BRISBANE GRAMMAR SCHOOL

The 'Brisbane Grammar School' (BGS) boys' school is located in the suburb of Spring Hill in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Contents

History

Headmasters

Academics

Curriculum

Recent Results

Dimensions of Learning

Extracurricular Activities

GPS

Recent Achievements

Campus

Indoor Sports Centre

Northgate Playing Fields

Function Halls

Moogerah Outdoor Education Centre

School Colours and Uniform

Notable Alumni

Rhodes Scholars

Paedophile compensation controversy

References

See also

External link

History

Brisbane Grammar School was originally founded in 1868 under the Grammar Schools Act passed by the Queensland Government in 1860. It was the second school established under this act in Queensland, Australia (the first being Ipswich Grammar School).
The original school, designed by Benjamin Backhouse, was on the site of Roma Street in Brisbane City.
HRH Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh (1844-1900), second son of Queen Victoria, laid the foundation stone at the site on February 21 1868. In 1881 the school was moved a few hundred metres away to its current site on Gregory Terrace in Spring Hill to make way for the Roma Street Railway Station, which still stands today.
Following the opening of the boarding house in 1886, state-of-the-art science laboratories were constructed in 1912. A new library and assembly hall were constructed in 1969 as a celebration of the school's centenary.
During the mid 1990s, the school commenced work on the off-campus Northgate ovals, which now consist of six fields that are used for cricket, Rugby union and soccer fixtures. A large indoor sports centre was completed in 2000, and the old gymnasium was later renovated to become the new Centre for Art.
In 2002, the school underwent a major redevelopment with the construction of a new Middle School, which had its first intake of grade 6 and 7 students in 2003. This Middle School consists of a large block of multipurpose classrooms which functions as a complete school in itself, with its own teachers and independent timetables. Grade 6 and 7 students spend most of their time in the Middle School, although they do use the facilities of the "Upper School" for physical education, assemblies, etc. There is also some interaction with the Upper School, for example each Year Six, Seven and Eight class is equipped with 3 year 12 students to act as form seniors who participate in class activities, helping nurture the smaller boys with the transition from Middle School to Secondary School.

Headmasters

★ Thomas Harlin (1869-1876)

★ Reginald Heber Roe (1876-1909)

★ F S N Bousfield (1909-1927)

★ S Stephenson (1928-1939)

★ G Carson Cooling (1940-1947)

★ H R Pigott (1948-1952)

★ A E McLucas (1953-1956)

★ H R Newell (1956 - 1964)

★ Dr Max Howell (1965-1989)

★ Dr Peter Lennox (1990-2005)

★ Brian Short (2006- )

Academics

Curriculum

Brisbane Grammar School offers education from years 6 through to 12. Their academic programme is tailored to suit the needs of its students. In recent years, around 95% of graduating students have received a first-round offer to a tertiary institution[1]. The school offers mainstream subjects: English, Mathematics (A, B and C), Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Earth Science), History (Modern and Ancient), Music, Drama and Languages other than English (French, German, Japanese, Chinese, Latin).
The school focuses on a specific academic scope of learning aimed at educating life-skills required in the future. In recent years, the school has introduced updated technology to assist the students learning from school as well as home. The school also has 7 computer rooms equipped with 30 computers each, with software installed to not only protect against misuse, but to provide for a more modernized education. For the Middle School BGS offers the mainstream subjects (see above). An unusual aspect of the Middle School is that the grading system is different to many other schools. They are:(ranking from best to worst)
E+, E or E- (Expert plus, expert, expert minus respectively),
M+, M or M- (Master)
P+, P or P- (Practitioner)
A+, A or A- (Apprentice)
N+, N or N- (Novice).
It has been noted that the head of Middle School, Jacqui Zervos, has changed this as to clearly separate the grading system between the Senior School and the Middle School.

Recent Results

In recent years, almost 100% of graduating students have received a first-round offer to a tertiary institution.^[1] In 2006, the school had its second best results since the introduction of the OP system, claiming 49 OP1s. The combined percentage of OP 1-2 was 30.45% of the school population which far execeeded the state's average of 5.2%. 68.31% of the students received between and OP1 and an OP7 (the state percentage being 25.4%). 91.8% of the cohort received an OP between 1 and 13. The median OP score was OP5.[1]
The annual publication by the QSA in Queensland media showed that in 2006 BGS ranked number 1 in the state for OP percentages between OP 1-15.

Dimensions of Learning

As of 1997, Brisbane Grammar School has been introducing a learning framework throughout the academic curriculum. The framework is titled ‘Dimensions of Learning’ (DOL) [2]and was established in the United States with positive results. Its intention is to assist the teaching and learning process by basing both teaching and learning on 5 particular concepts.

★ (a) Dimension 1: Positive attitudes and perceptions about learning.

★ (b) Dimension 2: The acquisition and integration of knowledge.

★ (c) Dimension 3: The extension and refinement of knowledge.

★ (d) Dimension 4: The meaningful use of knowledge.

★ (e) Dimension 5: Productive habits of mind.
The concepts were developed on the basis of cognition, adopting a learning approach focused on the student. The framework emphasises the use of Complex Reasoning Processes and metacognition (thinking about thinking).

Extracurricular Activities

The school carries proud traditions in cultural activities such as music, theatre, chess, debating and public speaking. The school employs specialist music teachers for training and performance in Singing, Strings, Woodwind, Percussion and Brass. The boys may attend individual private lessons as well as weekly lessons in a small group (free of separate charge). Several long-standing clubs and societies (such as the Astronomy Club, the Service Committee or the Old-Boys association) also operate amongst the school society.

GPS

The school is a member of the Great Public Schools Association of Queensland Inc. (GPS), this membership provides the competitions in sports and several other endeavors. Most competitions are played out on Saturdays at any of the schools' sporting facilities. On the main campus four playing fields and six tennis courts [9] are on site for sporting activities, whilst cricket, rugby and soccer fixtures are conducted at the Northgate campus. Sailing is conducted on Sundays at RQYS, Manly, and the GPS championship is held at the end of the season. The school also competes in some non-GPS sports, such as Fencing and Water Polo. The school has had long standing success in water polo, winning the competition for 12 of the last 13 years. Current Australian players include Toby Jenkins (Athens Olympics), Jordan Votan and Ashley Burgess (U20 Australian Team)and Mitch McCann (U18 Australian Team).

Recent Achievements

In 2006 BGS's Senior A debating team achieved 2nd in the GPS competition after losing only one debate in the last round to GPS champions St. Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace. 2 of the 5 team members achieved selection in the QLD team along with 2 other boys from St. Joseph's College. The Queensland debating team went on to win the National Title. Also worthy of special note is Patrick Begley, who was selected to represent Australia in the world championship winning team in Wales in mid 2006. Also in 2006, the School won six GPS titles, which was four more than any other school in the competition. They included both the GPS Cross-country and GPS Gymnastics.
In the 2007 GPS season, Brisbane Grammar completed the Volleyball season undefeated as premiers, as well as securing a 4th Place at the GPS Swimming. On the 17th of March 2007, the school secured the O'Connor Cup by winning the 1st VIII race at the annual Brisbane GPS Head of the River. Brisbane Grammar placed 4th in the GPS Cross Country competition behind Gregory Terrace in 3rd, and Ipswitch Grammar and ACGS in tied first.
Kaerlin McCormick, the school's vice captain, was selected as the captain of the Queensland Debating team for 2007, with Jonathan McCray also as a reserve for the team. Kaerlin was also selected as a part of the national team in 2007 which went on to compete world championships to be knocked out in the quarterfinals after losing no matches prior to the match. Kaerlin was also named the World Schools Debating Championship's Best debater. The School's senior A team also entered the Queensland Debating Union Competition, facing Anglican Church Grammar School in the finals. David Stephens, Jonathan McCray and Kaerlin McCormick lead the team to victory with a unanimous decision from 5 adjudicators.

Campus

Indoor Sports Centre

The M A Howell Indoor Sports Centre was officially opened by the then Governor of Queensland, Major General Peter Arnison on March 3 2000. The centre, which is on the main campus, is home to a multi-purpose double basketball court sports hall (which can also accommodate 3 vollevball courts, 6 badmington courts, 12 fencing pistes as well as indoor soccer), an aquatic centre with a 10-lane, 25m heated swimming pool, a gymnasium featuring a deep foam pit, parallel bars and rings and a spectator area with seating for 150 people during sporting events, as well as a weights room and theory rooms and amenities. This sports centre has hosted local and international sporting teams, such as the Queensland Reds, Australian Wallabies, Brisbane Broncos, New Zealand All Blacks, Australian cricket team, United States Swimming squad and the English Rugby team.

Northgate Playing Fields

Work commenced on the Northgate Playing Fields in the mid 1990s which now have six ovals which accommodate Cricket, Rugby and Football fixtures. The fields are also used during the school week in for training in winter activities. Canteen facilities are provided on game days. Adjacent to the main oval is a small stadium which caters for seating for one half of the field, which also contains a dining area. The playing fields were used by the Australian Cricket Team prior to the 2006/2007 Ashes campaign, where they trained with the school's First XI.

Function Halls

The school has 4 major function halls: The Centenary Hall, the Great Hall, the theatre and the music auditorium.
Centenary Hall accommodates the entire 1400 student body for weekly assemblies. The hall is also used for other events such as breakfasts, music concerts, debates, theatrical productions and year-level tests. The gallery above the hall can accommodate 2 year groups for lectures. The gallery is equipped with a data-show projector, linked up with a computer, DVD and VCR players, and a speaker-system. The front wall of the gallery can be opened enabling it to become an upper level of the Centenary Hall.
The Great Hall is one of the school’s most historic and prestigious buildings. The walls have various honour-boards commemorating academic, sporting and cultural achievements, as well as honouring the names of those who have served in wars. The stage is overlooked by a 10
★ 3 metre stain-glass window. The hall provides venue for Public speaking, debating and vocal performances. It is also used for dinner parties (such as the ‘Old-boys Association’s’ reunions or the ‘Mothers of Past Students’ gatherings) and weddings for old-boys.
The Drama theatre can seat approximately 300 and provides excellent acoustics for Theatrical productions. Its lighting system and storage room makes it an ideal location for rehearsing and performing drama productions. The school holds a Junior School Play and a Senior School Play once a year and a musical every 2 years.

Moogerah Outdoor Education Centre

Brisbane Grammar School’s off-campus centre in Pepperina Hill is named the Moogerah Outdoor Education Centre (colloquially referred to as Moogerah). The school sends each form class from grades 8, 9 and 10 out to the campus to strengthen intra-class relationships and moral, as well as develop team-working and leadership skills. The 5 day programme includes such activities as rock-climbing, bushwalking, orienteering, canoeing, and a camp-out in the bush at the foot of a mountain.
The camp is also used for various other school activities: Writer’s camps, Musical composition camps, scientist-in-residence camps, sport training and fieldwork in senior courses. Certain clubs and activities groups use the centre too. The Astronomy Club use the Moogerah’s observatory facilities. The rowers, in the past while the lake was at a higher capacity, have utilized the camp’s boatshed on the lake’s edge for training.

School Colours and Uniform

The School has adopted two sets of colours. The first was introduced by Thomas Harlin, Headmaster 1869 - 1876. They are red and gold and are now associated with academia. Reginald Heber Roe, Headmaster 1876 - 1909, introduced the sporting colours of Oxford and Cambridge Blue which are now seen as the main representative colours of the school. They still hold a particularly special relationship with sporting activities, represented by various school chants and war cries that mention the ''Light Dark Blue''.
Students are required to wear full school uniform at all times. Two school uniforms exist - one for the Middle and the other for the Upper School. The Middle School Uniform (Yrs 6 - 8) consists of a blue, short-sleeved shirt with the School Crest embroidered on the pocket, short grey trousers with long socks and the wide-brimmed School Hat. In winter, the boys also a wear a grey pullover. Upper School boys (Yrs 9 - 12) wear, in summer, a blue, short-sleeved shirt (with no crest), a school tie (Seniors and Prefects wear a different tie) and long grey trousers. In winter, a white shirt, navy blue pullover and school blazer replace the blue shirt.

Notable Alumni

★ 28 Rugby Union Internationals ★ 3 judges of the High Court of Australia: Ian Callinan, Charles Powers and Gerard Brennan ★ John Laskey Woolcock, a former barrister and supreme court judge of Queensland. Brisbane Grammar currently has a conference room named in his honour ★ Ian Elcock (Precision Eyewear founder) ★ Rowan Falkenhagen, professional pineapple grower among other things... ★ Roy Emerson (Tennis champion) ★ Spencer Howson (local ABC Radio announcer) ★ 24 Rhodes Scholars (almost one quarter of all Queensland Rhodes Scholars) [3] ★ Ian Haug and John Collins of the band Powderfinger ★ Jesse Jewhurst Hilder or 'J J Hilder', an Australian Watercolourist. ★ Michael Meanwell, an Australian marketing communications writer and author. ★ Leonard Keith Ward, an Australian geologist and public servant. ★ Michael Meanwell, an Australian marketing communications writer and author. ★ Gareth Salkield, rower, ★ Stephen Moore, Professional Rugby Union player QLD Reds and Wallaby ★ Mitch Chapman, Professional Rugby Union player ACT Brumbies and Wallaby squad

★ Andrew Burke (Stroke for three consecutive first eight rowing teams. And won all three.) ★ David Malouf (author) ★ Greg Martin (Media Personality and Former Rugby Union International) ★ Otto Nothling (Cricket and Rugby Union dual international) ★ Sir John Lavarack (former Queensland Governor) [4] ★ Arthur Benjamin, composer (''Jamaican Rumba'') ★ Thomas Joseph Byrnes, Premier of Queensland (1898) ★ John Douglas Story, worked for the establishment of the University of Queensland and was a foundation member of the University senate. Both the 'J. D. Story' Administration building at the University of Queensland, and Brisbane's Story Bridge, were named in his honour. ★ Christopher Wrench, a notable Organist [5] ★ Ronald McKie, an Australian novelist ★ Rob Akers, an architect and Liberal Party Member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland ★ Ben Cutting, Queensland Cricketer ★ David Nucifora, Super 12/14 champion rugby coach with the ACT Brumbies. Currently head coach for, Auckland Blues ★ Joel Macdonald, (professional Australian rules footballer) with the Brisbane Lions

Rhodes Scholars

[6]

Year	Name
1904	ROE, Arthur S.
1905	LESLIE, Norman
1908	CASTLEHOW, Stanley
1909	BROWN, Leonard G
1911	DENHAM, Harold K.
1914	ROW, Allan W.L.
1915	RADCLIFFE, John N.
1918	PATERSON, Frederick W.
1919	GRENNING, Victor
1927	HIRSCHFELD, F. Konrad S.
1928	LAVERY, John H.
1930	KERR, Cecil E.
1939	NEWMAN, James K.
1958	BAXTER, Thomas
1960	HILDEBRAND, Clive P.
1967	FENWICK, John M.
1978	WETHERALL, Peter J.
1981	MARKWELL, Donald
1982	ROSE, David M.
1992	BOTSMAN, Daniel V.
2005	LUKE, Nicholas D.
2006	GOSS, Ryan A.

Paedophile compensation controversy

In 2003, the school was involved in controversy when it attempted to recover damages from its insurer following students' claims that they had been sexually abused by Kevin Lynch, school counsellor between the 1976 and 1988.David Murray, School pays sex victims, Courier Mail, November 05, 2006^[2]
Some 70 former students sued the school, alleging Lynch sexually abused them during counselling sessions. Rejecting out-of-court settlements, some of the victims claimed compensation in the Supreme Court of Queensland. Two former students had lodged complaints about Lynch's conduct with then headmaster of the school, Maxwell Howell, in the early 1980s but the issue was not pursued. For failing to notify its insurer of the complaints made of Lynch, the school became liable for the $AUD1.17 million in legal fees and compensation.
Lynch was charged in January 1997 over the abuses perpetrated at St Paul's School where he was subsequently employed. Shortly after being charged, Lynch committed suicide. Courier Mail

References

1. Academic notes ''Official BGS website''. Retrieved January 7 2006; Report detailing academic results of the 2004 Senior cohort ''Official BGS website''. Retrieved January 7 2006.
2. Board of Enquiry report, Anglican Diocese of Brisbane, April 22, 2003


★ University of Queensland: Rhodes Scholars List ''List of Rhodes Scholars''

★ Academic notes ''Official BGS website''. Retrieved January 7 2006.

★ Report detailing academic results of the 2004 Senior cohort ''Official BGS website''. Retrieved January 7 2006.

★ Development dates ''Official BGS website''. Retrieved January 7 2006.

★ Description of school population ''Official BGS website''. Retrieved January 7 2006.

★ Historical information ''Official BGS website''. Retrieved January 7 2006.

★ School colours information ''Official BGS website''. Retrieved January 7 2006.

★ Extra curricular information ''Official BGS website''. Retrieved January 7 2006.

★ Historical information ''State Library of Queensland''. Retrieved January 7 2006.

★ Article that comments on the Brisbane Broncos training at Northgate ''The Courier Mail''. Retrieved January 7 2006.

★ 2006 OP information ''Official BGS website'' Retrieved February 8 2007

See also

★ List of boarding schools

External link

★ Brisbane Grammar School website