The Value of Discipline

As Professor Kristján Kristjánsson notes in Aristotelian Character Education:

“Schools will naturally be seen to have a responsibility to cultivate the virtues, to define and list the virtues to be prioritised, and then subsequently integrate them into teaching and learning.”

At Bacchus Marsh Grammar, this responsibility sits at the heart of what we do. Through our Character Education program, our eight school values, and the everyday expectations we set, we aim to help our students develop strong character and virtuous habits.

Of course, character education extends well beyond a list of values. Each day, our students engage with others, face choices, and learn to make the right decisions at the right time and for the right reasons. In many ways, this reflects the Aristotelian concept of the “Golden Mean,” the idea that virtue lies in finding the balanced middle ground between excess and deficiency. By helping students develop the judgement to find this balance, we support them on their journey to flourish in society.

One value that has been particularly evident in recent weeks is discipline. When our school community was invited to reflect on the values that matter most, discipline was one of the most commonly identified by parents. Aristotle viewed discipline not as restriction, but as the foundation for achieving virtue, excellence, and ultimately freedom. Through consistent actions and self-control, character is formed.

At Bacchus Marsh Grammar, this self-discipline is often demonstrated through everyday expectations such as wearing the uniform correctly, wearing blazers to and from school, maintaining appropriate grooming standards, and not using mobile phones during the school day. While these expectations may seem simple, they play an important role in helping students develop the habits that underpin strong character.

As I often say to our students, if we break character down to its simplest form, it is about doing the right thing. Excellence is not an act, but a habit formed through what we repeatedly do.

I encourage all students to continue applying the self-discipline required to build their character, contribute positively to the Bacchus Marsh Grammar community, and flourish within society. I also thank our families for their continued support in this important work.

Andrew Perks – Deputy Principal: Culture and Character Education

Attendance and Lateness

Regular school attendance and arriving on time each day play a vital role in your child’s academic success and overall development.

When students arrive at school on time, they begin the day calmly, participate in morning routines, and are prepared to learn from the very first lesson. Arriving just a few minutes late can cause a child to miss important instructions, classroom discussions, upcoming events and information and opportunities to connect with their peers.

Daily attendance is just as important. When students miss days, it becomes harder to stay on track with classwork, homework and assessment tasks. Over time, these absences can create noticeable learning gaps.

Being present also helps students develop our core school values and character traits. These skills will benefit them throughout their educational journey and in life generally.

If your family is facing challenges that affect attendance or lateness, please make contact with your child’s Tutor Group teacher or relevant Head of Year.

Danielle Copeman – Head of Campus (Woodlea)
Andrew Pate – Head of Campus (Maddingley)

School Value of Respect

In the Junior School, respect is one of our core values and guides how we learn, work and interact with one another each day. Respect helps create a positive, safe and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and ready to succeed.

A simple way students can demonstrate respect is through the way they wear their school uniform. Wearing the uniform correctly shows pride in the school and a commitment to being part of the school community. Students are expected to arrive neatly presented, with shirts tucked in, their uniform worn correctly and ready for learning.

Respect is also demonstrated in many other ways across the school. Students show respect when they:

• listen carefully when others are speaking.
• show kindness towards their classmates.
• follow instructions from teachers and staff.
• take care of school property and learning spaces.
• arrive to class prepared and ready to learn.

Show respect for the school environment by caring for the gardens, placing rubbish in bins, staying on the pathways and avoiding walking through our beautiful garden beds.
By practising respect in these ways, students help build a school culture. Together, through these everyday actions, we strengthen our community and support a positive environment for learning.

Please Label All Student Items

To help ensure that misplaced belongings can be quickly returned to their owners, we kindly ask all parents to clearly label all student items. This includes lunch boxes, drink bottles, hats, jackets, jumpers, and any other personal belongings brought to school.

When items are clearly labelled with a child’s name, it allows staff to easily identify the owner if the item becomes misplaced or is found around the school. Unfortunately, many items that are not labelled are difficult to return and often remain unclaimed in lost property.

Taking a few moments to label your child’s belongings can make a big difference in helping us reunite students with their items and reducing the amount of lost property at school.
Thank you for your support and cooperation.

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

Reading at Home

All Junior School classes have established a home reading routine and are sending home a range of reading material.

To become skilled and proficient readers, children need to be exposed to different texts to develop the various skills in Word Recognition and Language Comprehension. Therefore, reading at home should include reading a range of materials to support and develop these skills.

Reading to Build Skills in Word Recognition

Reading at home should include books and words your child can read independently. In the early stages, children are learning letters and sounds and how letters represent those sounds. Nightly reading involves practising these letters and sounds regularly to help build confidence and accuracy.

As your child becomes more confident, they will begin reading single words, then short phrases and sentences. It is important that they continue revising previously learnt sounds and words each night.

Once your child has a strong understanding of letter–sound relationships, they will read decodable books. These books are carefully chosen to match what your child has been taught, allowing them to practise blending sounds to read words independently. Reading each decodable book several times helps build fluency and automaticity.

Decodable texts are designed to support your child in developing strong word reading skills so they can confidently move on to enjoying a wide range of quality literature.

Reading to Build Language Comprehension

Quality literature, including rich and authentic texts, helps children build their vocabulary, background knowledge, sentence understanding and comprehension skills. These books may be selected by your child’s teacher or chosen from the classroom library.

While your child is still learning letter–sound relationships and developing their decoding skills, these books should be read aloud to them. Listening to complex stories supports language development and understanding, even before they can read them independently.

Once your child can confidently decode a wide range of words, including more complex spelling patterns, they can begin reading these books on their own.
Reading quality literature, whether independently or being read to, helps foster a love of reading and supports overall literacy development.

Talking about Reading

A key part of developing strong reading skills is having rich discussions about books. Talking with your child about what they are reading helps build their understanding, vocabulary and overall comprehension.

Ask your child questions about the text, including ones that require them to recall information directly from the story. You can also discuss new or interesting words, talk about their meanings and encourage your child to explain their thinking. These conversations help deepen understanding and strengthen language skills.

Ashleigh Durham – Deputy Head of Junior School (Maddingley)
Aimee La Franchi – Deputy Head of Junior School (Woodlea)

Maddingley

Prep Reception Welcomes Our School Captains

As part of our Family and Community unit, our Prep Reception students recently welcomed the School Captains into their classroom. Throughout this unit, students have been meeting members of the school community and learning about the important roles they play in helping our school thrive. These visits help our youngest learners build a strong sense of belonging and confidence as they begin their learning journey.

We extend our sincere thanks to Micah, Connie, Kieran and Mekah for spending time with the class. The captains proudly showed their badges and blazers, helped students practise spelling their names, and spoke about their responsibilities, aspirations and our school values.

The Prep Reception students discovered that the student who finishes at the top of their grade is called the dux. The children were delighted to realise this sounds just like “ducks” — and many are now very keen to be “ducks” one day!

We are fortunate at BMG to have such outstanding student leaders. Our School Captains demonstrated kindness, confidence and pride in their school, and our Prep Reception students loved learning from them. Next, the class is looking forward to visiting the Maddingley School Café as they continue building connections within the Bacchus Marsh Grammar community.

Karlisa Smy – Prep Reception Teacher

Maddingley Prep Goes to Staughton Vale

It might have been a little wet and a whole lot muddy, but what a great day out for our first Staughton Vale adventure for the Maddingley Preps. The day provided a fantastic opportunity for students to explore, discover and connect with the natural environment.

One of the highlights was bird watching, with students observing and identifying a variety of local bird species. This activity encouraged careful listening and observation, with a highlight seeing a flock of pelicans fly over us.

Students also participated in a scavenger hunt, working collaboratively to collect all the colours we could find in our natural surroundings.

The students had a great time weaving with Mrs Cassar, creating some fantastic woollen craft to take home with them as a great keepsake from the day.

During lunch play, students made the most of the open space and sports equipment, enjoying active play with their friend.

A big thank you to Ms Stacey-Missen and all the staff who made our experience so much fun in a beautiful outdoor setting.

Kylie McKerrow – Head of Year: Prep (Maddingley)

Junior Art at Maddingley

Throughout Term 1, students at the Maddingley campus have continued to explore the Elements of Art, with a greater focus on line, shape and texture through a variety of different drawing activities. They have been learning how to add extra detail to their drawings through a range of different methods such as using line and pattern to create implied texture in their images.

Prep Reception students have been experimenting with different ways that they can make lines and marks on their page and have used these different marks to create a self-portrait.

In Prep, students enjoyed reading the story ‘Giraffes can’t dance’ and creating their own artwork inspired by the story.

The Year 1 Students have been learning about the artist Paul Klee, engaging in discussions about many of his art pieces, including his continuous line drawings. The students then had lots of fun creating their own continuous line portraits.

Year 2 students have been drawing cityscapes. They have begun creating collagraphs and scratch foam cities ready to create beautiful prints.

In Year 3 students enjoyed learning about and discussing the different sections of a landscape. They created their own abstract landscapes, using line and pattern to create implied texture in their work.

The Year 4 students have created sea salt turtles, patterning the turtle shells and sprinkling salt over ink to create the effect of texture and movement in the ocean surrounding their turtle.

Junior School Art Team- Maddingley 

Year 2 at Maddingley

This term, our Year 2 students explored the world of counting and patterns, learning everything from skip counting to identifying number sequences. Through engaging activities and challenges, they are developing strong mathematical skills while having fun working with shapes, colours and numbers. Students have participated in a range of hands-on activities such as using bead strings to assist with counting and recognising number patterns.

Alongside this unit, the students have been exploring the concepts of mass, capacity and volume through practical, hands-on learning experiences. Using coloured water, measuring containers and a variety of classroom materials, students have investigated how different amounts can be compared and measured. These interactive activities have helped them develop a deeper understanding of how we measure and describe the space things take up and how much they can hold.

In History & Geography, students explored Ancient India, learning about the Indus Valley civilisation, the Ganges and Indus Rivers and the culture and beliefs of the time. They were introduced to Hinduism and Buddhism, including the teachings of the Buddha and the leadership of King Asoka. Students also explored a traditional Jataka Tale, helping them understand important values such as kindness, generosity and compassion. They learned about Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Through this unit, students began to understand how Ancient India has influenced cultures around the world, including Australia today.

It has been an exciting term so far, filled with learning, exploration and creativity. We can’t wait to see what our Year 2 students will achieve next!

Maddingley Year 2 Team

Junior School Science

Year 1:
The focus for the beginning of Term 1 in Year 1 Science has been:

• Classroom routines and expected behaviour in Science
• Expectations and requirements when participating in experiments inside and outside of the classroom
• Participation in class discussions
• BMG Values instilled in lessons:
• Respect, Discipline, Confidence, Kindness, Ambition, Leadership

This term, students have been investigating the Earth and how it tilts and rotates on an axis. They have explored how it takes twenty-four hours for the Earth to do a full rotation, and it takes an entire year to complete a full revolution. Students have used their knowledge of the Earth’s tilt to gain an understanding of how this impacts seasons. They have been able to explore the four Australian seasons and then looked at the seven corresponding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Seasons.

Year 2 Science:

This term, Year 2 students have explored how the body uses energy from food, beginning with Winnie the Pooh and his “grumbly belly”. They then followed Jason on a hiking adventure to understand the importance of regular nutrition for energy and growth. They are now investigating the digestive system through hands-on activities, learning how food moves through the body, how nutrients support growth and repair and how waste is removed. The term will then conclude with a focus on building a balanced, healthy diet.

Year 3 Science:

Maddingley Year 3 students have been learning about safe laboratory practices to support an effective learning environment, all before beginning their Biological Sciences unit on life cycles, traits and variation. They have explored how animals reproduce (live birth, eggs and metamorphosis) and how plants reproduce through flowers, seeds and spores while creating labelled diagrams and scientific drawings to show stages of growth and development. Students will also research a chosen plant or animal and build a life cycle model, before investigating how traits are inherited and how individuals within a species can be similar yet different. The unit will finish with with a fun experiment, exploring how environmental factors such as light and water affect growth by using Grassheads to observe changes firsthand.

Year 4 Science:

This term, Year 4 students have explored the topic Structure and Function of Living Things, beginning with lab safety and earning their Lab Licences before investigating the structure of celery by using microscopes. They then conducted a hands-on experiment to explore how celery petioles transport water, recording observations and applying the scientific method. Students have also begun learning about the structure and function of the visual and auditory systems, understanding how these help keep us safe. At the end of Term 1, students will participate in an assessment and a celebration of their learning.

Don’t forget to look at the Schoolbox Family Engagement Page for more Junior School news.

Junior School Science Teachers (Maddingley)

Woodlea

Year 3 Highlight

Our Year 3 students had been working hard as they prepared for their first NAPLAN. Over the past weeks, they have been engaging in activities designed to strengthen their reading, writing and numeracy skills, along with building confidence and familiarity with the types of questions they will encounter.

Another key highlight in our classrooms has been paired reading, where students read aloud to a partner and take turns listening and sharing feedback. This activity not only helps to improve fluency and expression, but also encourages students to give and receive constructive feedback in a supportive way. By discussing what went well and suggesting ways to improve, students are developing their critical thinking, communication skills, and a deeper awareness of how to become confident, accurate readers.

Year 3 Teachers

Woodlea Junior School Science

Year 3 Science – Metamorphosis Masters

Year 3 students have been enthusiastically exploring the fascinating world of living things and their characteristics, with a special focus on life cycles. Through hands-on learning and careful observation, students discovered how living things grow and change over time. A highlight of the unit was the incredible moment when the class watched a butterfly emerge from its chrysalis. Students observed the process with great excitement, discussing the stages of the butterfly life cycle and recording their observations like young scientists. Though it was bittersweet, releasing a butterfly we nurtured was the highlight of our term.

In addition to studying insects, students also investigated plant life cycles by growing their own bean plants. Over several days, they watched closely as tiny shoots pushed through the seed casing, and with an exciting wait on when leaves will begin to form. This real-life experience is helping students understand how plants grow and what they need to survive. These engaging activities allowed students to connect scientific ideas with real-world examples, sparking curiosity and a deeper appreciation for the living world around them.

Year 4 Science – Nature’s Recyclers: Spotlighting the Decomposers

Year 4 students have been exploring the important roles that producers, consumers and decomposers play within food chains, developing their understanding of how energy moves through living systems. As part of their investigations, students examined how decomposers break down organic matter and recycle nutrients back into the environment. Through class discussions and hands-on activities, students built their understanding of how different organisms depend on one another for survival and how these relationships help maintain healthy ecosystems. Students have learned about specific food chains related to ‘grassland’ ecosystems, reflective of the area in which the Woodlea campus is nestled in.

A highlight of the unit was a long-term investigation in which students observed how different types of food decomposed under a range of conditions, including varying temperatures, levels of air exposure and comparisons between fresh and dehydrated foods. Students recorded changes over time and discussed how environmental factors can influence the rate of decomposition. This inquiry-based experiment allowed students to think and work like scientists, making observations, identifying patterns and drawing conclusions about how decomposers contribute to the cycling of matter in ecosystem.

Lisa Crossley – Teacher

Maddingley

Connect & Care (C2): Building a Stronger Middle School Community

The Middle School Student Leadership Team recently launched Connect & Care (C2), an initiative designed to strengthen students’ sense of belonging at BMG. The program encourages student leaders to create small but meaningful moments of inclusion during recess and lunch so that every student feels welcomed and part of the school community.

Through C2, Year 6 leaders support students primarily in Years 5 and 6, while Year 8 leaders support students primarily in Years 7 and 8. During breaks, leaders intentionally notice students who may be new, sitting alone, or on the edge of group spaces and offer simple invitations to join a conversation, sit together, or participate in a game.

The initiative has already begun with the aim of making a positive impact. In the first few weeks, student leaders have already connected to multiple students and are here to support and help every single one (in need or not).

Connect & Care highlights the power of simple gestures. A friendly conversation or invitation can make a big difference and help ensure that every student feels seen, included and valued at BMG.
If you need any support, are feeling alone, looking for company or want to discuss something, please feel free to reach out to our leaders.

In the last few weeks, our leaders have connected with over 136 students, offering connection and support. We are sure this will only go from strength to strength with our amazing students and leaders.

Jaithra S – Middle School Captain

Woodlea

Year 5 Science – Built for the Wild: Investigating Nature’s Best Engineering

Year 5 students have been exploring plant and animal adaptations as part of their learning in science, developing their understanding of how living things survive and thrive in different environments. A highlight of the unit was an exciting excursion to the Melbourne Zoo, where students participated in a scavenger hunt and an engaging education session focused on animal adaptations. During the session, students examined a variety of animal skulls to investigate how teeth shape and skull structure reveal clues about an animal’s diet and survival strategies. The visit also included an entertaining bird show, where students observed specialised bird behaviours and physical features that help birds hunt, move and interact with their environments.

Back in the classroom, students continued their investigation of adaptations by exploring how bird beaks are suited to different food sources. Using a range of tools to represent different beak shapes, students tested how effectively they could collect various “foods,” such as seeds or meat and small objects. This hands-on experiment encouraged students to think like scientists by making predictions, testing ideas and discussing how specific physical features help animals meet their needs. Through these engaging experiences, students developed a deeper understanding of how structural adaptations support survival.

Lisa Crossley – Teacher

Unit 3/4 Psychology Incursion

As part of their Area of Study of learning and behaviour, both Maddingley and Woodlea Unit 3/4 Psychology students participated in a unique and engaging incursion presented by Therapy Animals Australia.

During this interactive session, students met Dr Brad Rundle and his highly trained therapy dog, Radar. Dr Rundle demonstrated key concepts from the curriculum, including classical conditioning and operant conditioning, through real-time examples of behaviours that Radar had learned using these principles. Students observed how different learning techniques, such as reinforcement, association and stimulus discrimination, were applied in professional animal training.

This experience provided an invaluable opportunity for students to see theoretical concepts translated into practice. The session not only deepened their understanding of behavioural learning theories, but also highlighted the important role therapy animals play in supporting wellbeing, education and community engagement.

It was an informative, memorable and fun experience for students!

Sarah Thomson – Head of Science (Maddingley)

Maddingley

BMG Chess Team Competes at Werribee Secondary College

On Wednesday 4 of March, students from Year 7 to Year 12 attended the Northern Star Chess Tournament at Werribee Secondary College. Representing Bacchus Marsh Grammar with pride, our players took part in multiple competitive rounds against 10 schools across the region.

The students demonstrated impressive critical thinking, concentration and sportsmanship throughout the day. Congratulations to William S of Year 8 and Reva K of Year 12 for achieving excellent scores and securing a spot in the Secondary Open Regional Final and Secondary Girls Final respectively.

All students are to be commended for their effort and teamwork.

Thank you to the event organisers at Northern Star Chess and involved staff members for supporting the students throughout the day.

Manta Ramgolam – Teacher

Woodlea

2026 Student Leaders Day

The Woodlea Campus proudly celebrates its first year of Service Leaders across both the Middle and Senior School. On Tuesday 3 March, the Woodlea Leaders spent the day at Staughton Vale for the Woodlea Leaders Day. Students in Years 6, 8, 10 and 12 began the day in teams working together on a variety of team-building challenges.

These challenges encouraged students to work on their communication, leadership and teamwork skills in order to successfully achieve their goals. Students reflected on the importance of effective communication within a group setting, enhanced their problem-solving skills and delegated leadership roles within their groups based on each activity. It was amazing to see our Senior

School students provide guidance and support to the Middle School students and respectfully share ideas. All students shared that it was an excellent opportunity to get to know one another and build on their connections across the Middle and Senior School.

In the afternoon, students focused on brainstorming and planning their goals as 2026 leaders. Working in groups based on their leadership roles, they explored was to increase student participation, build house spirit and enhance recognition across the campus. It was a valuable opportunity to amplify the student voice and see our leaders shine in a different context.

We look forward to supporting the students throughout the year in their leadership journey and providing them with the opportunity to leave their mark at BMG.

Melissa Dunat (Deputy Head of Middle School – Woodlea)
Nicole Heywood (Head of Senior School – Woodlea)

Free Parent Resources

It can be challenging to navigate the vast range of information available to parents and carers around managing aspects of your child’s mental health and wellbeing. Resources we share and use within our learning community are from reputable agencies who promote evidence-based resources and programs.

The eSafety Commissioner is one such agency and we continue to encourage you to explore their very user-friendly suite of resources. Despite the changes to access to some social media platforms late last year for under-16s, which further information can be read here, it remains very important to be vigilant around promoting safe interactions online for our young people. The eSafety Commissioner is offering free webinars for parents and caregivers in Term 2 with topics including the online experiences of boys and young men, how AI is influencing new online risks for children and young people, navigating screen time for families and managing friendships, pressure and manipulation online. The eSafety Commissioner website also offers videos, information sheets, activities and other resources on their parent resources page and these are available in a range of languages.

The Butterfly Foundation is another organisation providing evidence-based information to parents and carers. It is the national charity for anyone in Australia impacted by eating disorders and body image issues, as well as the families, friends and communities who support them.

There are so many messages around weight and health it easy to understand why it can be difficult for parents and carers to know how to support their child’s body confidence as they move through childhood and adolescence. The Butterfly Foundation provides resources to parents, carers and families aimed at breaking down myths and misconceptions and equipping care-givers with actionable strategies to support children and young people, those resources can be found here.

We encourage you to explore these sources of high-quality information towards supporting the health and wellbeing of the children and young people in your life.

Student Wellbeing Team 

Maddingley

ICCES Report

On Tuesday 10 March – BMG took over 70 Year 7 – 12 students up to Ballarat for the annual ICCES Swimming, Badminton & Table Tennis Carnivals.

Swimming:

Over 50 students proudly represented BMG at the ICCES Swimming Carnival, showcasing their skills against strong competition from across the association.

Overall Results:
· BMG finished 5th overall
· 3rd – Junior Girls Division
· 3rd – Senior Boys Division

Event Highlights:
There were several outstanding individual and relay performances throughout the day, with multiple students finishing in the top three across a range of events.

· Rodney T (12H) – 1st in Year 11/12 Boys Breaststroke A, 2nd in Freestyle A, and 2nd in Backstroke A
· Matilda J (9B) – 2nd in Year 9 Girls Backstroke A
· Ella M (7E) – 3rd in Year 7 Girls Freestyle A and 3rd in Butterfly A
· Year 7 Boys Medley Relay – 3rd
· Year 8 Girls Medley Relay – 2nd
· Year 9 Girls Freestyle Relay – 3rd
· Year 11/12 Boys Freestyle Relay – 3rd

A special mention goes to Lily M (10B), who attended the Carnival as the Year 10 emergency swimmer. Lily stepped up to compete in the Year 11/12 age group, demonstrating great team spirit and commitment to assist the team across multiple events.

A big thank you to Mr Oldaker and Ms Nicolle (Team Managers) for their organisation and support on the day, as well as Mr Borg, Miss Fenech and Mr Glen for their assistance with the running of the competition.

Badminton:

BMG had 16 students representing the school at the ICCES Badminton event. In what was a fantastic tournament hosted by BMG staff, students were able to showcase their training, preparation and hard work against strong competition from across the association.

Overall Results:
· BMG finished Joint 1st Overall with GVGS
· 1st – Junior Girls Division
· 2nd – Junior Boys Division
· 2nd – Senior Boys Division
· 2nd – Senior Girls Division

It was a terrific team performance across all divisions and a great reflection of the effort students have put into their training.

A big thank you to Mr Perks for his dedication to the Badminton program, his coaching in the lead-up to the event, and for convening the tournament. An additional thank you to Mr De Bortoli for his assistance with the running of the day.

Table Tennis:

BMG had a further 16 students representing the school at the ICCES Table Tennis event. It was a fantastic day, with students demonstrating great skill, commitment and sportsmanship, resulting in a very successful outcome for BMG.

Overall Results:
· BMG finished 2nd overall
· 1st – Senior Boys Division
· 1st – Junior Boys Division
· 2nd – Junior Girls Division
· 3rd – Senior Girls Division

A special mention goes to our Junior Girls team, who performed superbly throughout the day. Unfortunately, they were narrowly beaten for 1st place on a countback, with both teams finishing equal on matches and games. The result ultimately came down to total points scored, where they fell just short by nine points.

Thank you to Mr Harrington for his coaching in the lead-up to the event and his support on the day. We also thank Intern Annalise for her assistance throughout the competition, particularly with scoring for the Senior Girls team.

Matt Harris – Head of Sport

State success sends Leila and Myah to Nationals

We are thrilled to congratulate Leila S of 11F and Myah E of 10B on their outstanding performances at the recent State Track and Field Championships held at Lakeside Stadium. Their impressive podium finishes have earned them automatic qualification for the National Championships.

Competing in the Under 18 age group, Leila delivered a fantastic performance in the High Jump, clearing 1.60m to claim 1st place and the State title. She also showcased her versatility on the track, finishing 3rd in the 200m, rounding off a superb championship.

In the Under 16 division, Myah also achieved excellent results. She leapt 5.13m in the Long Jump to secure 2nd place, before following up with another strong effort in the Triple Jump, recording 10.38m to finish 3rd.

These podium placings have secured both athletes a place at the National Championships which are to be held in Brisbane this April, an incredible achievement and a testament to their hard work and dedication.

We wish Leila and Myah the very best as they prepare to represent their state on the national stage.

Matt Harris – Head of Sport

Freddy and Matilda Compete at the Tasmanian State Championships

Over the recent long weekend, BMG students Freddy C (6B) and Matilda J (9B) travelled to Hobart to compete in the Tasmanian State Long Course Championship which ran from Friday 6 March through to Monday 9 March.

This competition represented a significant step up in competition for Freddy, not only racing against strong swimmers from across the state, but also managing the challenge of swimming multiple events both morning and evening across the four-day meet.

Freddy delivered an outstanding performance, claiming Bronze in the Boys 8–11 Years 100m Backstroke, while also smashing nearly seven seconds off his previous personal best time. He also produced several strong swims across his freestyle and breaststroke events across the weekend, but his backstroke performance was certainly a standout highlight.

Matilda also competed strongly across a busy event schedule, racing in the 100m Freestyle, 100m Breaststroke, 200m Freestyle, 200m Backstroke, 100m Backstroke and 100m Butterfly. Impressively, Matilda achieved personal best times in five of her six events, with the only exception being the 200m Freestyle.

Both students should be congratulated on their fantastic efforts representing their club and demonstrating great dedication and resilience across a demanding competition schedule.

Matt Harris – Head of Sport

Western Ranges Division Swimming Carnival

On Tuesday, 10 March, BMG took 27 students to the Western Ranges Division Swimming Carnival held at Melton Waves.

In what was a fantastic day of competition, our primary-aged BMG students represented the school with great pride and gave their all in the pool.

At the conclusion of the event, five of our students placed either 1st or 2nd in their individual events, qualifying for the Western Metro Regional Swimming Carnival to be held on Tuesday, 31 March.

A big congratulations to the following students, and we wish them all the very best in the next round of competition.

• Ivy C (4D)
• Saanvi P (5A)
• Thomas J (5F)
• Freddy C (6B)
• Lillah R (6B)

Matt Harris – Head of Sport

Mr Glen Completes Ironman New Zealand

Congratulations to Maddingley staff member Mr Glen, who successfully completed the Ironman New Zealand on Saturday, 7 March in the beautiful town of Taupō.
The Ironman is one of the most demanding endurance events in the world, requiring athletes to complete a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle, and a full 42.2km marathon run consecutively.
Mr Glen delivered a fantastic performance across the entire event, recording the following times:

• Swim (3.8km): 1 hour 16 minutes
• Bike (180km): 7 hours 15 minutes
• Run (42.2km): 4 hours 45 minutes

Completing an Ironman is an incredible achievement that requires months of preparation, resilience and determination. We congratulate Mr Glen on this outstanding accomplishment and the commitment it took to reach the finish line.
Well done, Mr Glen!

Matt Harris – Head of Sport

Sport Results – Summer Sport Challenge 2026

On Monday, 16 March, BMG had 57 students from Years 11–12 (along with a couple of additional Year 10 students) represent the school in the second instalment of the Summer Sport Challenge.

This event was created by BMG last year to provide VCE students with an opportunity to represent the school in a friendly summer sports competition. As ICCES Summer Tour is limited to Year 7–10 students in Term 4, this event ensures that our senior students also have the chance to participate in interschool sport during the summer season.

This year, alongside Braemar College, we were pleased to welcome Girton Grammar to the competition.

Across the day, and in conditions that were far from ideal for ‘summer’ sports, students competed in cricket, golf, tennis and volleyball, with all matches held in Bacchus Marsh.

A massive well done and thank you to all students who attended and represented the school with pride throughout the day. We hope this was an enjoyable opportunity and something that continues to be valued within the VCE school calendar.

A further thank you to our dedicated coaches for volunteering their time both in the lead-up to and on the day of the event – Mr McMahon, Mrs Wardell, Mr Glen, Mr Love, Mrs Garner, Mr Oldaker, and our awesome interns who also assisted throughout the day.

Matt Harris – Head of Sport

Woodlea

MPSSA Summer Cup Lightning Preliminary Results

Our students recently competed in the MPSSA Summer Cup Lightning Premiership, representing the school with pride, determination and excellent sportsmanship throughout the day.

Results:

Volleyball – Finished 3rd in their pool
Girls Cricket – Runner Up
Boys Cricket – Winners
Girls Tennis – Winners
Boys Tennis – Winners

Congratulations to all teams for their dedication, teamwork and the effort they put in during preparation and on the day itself. We are very proud of the way all students represented the school.

The Boys Cricket, Girls Tennis, and Boys Tennis teams will now have the opportunity to represent the school at the Divisional level in Term 4. We wish them the best of luck in the next stage of competition.

Evan Long – Head of Faculty: PE (Woodlea)

MPSSA Divisional Swimming Results

A record 24 students represented BMG WDL at the MPSSA Divisional Swimming Competition held at Melton Waves.

Our students produced a strong showing across the day, with a number of excellent performances and multiple podium finishes achieved.

Congratulations to the following students who have qualified for the Western Region Swimming Competition:

• Stella C (6WA) – Breaststroke, Backstroke, and the U/11 Girls Freestyle Relay
• Ira D (5WC) – Freestyle and the U/11 Girls Freestyle Relay
• Charlotte V (6WC) – Backstroke

The U/11 Girls Freestyle Relay Team consists of:
• Alina C (5WC)
• Ariana S (6WD)
• Stella C (6WA)
• Ira D (5WC)

The Western Region Swimming Competition will be held on Tuesday 31st March at Kardinia Aquatic Centre in Geelong.

Good luck to all competitors as they represent BMG WDL at the next stage of competition.

Evan Long – Head of Faculty: PE (Woodlea)

National Eucalypt Day

The Staughton Vale Campus sits within the unique landscape of the Brisbane Ranges National Park, an area renowned for its rich diversity of native eucalypts and on Monday 23 March, we celebrated National Eucalypt Day. These iconic Australian trees form the backbone of the local ecosystem and provide vital habitat for wildlife.

This year’s Eucalypt Australia – Eucalypt of the Year theme, “Our Eucalypt Home”, highlights the important role gum trees play in supporting biodiversity. The Brisbane Ranges contain a range of eucalypt species well adapted to the dry, rocky soils of the region. Common species include Eucalyptus leucoxylon (Yellow Gum), Eucalyptus polyanthemos (Red Box), Eucalyptus obliqua (Messmate Stringybark) and Eucalyptus macrorhyncha (Red Stringybark).

These trees provide nectar, shelter and nesting hollows for many birds, mammals and insects. For students learning at Staughton Vale, the surrounding woodland is more than just beautiful scenery—it is a living classroom where they can explore biodiversity, ecology and the importance of protecting Australia’s remarkable eucalypt forests.

The next time you are on campus, take the opportunity to explore the Eucalypts that call Staughton Vale home.

Wildlife Cameras Capture Life Around Staughton Vale

The Staughton Vale Campus continues to reveal the rich biodiversity of the surrounding landscape, with recently installed wildlife cameras capturing fascinating activity across the property. Motion-sensor cameras have been placed in several locations around the campus to help monitor native animals and better understand how wildlife moves through the area.

Early footage has already revealed a range of animals using the landscape. Cameras positioned near the lower areas of the campus have captured regular visits from Eastern Grey Kangaroo, while others have recorded a possible Sambar Deer moving through the property.

Interestingly, wildlife has also been detected near the top of the campus at the revegetation site adjoining Brisbane Ranges National Park. This suggests that animals are actively using the revegetated areas and corridors between the national park and the Staughton Vale landscape.

The cameras provide valuable insights for both land management and student learning. By observing how animals interact with different habitats, students gain a real-world understanding of ecology, biodiversity and the importance of protecting natural environments. The project highlights how Staughton Vale functions, not only as a farm and learning environment, but also as an important wildlife corridor within the Brisbane Ranges region.

David Gorton – Head of Campus (Staughton Vale)

Victoria Equestrian Interschool Series Show Jumping Round 1

The Bacchus Marsh Grammar Show Jumping Equestrian Team kicked off the 2026 season with a fantastic start at the VEIS Interschool Show Jumping – Round 1, held on Friday 13 March at Boneo Equestrian Centre. As the defending champion school from 2025, the team was excited to return to the series and begin the year on a strong note.

The following students proudly represented BMG:

• Cailin K (7G) – Encourage Class
• Jayde C (8I) – Encourage Class
• Jasmine C (10A) – Aspiring Class
• Lucille C (7B) – Improvers Class
• Molly R (10A) – Progressive Class
• Milly S (10H) – Encourage Class
• Jayde W (7G) – Encourage Class
• Alexandra L (5C) – Freshman Primary Class
• Chloe B (7G) – Encourage Class

The first show jumping competition of the year always brings plenty of excitement, and this event was no exception. It was a fabulous day of competition, with riders navigating challenging courses and demonstrating impressive determination and skill.

A special congratulations to Jayde W and Chloe B who represented BMG at their first ever Interschool competition. We are thrilled to welcome them to the team.

There were also some outstanding individual results on the day:

• Jayde C was awarded Champion of her class.
• Cailin K won one round and placed third overall.
• Milly S achieved a 5th place finish in one of her classes.

All riders are to be commended for their fantastic horsemanship and strong team spirit. It was wonderful to see such support and encouragement among teammates throughout the day.
It was a great start to the season for our defending champions, and the team is already looking forward to Round 2 of the series.

Georgia Low – Assistant Head of Year 7 (Maddingley) 

End of Term 1 Bus Times

With the end of Term 1 fast approaching, both the Maddingley and Woodlea Campus will finish at 2.15pm on Thursday 2 April 2026. Bus departure times are as follows:

Woodlea Campus

All private buses will depart 1 hour earlier than the scheduled timetabled time.

The Rockbank Station Shuttle bus will depart at the times below to coincide with the train times.

Shuttle 1
2.25 Depart BMG Woodlea (Bay 7)
2.35 Arrive Rockbank Station PTV (Bay 3)

Shuttle 2
2.45 Depart BMG Woodlea (Bay 7)
2.55 Arrive Rockbank Station PTV (Bay 3)

Maddingley Campus

All private buses will depart 1 hour earlier than the scheduled timetabled time.
Country & Public Services Bus time – TBA

Maddingley and Woodlea Late Buses

Maddingley Campus
Late bus 1 and Late bus 2

Both buses will operate every TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY afternoon departing the bus quay at 4.40pm sharp.

The timetables will remain the same as 2025 – Timetables attached for your reference.

Students will be required to sign up to the late bus (late bus 1 or late bus 2) by putting their name under the stop at which they will disembark. The sign-up sheets will be in the main administration office; students are required to sign up prior to the end of lunch the day of travel. If no students sign up to a bus, the bus will be cancelled for that afternoon. Students require their student ID card to travel on the late buses.

The late bus is open to students in Years 5 –12. Students must be involved in an afterschool activity to be permitted to travel on the late bus

Woodlea Campus

The late bus will operate every TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY afternoon departing the bus quay at 4.40pm sharp.

The timetable will remain the same as 2025 – Timetable attached for your reference.

Students will be required to sign up to the late bus by putting their name under the stop at which they will disembark. The sign-up sheet will be in the main administration office; students are required to sign up prior to the end of lunch the day of travel. If no students sign up to the bus, the bus will be cancelled for that afternoon. Students require their student ID card to travel on the late bus.

The late bus is open to students in Years 5 – 12. Students must be involved in an afterschool activity to be permitted to travel on the late bus

PARENTS ARE ADVISED TO MONITOR ROLL CALL FOR THE LATE BUS ARRIVAL TIME AT THEIR CHILD’S STOP.

Tiger Route – PM Stop 4 Changes

Due to the ongoing road works at stop 4 in the PM on the TIGER route, the stop for the remainder of Term 1 will be relocated to Leakes Road / Cottesloe Wetlands (PTV Stop) between Embleton Avenue and Cottesloe Boulevard. There is no change to the AM stop on the timetable.

ID Cards

All Students have been issued with a Student ID card.

Students MUST use their Student ID card to tap on/off the bus. Student ID cards are compulsory when boarding a private bus or attending all school excursions/camps etc and they must be always carried.

Students who board the bus repeatedly without their ID cards will receive a detention or further consequences.

Leanne Robertson – School Bus Services Administrator

Achievement in the VCE Indonesian Second Language

Joanne Joseph (2025 Graduate) received a raw study score of 40 for Indonesian Second Language VCE in 2025. On 14 March 2026, Joanne was invited to attend a Celebration of Excellence Ceremony at the General Consulate of the Republic of Indonesia, organised by the VILTA (Victorian Indonesian Language Teachers Association), attended by the Consul General, Yohanes Jatmiko Heru Prasetyo. This achievement placed Joanne among 28 students across Victoria who received raw scores of 40 and above. To be recognised at this level is a testament to the hard work and commitment Joanne has brought to her studies throughout her VCE journey.

It is also a pleasure to note that her Indonesian study has not ended. She is currently undertaking her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Melbourne and continues her Indonesian studies this semester. Congratulations, Joanne — your hard work, passion and dedication are truly inspiring. Selamat!

Here is Joanne’s reflection and words of encouragement to those taking Indonesian:

“I was truly honoured to have been invited to the Indonesian Consulate for recognition of my VCE Indonesian scores last year. This was the first year they’ve run this event, and to have had the chance to visit the Consulate, meet other fellow VCE Indonesian students and get to experience this event, was so rewarding and a perfect conclusion to my VCE journey.
The event itself was such a great opportunity. We had different activities, I got to speak with the other students, we learnt how to play a traditional Indonesian instrument, and most importantly, we were presented with a certificate of recognition of our scores by the Indonesian Consulate General and the President of VILTA.

The entire experience made me feel really proud of the journey I’ve had with Indonesian at BMG. I started in Year 5, and I’m so glad that I stuck with it till Year 12. To have the hard work you put in throughout the years for a language subject be recognised is so rewarding, and I hope for all future BMG Indonesian students that they get the opportunity to experience this event. So, my word of advice would be to keep pushing through learning the language, it can definitely be tough at times, but the satisfaction when you complete that final exam, knowing you have been learning this language for years, is unmatched. And all that hard work will pay off, and hopefully, more BMG students will get to attend this event in the future!

So don’t give up, keep working hard, utilise the facilities and help available to you in school! I wouldn’t have achieved the score I did if it weren’t for all my previous teachers, including Ibu Setyorini, who spent time marking my essays, doing speaking practice with me and helping me with research for my oral. That is why you must utilise your teachers and put in the extra effort, as it will pay off in the end!”

Bintari Setyorini – Indonesian Teacher
Joanne Joseph – BMG 2025 Graduate

End of Term 1 / Commencement of Term 2

As per Term Dates, the last day of Term 1 is Thursday 2 April. Finish time is 2.15pm.

Please look for changes to bus arrangements on Schoolbox.

Commencement of Term 2:
Term 2 will commence for all students on Tuesday 21 April.

Staff commence Monday 20 April.

Administration Office Hours:
The Maddingley and Woodlea Administration Offices will operate during the break as follows:

• Wednesday 8 April to Friday 17 April: 9.30am – 3.30pm. Closed for Public Holidays Friday 3 April to Tuesday 7 April.

Term Dates:
For a full list of term dates, please visit the School Website.

Uniform Shop

On Campus Store – Maddingley

Last day of trade: Wednesday 1 April.

School Holidays:

• Friday 10 April – 10.00am to 2.00pm
• Monday 13 April – 10.00am to 2.00pm
• Wednesday 15 April – 10.00am to 2.00pm
• Friday 17 April – 10.00am to 2.00pm

The following normal trading hours resume from Monday 20 April:

• Monday – 12.30pm to 4.30pm
• Wednesday – 8.00am to 12.00pm
• Friday – 8.30am to 4.30pm

Rushfords in Werribee

This store is CLOSED (Friday 3 April to Monday 6 April inclusive) and will re-open Tuesday 7 April 2026.

Normal Hours:

• Monday to Friday – 9.00am to 5.00pm
• Saturdays – 9.00am to 1.00pm
• Sunday and Public Holidays: CLOSED

Please contact Rushfords in Werribee for any uniform needs. Phone: (03) 9741 3211.

School Photos 2026

School photos will be taken in Term 2 at both the Maddingley and Woodlea School campuses during the dates shown below:

Maddingley: 8-22 May 2026
Woodlea: 25-29 May 2026

More information will be sent to families via EdSmart early in Term 2. Timetables are yet to be confirmed and will be subject to change to work in conjunction with other School activities.

Cathy Perconte – School Events and Community Development Manager

Camps, Sports, and Excursion Fund (CSEF)  

The Camps Sports and Excursion Fund (CSEF) is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families in covering the costs of school excursions, camps and sporting activities for the benefit of your child.  

The allowance is paid directly to the school by the Education Department. 

Eligible families include those holding a valid means-tested concession card such as a Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card, a Health Care Card, or those who are temporary foster parents. 

To encourage families to apply, the school will provide a rebate equivalent to the School Development Levy for families whose applications are submitted and approved by the Education Department. 

The CSEF application form can be downloaded here. The form outlines the eligibility requirements and must be submitted to the school as soon as possible and no later than 22 June 2026. 

Parents must meet the eligibility requirements by: 

• Eligibility Date: 28 January 2026 

• 2nd CRN validation date (for failed CRNs only): 20 April 2026 

Parents who received CSEF at Bacchus Marsh Grammar in 2025 do not need to submit a new application in 2026, provided there has been no change in family circumstances. 

Please note that CSEF payments apply only to the current application year and cannot be claimed retrospectively for prior years. 

Enquiries should be directed to Sharon Micallef at accountsrec@bmg.vic.edu.au 

Sharon Micallef  – Senior Finance Officer 

School Policies and Documents

The following School policies have been updated and are available to view from the School Policies tile in Schoolbox:

• First Aid Policy and Procedure – updated policy to include additional procedures for administering first aid.

Please contact Kerryn Browne should you have any questions.

Kerryn Browne – Risk, Compliance and Policy Manager 

Term Dates

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/

Regular Contacts

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