganisation of an extensive library. There are many ex-BGS mums and dads in residence here, so I see the occasional Old Boy when he comes to visit.
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Barry and Christine Charles with one of Barry’s paintings in the background.
Barry and Christine Charles I’m not sure the formal definitions of retirement apply to either Christine or me. We continue to travel England to visit our daughter, Alexa, and her family each year, taking side trips to visit places in Europe where we worked during the 60s and 70s. I continue to paint, having just returned from a three-week painting excursion to the Flinders Ranges. Christine attends U3A, studying languages. We love live theatre, cinema and art. Time passes so quickly; I’m not sure how we ever fit teaching in! Our son, Andrew and daughter, Helen, and their families both live in Melbourne and one of our greatest delights is spending lots of time with our grandchildren. Retirement has given us time to do so much, but we still love hearing about the many successes of BGS boys we have taught.
Peter Marshall
Peter Marshall and wife Rosie find a friend in India.
Having retired at the end of 2009, my wife Rosie and I were looking forward to a leisurely time until Rosie’s brother had a massive stroke. We spent considerable time over in WA while John had rehab. Returning to Victoria, we received a call from our neighbour in Woodend telling us our house there had burnt down. So a fouryear rebuilding adventure began, which stretched us to our limits in many ways. During the past six years, Rosie has resumed her painting, and I have been plunged to the depths of despair as my beloved Carlton showed us all how not to play football. We have also travelled to India (twice), Thailand, Laos, the Philippines and Bali. I still keep an eye on Latin from afar, enjoying reading texts that I never quite got around to reading when working full time. WINTER 2016 57
The Sequamur Society honours and thanks those who have confirmed their intention to include Brighton Grammar School in their will.
Old Boy Roger Wilson OAM and BGS Hall of Fame Member
Ian & Barbara Paroissien
I really appreciated my seven years as a student at BGS from 1956 to 62 and my long ongoing association with through the OBG Football Club, rowing coaching for 15 years, the Brighton Grammarians Freemasons Lodge, and the many Old Boys reunions and Top Enders lunches I have attended. Also, I have been privileged to be Past President of OBGS and serve in that capacity for two years on the School Council. I am very proud of BGS and it is a great pleasure that, through my will, I can leave some of my ‘hard earned’ to our wonderful School.
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Through our extensive journey with BGS, we have learned just how important ‘Legacy’ is to any organisation, but especially to a school. In terms of both culture and operations, what one generation leaves to the next is fundamental to the experience of those who attend it. During my family’s long association with BGS, we have experienced the benefits previous generations have passed on to us, as students and as parents. It is something Barbara and I are extremely grateful for. Having served over 15 years on Council, I also appreciated how valuable the support the School receives is to providing the best environment for our teachers and boys. There has been significant positive change at BGS in the last 10 years, which was made possible in no small way by philanthropic gifts. Barbara and I really appreciate the benefits the School has provided for our family over the years. It gives us great pleasure to be able to contribute to the School and provide a legacy for future boys through the Sequamur Society – a contribution that is so important to us both.
Peter Toms, Old Boy and past parent Tino Marget and former staff member Andrew Baylis at the Sequamur Society Cocktail party.
Cocktail party Canapes, drinks and camaraderie at the Sequamur Society Cocktail Party held in the Middle School Nexus in March.
Sequamur Society presentation to new member Phillip Hamilton by the Headmaster.
Sequamur Society patron Monty Stephens with past parent and BGS Council member Frank Lynch.
Scholarships change lives So many of our past students who attended the School on scholarship have gone on to make their mark in the world in every endeavour including health, law, politics, business, sport and the arts. You too can change lives by leaving a gift in your will to fund a specific scholarship or support the BGS scholarship fund. For a confidential discussion please call Peter Toms in the BGS Development Office on 03 8591 2274 or 0413 60 70 88.
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BRIGHTON GRAMMAR OLD BOYS
Old Boy heads up ground-breaking Alzheimer’s drug trial
When Melbourne was selected as the first city in the world to trial experimental Alzheimer’s drug Anavex a year ago, lead researcher Associate Professor Steve MacFarlane (OB 1985) – Assoc Professor of Aged Psychiatry at Monash University and Director Aged Psychiatry Service at Caulfield Hospital (Alfred Health) – had no idea how much of an impact it would make. Preliminary results have been staggering. As well as huge improvements in the abilities and mood of the 32 patients involved, the trial’s data shows vast development in their cognitive ability, with the drug so far proving to be four times more effective than the current treatment.
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Kleins range celebrates Rennie Ellis’s ‘offbeat, erotic and eccentric’ Australia The work of renowned socialdocumentary photographer the late Rennie Ellis (OB 1958) is currently being featured on the packaging of a radical new range of Australian body care products by Kleins Perfumery. Kleins’ new Series: Rennie Ellis range combines powerful images from the Rennie Ellis Photographic Archive with natural, Aussie-made body care products from Melbourne’s independent perfume boutique. It’s an interesting juxtaposition: sweet-smelling luxury body products wrapped in the inyour-face images Ellis is famous for. However, Rennie’s focus on “the offbeat, the erotic and the eccentric” is exactly why Kleins’ founder Andrea Birnie was drawn to his work. Rennie, a member of the BGS Hall of Fame, died in 2003 aged 62. You can see more of his photography in permanent collections at the National Gallery of Australia, the National Portrait Gallery and the National Library of Australia (all in Canberra), the National Gallery of Victoria (Melbourne), and the Art Gallery of South Australia (Adelaide). WINTER 2016 61
A large contingent of Old Boys support Jayden at his AFL debut.
OLD BOYS NEWS
Another Tonner joins the Demons
In April this year, Jayden Hunt debuted for the Melbourne Football Club against Collingwood. Jayden joins three Old Boys already playing for the Demons: Jack Watts, Chris Dawes and Christian Salem. Jayden had never played any TAC Cup footy, and thought he was so far off the recruiting radar that he gave the game up for a while at BGS. However, after a five-inch growth spurt in Year 11 and a decent final season, BGS coach Robert Shaw delivered some surprise news two months out from the 2013 national draft. “He said ‘I have been on the phone to three or four clubs interested in you’, and I was gobsmacked, I honestly couldn’t believe it,” said Jayden. Ultimately, Jayden was selected by Melbourne at pick 57. Stress fractures sidelined the 21-year-old defender for the majority of his first two years but despite a slow start, he’s back, fit, healthy and ready to help his fellow Old Boys take the Demons to the top this season.
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Oh! What a feeling!
Nick Mitchell (right) working on a Toyota four wheel drive with Tom Johnstone (his manager) looking on.
In January 2015, Nick Mitchell (OB 2011) made contact with Andrew Biggin, BGS Alumni Relations Manager, looking for career assistance through the OBGS network.
Nick started working with a more experienced technician straight away, servicing and repairing vehicles. At Brighton Toyota, there are 35 service bays where regular services are performed on various vehicles.
After leaving BGS in 2011, Nick enjoyed his university course in photography but found it wasn’t what he wanted to do as a career. Nick wasn’t 100 per cent sure exactly what he wanted to pursue, but described himself as someone who always wants to know what makes things work, and how they can be improved. On the back of this, Andrew made contact with BGS Major sponsors Brighton Toyota through John Forbes who arranged for Nick to be interviewed for a motor mechanic apprenticeship.
At this leading dealership, the customers are referred to as ‘guests’ and each technician knows the name of the person whose vehicle he is servicing. The dealership offers a number of ‘while you wait’ services to cater for all requirements.
Tom Johnstone, Fixed Operations Manager at Brighton Toyota and Nick’s manager, said that Nick shone out as someone who would excel as an apprentice light vehicle mechanical technician from the very first interview.
Nick attends trade school three days per month at either Kangan Tafe or Toyota Trade School at Port Melbourne. After almost 12 months, Nick is able to work unsupervised on any of the vehicles which come through the busy service department, working on everything from minor services to major repairs. Tom says Nick can look forward to a bright and long-term future with Toyota.
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INTERNATIONAL REUNIONS
It’s been a busy year for International reunions.
Shanghai – February
The Shanghai reunion attracted 30 past, present and prospective parents, along with Old Boys and friends of BGS and Firbank, all joining together to celebrate their connection to the Schools.
New York - July
There were a mix of Old Boys, parents, staff and partners (not pictured) at the reunion In New York held on a balcony with sweeping views of the city skyline. Simply magical.
San Francisco – June
Christopher Oldfield (OB 71), Andrew Thornhill (OB 94) and Varun (Vic) Kandadi (OB 10)
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San Diego – June
The Headmaster and Head of Senior School Ray Swann enjoyed catching up with Old Boys (L-R) John Yelland (1959), Anthony Burrows (1997) and Mat McBriar (1997).
News from LinkedIn Tom Clarke (OB 2005) is currently a legal counsel at CrownBet Pty Ltd having previously counselled at CUB and as a solicitor at Gadens in commercial litigation and corporate advisory roles. Daniel Angelini (OB 2001) is set to launch a range of sitstand desk platforms as part of a new business venture called Movi Workspace, developing products for health and wellbeing in the workplace. He has diverse experience and qualifications in IT, digital media and project management with companies such as Uber, News Corps, Telstra and PWC, as well as founding a number of start-ups. Brent Bignell (OB 1990) cites himself as a computer user and dogsbody, belying his previous life as an Australian national freestyle skier with world, national, European championships level placings. He has previously worked as a freelance photographer in commercial, editorial and press photography and is now at Think Vevey a multidisciplinary marketing and design practice.
Several Old Boys gathered to celebrate the wedding of Shinpei Fukagai (OB 2005) to the beautiful Kana, which took place in Japan. (L-R) Yuji Nakayama, Naoya Konuma, Shinpei Fukagai, Andy Lynch, Shuhei Omori and Sam Robertson.
Matt Gnauck (OB 2010) is currently a Graduate Engineer for the Australian Government, having completed a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering with Honours. Luke Jackson (OB 2003) is a Senior Resourcing Advisor at John Holland. With an MBA from Deakin University, Luke is currently completing his Graduate Diploma in International Relations. He has worked in supply chain for Toyota, before branching out to business development then recruitment consulting and resource advising. Jaspal Singh (OB 1996) completed a B.Com and M.Bus Systems and is an IT
Project Delivery Professional being the Senior Program coordinator for Jemema and United Energy’s smart meter rollout. Cameron Black (OB 1987). While living a surf cowboy lifestyle in Bali for more than 12 years, Cameron also found time to launch a 70s beach vintage-inspired clothing brand called Green Rock clothing; do an MBA in Economic Policy and Financial Accounting; and gain a Grad. Dip in Indonesian Politics and Language and a BA in International Economics and Politics. Green Rock works on environmental projects in Indonesia and is sold into 40 stores in Australia and 12 stores in Bali and Jakarta. WINTER 2016 65
Dr Shingo Date (OB 1987) After a short stint at the University of Melbourne studying medicine, Shingo swapped courses and countries, completing a chemical engineering master and doctorate at the University of Tokyo. He is currently associate professor in Japan’s National Defense Academy and is Secretary of the International Pyrotechnics Society – a society for high explosives and propellants professionals. Simon Walker (OB 2006) Based in San Francisco, Simon co-founded Gone Social, a 2000+ community of Silicon Valley professionals. He is also Partner Marketing Manager for IFTTT, the web-based service that creates links and actions between a variety of web services including Gmail and Facebook. 66 WINTER 2016
Stuart MacLeod-Smith (OB 2006) married Courtney Lawrie in March 2016 at The Sandbar Beach Cafe in Middle Park. Many BGS Old Boys attended, including Nick Graham-Bowman and Michael Bannar-Martin who were best man and groomsman respectively.
Join the conversation with the 781 people in the Brighton Grammar LinkedIn group today Search: Brighton Grammar School
Struan W. Scott (OB 1990) completed a degree in chemical engineering before undertaking an MBA at Harvard Business School. He lives in Santa Fe and is now a partner in The Lancer Group, a firm specialising in C-level searches for private equity-backed companies. Troy McKinna (OB 1993) After a successful four-year tenure, general manager of marketing for drinks giant Schweppes Troy is heading to new pastures. Todd’s highlights at Schweppes include overseeing the successful relaunch of the Cool Ridge water brand. The award-winning campaign featured Aussie animal puppets created in conjunction with Jim Henson’s Creature Workshop.
Monty Franklin (OB 2000) is a standup comedian who has written, created and acted for local and international TV. Monty was a winner of the Comic’s Lounge Stand-up Competition 2006. Now based in LA, Monty has toured with, and opened for, Rob Schneider and appeared in Rob’s TV show Real Bob, comedy New Girl and a TV pilot The Manny. He is the only Australia on the wall of the World Famous Comedy Store in Hollywood, sitting alongside comedy greats Eddie Murphy, Robin Williams and Steve Martin.
Michael Rule (OB 2001) is an Accounting Director at Treasury Wine Estates based in Napa, California. Michael is a CPA who has also worked for Ernst & Young, KPMG and the Fosters Group.
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60 Years on Reunion of the ‘Pendennis Chapter’ 68 WINTER 2016
01 L-R John Link (1953), John Merry (1955) and Neil Grummitt (1954). 02 L-R Stephen Tanner (1955), Bob McLellan (1954), Colin Mews (1950) and Julian Coles (1956). 03 Lt Col John Papalitsas (1994) was the Special Guest Speaker at the annual Historical Assembly, at which the 60 Years On Reunion attendees were present. To his right is John Grant (1951).
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30 Year Reunion of the Class of 1986
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01 The whole group. 02 L-R Harley Hutchison, John Godridge, Paul Bond, Geordie Lukacs, James Sedgwick, Andrew Tate and James Fyfe. 03 L-R Ken Reece, Sam Paynter, Steve Jackson and Brian Kitney.
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01
Meliora Club Dinner The Meliora Club was founded in 1968 by a group of past rowers led by Captain of Boats 1967 Paul Purcell. Club members dedicated their efforts to help BGS win the Head of the River by providing coaches and financial support to the fledgling BGS Boat Club. The Meliora Club Dinner has been held on the Tuesday evening immediately preceding the Head of the River regatta for the past 48 years. Our 2016 special guest speaker was New Zealand rowing coach Noel Donaldson, former BGS TIC Rowing, 1st VIII coach, and coach of the Olympic gold medal winning, Oarsome Foursome. The new 1st VIII boat has been christened the ‘Noel Donaldson’ in his honour.
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01 The 1976 crew, the first BGS 1st VIII to qualify for the Head of the River Final, receive their silver oar lapel pins from rowing legend Simon Newcomb OAM. (L to R) Andrew Briggs, Peter Scott, Paul Wilson, Rowan Keast, Gary Viner, Peter Fitch (with Roger Wilson obscured behind), Simon Newcomb OAM and David Strong in front. 02 Noel Donaldson prepares to wield the hammer to christen the new Italian built Filippi VIII named in his honour. 03 The 2016 BGS First VIII with Noel Donaldson (far left) having been presented with their 2016 Tonners tops.
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10 Year Reunion of the Class of 2006
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01 The whole group. 02 Midori Cranston, Michael Kourkoulis, James McCowan, Oli Ward and Richard Ryan in the background to the left is Anthony Ross. 03 Arlette Pat and Midori Cranston, as always popular with the boys. 04 Wil Priestley visits the S J Priestley Conference Room named in honour of his late grandfather who gave many years of faithful and dedicated service to the BGS School Council.
03
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5 Year Reunion of the Class of 2011 at the New Bay Hotel 01 The whole group – The Headmaster (far left) didn’t get the dress code wrong! He’d come from the Junior School Dinner Dance at Brighton International. 02 L-R Hayden Johnson, Henry Mulholland, Matt Delaney and Zach Miller. 03 L-R David Say, Andrew Bisset, Sam Langan, Dane Robinson, Ben Le Couteur and Justin McLeod.
01
02
03
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01
15 Year Reunion of the Class of 2001
02
This group has one of the highest percentages of sons of Old Boys, with 17 of 111 valedicts of 2001 being second generation (or more) BGS boys. 01 The whole group. 02 L-R David McLaughlin, Troy Lamb, Michael Urwin, Jon Perrett and Matthew Warnock. 03 L-R Rob Fisher, Richard Yann, Trevor Gibson, Daniel Arbib and David Dawes.
03
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Parents of the Class of 2001, 15 Year Reunion Why let the boys have all the fun? While their sons enjoyed their own 15 year reunion, 48 past parents, led by Barbara Paroissien and a group of willing helpers, renewed old friendships at their own reunion at the Hotel Brighton. At the reunion, Ian Paroissien, father of Andrew and recently retired Chairman of the School Board, announced that one of the rooms in the proposed Annandale re-development would be named the Ben Furzer Room in honour of Ben who tragically lost his life in a car accident in 2002. Ben’s parents Janine and Tony were in attendance for the announcement. The OBGS Alumni Office is always happy to support past parent reunions. Contact Andrew Biggin on 03 8591 2272 for more information.
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01
Vale
02
It is with sadness that we advise the names of Old Brighton Grammarians (and their year of leaving School) who have passed away. Our condolences to their families. Peter Andrew (1966) Keith de Franck (1973) Peter James (1950) Geoff McCalman (1957) George Murray (1950) Bob Rothols (1944) Fred Shillabeer (1943) Donald Smith (1937) Alan Todd (1936)
R.I.P. 03
01 L-R Julienne Meade, Minnie Humphreys, Maree Eastgate and Barbara Paroissien. 02 L-R Ross Lloyd, Gwen Warnock and Peter Gadsden. 03 L-R Tony Furzer, Ross Perrett and Ian Paroissien.
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OBGS Reunion Calendar 2016–2017 Please mark these reunion dates in your diary. Invitations will be mailed approximately six weeks prior to the year group reunions. Every reunion held at the School will be preceded by a full tour of the School. Tours commence at the Oak Tree one hour before the start of the function. REUNION
FUNCTION
VENUE
DATE
TIME
Remaining 2016 reunions and events 20 Years, Class of 1996
Dinner
RSC Hall
29 July
7pm
25 Years, Class of 1991
Dinner
RSC Hall
19 August
7pm
Top Enders
Lunch
Sandringham Club
26 August
12.30pm
40 Years, Class of 1976
Dinner
RSC Hall
14 October
7pm
50 Years On Reunion
Lunch
RSC Hall (DATE CHANGE)
21 October
12.30pm
Top Enders Christmas
Lunch
TBA
16 December
12.30pm
2017 Reunions Top Enders Cricket
Lunch
Pritchard Room
Early Feb TBA
12 30pm
60 Years On ‘Pendennis Chapter’
Morning tea and lunch
SS Library
10 February
10.30am
Class of 2016 Welcome
Drinks
New Bay Hotel
17 February
6.30pm
30 Year Class of 1987
Drinks
RSC Hall
3 March
7pm
Meliora Club
Dinner
RSC Hall
21 March
7pm
Top Enders’
Lunch
Sandringham Club
28 April
12 noon
10 Year, Class of 2007
Cocktails
Middle School Nexus
May - TBA
6.30pm
5 Year, Class of 2012
Drinks
New Bay Hotel
May - TBA
6.30pm
Top Enders’
Lunch
Sandringham Club
30 June
15 Year, Class of 2002
Dinner
RSC Hall
21 July
7pm
20 Year, Class of 1997
Dinner
RSC Hall
28 July
7pm
25 Year, Class of 1992
Dinner
RSC Hall
11 August
7pm
Top Enders’
Lunch
Sandringham Club
25 August
7pm
40 Year, Class of 1977
Dinner
RSC Hall
13 October
7pm
50 Years On
Lunch
RSC Hall
20 October
12.30pm
Top Enders’
Lunch
Sandringham Club
15 December
12 noon
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Brighton Grammar School 90 Outer Crescent Brighton VIC 3186 Australia t 03 8591 2200 w www.brightongrammar.vic.edu.au CRICOS Provider No. 00132K ABN 61 004 117 668