Maddingley

Prep Staughton Vale Day

Our Prep students went on their very first trip to Staughton Vale at the end of last term, and what an adventure it was! Excitement filled the air as they explored the beautiful surroundings and engaged in hands-on learning experiences.
During the day, students took part in a creative weaving activity in Art, using a range of different coloured wool to craft their own designs. In Science, they explored the vegetable patch, learning about different plants and how they grow, before setting off on a peaceful bird-watching walk. The day ended with plenty of time for play, where students enjoyed the open space and the chance to play and connect with students from all different Prep classes.
This excursion was a fantastic opportunity for our young learners to engage with the outdoors, spark their curiosity, and develop new skills. We look forward to many more adventures at Staughton Vale!
Miss Claire Dixon – Prep Maddingley

Woodlea

Term 2 for Year 3!

After the holiday break, Year 3 Woodlea students have returned to their learning with enthusiasm, eager to engage with new topics. This term, a key focus is our book study of The Wind in the Willows. Students have already begun exploring the adventures of Mole, Rat, Toad and Badger; analysing the themes, characters and the rich language within the text. As part of this study, students will also be conducting research and writing information reports on the key animals from the story. They will investigate each animal’s appearance, diet, adaptations and behaviours, deepening their understanding of how these creatures survive in their natural habitats. We look forward to seeing their curiosity and research skills develop as they bring their writing to life.

Year 3 PE

This term in Physical Education, students have been building on their Fundamental Movement Skills with a focus on skipping. They have been practising a variety of skipping techniques, working to improve their rhythm, coordination and endurance. Students have enjoyed exploring different skipping patterns and challenges, showing great persistence and energy as they develop greater control and fluency in their movements. Looking ahead, students are excited to continue strengthening their skills by practising basketball bouncing techniques and punting an Australian Rules football.

Ms Zara Vaaulu-Andrews – Head of Year 3

Maddingley

Year 6 Camp

A few weeks ago, the year 6’s went to CANBERRA for CAMP! It was a very interesting and educational experience. We learnt how Australia has been built of democracy. We stayed at the Ibis Eaglehawk Hotel.

We explored the Mint where we learned about Australia’s past and present currency and how it has developed over the years, better yet how they are made and counted. We also explored The National Art Gallery. Where everyone took their time to embrace the majestic artwork which talks to everyone in different ways and people can perceive the art in different ways. Then to connect with nature, we visited the National Arboretum where we looked at the elegant flora and types of unique, distinct Australian nature.

We looked at the New and Old Parliament House, where we went into the House of Representatives and the Senate, where we visited The AEC (Australian Electoral Centre). Here we learnt how to vote and took part in a mock election.

The AIS is where Australia’s greatest athletes are made. They have amazing resources and equipment to develop themselves physically and mentally. They also have an Olympic sized swimming pool, and there was a swimmer that swam so much during her training that she swam enough distance to make it around the earth.

We also had the pleasure of visiting the Australian Military base at Duntroon where we learnt that you could apply there after year 12 and go there to join either Army, Air Force and Navy.
We went to the war memorial where we took in and noticed how many soldiers sacrificed their lives for all Australians to have a better future. While at the war memorial, we took part in a remembrance service and laid a wreath on behalf of Bacchus Marsh Grammar.
Did you know, we were allowed to go inside the Governor General’s house, which not many people experience? One group also got to meet the Governor General (Sam Mostyn). They got to ask questions and take a photo with her.

(Fun Fact) The Prime Minister picks the Governor General, but the Governor General can dismiss the Prime Minister from their role, which has happened once in 1975.

Finally, we went to Questacon and Zone Bowling. At Questacon we could do a vast majority of the activities like, play with giant Lego, go down vertical slides and use earthquake simulators. We also did Bowling where we would have a group of 6 and each group could compete against each other.

Written by Lazarus, Harvi and Rishm.

Reyan 6A –
‘Camp was very fun and educational, educating us in History and English skills’.

Nirvani 6A –
‘Bowling was by far one of the best activities I did. It was super fun, and we got a break from learning’.

Nate 6B –
‘Camp was super fun because of all the places to see in Canberra, and it was fun to spend time with my friends’.

Woodlea

Year 5’s Wild Adventure at the Melbourne Zoo!

On Thursday, 27 March, our Woodlea Year 5 students embarked on an exciting adventure to the Melbourne Zoo! In Science, they have been learning about animal adaptations and the incredible ways animals evolve to survive in their environments. And what better way to bring their studies to life than by getting up close with these fascinating creatures?

“I loved learning about all the animals and their adaptations – it was so fascinating!” said Sophie, perfectly capturing the excitement of the day.
Guided by a fantastic zoo educator, the students had the unique opportunity to hold and explore animal skulls, trying to figure out which creatures they belonged to based on their features. “Learn, explore, use your knowledge, and enjoy!” shared Renae and Jenish, who embraced every moment of the experience.
Highlights of the trip included visiting the lemur sanctuary, where the students were captivated by lemurs leaping and swinging through their habitat while nibbling on carrots. Students also got to see a variety of butterfly species in the Butterfly House with some lucky students even having the butterflies land on them.
The students were completely immersed in the animals’ movements and behaviours, with one of the most interesting experiences being watching how the tiger is fed. The zookeepers use a zipline to send food into the enclosure, mimicking the movement of prey. This helps the tiger practise its hunting skills, ensuring it doesn’t lose the instincts it would need in the wild.

“This is like the best day of my life!” exclaimed Aarav.
“I saw a reticulated python in the reptiles’ section – it was enormous!” said Hridaan, clearly in awe of the massive snake.
“I had an amazing time! I was surprised to see how animals adapt to their environment. The seals and penguins were the funniest to me!” shared Aarya.
Sarveen also reflected on the aquatic section as one of her favourite memories: “My favourite part was when we went to the aquatic building, and I saw the fish and starfish moving across the sand.”
Jasmine enjoyed exploring the reptile house: “I loved going around the reptile house with my teachers and peers – we were all learning new things!”
And Aanya’s highlight was seeing the mighty big cats: “What I liked most was when I saw the lions and the tigers!”

It was truly a day of learning, excitement and unforgettable experiences. The Year 5s left the zoo with new knowledge, wonderful memories, and a deeper appreciation for the incredible adaptations of animals. What a fantastic adventure!

Woodlea Year 5 Team

ArtVo

At the end of Term 1, on Monday 31 March, the Unit 1 and 2 Psychology students from both the Maddingley and Woodlea campuses had the opportunity to attend ArtVo, an immersive art museum in Melbourne. During their time at the gallery students had the chance to experience the traditional art museum in a whole new way. They explored concepts of sensation and perception, with the exhibits highlighting how perception can be distorted visually.
Overall, the students had an enjoyable day out experiencing these psychology concepts in a real world setting, as you can see from the fun filled photos!
Miss Sarah Thomson – Head of Science (Maddingley)

VCE Art Making and Exhibiting – Ballarat Excursion

Students studying Unit 1 and Unit 3 of VCE Art Making and Exhibiting recently visited two exhibitions in Ballarat to support their understanding of contemporary art and the exhibition process.
The first stop was the Next Gen 2025 exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ballarat’s BackSpace Gallery. This exhibition, housed in an old Blockbuster video store, features work by Year 12 students from the Ballarat region who completed their VCE studies in 2024. The students saw a wide range of ideas and techniques, as well as viewing the SAT folios for a selection of the final artworks. This experience helps them to consider how to plan, develop, and present their own work throughout the year.
We also visited the Post Office Gallery to view Reading Between the Lines, an exhibition by artist Kim Percy. This exhibition was part of Percy’s PhD research and focused on dyslexia and how it can be explored and understood through art. We were fortunate to have Kim Percy attend to discuss how she uses visual methods to express her ideas and how personal experiences can influence creative work.
The excursion helped students gain a better understanding of how artists plan, create, and exhibit their work, as well as how artworks can communicate complex topics.

Ms Catherine Finnigan – Teacher

Year 9 Flight Class Trip to the Australian Gliding Museum

Last term, the Year 9 Flight class embarked on an exciting excursion to the Australian Gliding Museum at Bacchus Marsh airfield, the largest glider museum in the Southern Hemisphere.
The students, who are currently studying the mechanics of gliders, had the unique opportunity to explore gliders from the past century and engage with two of Australia’s top glider pilots, David and Jenny Goldsmith.
During their visit, the students journeyed through the fascinating history of glider development, observing gliders from around the world and learning about their construction. They even witnessed a glider being meticulously restored by hand, providing a tangible connection to their studies.
The museum, run entirely by dedicated volunteers, is open for tours on Tuesdays and Fridays, offering a wonderful opportunity for the public to delve into the world of gliding.
Australian Gliding Museum – Preserving the history of gliding in Australia
We would like to extend our thanks to Jenny and David for taking the time to personally guide the students around the museum.
This hands-on experience was invaluable, allowing the students to see the real-life counterparts of what they are learning in class. Next, they will transition to studying powered flight, where they will have the chance to build their own powered planes.
Mr Scott Bayne – Assistant Principal: Head of Middle School

Inspire Day Reflections

On Wednesday, April 2, the Year 10 Maddingley cohort had their third and final Inspire Day of Term 1. The day was filled with numerous activities, including a gambling awareness session, a self-defence session, a study skills session, and a service leadership session. The gambling awareness session, run by a guest speaker, was an engaging and interactive experience that highlighted the dangers and significance of gambling in our communities. This was followed by a hands-on self-defence session led by Mr. Debortoli, where students had the opportunity to interact with peers and practice defence tactics using safety precautions.
The study skills and service leadership sessions were the most valuable. The study skills session provided essential strategies to enhance our studies and personal growth. The service leadership session, on the other hand, was filled with opportunities. It allowed students to give back to the community and embody our school values. This motivated each student to choose a charity of their choice and brainstorm creative ideas for fundraising.
Overall, the Inspire Day certainly inspired the Year 10 cohort, allowing all students to focus on self-growth and leadership development. A big thank you to all the teachers who dedicated their time and effort to make this session a success.
Kai L (10C)
On Wednesday 2 April, the Year 10s had Inspire Day. It was a packed day. The first thing we did was have a guest speaker who educated us on gambling. It was a really engaging session where we learnt the dangers of gambling and how addiction works. A big takeaway from this was that you almost always lose and that gambling isn’t as great as companies make it out to be. After that we engaged in a Self Defence lesson. Here we learnt how to approach a dangerous situation. We got into small groups and practised some moves on each other. I found the information to be valuable, including when to trust your gut feeling and to always know when to leave. We also had a session on Study Skills. We learnt that self confidence as a learner significantly impacts our schooling. A big tip we got was to not compare ourselves to others. Instead we were told to compare ourselves to our past results and always look for ways to improve. The last activity we had was getting into small groups to create a fundraiser for a charity of our choice. This was a very immersive activity that we are excited to continue throughout the year!
Amelie S (10F)

Anzac Day

On Thursday April 24, Woodlea Campus held its whole school ANZAC Day service in a virtual format. Conducted by the Year 10 Leaders, the service provided a solemn and respectful reflection on the sacrifices made by Australia’s servicemen and women. The service included readings, prayers and a commemorative address prepared by the students, which reflected upon the significance of the ANZAC spirit to our nation. In addition to the service, SRC representatives supported the Caroline Springs RSL by selling ANZAC badges, giving the school community an opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause in remembrance of our fallen heroes.
On Monday, 28 April, our Maddingley Campus came together for a heartfelt ANZAC Day ceremony. All 2,387 Prep to Year 12 students gathered for a standing service, paying tribute to the brave men and women who served and sacrificed for our country.

The ceremony was marked by outstanding leadership, with student leaders from Year 4, Year 6, Year 8 and Year 12 taking on significant roles in the service. These young leaders proudly presented the Ode, led the Last Post and carried out other key ceremonial duties, demonstrating exceptional maturity and respect for the occasion.
Their thoughtful contributions reminded us all of the importance of ANZAC Day. It was a moving experience for both students and staff, and a powerful reflection of our school’s commitment to fostering leadership, respect and discipline.
We thank all involved in making the ANZAC Day ceremonies at both campuses, a memorable and meaningful occasion for all.
Mrs Sarah Hunter – Deputy Principal Woodlea Campus and Mrs Lisa Foster – Deputy Principal Maddingley Campus

From our Middle School Captains

ANZAC Day holds deep significance for Australia and New Zealand, as we come together each year on April 25 to remember the brave men and women who served and sacrificed in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping missions. It marks the anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) at Gallipoli, Turkey, in 1915 during the First World War. What was meant to be a swift campaign became a prolonged and gruelling battle, testing the strength and spirit of the ANZACs in unimaginable ways. Although the mission faced great hardship and loss, and did not achieve its military objectives, it revealed powerful qualities—courage, mateship, endurance and determination—that have helped shape our national identity. Today, ANZAC Day stands as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made not only at Gallipoli but in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping missions. As a school community, we pause to honour their memory, reflect on the values they stood for, and ensure their stories and sacrifices are never forgotten. Lest we forget.
Shej S and Palaash

From our School Captain

At dawn on ANZAC Day, a few of my peers and I had the honour of representing Bacchus Marsh Grammar at the Dawn Service held at the Bacchus Marsh RSL. We laid a wreath on behalf of the BMG and the wider school community, paying our respects to those who gave their lives during the First World War.
Being chosen to take part in something so meaningful was a real privilege. It made me feel incredibly proud to represent our school and reminded me just how important it is to pause, reflect and show respect for the sacrifices made by others.

Lest We Forget.
Sam Lillie – School Captain

Individual Sporting Achievements

The Australian Open Karate Championships took place in Sydney during the holiday break, with three BMG students taking part in the Championships – Emilia F (7H), Cooper B (8A), and Justin R (11E). Justin won the bronze medal in his event, securing his selection to represent Australia at the upcoming Oceania Karate Championships in New Caledonia this June. Emilia and Cooper have also been selected to compete for Australia at the Oceania Karate Cup. Well done to these students on their wonderful results!
Additionally, Ruby G (pictured below) represented Victoria at the National U16 Hockey Championships in Adelaide over the holidays.
The team was successful in achieving a Bronze medal, with Ruby being awarded two Best on Grounds and two Player of the Match Awards. Ruby also finished as Runner Up in the Top Scorer competition.
As a result of the recent tournament, Ruby has now been selected in the U16 Australia Squad.
Mr Bryce Durham – Head of Faculty: Physical Education and Health

Woodlea’s Pop-up Performance

On April 1, talented and dedicated middle school students participated in a wonderful ‘pop up’ performance during recess in the Junior Quadrangle at Woodlea Campus.
Blessed with a sunny autumn day and an enthusiastic Junior and Middle School audience, the Percussion Ensemble led by Mr Sebastian Vargas and Concert Band, led by Mr Andrew Clare, provided upbeat music and a lovely showcase of brass, woodwind and percussion instruments.
The Percussion Ensemble opened the proceedings with an original piece entitled ‘Samba Fun’ which featured bold and intricate rhythms played with strength and verve.
To conclude the ‘pop up’ performance, the concert band performed a heavy, funk styled piece encouraging the audience to join in and clap along.
The Music Department will hold a few more of these casual, joy-filled performances throughout the year, and look forward to showcasing further ensembles.
Ms Suzanne Kinsella – Head of Faculty: Music

Learning to Live with Change and Loss

Change and loss are issues that affect all of us at some stage in our lives. At Bacchus Marsh Grammar, we recognise that when changes occur in families through death, separation, divorce and related circumstances, young people may benefit from learning how to manage these changes. We are therefore offering a very successful education program called Seasons for Growth which will commence in Term 3, 2025 at both our Maddingley and Woodlea campuses.

This program is facilitated in small groups and is based on research which highlights the importance of social support and the need to practise new skills to cope effectively with change and loss. The program focuses on issues such as self-esteem, managing feelings, problem-solving, decision making, effective communication and support networks. Groups, which will be run each week in class time for eight weeks, are established based on age and are small in number, so places will be limited.

Availability of the Seasons for Growth program will depend on interest at each campus. If you think your child would benefit from Seasons for Growth, we would encourage you to talk to them about participating in the program. More information about the program can be found at Good Grief.
Bacchus Marsh Grammar is pleased to be able to offer this important program.

To express interest in your child participating in Season for Growth, please contact:
Raigan Francis francisr@bmf.vic.edu.au at the Maddingley Campus or Paige Zerafa at the Woodlea Campus zerafap@bmg.vic.edu.au by Thursday 15 May.

Student Wellbeing Team

Young Farmers

Being part of the Young Farmers Co-Curricular program at the Woodlea Campus has given me many interesting and enjoyable opportunities, mainly focused on agriculture and sustainability. One of the most recent opportunities was participating in the “Harvest Ed” program, which we attended in both 2024 and 2025. In 2024, we completed four online sessions focusing on the Sustainable Development Goals, while in 2025, we took part in an in-person session at Melbourne University alongside students from several other schools.
Throughout the program, we learned about how agriculture operates, the potential of urban indoor farming, and practical ways we can contribute to sustainability in everyday life. We also deepened our understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The program featured a range of guest speakers, including agriculture students from Melbourne University, experienced farmers, and founders of various not-for-profit organisations working to promote sustainability across Australia.
Overall, the program was well-structured, engaging, and gave me a deeper appreciation of the unique world of agriculture.
Quinn H

Equestrian Excursion

Our school’s Equestrian Team and Club recently embarked on a heart-warming journey to Gordon, where they visited Horse Shepherd, a sanctuary dedicated to providing care for horses and other animals in need. The highlight of the trip was meeting Frodo, the magnificent horse BMG is now proudly sponsoring!
The visit proved to be an eye-opening experience for all involved. Anne, the dedicated leader of Horse Shepherd, and her incredible team of volunteers, shared stories of resilience and compassion that deeply moved our students. Witnessing firsthand the dedication and love poured into caring for these animals left a lasting impression, demonstrating the powerful impact of kindness and community support.
We were all so inspired by the work being done at Horse Shepherd. It’s amazing to see how much of a difference one person and a group of volunteers can make.
The team is now eager to explore ways to further support Horse Shepherd. Ideas already buzzing include planning more visits to spend time with Frodo, and organising volunteer days to help with practical tasks like fence painting and grounds maintenance.
This partnership is a fantastic opportunity for our students to engage in meaningful community service and learn valuable lessons about compassion and animal welfare. The Equestrian Team and Club extend a warm invitation to all members to participate in upcoming discussions and initiatives aimed at supporting Horse Shepherd.
Mrs Georgia Low – Equestrian Team Manager

Late Bus for Term 2

Maddingley

Every Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday afternoon
23 April – 26 June 2025

Woodlea

Every Tuesday & Thursday afternoon
29 April – 19 June 2025

Disembarking the Bus Safely

A reminder to parents of students disembarking from their buses – for the safety of all, children should NOT cross the road in front of the bus. Children should wait on the kerb side for the bus to pull out of its stop and then cross the road at the rear of the bus in order to have a clear line of sight. Drivers cannot see if students are waiting to cross the road in front of the bus before they pull out of their stop. It is suggested for parents to proceed to the next intersection or roundabout, not turn their car in front of the bus.

Private Bus Travellers/Late Bus Travellers/Excursions/Camps – Student ID Cards

A reminder – ALL 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 any school excursions/camps or the LATE bus etc and they must be always carried. Students who board the bus three times without their Student ID cards will receive a detention or further consequences.

Student Permission Cards

Students in Prep – Year 6 require a green permission tag on their bag if they are to disembark the bus to be picked up by someone other than their parent/guardian. Students in Grades 5 & 6 can disembark the bus on their own if they have a green permission tag on their bag for the driver to check. Student Afternoon Bus Arrangement & Permission Notices are available on Schoolbox under School Letters. Please return Student Afternoon Bus Arrangement & Permission Notices to bus@bmg.vic.edu.au. Notification of someone other than their parent/guardian collecting their child/ren from the bus on the day will not be accepted.

Mrs Leanne Robertson – School Bus Services Administrator

Book Club

Issue 3 of the Scholastic Book Club catalogue is out now. Click on the link below to go to the ‘How to order’ page.
https://www.scholastic.com.au/book-club/book-club-parents/

Scholastic Book Club Coordinators: Diane Dunn (Maddingley Campus) and Feona West (Woodlea Campus)

School Photos 2025

School photos will be held this term at both the Maddingley and Woodlea School campuses during the dates below:

• Woodlea – 5-9 May 2025
• Maddingley – 12-16 May 2025

Timetables are available on Schoolbox.

Mrs Cathy Perconte – Community Development Coordinator

2024 Yearbook – Need an Extra Copy?

If you haven’t collected your 2024 Yearbook yet, or if you’re part of a split family and would like an additional copy, please get in touch.
We want to make sure everyone has a chance to enjoy the 2024 memories. Extra copies are available while stocks last.
To organise collection or request another copy, please contact Jess Thorpe: marketing@bmg.vic.edu.au as soon as possible.

Ms Jess Thorpe – Marketing and Communications Coordinator

Camps, Sports, and Excursion Fund (CSEF) – Final Applications Due

This is applicable to families who hold a valid Centrelink pensioner concession or Health care card number (CRN).
If you have not yet submitted your CSEF application form, please ensure it is returned to the Administration Office no later than 23 June 2025 to allow sufficient time for processing.
Further information and the CSEF application form can be downloaded from the School’s website here.

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

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 online via https://www.noone.com.au/.

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

OSHC Closure Day
The Y OSHC Management Team wishes to advise you of the closure of all OSHC programs on Friday, 9 May 2025.
This includes both Before School Care and After School Care sessions.
All our OSHC educators will be attending a full day of professional development training on this date.
Regular OSHC services will resume on Monday, 12 May 2025. We thank you in advance for your support and understanding.
OSHC Management Team

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