Debra Ogston – Principal

Junior School in Term 4

Term 4 is always a positive and busy time in the Junior School, filled with special events and opportunities for all our students. This term is full of rich new learning, excitement and celebration.

As we approach the final weeks of the school year, we encourage all the Junior School students to continue demonstrating our school values in the classroom, on the playground, at camp, out in our community and during performances such as our end-of-year concert. It has been wonderful to see the enthusiasm and growth shown by so many of our students over the last few weeks.

Prep Transition 2026

One of the highlights of Term 4 is our Prep Transition Program. We were delighted to welcome our 2026 Prep students to both campuses, where they explored their new learning environments, met teachers, and began forming new friendships.

We also recently hosted our annual Prep Parent Information Evenings, providing families with an opportunity to learn more about Bacchus Marsh Grammar and how we will support their children as they begin their learning journey with us.

Key Dates 2026 Prep Reception and Prep 

• Thursday 29 and Friday 30 January 2026 – School Readiness Meetings
• Monday 2 February 2026 – First Day of School (Full day)

We look forward to welcoming our youngest learners, proudly dressed in their school uniforms, as they begin their first day of school and officially join the Bacchus Marsh Grammar community.

Junior School Leaders and House Leaders 2026 

We would like to thank all students who submitted applications for the 2026 Junior School Leadership positions. The quality of applications was outstanding, reflecting our Junior School students’ enthusiasm and commitment to our school values of confidence, leadership and ambition.

Our Junior School Leaders and House Leaders for 2026 will be announced at the End of Term Junior School Assembly. We look forward to celebrating the efforts of all applicants and acknowledging our new student leaders for the year ahead.

Melanie Morton – Assistant Principal: Head of Junior School (Maddingley)

Maddingley

Prep

Year 1 Beach Camp at Anglesea

Last week, our Maddingley Year 1 students had an exciting and memorable day at the Anglesea Beach Camp. This experience provided a fantastic opportunity for students to enjoy a safe beach environment while building confidence, teamwork and resilience.

Throughout the day, students took part in a range of fun and engaging activities. They worked in teams during the carry and fill activity, racing to move water and fill their bucket first. Students created amazing sandcastles and imaginative beach designs, and they enjoyed a variety of beach games, including bean bag toss, digging challenges and crawling under a low beach pole. A highlight for many was the tug of war, where the students had a great time challenging their teachers to a friendly competition in the sand.

Students also enjoyed exploring the sand with their hands and feet, discovering different textures and creating patterns, tunnels and shapes as they played.

The students showed wonderful teamwork and enthusiasm. We are so proud of the way they encouraged one another, tried new challenges and represented our school with pride. Well done to our Year 1 learners for embracing this beach adventure with such excitement and positivity!

Sandra Spriggs – Head of Year 1

Woodlea

Woodlea Prep to Year 2 Fun Run

Our youngest students had an amazing time at the Prep to Year 2 Fun Run on Friday 24 October! The event was filled with smiles, energy and plenty of colour as students ran, cheered and supported one another around the course.

It was wonderful to see our school values in action – confidence as students gave it their best effort, discipline as they paced themselves to reach the finish line, kindness as they encouraged their friends and ambition as they set goals and pushed through to the end.

Most importantly, everyone had fun and celebrated being active together as part of our Junior School community.

Click here to see all photos from this event!

 Sally Savic – Assistant Principal: Head of Junior School (Woodlea)

Prep Incursions Bring Learning to Life

Our Prep students recently took part in two engaging incursions that brought their classroom learning to life in hands-on and exciting ways.

Toy Science
As part of our Global Studies unit, students explored the fascinating world of toys and the materials used to make them. They investigated why toys are created from specific materials such as wood, plastic and metal, and how these choices affect durability and movement. Through interactive stations including a wooden toy table, plastic toy table and electronics station, students examined how different toys move and function. They also discussed how toys have evolved over time, adapting to new technologies and changing materials. The session was filled with curiosity and discovery as students experimented, played, and shared their ideas with enthusiasm.

The Flying Bookworm Theatre Company
Linking to our Narrative Writing unit, the Flying Bookworm Theatre Company visited the Prep classrooms to perform lively adaptations of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Jack and the Beanstalk, and The Gingerbread Man. Students were thrilled to be part of the action, joining in as characters and helping to retell the stories. The performance was filled with laughter and excitement, and the experience provided a wonderful springboard for further classroom learning. Back in class, students discussed the characters, settings, problems and solutions from each story, deepening their understanding of narrative structure in an engaging and memorable way.

Warwick Grinter – Head of Year: Prep (Woodlea)

Maddingley

Middle School Assembly Highlights Student Success

This week’s Middle School Assembly was a vibrant celebration of student achievement, with a special focus on the recent ICCES Tour and other notable accomplishments.

ICCES Tour – Coaches Awards

We proudly recognised the following students for their outstanding performances and sportsmanship:

• Cricket (7/8 Boys): Arjun M
• Cricket (7–10 Girls): Sehaj D
• Golf (7–10 Mixed): Harvey L
• Softball (7/8 Boys): Xavier S
• Volleyball (7/8 Boys): Vivaan S
• Volleyball (7/8 Girls): Ruby S

ICCES Shields – Team Champions

Congratulations to our students who contributed to BMG’s success in the following events:

• Junior Boys Cricket: Vivaan O
• Open Girls Cricket: Sehaj D
• Junior Boys Tennis: Akki K
• Junior Girls Volleyball: Ruby S

ICCES Trophy

We are thrilled to announce that Bacchus Marsh Grammar was awarded the ICCES Trophy, recognising our overall excellence across the competition.

Compass Award – Level 1

We also celebrated students who have demonstrated commitment and growth through the Compass Award program:

• Tahlia B
• Rishm J

These achievements are a testament to the dedication, talent and spirit of our Middle School students. Whether on the field, court or in the classroom, they continue to inspire us with their enthusiasm and determination. We are incredibly proud of the young people who represent our school with such pride and integrity. What a wonderful group of students we have at BMG!

Scott Bayne – Assistant Principal: Head of Middle School (Maddingley)

Year 8 Indigenous Day at Staughton Vale

Year 8 students had a great couple of days at Staughton Vale recently, learning about Australian Indigenous culture. They participated in a range of activities from bush medicine to bush foods, traditional textile dyeing, Indigenous games, and landscape painting. In a thought-provoking history lesson, they also reflected on the impacts of colonisation.

Each day commenced with an Acknowledgement of Country before breaking out into morning and afternoon activities. Students were excited to select activities that reflected their interests.

“I went to Staughton Vale on Friday and it was really fun! We chose two activities for the day and did them in groups. I picked bush foods and textiles which I really enjoyed. We baked scones with wattle seeds, something I haven’t tried before and they tasted delicious. I also learnt the indigenous ways of dyeing fabric and made a silk scarf.” – Jia P 8H

Bush medicine students went on a walk to see medicinal plants on the property, learning about traditional and modern uses for these plants. In the science room, they saw how some medicinal preparations are made and prepared a poultice.

Bush foods was a very popular choice, students tasted native honey, herbs and spices used in sweet and savoury cookery, explored the Indigenous kitchen garden, made wattle seed scones with honey and cream, and a lemon myrtle beverage.

Students interested in the History and Geography of Western Victoria, explored how it was shaped by Indigenous people and changed through colonisation. On a walk to the Observation Deck, they reflected on early paintings of the region, the impact of pastoral leases and freehold land, introduced species and disease, and the loss of cultural practices.

Indigenous games got students active and having fun as they learning about games played by Indigenous people. Students played Marn-grook, Kai-wed, Mill-im baey-eetch, Parn-do and Wog-gab-a-lir-i.

Textiles, also a very popular choice, saw students learn how to apply traditional bush dye techniques to colour textiles. They collected flowers and foliage from around the

property for their creations and stepped through the process of dyeing their silk scarves in a natural gum leaf dye. The results were amazing!

Landscape painting students explored the work of indigenous artists, the art of painting from a ‘bird’s eye perspective’ and created landscape paintings inspired by the beauty of Country and their own connection to it.

Lots of new skills and fun for everyone, including the teachers!

Kimone Stacey-Missen – Project Officer/Science Assistant

Woodlea

Future Problem Solving Program

Future Problem Solving Program Australia teaches students problem solving strategies, collaboration, critical and creative thinking, and effective communication. This year the following Year 5 Woodlea students entered into the Community Problem Solving category with their Bush Tucker Project: Vedant S, Addison C, Sophie M, Jai D, Joydeep H, Kara G, Jasmine S, Nicola P and Aarav N. The students focused on raising awareness about bush tucker and Aboriginal herbs in the school community. Their aim was to introduce people to Aboriginal cuisine and to raise an understanding of bush tucker, which is readily available to people in Australia, resulting in awareness and protection of products such as Bunya nut, dessert lime, finger lime, Ruby saltbush and lemon myrtle.

After being chosen as a national finalist for Victoria, Vedant, Addison, Sophie and Jai (together with their coach Ms Ann Adams) were able to present their project to fellow finalists and their families at the 2025 Future Problem Solving National Finals held on 17th to 19th October in Sydney. We are extremely proud to announce that the students secured 3rd place, receiving a bronze medallion in the Junior Division and accepted a trophy on behalf of the team and school. Congratulations to Ms Adams and the Year 5 students on their remarkable achievements and their meaningful contribution to raising awareness of Indigenous culture.

Melissa Dunat – Deputy Head of Middle School (Woodlea)

I had the privilege of representing our school at the Future Problem Solvers competition which was hosted in Sydney this year. Through the community service co-curricular, we worked on our Bush Tucker project. It was this project that we got to enter in the Team Community Problem Solving Junior Division of the competition.

On the Saturday, we got to set up our project display and then got to speak to the public about our project. I really enjoyed this experience of being able to talk to people because it got me out of my comfort zone and I got to teach people all about bush tucker. That afternoon, we got to present to the judges. I was really nervous, but they were really lovely. On the Sunday, we got our results and we came third which was a great feeling! I am really proud of our team and a big thank you to Mrs Adams and Mr Bram for their support!

Sophie M – 5WD

Unit 1&2 Biology Werribee Zoo Excursion

Both Maddingley and Woodlea VCE Biology Unit 1&2 students recently participated in an excursion to Werribee Open Range Zoo. This excursion provided an opportunity to investigate structural, physiological and behavioural adaptations of the animals observed and explore bioethical considerations of biological research through fieldwork conducted on the day.

Students investigated ecosystem interdependencies, including the critical role of keystone species, and considered how Aboriginal cultural practices contribute to species conservation through their fieldwork surrounding the Eastern Barred Bandicoot. They also examined the adaptations that enable organisms to survive in challenging environments by identifying theses in the animals at the zoo.

Overall, students from both campuses engaged in a fun filled day applying their classroom learning to real-world contexts within the natural environment. This experience allowed them to explore the practical implications of scientific concepts on ecosystems and biodiversity.

Sarah Thomson – Head of Science (Maddingley)

Maddingley

Year 10 Inspire Program – The Man Cave & Enlighten Education

As part of the Year 10 Inspire Program, our students recently participated in two outstanding wellbeing workshops, The Man Cave for the boys and Enlighten Education for the girls. Both experiences provided valuable opportunities for personal growth, reflection and connection as students continued to develop key life skills and self-awareness.

The Man Cave facilitators delivered a powerful and engaging session that encouraged our boys to reflect on positive masculinity, emotional intelligence and respectful relationships. Through honest discussions and interactive activities, they explored what it means to build confidence, empathy, and authentic connections with others.

Our girls worked with Danni from Enlighten Education, who brought incredible warmth and energy to her presentation. The session focused on empowerment, self-worth, friendships and resilience, inspiring the girls to embrace their individuality and feel confident in who they are.

“Today was amazing: it was such a fun and empowering session! This was definitely one of the best Inspire lesson’s we’ve had. I especially enjoyed the first session where we all had nice things to tell each other and the segment about loving ourselves. I now look to love my body, to spread kindness, to be grateful and a lot more about consent and relationships.”

“The man cave really helped me and my fellow peers learn a valuable lesson of how as men it’s important to talk to people about how we feel and what’s going but we also learned how important it is to take the time to listen to others. In my group they helped create a safe environment free of judging where everyone was able to comfortably talk and give their input on things. I think this experience changed the mindsets of a lot of the boys and also allowed me to see a different side of people who I have known for years. Overall, this workshop had a really positive effect on the way the boys in our year level view men’s mental health and made a change in the way we will approach people if we need help.”

Both sessions were highlights of the Inspire Program, with students praising the openness, relevance, and positive impact of the day. We thank both organisations for their outstanding work in supporting the wellbeing and personal development of our Year 10 cohort.

Tenielle Brown – Deputy Head of Senior School (Maddingley Campus)

Smith Family Donation

On Friday 31 October, Tutor Group 10B held a sausage sizzle to help raise money for the smith family foundation. The Smith family works towards helping young children receive access to a good education across Australia. As a school community, we have raised over $1000 for the Smith Family Foundation. We’d like to thank everyone who contributed to our fundraiser including everyone who helped out on the day, as well as anyone who bought a sausage.

Abbey C – 10B

Jump Rope for the Heart

As part of the Year 10 Service and Leadership program, we in 10D have been working towards raising awareness about Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and The Heart Foundation. CVD is a general term for conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels, encompassing heart disease, stroke and other vascular conditions. The Heart Foundation is a non-profit organisation that aims to promote heart health by encouraging balanced nutrition, regular physical activity and routine medical check-ups.

To help achieve this goal, we ran an event called Jump Rope for the Heart, where we challenged students across all three sub-schools to either skip 50 times in a row or for

as long as possible without stopping. These events ran on the 6, 11 and 13 November during lunchtimes and were a huge success. We loved seeing so many students participate (especially those in the Junior School) and having a great time while taking positive action towards positive heart health.

We’d like to thank everyone who participated and encourage everyone to keep up their cardio workouts (maybe go out and buy or borrow a skipping rope)!

10D Students

Year 11 Physics

This term, our Unit 1&2 physics students have taken charge of their own learning by designing and conducting original experiments.

From investigating motion and energy transfer, magnetism and harmonic motion, students have applied scientific inquiry to test their own hypotheses. Every year in our VCE science subjects, students bring science to life through curiosity, experimentation and discovery.

You can see the original ideas and experiments the students have completed in the photos below

Sarah Thomson – Head of Science (Maddingley)

Karl Wild – Teacher

Woodlea

Student Success in ISV Arts Learning Festival Poetry Competition

We are proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of two of our Year 10 students who were recognised in the Independent Schools Victoria (ISV) Arts Learning Festival 2025 Student Poetry Competition.

Nabihah S (10WA) was selected as a finalist for her poem “The Black Swan”. Her work was featured on the official Arts Learning Festival website and recognised among the finest entries from schools across Victoria. Click here to read her poem.

Arshiya H (10WA) received an Honourable Mention for her beautiful and thoughtful contribution. Click here to access the website.

Congratulations to both Nabihah and Arshiya on their impressive achievements!

Nicole Heywood – Assistant Principal: Head of Senior School (Woodlea)

Gel Electrophoresis Experiment

This week, our Science lab transformed into a symphony of colour, curiosity and amazement. We didn’t just run an experiment, we watched science come alive. In our practical on “Restriction Digestion and Analysis of Lambda DNA (Gel Electrophoresis)”, we explored one of biology’s most fascinating techniques, gel electrophoresis. Instead of using actual DNA, we used vividly coloured dyes to represent DNA fragments, allowing us to see how molecules move and separate.

Firstly, gel electrophoresis is a laboratory technique used to separate molecules, usually DNA, RNA, or proteins, based on their size and electrical charge. The word “electrophoresis” means “to carry with electricity.” Here’s how it works: scientists place samples (like DNA fragments which have been multiplied through PCR) into small wells in a gel made from agarose. When an electric current is applied, the molecules move through the gel, smaller fragments travel faster and farther, while larger fragments move more slowly. Because DNA has a negative charge, it moves towards the positive end of the gel. After a set amount of time, the molecules separate into distinct bands, which can then be seen using special dyes or UV light. Each band represents fragments of different sizes, like a molecular barcode that tells scientists about the structure of the DNA sample.

To begin with, as we prepared our gels, the classroom buzzed with excitement. Carefully, we pipetted tiny droplets of either red, blue, green, and pink dye into the wells, each colour symbolising a different DNA sample. Each group only had one colour of dye, and we used multiple trials of that dye to see if our experiment was controlled and fair. When we switched on the electrophoresis chamber, an invisible force, electricity, came to life. Slowly, our colourful samples began to drift through the gel, each group’s hue taking its own unique path. Some dyes raced quickly toward the opposite end, while others lingered behind, their movements reflecting the differences in molecular size and charge. It was as if each colour had its own personality, dancing across the gel. Our school’s theme, Joy, resonated through every step of this experiment. We found joy in collaboration, helping each other steady the pipette and share ideas. We found joy in patience, waiting and watching as colours migrated through the gel. And most of all, we found joy in understanding how even the smallest fragments can create something extraordinary when viewed with curiosity and imagination. By the end, our gels displayed our split fragments, symbolising both scientific achievement and human creativity. What began as a lesson in restriction digestion became something far more meaningful. Science can be serious, but it can also be playful, expressive, and joyful.

Here are some student quotes:

“I really enjoyed this gel electrophoresis practical especially after learning about it for a while and finding the topic so interesting. Knowing the concepts behind separating DNA fragments for purposes like paternity testing and forensic science, has been really fun to learn with my peers.” – Aqsa A 9WB

“I enjoyed looking at how the gel electrophoresis processes worked and how the ink spread through the agar and I learnt how to inject the ink into the machine.” – Bhavya S 9WC

Twisha M – 9WD

Astronomy Update

We are excited to share some images of NGC 253 captured from the new observatory at Staughton Vale!

Located approximately 11.4 million light-years from Earth, NGC 253 is one of the brightest spiral galaxies visible from the Southern Hemisphere. It is commonly referred to as the Sculptor Galaxy, named after its parent constellation, the Silver Dollar Galaxy, a nickname inspired by its round, luminous appearance through a telescope. Scientifically, it is classified as a starburst galaxy, meaning it is undergoing an exceptionally high rate of star formation.

The observatory captured multiple images of the galaxy, including two raw frames intended for scientific analysis and a processed, stacked image that reveals the galaxy’s stunning structure and detail. The stacked image combines several exposures to enhance clarity and contrast.

The ability to observe and study galaxies millions of light-years away brings a new element to our science curriculum and opens exciting opportunities for learning in astronomy.

Sarah Thomson – Head of Science (Maddingley)

Karl Wild – Teacher

Student Poetry Competition

Bacchus Marsh Grammar students have achieved outstanding success in the 2025 Independent Schools Victoria Student Poetry Competition, with a remarkable range of entries recognised across written poetry and performance categories. This year’s theme of gratitude inspired more than 1300 student submissions, making these achievements especially impressive.

We are delighted to congratulate Neev J (1B), whose poem My Magical Car Ride was awarded winner in the written poetry category. Alongside this exceptional result, several other students received honourable mentions for their thoughtful and creative work:

• Isabella (4F) for Animal Classes
• Myra G (4C) for Sounds of Instruments – Haiku
• Ryan B (8C) for Voices in Colour
• Sachee S (8H) for Only When It’s Goodbye
• Sai P (7A) for You’ve Reached Sam
• Arshiya H (10WA) for Solitary Dove

We also celebrate our talented finalists whose pieces stood out for their originality and expressive power:

• Myra M (4WD) for her performance piece My Gratitude Diary
• Shaurya J (3B) for the performance piece Heroes of the Ocean
• Nabihah S (10WA) for her written poem The Black Swan

These results reflect the strength of our students’ ideas, the creativity they bring to their work and the care they invest in their writing and performances.

Click here to read Neev’s winning poem

Click here to access the Student Poetry Competition Page

Nicole Heywood – Assistant Principal: Head of Senior School (Woodlea)

Corah Barker – Teacher

New French exchange with Lycée Notre Dame Saint-Sigisbert in Nancy, France.

From the 14 to 25 October Bacchus Marsh Grammar played host to a group of ten students and their two accompanying teachers from France. This is new a new link which has been forged with our sister school in Nancy, France, and October’s visit was the French school’s first visit to Australia.

During their time here our guest’s spent time kangaroo watching at Staughton Vale, had a guided tour of Melbourne CBD and the Old Melbourne Gaol, and spent two days discovering the natural beauty of the Victorian coastline.

Our French guests attended classes with their host student, and whilst onsite had the opportunity to try their hand at making Anzac biscuits, Fairy Bread and Milo! Of course, we couldn’t let them do all this without plying them with that great Aussie staple – Tim Tams. (The original version, of course.) A massive thank you goes out to everyone who helped make this short stay so successful and memorable for both sides.

Here are a couple of quotes from our host families:

“We thoroughly enjoyed having our guest, and it was a fantastic opportunity to show them the tourist spots of Melbourne which we do not often realise are on our doorstep”

“Our family really enjoyed the opportunity to open out house to a French student. We were able to show them our family life, a mixture of Australia and our own traditions. This is certainly something which help to break down stereotypes and make for a better world all round”

“I am deeply and truly grateful for the generosity and warmth which was shown by our families to all our guests during their short stay. Without this generosity, such trips could not go ahead. These are the kinds of opportunities which Bacchus Marsh Grammar wishes to provide, and I personally feel that such trips open the door to life-long friendships, as well as an appreciation of other cultures and languages” said Mrs Ogston, Principal.

It is anticipated that senior school students of French will have the opportunity to take part in the return visit to Nancy which is pencilled in for March 2026. Keep a look out for information and return your Expressions of Interest as soon as possible!

Duncan Malcolm – Head of Faculty: Languages (Maddingley)

Congratulations to our Garden Champions!

We’re thrilled to celebrate the students who participated in this year’s annual Bacchus Marsh Flower & Garden Show, held the weekend of 24 October. Each week at the Maddingley Raised Garden Beds, the students and staff of our Junior Produce & Landcare Club have been growing a vibrant array of vegetables – peas, carrots, beetroot and more.

Their efforts were rewarded with certificates and merits across several categories. What’s more, we’re proud to announce that for the second year in a row one of our students took out the “Best in Class – Photography” Award!

Entries were further bolstered by produce and floral arrangements from our Staughton Vale Campus, alongside additional staff-independent entries, highlighting our school’s strong commitment to horticultural practices and our continued success in this area.

The local community was delighted to see horticulture being adopted into the school curriculum and were excited to share that a representative from the Royal Horticultural Society of Victoria (RHSV) is now keen to visit our school to meet the successful students and explore our future horticulture pathway. And it was great to see so many

staff and students attending the community event throughout the weekend.

Interested in joining in next year? Make sure you visit the Co-Curricular Club every Friday and get involved, you could be the next winner!

The award winners were,

• Jaden V – 1st Place and Best in Section (Photography)
• Divjot S – 1st Place (Vegetables)
• Gurkeerat K – 2nd Place (Carrots)
• Mannreet S – 2nd Place (Peas)
• Staughton Vale Campus – 2nd Place (Mixed Citrus)
• Staughton Vale Campus – 2nd Place (Broccoli)
• Staughton Vale Campus – 2nd Place (Australian Natives)
• Ayansh G – 3rd Place (Carrots)
• Harbin K – 3rd Place (Peas)
• Luke G – 3rd Place (Mixed Citrus)
• Staughton Vale Campus – 3rd Place (Silverbeet)
• Andrea F – Highly Commended (Colouring)
• Harshimi E – Highly Commended (Colouring)
• Emerson P – Highly Commended (Colouring)

David Gorton – Head of Campus (Staughton Vale)

The Great BMG Sunflower competition returns for 2025

Over the next few weeks, look out for some of our youngest horticulturalists taking part in the annual sunflower challenge. From Prep to Grade 4, students from both Maddingley and Woodlea will be nurturing a class seedling until the end of the school year.

At Bacchus Marsh Grammar, the sunflower has become a symbol of growth, positivity, and community. Much like the sunflower turns toward the sun, our students are encouraged to seek knowledge and new opportunities for learning. The sunflower also reflects our strong connection to the environment through programs at the Staughton Vale Campus, where students engage in hands-on horticulture, sustainability, and Landcare activities. Bright, resilient, and full of life, the sunflower represents the optimism and ongoing growth that define the BMG community.

We also hope to share the competition across our wider community towards the end of the school year.

Good luck to all of our participants.

David Gorton – Head of Campus (Staughton Vale)

Maddingley

Maddingley Exam Timetable – Semester 2 2025

Pink Day

Pink Day was a wonderful opportunity for our school to come together in support of Breast Cancer awareness. It was fantastic to see so many students proudly wearing pink accessories, showing their support for this important cause.

The highlight of the day was the Pink Cricket events held across Junior, Middle and Senior School. These activities not only brought fun and friendly competition but also helped unite students from all year levels in a shared purpose.

A special shout out goes to our Year 10 and 11 students who played a vital role in organising and running the day’s events. Their dedication and leadership made the day run smoothly and ensured everyone had a great time.

Overall, Pink Day was a meaningful reminder of the power of community and the importance of supporting those affected by Breast Cancer.

Ainslee Grinter – Head of Year 10 (Maddingley)

Woodlea

Woodlea in Concert

On Wednesday 29 October, the stage of the Clocktower Centre came alive as over 90 talented performing arts students took part in the inaugural Woodlea in Concert. This landmark event was a radiant celebration of creativity, growth and community spirit.

Audiences were treated to 18 captivating performances, showcasing the breadth and depth of our students’ talents – from expressive vocal, piano, flute and dance soloists to the dynamic String Ensemble, Middle School Band, and imaginative vocal and dance collaborations. Each act was a testament to the dedication, passion and artistic flair nurtured within our school.

Performing Arts Captains, Mackenzie S and Tharul A, led the evening with poise and pride, guiding the audience through the program while sharing heartfelt reflections on the evolution of the performing arts at Woodlea since its beginnings in 2019.

From the focused dress rehearsal to the final curtain call, which brought all participating students together on stage, the sense of camaraderie was evident as students exchanged quiet encouragement and shared in each other’s success.

A heartfelt thank you goes to our dedicated Performing Arts staff across both the Maddingley and Woodlea campuses. Their unwavering support, professionalism and teamwork made this event not only possible but unforgettable.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our parent community – your support and presence made the night truly special.

And to every student who took the stage – congratulations. You were inspiring, courageous and touched the hearts of everyone in the audience.

Click here to see all photos from this event.

Suzanne Kinsella – Head of Faculty: Music (Woodlea)

Woodlea Students Represent at the Aintree Remembrance Service

On Sunday 2 November, Bacchus Marsh Grammar students proudly represented our school community at the Remembrance Service held at Aintree. Two students, Kushpreet K and Kosheen P delivered moving speeches they had developed to honour the fallen soldiers and to reflect on the enduring impact of their service in shaping the freedoms and values we enjoy today. Their words demonstrated deep respect and understanding of the importance of remembrance in our everyday lives.

Following the speeches, a student from each sub-school laid a wreath on behalf of Bacchus Marsh Grammar to commemorate those who served and sacrificed for our nation. As a community, we then joined together in a moment of reflection during the playing of The Last Post and united in singing the National Anthem.

Many community representatives, including local organisations, families, and veterans, were in attendance to pay their respects. Bacchus Marsh Grammar values these opportunities for students to engage meaningfully with local commemorations and to demonstrate the school’s ongoing commitment to respect, gratitude, and community connection.

Courtney Williams – Deputy Head of Junior School (Woodlea)

Visual Arts

A huge congratulations to all our Junior School students for their incredible, blue-themed artworks that were showcased at this year’s Royal Melbourne Show. Each piece reflected creativity, effort and a wonderful sense of imagination. We are so proud of the way our young artists represented our school through their artistic talents.

A special mention goes to Srishti P, who received Second Prize, Ira D, who received Third Prize, and Anaya S, who was awarded Very Highly Commended for her beautiful artwork. These wonderful achievements are a testament to their creativity, effort and dedication to their art.

We also celebrated our annual Art Show, where stunning artworks from the Junior, Middle and Senior School were proudly displayed. The exhibition was a vibrant showcase of colour, creativity and skill, with each student contributing something unique and inspiring. It was wonderful to see families and our school community come together to celebrate the artistic achievements of our students.

Well done to everyone for making this year’s art celebrations such a success!

Lucinda Degiorgio – Teacher

Angela Ryder – Teacher

Alison Thompson – Teacher

Art Show

On October 22 and 23, the Woodlea Campus hosted the 2025 Art Show, where we celebrated the creativity and achievements of our students across all year levels in the Visual Arts. It was fantastic to see families, students and staff come together to view and appreciate the work on display.

I would like to extend my gratitude to our Visual Arts staff: Danielle Houghton, Nicole Heywood, Lucinda Degiorgio, Angela Ryder, Vanessa Kamcev and Alison Thompson. Their tireless work throughout the whole year ensured that the exhibition ran as well as it did. Thank you also to Courtney Williams for her support with the Junior School displays, and to Sinisha Zdero for his ongoing assistance throughout the setup and event. I’d also like to acknowledge the many staff who contributed behind the scenes – your support is greatly appreciated.

Last but not least, congratulations to our students. The Art Show highlighted your imagination and artistic growth. We are incredibly proud of your work.

Click here to see all the photos from this event.

Anthony Cunsolo – Head of Faculty: Visual Arts (Woodlea)

The Great BMG Sunflower Competition returns for 2025

Over the next few weeks, look out for some of our youngest horticulturalists taking part in the annual Sunflower Challenge. From Prep to Grade 4, students from both Maddingley and Woodlea will be nurturing a class seedling until the end of the school year.

At Bacchus Marsh Grammar, the sunflower has become a symbol of growth, positivity and community. Much like the sunflower turns toward the sun, our students are encouraged to seek knowledge and new opportunities for learning. The sunflower also reflects our strong connection to the environment through programs at the Staughton Vale Campus, where students engage in hands-on horticulture, sustainability, and Landcare activities. Bright, resilient and full of life, the sunflower represents the optimism and ongoing growth that define the BMG community.

We also hope to share the competition across our wider community towards the end of the school year.

Good luck to all of our participants.

David Gorton – Head of Campus (Staughton Vale)

Success at OSIC Competition

We are delighted to celebrate the outstanding achievements of Micah (Year 11F), who continues to excel in the world of piano performance.

Micah has received a prestigious invitation from Professor Jerry Wong, Associate Professor of Music and Head of Piano and Keyboard at the University of Melbourne, to perform in a piano masterclass at the Ian Potter Southbank Centre. The masterclass will be led by renowned Russian concert pianist, lecturer and 2008 Sydney International Piano Competition winner, Konstantin Shamray.

Adding to this success, Micah secured 2nd place representing Bacchus Marsh Grammar at the 2025 Oz Schools Instrumental Championships – Pianoforte Section (State Finals Round – Senior Secondary Division, Years 10-12) on Saturday 11 October.

This impressive result has earned Micah a coveted spot in the National Finals, where he will compete against the 10 best pianists from across Australia in the Year 10-12 category later this year.

We congratulate Micah on these remarkable achievements and wish him every success in the upcoming National Finals.

Aaron Marshall – Learning Area Coordinator: Music (Maddingley)

Maddingley

Victorian All Schools Track and Field Championships

Over the past two weekends, a dedicated group of BMG students have represented the school at the 2025 Victorian All Schools Track and Field Championships, held at Lakeside Stadium. Our athletes showed outstanding resilience and commitment as they competed against some of the best young athletes in Victoria.

A special congratulations goes to Leila S (10F) and Myah E (9I), who became our first state medallists of the event.

· Leila S (10F) – 1st High Jump / 1st 200m / 3rd 100m

· Myah E (9B) – 3rd High Jump

A massive congratulations to both Leila and Myah for their outstanding results at the event, and to the additional BMG athletes who represented the school with great pride, many of whom achieved personal bests in their respective events.

We wish Leila all the best for the National Championships this December and look forward to hearing of her success!

Please note that entry for this event is on a voluntary basis by Parents/Guardians and students, and is not organised by BMG, although students are permitted to represent the school.

Matt Harris – Sport & House Administrator/BMPSSA Competition

Chantelle Estlick – Teacher

Victorian Schools Mountain Bike Orienteering Champions

On Monday 27 October, eight Bacchus Marsh Grammar students represented the school at the Victorian Schools Mountain Bike Orienteering Competition, held at Woodlands Historic Park.

The event challenged students to combine physical endurance with navigation skills as they tackled a series of mapped control points across the park’s trails and bushland.

A special congratulations goes to both Riley P and Gus O, who achieved exceptional results, placing 2nd and 3rd overall in a highly competitive field.

Well done to all participants for representing the school in this fun and challenging inter-school’s event.

Daine Johnston – Teacher

Sport Results – State Athletics Finals

On Thursday 6 November, Harbin K (5B) represented Bacchus Marsh Grammar at the State Athletics Finals held at Lakeside Stadium.

Harbin competed in the Year 9/10 Girls 1500m Final and produced an outstanding performance, finishing in an impressive 6th place.

This is a fantastic achievement and caps off what has been a very successful year of sport for Harbin. We look forward to seeing her continue to excel in 2026!

Sport Achievement – Chelsea R & Rose A

Chelsea R (6A) recently represented Victoria as the goalkeeper for the VIC Blue team at the National School Sports Tournament held in Ballarat last week. Demonstrating exceptional skill and composure in goal, Chelsea helped her team to a second-place finish overall, remarkably conceding only two goals across the entire tournament.

Adding to her impressive sporting accomplishments, Chelsea has also accepted an offer to join Football Victoria’s U13 NPL team next year as their goalkeeper.

This is a fantastic achievement and a reflection of Chelsea’s dedication, talent and hard work. Congratulations Chelsea on your continued success and bright future playing football.

Rose A (8C) earlier in Term 3 represented the AIF (Australian International Football) on an international tour of Spain.

Rose competed against strong opposition from across Europe, gaining invaluable experience and insight into the international level of play. While the Victorian team didn’t record a win during the tournament, the experience proved to be an incredible opportunity for Rose’s development as a player, both on and off the field.

We commend Rose on her commitment, effort and positive attitude throughout the tour and look forward to seeing her continued growth and success in the years ahead. Well done Rose!

 

Book Club News November 2025

With Christmas fast approaching here is the chance to purchase some great books as gifts for your family and friends.

Issues 8 of the Scholastic Book Club catalogue is available to order from.

Click here to go to the ‘How to order’ page.

Click here to be taken directly to the issue page to place an order with the option to order from Issues 7 and 8.

Click here to access Teacher Essentials

Click here to access School Essentials

And click here to access Student Book Club

Diane Dunn (Maddingley Campus)

Feona West (Woodlea Campus) – Scholastic Book Club Coordinators

Supporting your child through examinations

As the end of the year fast approaches, students will begin preparing for the end of semester exams. Many students will be experiencing a range of emotions and may find this time of year particularly stressful. It is important to remember that not all stress is bad, and a healthy level of stress can be motivating! If you notice that your young person is already feeling the pressure, you can support them in a number of ways. As a parent or guardian, you can encourage your child to sleep and eat well, have a quiet and clean study space, manage distractions, stay active and most importantly be there to listen as they ride the emotional wave.

Click here to visit kidshelpline.

or Click here to find out how you can be supporting your young person through their exams.

Social media age restrictions and your family.

From December 10, 2025, various social media platforms will be inaccessible to children under the age of 16. These age restrictions are likely to apply to social media apps such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, X and YouTube. These changes are coming into effect to support our young people with their social and emotional development, and to help them with building positive and healthy relationships offline. Bacchus Marsh Grammar is committed to enhancing the wellbeing of our students and our work to support them navigate the online world safely and positively will continue.

We would like to encourage families to have conversations with their children about these upcoming changes and how it may impact them.

Click here for further information about these new restrictions and guidance around supporting your child’s online wellbeing, please visit the eSafety Commissioner’s website by clicking here

Student Wellbeing Team

ICAS Update – Certificates have arrived!

Attention: Students/Parents (Years 2 to10)

For those students who participated in ICAS in August, certificates have arrived for distribution.

These certificates contain login details “TAP ID and Pin”, for parents to access their child’s results portal. Use these details to enter the Results Portal. The TAP ID and Pin from previous years can access 2025 results. Year 2 students will have to wait for the certificate details or contact ICAS directly to access the “TAP ID and Pin”.

The Administration team will work through distribution of these in the coming fortnight, dependent on available resources.

For those students in Years 2 to 6, certificates will be distributed by classroom teachers. For students in Years 7 to 10, certificates will be posted from the Maddingley Campus. We thank families for their patience.

Casey Ryder – Executive Assistant: Maddingley

Year 7 and Year 9 2027 Academic Scholarship Program

Registrations are now open for the 2027 Scholarship Program for students entering Year 7 and Year 9 in 2027.

Students entering Years 8, 10, 11 and 12 in 2027, if eligible, may apply for the Norman, Callow or Indigenous Scholarships.

The Scholarship Exam will be held on Saturday 28 February 2026

The Closing Date for registrations is Friday 13 February 2026

Click here to register for the Scholarship Program.

Second Hand Uniform & Textbooks

We are pleased to advise that Bacchus Marsh Grammar is working with “Second Hand School Specialists” (4 Beauford Avenue, Bell Post Hill / Geelong) for selling BMG Second Hand Uniforms and Textbooks.

A second-hand stall will be held on:

Maddingley Campus

Friday 28 November (Year 7 2026 Orientation Day)

8:30am to 5:00pm

Level 1, John Leaver Gymnasium

Access via Gate 1

Payment on the day is by cash or card (Visa / Mastercard with no surcharge).

A date for a Second Hand Uniform & Textbook Sale at Woodlea to be announced

Uniforms and some textbooks will be available for purchase (cash or card). Most uniforms and current textbooks, if in Very Good condition, are sold for around half the new price. Lists of some items with prices will be posted on Second Hand School Specialists Facebook page in the fortnight before the stall.

For any queries, do contact Second Hand School Specialists on 0422 402 458 (text 24/7, or phone during business hours).

Parents are also welcome to bring in uniforms or textbooks for sale on consignment on the day (Please note due to office renovations there is no capacity to store uniform or books before this date). Please ensure that all consignments are in bags labelled with your name, child’s name, mobile number and bank account details (BSB, account number and account name). You do not need to label every item. Non-BMG uniforms, old House Polo shirts, old editions of textbooks or stationery cannot be accepted.

Vendors receive 55% of the sale price after items are sold. Payment is by bank transfer. Anything not sold will be kept for sale at subsequent sales. Nothing is thrown out or given away without notifying you.

Michelle Graham – Director of Administration

2026 Annual Acknowledgement

BMG families were emailed on 11 November 2025 advising of the 2026 School Fee Schedule and release of the 2026 Business Notice.

All parents/guardians associated to a student at the school are required to complete the Annual Acknowledgement that has now been emailed via Edsmart. The Annual Acknowledgement needs to be signed and submitted by Wednesday 3 December 2025.

If you are requiring any assistance completing the Annual Acknowledgement, please contact Administration on (03) 5366 4800.

Term Dates

Both the 2025 and 2026 Term Dates are published on the school’s website. 

Events Calendar

All upcoming events feature on the Schoolbox Calendar for both students and parents/guardians to view.

Uniform Shop

Uniform information and shop business hours for both the Maddingley Campus Onsite Shop and Rushfords in Werribee are listed on the school’s website.

Please note that uniforms can also be purchased by clicking here

Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) – The Y Ballarat

The Y Ballarat operates the Out of School Hours Care at Bacchus Marsh Grammar.  Enrolments are completed online. For full information please visit the School’s website.

Email: chrissie.ashmore@yballarat.org.au
Phone: 0490 178 638
Website: https://yballarat.org.au/

Maddingley	Woodlea
maddingley.oshc@yballarat.org.au	woodlea.oshc@yballarat.org.au
0438 154 842	0490 490 362

Regular Contacts

Maddingley Campus	Woodlea Campus	Woodlea Early Learning Centre
South Maddingley Road Bacchus Marsh VIC 3340	111 Frontier Avenue Aintree VIC 3336	111 Frontier Avenue Aintree VIC 3336
P +61 3 5366 4800 F +61 3 5366 4850	P +61 3 5366 4900 F +61 3 5366 4950	P +61 3 5366 4999 F +61 3 5366 4850

General School Email: school@bmg.vic.edu.au

Exciting Youth Market & Performance Opportunity for Students

We are excited to invite your students to participate in our Youth Market & Youth Twilight Stage event happening at The Village Green, 197 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh, on Thursday December 11, 2025, from 5-7 PM.

Youth Market

Students can explore and showcase their creativity through:

• Amazing accessories
• One-of-a-kind jewellery
• Handcrafted art
• The options are endless

Youth Twilight Stage Performance: This is a fantastic opportunity for students who love to perform, whether they sing, play an instrument, are part of a band, or simply enjoy being on stage. We would love for them to showcase their talents in front of a supportive community audience.

We would greatly appreciate it if you could share this opportunity with your students or let us know if you have any students who stand out and might be interested in participating. It’s a wonderful way for young people to gain confidence, experience and community recognition.

For more information or to register performers, please contact us or I have attached the flyer to this email.

Thank you for helping us support local youth talent, we hope to see your student’s shine!

Moorabool Shire Council

Bacchus Marsh/Darley & surrounds Auskick and Superkick Program

• Where: Darley Civic & Community Hub Oval, Darley
• Date: 4 weeks on Thursdays starting the 20th of November
• Time: 4:30pm – 5:30pm
• Ages: 4-12
• Offerings: Mixed and All Girls groups for Auskick and Superkick Programs
• Price: $55
  • Click here for Auskick registration
  • Click here for Superkick registration