Winter 2016
In This Issue:
›› Sport at BGS ›› Teaching Innovation ›› Boarding
BGS ALUMNI & COMMUNITY
6 Our Purpose Brisbane Grammar School educates boys within a strong learning culture that is innovative yet respectful of its traditions, by nurturing their intellectual, physical and emotional wellbeing to become thoughtful and confident men of character who contribute to their communities.
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Our Ambition Brisbane Grammar School aspires to be the best school for boys in Australia, and an international leader in teaching and learning. The School is committed to offering premium educational and leadership opportunities for boys of all backgrounds, to strengthen its global connections, and to build a vibrant school community among students, parents, staff, Old Boys and the broader society.
GRADUATE OUTCOMES
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Our Values •
Endeavour
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Learning
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Respect
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Leadership
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Community
HIS FUTURE
Our Motto nil sine labore – nothing without work The School is committed to a liberal education philosophy. Our major goals for each boy are: •
To develop attitudes, skills, and a base of knowledge as a foundation for critical intelligence, imaginative and creative powers, effective communication and the capacity and enthusiasm for independent, life-long learning.
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To develop and extend personal character and talents.
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To develop a strong sense of service, community, leadership and loyalty to others.
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FEATURED ARTIST
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Registered by Australia Post Publication No. QBN 4259
GIVING BACK
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CONTENTS
SPORT AT BGS gn grammar news is produced by Advancement and Community Relations Brisbane Grammar School Gregory Terrace, Brisbane, QLD 4000 Telephone: Email: Website:
www.facebook.com/ BrisbaneGrammarSchool
+61 7 3834 5200 grammarnews@brisbanegrammar.com www.brisbanegrammar.com
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Editorial Team Heather Watson Executive Director Advancement and Community Relations Philippa Cable Publications Manager – Marketing and Communications Chris Walker Digital Communications Manager Julia Goodwin Graphic Designer Contributors Mark Brusasco David Carroll Ian Chu Ron Cochrane Greg Dabelstein Callum Dargavel Philippa Douglas
Michael Fancutt Josh Grice Vivien Harris Jim Hill Tommy Hsiao Trevor Irvine Lynda Kerridge
STAY CONNECTED
Paul Kobez Cameron Lillicrap Anthony Micallef Vikram Naiker Helen Penrose Hugo Perchard Stuart Rees
www.instagram.com/ brisbanegrammar www.twitter.com/ BrisbaneGrammar
Todd Renfree Hannah Robertson Matt Smith Ewan Thiele Ashmit Vyas Andy Wang Angus Woods
Thank you to our community for sending in your photos that are featured within this publication. Cover image: One of BGS’ greatest ever sportsmen, Tom Lawton, sits on the right in the photo featuring the 1916 rugby honour cap winners. At school he was a standout all-round sportsman, dominating in cricket, tennis, rowing, swimming, and track and field. After school he went on to play for the Wallabies, captaining in every Test he played. More on page 17. Lawton is joined by Victor Grenning who is also seated. He was a member of the First rugby side for four years and First cricket team for
three years, and won the shooting championship in his senior year. More on page 36. The third boy standing in the photo is Colin Stewart. He was part of the First rugby side for three years, and a top rowing, and track and field competitor. Lawton and Grenning were both Rhodes Scholars. Back cover image: The School’s Northgate Playing Fields.
IMPRESSIONS The Brisbane Grammar School Art Committee is proud to present the opening of the 47th Annual Art Show 2016. Join us on the Gala Opening Night in Centenary Hall for an evening of fine art, wine, food, fantastic raffle prizes and BGS musicians. Friday 5 August from 7.00pm (ticketed event) Saturday 6 August from 10.00am – 3.00pm
OPEN DAY Explore the BGS journey We invite you to experience the life of a BGS student at our 2016 Open Day. Explore the outstanding opportunities available across academic development, sport, the arts, special interest clubs and community service. Meet the people, see the facilities and explore the opportunities of a BGS journey. Saturday 6 August from 12.00noon – 3.00pm
THE BRISBANE GRAMMAR SCHOOL ART COMMITTEE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES OUR SPONSORS PLATINUM
GOLD
SILVER
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HEADMASTER’S MESSAGE
// PROUD TRADITIONS Anthony Micallef | Headmaster
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s the world readies itself for the Rio Olympics in August, this edition of grammar news focuses on sport at Brisbane Grammar School; examining its impact and importance, and taking a look at some BGS Old Boys who have left their mark on the world stage.
out an Old Boy as our greatest sportsman, it is easier to choose our greatest sporting team. The 1917 First XI cricket team (page 19), features Otto Nothling, Tom Lawton and Victor Grenning. To this day Nothling remains one of only two male dual cricket and rugby Australian internationals. Lawton was a legend of school sport, before going on to captain the Wallabies in every Test he played. Grenning was a strong school sportsman, who later went on to become a chairman of the BGS board, and was coincidentally the focus of my Foundation Day speech earlier this year.
From the moment the gates opened almost 150 years ago, sport has played a pivotal role at BGS. I believe sport plays a fundamental role in achieving the School’s purpose to educate our boys to become thoughtful, respectful, and confident young men of character who contribute to their communities – producing wellrounded Grammar Men.
Also in this edition of grammar news we examine recent graduate outcomes, including profiling two of our newest Old Boys who were accepted to Harvard and Oxford. We hear from the students who participated in the latest Seifu Exchange to Japan, one of the longest-running exchanges of its kind in Australia. We take a look at the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM) and celebrate the collaboration of BGS and UQx from The University of Queensland to launch an Australian-first Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). While our His Future section focuses on leadership, examining how our students learn to lead.
The front page photo of this edition is evidence of this. The two boys seated, Victor Grenning (left) and Tom Lawton (right), were brilliant sportsmen and also Rhodes Scholars. As you will read in the pages to follow, the pair proved equally brilliant in life after sport. The boy standing, Colin Stewart was a strong school sportsman across rugby, track and field, and rowing. I don’t believe it is a coincidence that BGS has produced the most national rugby captains of any school in the country: six Australian and one English. Our core values of endeavour, learning, respect, leadership and community have served our sporting Old Boys well. While the School’s motto, nil sine labore – nothing without labour – applies as much on the sports field as it does in the classroom.
As you read through I encourage you to send in your feedback or insights through letters to the editor and stay connected to us through our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn pages.
As the stories in this edition will reveal, BGS has a proud sporting history. While it is too difficult to single
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ON CAMPUS
Pirate Day Year 5 students embarked on a swashbuckling adventure to Pepperina Hill to experience their first taste of outdoor education. Pirate Day was an opportunity for our youngest students to develop their teamwork skills and build a sense of camaraderie among the 5AB and 5CD pods. Adventures included games such as ‘running the gauntlet’ and ‘robbing the nest’, as well as beginner orienteering.
Orientation Day Excitement was in the air as almost 300 new students were welcomed to BGS on the first day of term 1. The new students were introduced to their Prefects, and spent time around the campus and in classrooms. Others spent time in the uniform shop, donning the BGS uniform for the first time. Best of luck to the newest members of the BGS community for 2016, and for the rest of your BGS journey.
Earth Science Olympiad Jack Greenwood was awarded a gold medal and high distinction certificate in the Earth Science Olympiad qualifying exam. His efforts saw him join just 22 other students from around Australia in summer school in January. Jack was the only student from Queensland to be awarded this honour.
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Simultaneous chess Students in the Middle School were given the chance to play against premier chess team player Jared Louie in 13 simultaneous games. Not all games were completed during the lunch break, but four ended in checkmate, with one surprise upset. This was a great experience for the boys, and a unique way for Jared to warm up for his Somerville House tournament later that night.
Steampunk Tea Duelling In incredible scenes, hundreds of BGS boys packed into the Learning Commons of The Lilley Centre to watch the inaugural Steampunk Tea Duelling Contest, where eight students challenged eight staff under the watch of Michael Moloney, the Tiffin Master. Tea duelling is the art of gracefully dunking a biscuit in tea for five seconds, before removing it without losing any fragments, and then eating it. While not a common sport, students embraced the competition, which saw Head of Year 10 Craig Timms crowned champion, and Year 10 student Chris Bird runner-up.
Keeping BGS beautiful BGS boys have stepped up their recycling efforts this year, after the School received a $5000 ‘Keep Australia Beautiful’ grant. As well as the colourful recycling and waste bins around the BGS campus, a recycling program has been implemented at Northgate. The boys have got right behind the new initiative.
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SPORTS ROUNDUP SWIMMING | In an electric atmosphere at Chandler, the BGS swimming teams delivered wonderful performances at the GPS championships. Both the BGS junior and senior teams worked diligently with the coaching staff throughout the season, resulting in both teams placing second behind The Southport School. Some of the standout individual performances include: Joe Jackson (U16) winning three events – breaking two long-standing records along the way; Ronan Mellick (U10) won the 50m backstroke, setting a new GPS record; Alex Fenton (U13) winning all three individual events he competed in; and Alex Grant (U15) registering a win, having earlier swum as a younger competitor in the Open 400m freestyle. ROWING | The Year 8 First Quad led the way, winning the Junior Head of the River. The Year 9 quads performed strongly across the season, finishing second place overall –just two points away from first place. BGS’ senior rowers competed at the GPS Head of the River regatta, with the First VII placing sixth. BGS rowers ended the 2015/16 season finishing fifth overall in the Old Boys’ Cup final point score. A week after Head of River, Year 12 student Paddy Holt led a team of GPS rowers to the U19 VIII national title at the Australian championships. He also won in the U19 Coxed Four. Paddy stroked the VIII, made up of four Nudgee College and three Southport School rowers, and Nudgee cox. SAILING | A day after claiming second place in the GPS sailing championship, the BGS team excelled in the Queensland team sailing championship to win the state title. The season was a difficult one, with heavy weather causing cancellations throughout the term. The GPS fleet racing regatta found the team still chasing the consistency needed to achieve top place, but backing up the next day, they were able to push through to the next level and hit the top of the Queensland team sailing championship. This adds to the proud BGS tradition of claiming this trophy more often than any other school across the history of the competition, with nine wins over 27 years. CRICKET | A total of seven cricket teams topped the table at the end of the GPS cricket season, with a further nine teams securing a top three finish. Year 10 proved a standout, with the 10A, 10B, and 10C teams all winning their respective competitions. The First XI performed admirably throughout the season to finish third, with a chance of winning the competition right up to the final round. Declan Curran and Zach Allen should be commended for the manner in which they led the First XI boys throughout the season, under the guidance of coaches Darren Holder and Larry Carmichael. We offer a special thanks and farewell to Mr Holder for more than 10 years of service to the BGS cricket community. VOLLEYBALL | The volleyball community completed a strong GPS season in 2016, with the BGS team combining to win seven championships and six second place positions. This included the First VI, who claimed second, after just one loss during the season to Anglican Church Grammar School. A total of 14 of the 19 BGS volleyball teams were successful in securing a top three place on their respective GPS ladder.
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PUBLIC PURPOSE
World’s Greatest Shave Campaign The BGS community got behind the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave campaign, raising an incredible $27,000 for those impacted by blood cancer. The Middle School hosted a crazy hat day and mega sweet stall, followed the next day by the Senior School’s shaving and dying event. With plenty of students and staff ‘being brave and doing the shave’, the initial $24,000 fundraising target was exceeded which saw Deputy Headmaster David Carroll, Head of Year 7 Sharee Verdon, and Head of Physics Noel Chan lose their locks, while Old Boys’ Association President Stuart Rees had his impressive beard removed. Thanks to everyone involved in the important campaign. Clean Up Australia Day As part of Clean Up Australia Day, BGS Middle School boys participated in their first community service venture this year. Joining forces with community group, Save Our Waterways Now, the students helped clean up Quandong Park at Ashgrove. The initiative was a great success with over 100 Middle School boys, parents, teachers and Year 12 students involved. Cambodia Service Trip Fundraiser Year 10 students hosted a giant sausage sizzle earlier this year to launch their 2016 Cambodia service trip fundraising campaign. A total of 350 sausages were devoured, as well as plenty of drinks from the spider stall, as the students teamed to raise just under $1200. Over 80 Year 10 students are preparing for the service trip in September, the largest number of boys since the program started four years ago. The boys will split into five groups to work on five local service projects in Cambodian schools and orphanages, with each group tasked with raising at least $1500. Homeless Connect Drive As part of the Homeless Connect drive, students from the Middle School teamed to donate almost 700 items of toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner. The concept brings together business and community groups twice a year to give free services to the homeless or those at risk of homelessness. The project has helped more than 5400 people since the first Homeless Connect in Australia in 2006.
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// GROWTH MINDSET: ENHANCING SUCCESS AT BGS
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growth mindset is synonymous with success. Brisbane Grammar School teachers want their students to aspire to be the best they can be in their chosen fields of endeavour. Cultivating a growth mindset helps students to become more effective lifelong learners, who are happy and resilient. The School motto, nil sine labore or nothing without labour, is an embodiment of a growth mindset.
and growth mindsets, students were captivated and inspired by the explorer and his achievements. During his time with the students Cantor shared critical messages about goal setting, persistence, resilience, and the value of a growth mindset. Significantly, the young explorer failed three times before achieving his Alaskan goal. In a perfect representation of a growth mindset, he embraced the many challenges, persisted in the face of setbacks, learned from criticism and self-reflection, and found lessons in the success of others.
Three years ago, adventurer John Cantor successfully traversed the 1600km Brooks Range in Alaska to become the first Australian and just the fifth person in the world to achieve the feat. Regarded as one of the toughest solo expeditions in the world, he averaged more than 50km a day, to complete the trek in 31 days. Undoubtedly, Cantor possesses a growth mindset.
Cantor offered students a powerful story and a way for them to connect to the notion of a growth mindset. As well as being inspired by his extraordinary achievements, the students took away the underlying message that understanding the virtues of having a growth mindset could apply across many aspects of life.
For the fourth consecutive year Cantor visited BGS to talk to Year 8 students as part of the student wellbeing curriculum. Having learned about the theory of fixed
If you have a story to share please email it to grammarnews@brisbanegrammar.com.
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BOARDING
// BOARDERS RAISE ACADEMIC STAKES
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ast year BGS boarders broke new ground in academic consistency, with the median OP for 2015 graduates 3.5 or ATAR equivalent of 94.5. In combination with the hard work of students, the standout academic achievements can be attributed to the academic and wellbeing programs and structures within Harlin House.
Boarding has been a part of BGS since its opening in 1869, when boys were accommodated in Costin’s Cottages on Petrie Terrace. The building of School House 130 years ago, today known as the Roe Building, signified the start of boarding on-campus in 1887 with 14 boarders.
The five major programs run in the House are: academic enrichment, leadership, life skills, activity enrichment, and service. The programs perfectly complement each other, to help BGS boarders become thoughtful, respectful, and confident, young men of character who contribute to their communities.
The upcoming summer 2016 edition of grammar news will include a feature on BGS boarding; including a historical look at boarding, as well as the modern day programs on offer.
If you have a highlight story of your time at Harlin House please email it to grammarnews@brisbanegrammar.com.
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// A DAY IN HER SHOES Philippa Douglas | Coordinator of Public Purpose
Hugo Perchard | Year 11
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The term gender equality is now seen as normal in our language but it is not necessarily in practice. While we have seen significant changes, there is still much work to be done as we move towards a society where gender equality truly exists.
The presentation struck a lot of different emotions for all of the boys that were present. Although the vast majority of the boys already understood the extreme amount of sexualisation and objectification women face on a daily basis, it was a powerful reminder, showing the complex and unobtainable standards women are often held to. Many of us were shocked at the abuse some women face, for simply standing up for equality and against the hate they receive.
he Day in Her Shoes workshop centred on providing Year 11 boarders with an understanding of the world girls and women live in; better equipping them to build healthy, respectful relationships with the women in their lives. I focused heavily on media literacy and the way women are portrayed in the media and popular culture, which mostly serve to reinforce harmful gender stereotypes.
n February Coordinator of Public Purpose Ms Philippa Douglas presented a workshop called A Day in Her Shoes to Year 11 boarders. The focus of discussion was on the sexualisation and objectification women encounter through advertising, social media, music and films.
It can be difficult to fully understand the rage and frustration that is often felt by women who experience subtle, and not so subtle, sexism and other forms of gender discrimination. If one has never been on the receiving end it can be easy to assume that gender equality has been reached and that all the battles have been won for women. As with any form of discrimination, just because you don’t hear, see or experience it, doesn’t mean it’s not happening.
It was extremely valuable for the boys to listen to Ms Douglas’ presentation, for it reiterated many ideas the boys already have about the gender gap present in today’s society, and the injustice many women face. There were a number of points that stood out for me personally during the presentation. One of the most startling statistics is on women who are murdered and victims of abuse and violence. It certainly was interesting to spend ‘an hour in her shoes’ and to realise that if enough people are educated on the sexualisation and objectification of women, it would be much easier to combat these problems and bring equality to society.
Social change happens because of committed individuals like many of the young men here at BGS.
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DESTINATIONS
// A REWARDING PARTNERSHIP Greg Dabelstein | Seifu Exchange Coordinator
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or more than three decades Brisbane Grammar School has been involved in a reciprocal student exchange program with Seifu Gakuen and Seifu Nankai Gakuen in Osaka, Japan. The program, one of the longest-running exchanges of its kind in Australia, began after the bond between Seifu Gakuen and BGS developed through pen-pal letters in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
In July each year, a party of seven boys arrive in Brisbane to live for a month in BGS homes. The boys participate in regular school lessons with their hosts, as well as a program of cultural activities, excursions and English lessons. In December, BGS boys travel to Japan on the reciprocal leg of the exchange and stay with their Japanese family. Immersion in family life affords the boys the opportunity to develop their understanding of another culture beyond superficial observations.
This relationship was nurtured by staff of both schools, until an official agreement was signed in 1982, paving the way to become twin-schools the following year. Over the decades, participating students have enjoyed wonderful experiences hosting Japanese peers and living with them in Japan, forging long-lasting friendships along the way. For many students the opportunity changed their lives, shaping future education and career paths.
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The aims of the exchange program include selfdevelopment and reliance, as well as inter-cultural understanding and communication.
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// STUDENT ACCOUNTS Tommy Hsiao We immersed ourselves in Japanese culture, experiencing the life of a schoolboy. We travelled to school on convenient public transport and studied in a traditional classroom environment, unlike the modern and innovative classrooms at BGS. We visited various famous travel sites and participated in traditional activities; including a tea ceremony, kendo, and judo. Living in this environment allowed me to gain a new perspective on certain things and I gained a greater understanding of the Japanese people and the cultural foundation on which the nation was built. Callum Dargavel Participating in the exchange was a life-changing experience. It was only through being completely immersed in a different culture that we were truly able to appreciate our own. Although we live 7000km away there were many similarities between us and the people we met in Japan. Vikram Naiker Whenever I travel I love to immerse myself in everything and Japan was no exception. Staying with a host family I was able to experience so many adventures, including making traditional food. There are so many experiences and stories I can share with people about the trip; it definitely changed me as a person. Ian Chu The exchange was an incredible experience and one that we will never forget. We saw both differences and similarities between the cultures of Australia and Japan, which opened our minds to possible international opportunities in the future. There were many friendships made over the exchange, not just the host brothers but also other students of the school. We were able to share cultures, which provided all of us with a deeper insight into our own culture. The experience will forever change the way I think about the world.
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SPORT AT BGS
Since its foundation in 1868, sport has been embedded into the culture of Brisbane Grammar School. The light dark blue has been proudly worn since Headmaster Reginald Heber Roe introduced the sporting colours of Oxford and Cambridge in the late 1870s. The School’s connection with sport further strengthened with the introduction of the Greater Public Schools (GPS) competition in 1918. Over almost 150 years, BGS has produced sportsmen who have proudly represented Australia in sports ranging from cricket, tennis, rugby, rowing, football, track and field, and many others.
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// SPORT – A PILLAR OF BRISBANE GRAMMAR SCHOOL
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rom its foundation in 1868 to the current day, sport at Brisbane Grammar School has played a fundamental role in producing a well-rounded Grammar Man. BGS has a proud sporting history, boasting a growing list of Australian players and captains in a variety of different sports. The most recent captain, Wallabies leader Stephen Moore, is a wonderful example of all-roundedness, balancing a brilliant playing career with roles in business and as a gender equality advocate and Lifeline ambassador.
Neil Martin, while still in Year 12 at BGS, represented Australia in swimming at the 1972 Munich Olympics, placing seventh in the 200m backstroke finals. A true BGS all-rounder, Martin was accepted into Harvard University a year later as a private scholarship holder and successfully completed a degree in Economics. He went on to become president of Swimming Australia in 2004. Test cricketer David Ogilvie is quite possibly BGS’ finest sportsman. By the time he graduated in 1969, he was a member of three successive First XV rugby premiership victories, four successive First XI cricket wins, and four straight First IV tennis wins. In his senior year Ogilvie led home the Open relay team to victory in record time at the GPS track and field championship. His schoolboy sporting efforts are part of BGS folklore.
Another BGS sporting legend, who captained the Wallabies in every Test he played, is Tom Lawton. Renowned for leading Australia to a historic whitewash of the New Zealand All Blacks in 1929, his state performances earned him a place in the Queensland Hall of Fame. Lawton, a Rhodes Scholar and World War I veteran, was another who achieved success on and off the sports field.
Another of BGS’ all-round sporting greats, Bob Willcocks, was three-time swimming champion, one of the School’s top football and cricket players and a champion athlete. But he was even better on the rugby field. So brilliant, he became the youngest player to represent Queensland at 16, and captained the state in 1911 while still a student. Willcocks had his rugby career cut short by the outbreak of WWI, later served as a President of the QRU, as well as a state selector.
At school Lawton shone in many sports, recognised as one of BGS’ finest all-round sportsmen. As well his academic prowess, he was School Captain, the best player and captain of the cricket side, and excelled in tennis, rowing, swimming and athletics. The Lawtons are one of the great Australian sporting families, with Lawton’s grandsons Rob and Tom both Wallabies as well. In fact, Lawton Jnr was widely regarded as the best hooker in the world during the Wallabies’ 1980s reign.
But for all the legends of BGS sport, and there are far too many to list, perhaps the greatest was Dr Otto Nothling (pictured left). As one of only two men in Australia to become a dual cricket and rugby international, he is regarded by some as one of Australia’s greatest ever sportsmen. A brilliant fullback, he was voted one of the 100 best Wallabies of all time, but his largest claim to fame may have come in cricket, when he replaced Don Bradman in the Test team in 1928.
Four BGS Old Boys and a BGS boarding master combined on the famous Wallabies 1984 Grand Slam tour. Props Andrew McIntyre and Cameron Lillicrap were joined by former Wallabies captain Chilla Wilson, who managed the side. While the team was coached by former BGS boarding master Alan Jones and assistant coach Alec Evans. Tennis is another sport where BGS has dominated. From Gar Moon becoming the first Queenslander to play Davis Cup for Australia, to one of the all-time greats in Roy Emerson, tennis continues to thrive at the School. Today BGS has the unrivalled distinction of boasting three coaches who all played in the main draw at Wimbledon, brothers and Old Boys Michael, Charlie and Chris Fancutt.
The Don, who went on to forge a career that made him arguably Australia’s greatest ever sportsman, became a lifelong friend of Nothling. After his distinguished sporting careers, Nothling went on to become a medical doctor and served in WWII as a major in the Australian Army Medical Corps. The Function Room at Northgate Playing Fields was named in his honour.
Jack Radcliffe was another of BGS’ standout tennis players, school champion in 1908, 1910, and 1911. He also went on to become one of the state’s best golfers at the time. Off the court and course he was even more successful, earning a Military Cross in World War I and becoming a Rhodes Scholar.
It’s difficult to single out individual BGS sportsmen as the greatest, but the list of those making an impact on the world stage continues to grow. Sport is undoubtedly one of the pillars that make our great school what it is today.
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Champion Empire Rifle Shooting Team of 1903. The intercolonial schools’ competition (shooting) began in 1887. It involved teams of five, shooting seven times at 200 yard, 400 yard and 500 yard targets. BGS won the inaugural event, defeating Melbourne CEGS, Scotch College, Geelong Grammar, Sydney Grammar and Dunedin High School.
// SPORT TRIVIA Fencing was first introduced at BGS by Basil Porter in the 1880s. Porter was a student at the Sorbonne and learned fencing from fencing masters in Paris.
In 1928 BGS bought a movie camera to make and screen films of rugby matches and athletics sports days. Tennis balls were in short supply during World War II, as the rubber was required to supply the defence forces with tyres for vehicles and other purposes. Some tennis clubs around Australia were forced to close temporarily. The BGS school tennis championship continued because of careful rationing of the tennis balls that were left.
One of the standout BGS cricket bowling figures to this day remains Herbert Bryant’s 11 wickets for nine runs against Ipswich Grammar School in a match in 1887. Edward Crouch – one of the founding member of the BGS Old Boys Association in 1898, a solicitor and trustee of BGS – represented Queensland at tennis and was a member of the first Queensland cricket side to win a match in 1893. His fellow OBA founding member Dr Arthur Carvosso also excelled in sport, representing Queensland in tennis and was also the state’s first golf champion.
GPS premiership competitions in football, cricket, rowing, tennis, and swimming were suspended in 1942 because of travel difficulties in wartime conditions. Some friendly games were still played when they could be arranged. Competition resumed in 1946 and BGS won cricket that year.
Incredibly, the photo (opposite page) of the 1917 First XI cricket team boasts arguably BGS’ greatest two sportsmen. Otto Nothling (bottom right) remains one of just two men in the history of Australian sport to become a cricket and rugby dual international. Tom Lawton (centre) captained the Wallabies in every Test he played. Victor Grenning (bottom left) is another BGS standout in cricket and rugby. All three men were true BGS all-rounders. Both Lawton, a WWI veteran, and Grenning went on to become Rhodes Scholars, and Nothling became a doctor.
Since its inception in 1990, the Queensland Schools Teams Sailing Championship has been won nine times by BGS, more than twice the number of the second placed school. Three members of the first BGS team to win in 1994, David Collie, Jon Davidson and Tim Sampson, returned to the School almost two decades later, to win the inaugural BGS Old Boy Sailing Coaches Team Sailing regatta in 2012. BGS brothers and Old Boys Tony and Michael Harcourt were both on the Australian fencing team for the Commonwealth Fencing Championships in Belfast 2006. While James Walsh was a two-time Australian Open Sabre Champion.
Gymnastics is the oldest GPS sport, with schools competing in an annual gymnastics competition from 1915, it became an official GPS sport when the competition was established in 1918. With over 50 wins, BGS has won the most championships.
Football player, Matt McKay has more than 50 caps for the Socceroos and has previously captained his country. He is also a Brisbane Roar legend, making his 200th appearance for the team last year, and captaining them to an A-League premiership in 2011.
Fitz Vincent has a swimming record that still stands out today, winning the GPS Open 50m and 100m freestyle events for three successive years from 1927.
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// BGS OLYMPIC HISTORY
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risbane Grammar School boasts 10 Olympians, dating back to Frank Gailey who competed in swimming in the 1904 Olympic Games in Missouri.
Richard Powell is the School’s only two-time Olympian, competing in rowing in 1992 in Barcelona and four years later at Atlanta in 1996. Rowing has proved BGS’ most successful sport in terms of representation at the Olympics, with Powell joined by David Weightman at Atlanta in 1996, along with Shaun Coulton at Athens in 2004, and Sam Conrad at Beijing in 2008. Two BGS swimmers have competed at Olympics, four decades apart. Neil Martin (pictured left) swam in the 1972 Olympics at Munich, while Ned McKendry swam at the most recent Olympics in London in 2012. Water polo is another sport with two BGS Olympic representatives; Toby Jenkins at Athens in 2004, and Anthony Martin at Beijing in 2008. The School’s other Olympian, Jake Donaghey, competed in the canoe/kayak four years ago at the London 2012 Games. BGS is hoping to add to the list of Olympians at the Rio Olympics later this year, with a number of Old Boys pushing for Australian selection across a broad range of sports.
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// Q&A
BGS OLD BOY VOLLEYBALL COACH EWAN THIELE
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graduation. Being part of the tight-knit community that is BGS volleyball is something that everyone finds a lot of value in, from coaches to students and families alike.
ow do you remember your time at BGS? BGS for me was an experience to practise the balance of study and extracurricular interests.
What is your BGS coaching record? My record as a BGS coach in the GPS competition currently sits at 42 wins and six losses.
Was there an Old Boy coach you remember that inspired you at school? The Old Boy coach that had the most influence on me coming through BGS was Tim Winterflood ’05. Tim coached our team at the school, state and national competitions in our younger years, which created a solid foundation for our success over the years. When did you start as a volleyball coach and tell us about your own volleyball achievements? I started coaching volleyball in Year 12 in 2009 in the school, state and national competitions, which led to my first GPS season as a coach in 2010. I am currently in the Queensland Pirates Men’s Team and we are strong competitors in the Australian Volleyball League. It’s a great opportunity to learn from and test yourself against some of the country’s best players – from past national team members to guys that have played professionally overseas. How important are Old Boy coaches? I think Old Boy coaches are very important in school sport, in particular with volleyball, as it is a sport that doesn’t get much exposure socially and isn’t recognised as a mainstream Australian sport. As well as the game knowledge learnt during their time at BGS, Old Boys also bring school spirit. This combination exposes current students to the enjoyment of the sport as well as the love of playing for the School. What do you personally get out of working with the volleyball program at BGS? I love seeing new year groups of students come through and try out a sport that they might not have otherwise seen or heard much about. To be able to teach the students about something that starts out quite foreign and to see them come away loving the sport and being successful at it is an awesome feeling.
Ewan Thiele graduated from BGS in 2009 and was Vice Captain in his senior year. Since becoming an Old Boy he has coached the 11A volleyball team to many wins. He also plays for the Queensland state volleyball team. Thiele is described by volleyball MiC Lynda Kerridge as a terrific volleyball player, an extremely intelligent man and outstanding human being.
Why do you think so many BGS graduates immediately put their hand up to be coaches? I think many Year 12 students, after seeing the number of Old Boys involved in the volleyball program over the years, can see a lot of value in coming back as a coach after
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// THE EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAM – CONTRIBUTING TO THE GRAMMAR MAN Mark Brusasco | Deputy Headmaster – Extracurricular
S
tanding alongside teaching and learning and student wellbeing, the extracurricular program is one of the three great pillars of a Brisbane Grammar School education. All pillars work harmoniously together to not only deliver a wellrounded education, but the opportunity for genuine all-roundedness for BGS students.
extracurricular programs supplementing the academic program. The program gives students of all ages the opportunity to learn to socialise constructively with their peers, while participation teaches valuable lessons about time and stress management. The variety of games and performances also teaches participants to strive for excellence.
It is hard to know exactly how to measure the worth of such a program. It could be measured by participation numbers from Years 5 to 12, the number of premierships and other competition success, or it could be assessed by the complementary nature of the three programs at the heartbeat of the School. Whichever criteria, BGS operates a highly successful and diverse extracurricular program.
There are other positives on a global scale, with universities increasingly taking stock of the wider involvements of prospective candidates and what they could bring to the life of these institutions.
In a non-coercive environment, over the past five years, more than 90% of the student population has participated in the extracurricular program. The School is seeing a new extracurricular Grammar Man, practising all-roundedness through the pursuit of a sporting and cultural profile.
Above: Mark Brusasco, a BGS Old Boy, in his professional playing days for Brisbane City. He went on to play for the Socceroos.
Research has continually suggested the benefits of providing a strong extracurricular program are many and varied. The positives range from the enjoyment of being involved in teams, ensembles or clubs, to the health benefits. A healthy body also complements a healthy mind, with the physical domain of the
Right: Mark Brusasco with Socceroos captain John Warren in 1970.
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GRADUATE OUTCOMES
// DOORS OF OPPORTUNITY AT OXFORD UNIVERSITY
Y
oung alumni, Andy Wang ’15 has been accepted to study at one of the top universities in the world – Oxford University. In October, he will begin a three-year philosophy, politics and economics course at Oxford University.
me to constantly strive higher, both in academic and extracurricular pursuits.” During his time at the School Wang debated at a national level, played under the baton of Australia’s best conductors and enjoyed the camaraderie of lifelong friends.
Acceptance into Oxford University is extraordinarily competitive, involving multiple steps in the application process, including challenging and rigorous interviews at the individual college.
“Only with the incredible support I received from the students and staff at BGS was I able to even consider aspiring for one of the world’s most prestigious universities,” he said. “In more ways than I could list, BGS has prepared me well for Oxford by instilling within me an appreciation for academic excellence and interdisciplinary all-roundedness.”
The course captivated Wang’s passion for investigating societal and worldly issues and will allow him to explore and analyse diverse perspectives towards a global society. Wang attributes BGS for providing him with the environment and education to realise his goal of gaining a place at Oxford. “In many ways the efforts of my five-year journey at BGS distilled into my senior year,” he said. “Being immersed in a culture which values the individuality of every student encouraged
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Somerville College boasts some incredible alumni, including two prime ministers, each one the first woman to be prime minister of her country, as well as leading philosophers, distinguished novelists, and Nobel Prize winners.
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// 2015 ACADEMIC RESULTS
T
he School’s 2015 academic results set new benchmarks for consistency. With a median score of OP5 – just outside the 2014 historic high – doors of opportunity have opened for our newest Old Boys.
SCHOLARSHIP OFFERS The total monetary value of scholarship offerings to 2015 BGS graduates exceeded $1.1 million.
A total of 39 students, approximately 15% of the cohort, achieved an OP1 and when students who scored bonus ranks are taken into account, this number increases to 64 OP1 equivalent. OP1 and OP2 students combined to make up 29% of the cohort.
This included scholarships offers from: Monash University, University of Technology Sydney, Australian National University, The University of Melbourne, The University of Sydney, The University of Queensland, and Queensland University of Technology.
The Class of 2015 set a new high, with 72% of the cohort achieving between an OP1 to OP7; more than 10% above the BGS average and over double the state average. The cohort achieved new benchmarks with 95% gaining an OP1 to OP13 and 98% achieving a OP1 to OP15.
OVERSEAS OFFERS Harvard University, Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, Oxford University, London School of Economics and Political Science, and University College of London.
BGS’ academic results have led to opportunities for further education at home and abroad, including a number of scholarship opportunities at major Australian universities, as well as prestigious overseas offers.
// REALISING A BOYHOOD DREAM: STUDYING AT HARVARD UNIVERSITY
S
ince graduating last year, Angus Woods has been offered places at some of the most prestigious universities in the world: Harvard, Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania, and the London School of Economics.
experiences to be made available to others less fortunate. Woods credits the culture at BGS for helping him achieve so much. “Brisbane Grammar has a deeply entrenched culture of valuing learning and music, the things I care deeply about,” he said.
Although the decision was not an easy one, Woods has accepted a place at Harvard, with the university’s strong music program a deciding factor.
“In terms of academics, I found the quality of teaching and the culture of high scholastic achievement to be incredibly rewarding, and by constantly being surrounded by like-minded individuals, I was always motivated to aim higher and work harder.”
BGS 2015 Music Captain, Woods also juggled other leadership positions, with academic work and extracurricular activities. But on top of all that, he coordinated a major fundraising concert attended by 650 people.
“To be a part of a school community in which it was the norm for students to be all-rounded, simultaneously involved in sporting, musical, and service programs, was something I was constantly in awe of.”
“I am proud of the fact that the Giving Back to Gondwana Choirs event was able to give full bursaries to the entire Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s choir to attend the two-week National Choral School in Sydney this year,” he said.
Woods’ hard work and dedication will see him realise a boyhood dream. “Since a young age, it has always been my dream to attend Harvard,” he said. “I’m excited to be surrounded by so many incredible young adults from all over the world.”
A member of the National Choral School since the age of 10, Woods said he wanted the same incredible
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ALUMNI
// A BGS ALL-ROUNDER: ACHIEVING ON AND OFF THE FIELD
B
GS Old Boy ’80 Cameron Lillicrap has the rare distinction of representing the Wallabies as a player, before retiring to later return as the national team’s physiotherapist.
“From a very young age, watching the Reds at Ballymore in the 70s, I remember a desire to be part of that team,” Lillicrap said. “To represent Queensland and play for the Reds was a career highlight. The selectors could have named a number of outstanding different players for the Team of the Century, I was just lucky.”
He credits BGS with developing the work ethic that made his achievements possible. “I was not blessed academically or athletically but was always prepared to work hard to achieve the things that were important to me,” he said. “Life after school has been no different. BGS prepared me by instilling the ethic of work.”
Lillicrap’s impact on the playing field has been matched by his contribution off it, establishing a renowned career as a physiotherapist. In two decades in the industry, he has worked as the Queensland physio for eight years and Australian physio for nine years. After a stint in private practice, he returned as the Reds head physio midway through last year.
During his playing career, Lillicrap pulled on the Australian jersey in seven Tests and a dozen other occasions against provincial teams. As well as being part of the 1984 Wallabies Grand Slam Tour, he played for Australia at two rugby World Cups, including being part of the champion Wallabies team in 1991.
But it wasn’t easy in the beginning. “To me rugby, injuries, and physio went hand in hand,” he said. “But studying and playing was definitely a challenge. This was highlighted by the fact that it took me an additional two years to complete my undergraduate degree.”
“To be selected as a 21-year-old prop alongside some of the greats of Australian rugby at the time was definitely a highlight of my rugby career,” Lillicrap said. “To then complete the Grand Slam winning all four Tests in Britain, for the first time by an Australian team, was even more rewarding.”
Lillicrap’s advice for others looking to follow a similar path is to be prepared to do whatever it takes to achieve your goal. He encourages all to pursue their sporting aspirations, but keep the academic door open.
It was in Queensland colours that Lillicrap proved a legend. He represented his state for a decade from 1984, named in the Queensland Team of the Century, just three years after retiring in 1999.
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“An observation from working with professional rugby players, is those who juggle study with training and playing tend to perform best,” he said. “It is well documented that life balance is important to us all.”
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// A MODERN PENTATHLETE
B
GS Old Boy ’09 Todd Renfree has travelled around the world competing in different sports, but uniquely they are all part of the same competition, modern pentathlon.
As a Form Senior, Captain of Cross Country and Vice Captain of Fencing, he also established strong leadership qualities during his time at BGS. “My time at BGS was a complete blur of hard work paired with the satisfaction of my successes and the memories of time spent with friends,” Renfree said. “The School has given me so many opportunities to broaden my sense of self, through the sporting programs, music programs, and academic endeavours.”
Inspired by the ideal all-rounded military person, modern pentathlon has recently been modified to a gruelling one-day format, encompassing fencing, swimming, horse riding, running, and shooting. “The most memorable of my competitions was definitely the Youth Olympics Games in 2009, which mirrors the Olympics in almost every way,” Renfree said. “Being surrounded by the best U19 competitors in the world was certainly an awe-inspiring moment.”
Looking ahead Renfree said his competitive spirit still burned brightly and he was considering training competitively again for modern pentathlon. But splitting his time between training for five sports doesn’t make preparing for the modern pentathlon a simple process.
Renfree, who has scaled back training to focus on university, a double major in sports studies and Japanese, together with part-time work, attributes BGS for preparing him well for life after school. In his senior year he remembers rising at 5.00am to start the day with swimming training, often not returning home until 10.00pm after a day of studying, further sport, and music.
Modern pentathlon – In a single day competitors contest: a fencing round-robin of epée bouts; a 200m freestyle race; a unique riding discipline of show jumping, in which each rider draws an unknown horse 20 minutes before the start of competition; and the last event is a combined run-shoot event, where competitors must shoot five targets while running 3200m. With its mixture of physical and mental demands testing courage, stamina, coordination, concentration, skill and flexibility, the event has a strong claim to producing the most complete athlete.
“I played the violin in the orchestra and a strings group, and the piano as well”, Renfree said. “Even with all of my days filled up, I managed to get enough study time for my academics, practice time for the violin and piano, and training for the modern pentathlon.”
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OLD BOYS‘ ASSOCIATION The Annual Reunion Dinner, set for Friday 26 August, will be the OBA’s marquee event, so make sure you pencil it in your diaries. The OBA was well served by its committee throughout 2015/2016 and I thank each member for their service. While my role as president is at an end, I look forward to maintaining a position on the committee and to supporting the ongoing work of the new committee. BGS OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE 2016
// OBA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Stuart Rees | Past President Old Boys’ Association
O
ld Boys have continued to maintain their ties to each other and Brisbane Grammar School, through a number of reunions so far in 2016.
The School and the OBA jointly hosted a series of domestic and international reunions for Old Boys. These include reunions in Sydney, Perth, and Hong Kong, with others planned for the US this year, along with a number of milestone reunions.
UPCOMING EVENTS REUNIONS 2016 BGSOBA 117th Annual Reunion Dinner | Friday 26 August
Chris Austin ’79 Ross Hirst ’78 Jim Macpherson ’85 John Emery ’83
Committee Committee Committee Committee Committee
Geoff Clarke ’64 Michael Forrest ’87 Julian Potten ’07 Phil Hogan ’79 Cameron McLeod ’88
Past President
Stuart Rees ’79
REUNION ROUNDUP
S
o far in 2016 BGS Old Boys have converged for reunions in Sydney on 17 March, Perth on 7 April, and Hong Kong on 9 April.
Former Olympian and Old Boy ’79 Neil Martin served as guest speaker at the Sydney reunion, with the event also marking the inaugural presentation of the Old Boys’ Association medal for service to the community. An initiative recognising significant contributions by Old Boys to the BGS community, the medal was awarded to two distinguished Old Boys; David Malouf AO for the gift of his personal art collection to the School; and Simon Fenwick for his support of a bursary in perpetuity for a regional or Indigenous student in financial need.
Melbourne Reunion | Wednesday 7 September Class of 1966 Reunion | Saturday 17 September AISUSA Joint Alumni Lunch in San Francisco (BGS, BGGS, Newington) | Sunday 25 September Class of 1956 Reunion | Thursday 29 September AISUSA Cocktail Party NYC | Friday 30 September If you want to join or organise a reunion, contact Advancement and Community Relations on +61 7 3834 5322 or email communityrelations@brisbanegrammar.com.
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President Vice President Hon Treasurer Secretary
The Class of 1945 also got together for their annual reunion at the Botanical Gardens restaurant at Mt Coot-tha.
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SYDNEY REUNION
1945 REUNION HONG KONG REUNION
PERTH REUNION
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TEACHING INNOVATION
// SPREADING ACCESS TO SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHS
I
n March, in an Australian-first collaboration between a university and school, UQx from The University of Queensland and Brisbane Grammar School launched a new free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) called QUERY101x Question Everything: Scientific Thinking in Real Life.
teachers, working in partnership with a university,” he said. “The learning innovation and the collaboration with UQ to create the course, is a perfect example of BGS sharing expertise with students globally and is something we are extremely proud to be a part of.” Head of Physics Noel Chan, who worked on the MOOC, said the course offered a stimulating yet authentic learning experience, encouraging learners to go beyond the classroom.
Focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects, the MOOC was developed by a team of BGS Maths and Science teachers and online learning specialists from UQ, and will be open to a global audience. Along with developing the course content, the eight BGS staff members working on the MOOC were joined by four BGS students for the filming of the course.
“From the beginning, we felt the need for students to be involved in creating the resources for the course because we want participants to feel that they are part of the BGS learning experience,” she said. “The motivating factor for the teachers involved was to see progress in students’ STEM capabilities and to help them become science-literate and critical-thinking citizens.”
Headmaster Anthony Micallef said the development of the MOOC supported the School’s aspirations to be an international leader in teaching and learning innovations.
Ms Chan said the authentic student involvement and interaction in the course provided a different aspect to the usual MOOC, where lecturers or experts deliver content via video segments or written text.
“QUERY101x Question Everything is a new venture for BGS and is the first MOOC of its kind in Australia, designed for high school students by high school
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Brisbane Grammar School students Ashmit Vyas, Ash Loganathan, and Noah Porceddu with Head of Physics Noel Chan, discuss the outcomes of their experiment on acceleration due to gravity.
One of the BGS students involved, Josh Grice said curiosity or questioning everything played a fundamental role in progress, especially within the scientific discipline. “All great discoveries come from curious thinkers, whose refusal to simply accept the way things are and willingness to challenge current understandings sets them apart,” he said. “Albert Einstein once reflected ‘I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious’, and it is this motivation towards critical inquiry that leads to revolutionary breakthroughs and is necessarily integral to the study of science.”
UQ Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Joanne Wright said the course revolutionised how universities engaged with secondary school students, challenging students to ‘question everything’ using Maths and Science to solve everyday problems across eight modules of experiments and activities. “This gives them the skills to understand when and how to ask important scientific questions, and develops essential skills for studying at secondary school level and beyond.” Professor Wright said the MOOC was creating new opportunities for students interested in STEM subjects. “The teaching excellence of Brisbane Grammar School is now accessible to all high school students in Queensland and across the globe.”
Fellow student Ashmit Vyas, also filmed as part of the MOOC, highlighted STEM subjects as vital in today’s ever-changing world. “An extensive knowledge base in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths is at the foundation of one’s ability to solve problems that not only affect society today, but also those which will arise in the future,” he said.
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“It is vital that all students, wherever they are, have access to innovative STEM teaching and the career opportunities that follow.”
HIS FUTURE // LEARN2LEAD: CREATING FUTURE LEADERS AT BGS
L
eadership is an integral part of holistic development at Brisbane Grammar School and has been a key strand in the student wellbeing curriculum since 2010. The School’s strategic plan also targets student leadership, further highlighting its significance at BGS.
special events in the Middle School. Each class was assigned a particular national/world event and entrusted with the responsibility of bringing it to the Middle School community. Two events took place in term 1: International Women’s Day on Tuesday 8 March, led by 8F and the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence on Friday 18 March, led by 8D.
To have a student leadership model of integrity, there needs to be opportunities for all students. Authentic leadership is not just about speeches and badges, but about being role models and active, spirited members of the community, who serve others with humility, grace, kindness and selflessness.
On International Women’s Day, the students of 8F presented a flower accompanied by a carefully written message to every female Middle School staff member. Exemplifying leadership as service, 8D hosted a barbecue for the National Day of Action Against Bullying.
The student wellbeing curriculum introduced an action-based program in Years 7 to 9 called Learn2Lead. Underpinning the program are three guiding principles: • • •
In both instances, students upheld the guiding principles of Learn2Lead, as every boy in each class was involved. Leading others could only be achieved through motivation, organisation, and self-regulation.
every boy can lead first lead self, then lead others leadership is action, not position.
A feature of the program this year was the commencement of the Year 8 project to recognise
2016 Learn2Lead Events 8 March
International Women’s Day
8F
18 March
National Day of Action Against Bullying
8D
1 May World Laughter Day 8C 5 June World Environment Day 8A 7 August
International Day of Friendship
8G
8 September RU OK Day 8I 10 October
World Mental Health Day
8B
13 November World Kindness Day 8H 19 November
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International Men’s Day
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8E
// THE IMPORTANCE OF FORM SENIORS
T
he role of Form Seniors at Brisbane Grammar School is one of the most significant and busy leadership positions on campus. In addition to a demanding senior studies program, the selected seniors adopt a multitude of duties and responsibilities.
Often their very presence, availability and willingness to listen, makes a profound difference to students on their BGS journey. When asked why they applied for the position, most Form Seniors explain it was because they remembered a Form Senior who left a positive and indelible mark on their school life.
Leadership is one of the five key School values, as well as a form of service, with boys taught to self-lead, before eventually progressing to leading others. The unique Form Senior concept connects Middle School students with Senior School students.
From a young student’s perspective, Form Seniors are often big brother figures who they admire and emulate. Such a program of inter-year peer support is one of the cornerstones of the School’s collective student wellbeing.
Form Seniors are the eyes and ears on the ground. Whether it be with their young charges at a sports training session, a touch football game on the oval, or during scheduled downtime in the classroom each week, the Year 12 mentors gain valuable insights into their boys.
Developing leaders at BGS – A BGS student can develop his leadership knowledge and skills as he moves through the School. The teaching of leadership is part of the student wellbeing curriculum and is supported by an action based program in Years 7 to 9 called Learn2Lead. The older students have the opportunity to be part of leadership forums in Australia and overseas, as well as opportunities for Year 12 students to lead.
Many Form Seniors go above and beyond expectations, setting an example by jumping off the leap of faith at the Moogerah Outdoor Centre, organising and running lunchtime activities and helping the younger boys.
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BGS ART SHOW
// FEATURED ARTIST COLLEY WHISSON
C
olley Whisson is a modern impressionist and a very generous man. He not only shares his artistic vision of the world on canvas, he also shares his passion and knowledge of the process through various teaching mediums. The author of two books, Whisson also leads painting workshops worldwide and – in a most modern way – has his own instructional YouTube channel.
and development process, and has recently begun using Photoshop to improve his raw reference material. Whisson cites Australian impressionist Sir Arthur Streeton, Swedish portraitist Anders Zorn, Australian watercolorist Harold Herbert and American realist Richard Schmid among his artistic influences, while his exclusive use of archival oils and recent use of Photoshop reveals a thoroughly modern approach.
Whisson spent his childhood north of Brisbane where he developed a deep appreciation for the bush, spending his time “observing nature, colour, light and movement”. Still living in the region, he continues to be inspired by the natural and built environment.
Using a textural rendering technique that employs a bright colour palette, he applies bold, visible brush strokes with both vigour and delicateness, while observing the built and natural environments with equal sensitivity.
Fifty-year-old Whisson, a third generation artist, has been painting since 1986. His father, Eric, was a successful full-time artist who also dedicated his time to teaching private art lessons. “My father gave me my early technical training, but I was determined to find my own individual approach,” he said.
There’s a nostalgic, gentle quality to Whisson’s work that belies the fierce physicality of his act of painting that can be seen in his instructional YouTube videos. “I’m aiming to tell a visual story with clarity and sophistication but I’m also driven to distort and abstract the image as much as possible while still maintaining a realistic image.”
“I was fortunate to find my artistic voice very early on in my journey, so each time I return to my easel I’m continuing the fight to master my chosen medium. I try to allow the subject to choose me. The main attraction usually makes itself evident quite early,” he said.
Whisson’s art has been featured in magazines including International Artist and Australian Artist and works are held in private and public collections in Australia and worldwide. Closest to home, his works are held at the Pine Rivers Art Gallery and the Redland Bay Art Gallery.
Working on hardboard that he carefully prepares himself, Whisson likes to have a direct response to the subject, “whether in my studio or outdoors, taking in the most important aspects that I feel that the painting requires.” With many years of formulating his method, Whisson now uses plein air painting more as a research
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BGS Art Show – Friday 5 August 2016
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GENERATIONS
// THE FANCUTT TENNIS LEGACY AT BGS
T
he Fancutt name is synonymous with tennis at Brisbane Grammar School, dating back to the 1960s, when husband and wife team Trevor and Daphne opened the famous Fancutts Tennis Centre and coached at schools all over Brisbane.
“Even at a young age BGS tennis featured in these experiences as Dad would often have his school players at the centre. I remember watching Dad coach a young BGS boy named Geoff Masters who went on to win the Wimbledon doubles championship.”
The renowned tennis pair were professionals on the tour through the 1950s, with Trevor a doubles grand slam champion and Davis Cup player for South Africa. After retiring and becoming coaches, Trevor soon established a home at BGS in 1963, guiding the First IV to an incredible 19 GPS tennis premierships in a little over two decades.
As players at the School and now as coaches, the Fancutt brothers have combined for 25 premiership wins. Charlie was part of an incredible five premiership wins as a student, while Michael and Chris had two each. Michael said coaching still gives him great enjoyment. “I love coaching at BGS, the boys are so enthusiastic and hungry to learn,” he said. “It is so exciting and rewarding to try and get the best out of a team of young players.”
After Trevor stepped down, the Fancutt legacy continued through his sons, Michael ’77, Charlie ’76 and Chris ’83. The Old Boy brothers dominated the tennis scene at school, state, and national level. Like their parents, all three have the proud distinction of playing in the main draw at Wimbledon, with Charlie taking down the mighty Ivan Lendl in five sets at the 1981 Wimbledon Championships.
BGS holds a special place in the hearts of the Fancutt brothers, from being students together to now working together, their time at the School is something they are very proud of.
“We have a long, proud relationship and history with Wimbledon,” BGS Director of Tennis Michael said. “We are the only family in the world to have all five members play in the main draw.”
Chris’ son Tom graduated from BGS in 2013 and continued the lofty Fancutt standards, as the number one player in three BGS premiership winning teams and now playing on the ATP professional tour.
After successful playing careers, the Fancutt trio went on to coaching careers around the world and at BGS, and can often be seen coaching on adjacent courts.
Michael said he was hopeful Tom could become the fourth BGS Old Boy from the Fancutt family to play at Wimbledon.
If you have a generational story please email it to grammarnews@brisbanegrammar.com.
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GIVING BACK // PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING
// THANK YOU
A
ll 1700 Brisbane Grammar School boys benefit from the generosity of our community. The $1.82M raised in 2015 has provided much needed funds for ongoing enhancement of infrastructure, including modernising traditional classrooms and creating social spaces, purchasing sporting equipment and providing bursaries for students in financial need. Currently over 70 extraordinary young men whose families are experiencing financial difficulties are now benefitting from a BGS education.
Brisbane Grammar School Old Boys have long been giving back to new generations of BGS students, offering real life experiences to boys deciding on which career paths to embark on. This year the BGS Old Boys’ Association Committee plan to host a network of like-minded Old Boys through a series of professional development events for young alumni. The inaugural BGSOBA Professional Networking evening, focusing on the legal profession, was held on Tuesday 22 March at the DLA Piper offices in Brisbane.
Your generous and ongoing donations towards the education of a boy is an investment for current and future generations.
Hosted by BGS Old Boy ’89 Paul Baxter, the successful event had 50 Old Boys in attendance. The occasion was designed to connect young Old Boys who are current law students with Old Boys who have already established themselves as solicitors, barristers, and judges.
In 2015, our community, parents past and present, staff and Old Boys gave generously.
2015 RAISED
Keep an eye out in the future for the next professional networking event.
$1.82M
GIFTS
549
DONORS
309
If you would like to discuss a gift please contact Advancement and Community Relations communityrelations@brisbanegrammar.com or +61 7 3834 5322. All contributions are taxdeductible.
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THANK YOU
We are very fortunate of the support received from our community and their ongoing commitment to help us nurture current and future generations’ of boys.
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FOUNDATION DAY
O 1868.
n Friday 26 February the School celebrated Foundation Day and the 148th anniversary of the foundation of the School on 29 February
rounder. Grenning started at the School in 1913 after winning the Lilley Gold Medal for the best result in the state scholarship exam. He excelled academically – was dux of the lower school in 1914 and dux of the School in 1917 – and was a strong advocate for his peers on the student representative committee for three years. On the sporting field he also shone as a member of the First rugby for four years and First cricket team for three years, he also won the shooting championship in his senior year.
This year’s guest speaker (a senior medical officer with the Royal Australian Navy and social policy maker in public health) Old Boy ’01 Dr Michel Bonning, gave an inspiring speech on the triumph of character over talent. Dr Bonning challenged the current generation of BGS boys to not only make school an opportunity for self-improvement, but also to aim to make society a better place through empathy and altruism and to be advocates for what matters in life: to be men of character who contribute to their communities.
After graduating from BGS he went on to graduate from The University of Queensland, before earning a Rhodes scholarship to Oxford, to study forestry. He established an international reputation for his work in forestry and was instrumental in leading the plantation of 40,000 hectares of forest in Queensland and lobbying government to include islands within the Barrier Reef National Park estate.
“I am optimistic that in valuing contribution and building character, the future will establish Australia as a great country and allow us to shed our moniker as just a lucky country. This optimism stems from the service, social responsibility and empathy that you and young men and women around the country demonstrate. BGS has a long tradition of service to the community and I challenge you to grow that legacy.”
Grenning returned to BGS as a School Trustee from 1942 to 1968 and Chairman of the Board between 1946 and 1952, and gave many years of service to the place that shaped his attitudes during his formative years.
Headmaster Anthony Micallef spoke about BGS’ first, second and third headmasters, Thomas Harlin, Reginald Heber Roe and Frederick Bousfield. “All shaped the School’s philosophy and crafted its values. Their efforts are important pieces in the fabric of the School,” he said.
Victor Grenning’s story is one of thousands of young BGS men who have gone on to do remarkable things for their communities.
Mr Micallef then spoke of Old Boy Victor Grenning, considered by many as the quintessential BGS all-
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// FOUNDATION DAY SCHOLARSHIPS
// AUSTRALIA DAY HONOURS
T
B
he Foundation Day assembly is an occasion to emphasise the School’s historical commitment to scholarships and bursaries. This year the School recognised the accomplishments of three outstanding graduates from the Class of 2015, and acknowledged those in Years 7 who entered the School on trustees’ scholarships or recipients of a bursary to assist them with their first year at the School. The three Foundation Day Scholarships reminds BGS boys of the pioneers from the School’s past: the longest-serving and most significant head R. H. Roe; the first Rhodes Scholar A. S. Roe; and A. J. Mason who taught at BGS from 1889 to 1940: • • •
R.H. Roe Scholarship – Jack Eadie A.S. Roe Scholarship – Sam Eadie A. J. Mason Scholarship – Tom Fitzgerald
All three graduates have commenced undergraduate degrees at The University of Queensland.
If you want to contribute to future scholarships and bursaries contact Advancement and Community Relations via communityrelations@brisbanegrammar.com
GS would like to acknowledge the latest Old Boys to receive Australia Day honours.
Dr Patel BGS Old Boy ’59 Dr Thakordass Patel was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community for a range of volunteer roles. The Fijian born Dr Patel is a well-respected and much-loved GP and actively participates in many community roles, such as the Rotary Club, Indian Cultural Association and Interplast. “What an honour to be chosen for the prestigious award,” he said. “Of course I’m not going to rest on my laurels. I have a seven-day working week and I am not planning on retirement despite my 78 years.” Dr Patel is not new to awards, having won the Ethnic Service Award, Citizen of the Year Award from Brisbane City Council, Australian General Medical Practitioners Award, Paul Harris Fellowship Rotary Award, and life membership of Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO). Dr Patel is also known for his fundraising efforts as Chairman of the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund to support research into specific health issues. Neil Summerson BGS Old Boy ’65 Neil Summerson was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the finance, commerce and business sectors, to the arts and to the community. Proud of the achievement, Summerson traces his involvement in community service back many decades. “Since our 20s my wife and I were interested in giving back to the community and have always enjoyed it. You get out of life what you put in,” he said. The former president of the BGS Old Boys’ Association and longtime chartered accountant has spent much of his life giving his time and expertise to further arts, education and charitable organisations. As treasurer of the Queensland Ballet Company from 1979 to 1993, Mr Summerson helped turn the struggling arts company into a success, paving the way for it to reach the heights it has today. He also chaired a committee that worked with the Lord Mayor to establish the Museum of Brisbane. Mr Summerson was co-founder of InTouch, an organisation that helped quadriplegics and paraplegics. His list of charitable achievements goes on, including working with the Cancer Research Foundation, St Andrew’s Hospital, and the Queensland University of Technology Foundation. / 37
REFLECTIONS // TRUCE WITH THE ENEMY Vivien Harris | School Archivist
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saved.
chance encounter between a BGS Old Boy and a former fellow prisoner-of-war on opposite sides of a bloody conflict led to countless lives being
training to be a pilot at Victoria’s Point Cook RAAF base in 1935. He then joined the RAF and rose through the ranks to become a squadron-leader by 1940 and later a wing-commander.
In late October 1945 Old Boy and Wing-Commander Alan Douglas Groom ’31 was stationed at the Royal Air Force headquarters with the 49th Indian Infantry Brigade in the port city of Surabaya in Java. At the time, uncontrolled mobs and Indonesian forces were attacking detachments of Indian troops and British officers. It was a very challenging political situation, with small parties of men being butchered while trying to escape.
At the time of his death he was a group captain. He was killed on 23 August 1956 at the age of 43 when the RAF De Havilland Vampire jet fighter he was flying crashed in the north of Wales.
As Groom could speak Indonesian and knew of the freedom movement, he volunteered to act as liaison officer in the conflict. At one point 2000 Indonesians were attacking a small body of Allied troops, who were almost out of ammunition. After approaching the Indonesians he was greeted warmly by his former Javanese-Communist inmate from a Japanese prison camp, who persuaded the others to trust Groom and cease firing. Groom risked his life time and again over 36 hours, when he was attacked while moving unarmed from area to area to bring several engagements to a close, thereby ending a massacre. He also played a significant negotiating role with local leaders to ensure the Indonesian Republican police evacuated the brigade headquarters. Groom was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, which stated that ‘by his sustained gallantry and resolution he saved many lives and set an example that was an inspiration to all’. He is listed on the World War II Honour Board in the BGS Great Hall and there is a plaque in memory of him in the War Memorial Library.
Alan Groom (top left standing) attended BGS from 1927-1931, where he excelled at rowing and was regarded as ‘public spirited’, qualities also attributed to his older brother Thomas Reginald who was at the School from 1920-1924 and later became Lord Mayor of Brisbane from 1955-1961.
Groom had been captured in Java during the war in 1942. He refused to succumb to the enemy when tortured repeatedly for information, suffering from the worst excesses of Japanese incarceration as a semistarved prisoner-of-war. He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment when accused of attempting to escape. A Dutch colonel in the prison camp who witnessed the cruelty said Alan was the bravest man he had ever met.
Former foreign editor of the Sydney Morning Herald, David Jenkins, said Groom’s role in the truce between Indonesian and British leaders will be documented in a history he is writing about the events in Java in 1945.
Flying was Groom’s lifelong passion. He was the first Queenslander to receive the Sword of Honour while
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// THE BIRTH OF SCHOOL SPIRIT Helen Penrose | BGS Sesquicentenary Historian
D
uring his headmastership Reginald Heber Roe (1876–1909) introduced a set of cultural traditions which created a strong and pervasive school spirit. He harnessed school sport and cadets to cultivate the qualities of manliness, patriotism, loyalty and school unity, all of which were the essence of school spirit.
achievements and published carefully selected accounts about local and international events. Expressions of loyalty to the colony of Queensland’s patriotic support for the Boer War was present in many issues between 1899 and 1902 and included letters from and news of Old Boys’ war service and heroic deeds. Similarly, the School’s immense joy was recorded in an article about Queensland’s first winner of the Rhodes Scholarship in 1904, who happened to be the Headmaster’s son, Stanley Roe.
Regular competitions in rugby, tennis, cricket and athletics were played against other Queensland schools and by the early 1900s a healthy rivalry was established with Maryborough Grammar. After a few false starts, rowing was fostered in earnest from 1887, because he understood the lessons it taught boys about teamwork and duty for the honour of the School. Boxing, introduced in 1903, provided an opportunity for boys to learn manly self-defence skills and self-discipline.
Considerable space was also devoted in the magazine to the formation of the Old Boys’ Association in 1898. Championed by Reginald Roe to strengthen school spirit and pride, he served as its first president. He regarded the association’s establishment as the School’s greatest achievement that year.
Participation in cadets was favoured for its development of physical prowess, good health and chivalric values of loyalty, honour and bravery. Reginald Roe walked the talk and led the cadets as Officer Commanding, from its establishment in 1878. By 1901, during the Boer War, two-thirds of the School joined the corps. It was regularly seen around Brisbane participating in important vice regal occasions, volunteer defence force parades and sham fights.
The rifle shooting team’s victories in 1903 and 1907 in the Empire Rifle Shooting Contest combined all of the aspects of school spirit that Reginald Roe wanted for BGS: loyalty to and honour for the School through participation in a manly, patriotic activity. To outstrip schools in the southern colonies as well as those in England merited much celebration. When Reginald Roe left BGS in 1909, a thriving school spirit was among his most important legacies.
From the first edition of the Brisbane Grammar School Magazine in 1898, the publication became the most important vehicle to celebrate success in all areas of school life. It encouraged boys’ pride in their
If you have an interesting story about the history of BGS please email it to grammarnews@brisbanegrammar.com.
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grammar news winter 2016 www.brisbanegrammar.com