From the Principal
Dear Blue Mountains Grammar School Families,
As we arrive at the end of another busy and rewarding term, I want to thank every member of our Blue Mountains Grammar School community for the contribution you have made over the past ten weeks. Schools are remarkable places because they are built on the daily efforts of many people.
Our students, who continue to challenge themselves, parents who partner with us, and staff who invest generously in our young people, all contribute to making BMGS the unique learning community that it is.
In particular, I want to acknowledge and thank our staff. Every teacher, learning support staff member, administrator, property team member, coach, volunteer and support staff member has played a part in ensuring that our students have been well-known, well-taught and well-loved this term. Schools never flourish because of the efforts of one or two people; they flourish because hundreds of small acts of professionalism, care and service occur every single day. Thank you.
Looking back across the term, it is remarkable just how much has happened. We celebrated the outstanding Senior School production and the wonderful Junior School production, enjoyed our Musical Soirées, and saw our entire Year 9 cohort attend the Stand Tall Conference at the Sydney International Convention Centre. Our Year 11 students participated in the Shine Bright Leadership Day at Katoomba Convention Centre, while our Design Thinking for Creativity and Leadership students spent time learning at Western Sydney University.
Our staff have also continued their own professional growth, returning from learning opportunities alongside global leaders in education and bringing new ideas back into our classrooms. This commitment to continual learning is one of the great strengths of our school and ultimately benefits every student.
Across the School we celebrated Spirit Week, reminding ourselves of the unique heart of BMGS. We enjoyed Cross Country and Athletics Carnivals across both Junior and Senior Schools, welcomed prospective families through our Open Days, and watched our Wentworth Falls Junior School students delight in performances by our Year 7 students before enjoying a Creative Arts Immersion Day led by talented students from Years 9 and 10 in Drama, Music and Visual Arts.
Our Senior School community once again celebrated the Annual Winter Ball, our Junior School students proudly represented BMGS in HICES Debating, students led fundraising initiatives supporting causes both locally and further afield, and we were delighted to welcome residents from Morven Gardens as part of Project Daffodil. Alongside these larger events were the many experiences that enrich school life every day like excursions to the zoo, Mother's Day stalls, Healthy Harold visits, classroom learning, sporting fixtures, rehearsals, camps, tutorials, pastoral conversations and countless moments that rarely appear on a calendar but matter deeply in the lives of young people.
I am conscious that I have undoubtedly missed many important events. If your particular activity has not been mentioned, I apologise. The point is not to create an exhaustive list, but to recognise something much bigger. BMGS offers an extraordinary breadth of opportunity beyond the classroom, and that only happens because so many people willingly give of themselves. Thank you to every staff member, parent volunteer and student leader who keeps the heart of this school beating so strongly.
Vic Trip
As I write this, I have the privilege of finishing the term accompanying 29 students from Years 5 and 6 on the 2026 Victorian Goldfields Tour. Alongside Miss O'Keefe, Mr Sanders, Mrs Arrell and our driver, Darrell from Fantastic Aussie Tours, I have been reminded once again what our work in schools is really about.
This remarkable experience has been part of the life of BMGS for more than fifteen years and continues to provide a unique way for students to engage deeply with the history and curriculum of the Australian Gold Rush. There is, of course, plenty of historical learning taking place, but as with so many of our experiences beyond the classroom, the learning extends beyond the curriculum itself.
There is something special about travelling together. Sitting beside students on a bus, sharing meals, working alongside staff, laughing, telling stories, looking out for one another, navigating the occasional lack of sleep, and discovering new places together reminds me that schools are, first and foremost, communities built on relationships. Educational research consistently identifies positive relationships with trusted adults and peers as one of the strongest contributors to students' engagement, wellbeing and success at school. Experiences like this remind me why that is true.
I am grateful for the opportunity to share this journey with our students and staff. It has been a timely reminder that while academic learning remains central to our purpose, relationships are what give that learning its greatest meaning. They are, and always should be, at the very heart of Blue Mountains Grammar School.
And yes, for anyone wondering, it is cold!
As I reflect on the term, there is one area that I would encourage us all to think carefully about together.
Attendance
I have become increasingly aware of and somewhat concerned about attendance. I am not referring to students who are absent because they are genuinely unwell, because of necessary family commitments, or for other legitimate reasons. Rather, I am hearing more frequently from students that they are staying home, arriving late or leaving early simply because they are tired.
I understand that tiredness is real. We all experience seasons where energy is low and motivation is difficult to find. Yet one of the most important lessons we can teach young people is that showing up matters, even when they do not feel at their best.
Educational research consistently demonstrates that regular attendance is associated with stronger academic progress because students benefit not only from instruction, but also from discussion, feedback, relationships and the shared experience of learning alongside others. Research also links persistent absenteeism with lower achievement, reduced engagement and a weaker sense of belonging within the school community.
Showing up, however, is about more than academic performance.
Life beyond school regularly asks us to honour commitments even when we are not operating at 100 per cent. The workplace, family life, community organisations and friendships all depend upon people who can be relied upon to turn up. Sometimes showing up with 50 per cent is still enough. It says, "I belong here. I am committed. I am part of something bigger than myself."
Our presence also matters to others. Your smile may encourage someone who is struggling. Your humour may lighten another person's day. Your willingness simply to be there may communicate that your class, your team or your tutor group matters. Showing up is rarely only about us; often it is about what our presence contributes to those around us.
This is not an invitation to ignore genuine illness or to push through when rest or medical care is genuinely required. Rather, it is an encouragement to develop the habits that allow us to pace ourselves well: healthy sleep routines, balanced commitments, sensible use of technology, exercise, good nutrition and the resilience to recognise that we will not always feel ready before we begin. I encourage families to have a plan for attendance heading into term 3.
Sometimes the act of showing up is precisely what helps us regain momentum.
Go well
As Term 2 comes to a close, I hope every family enjoys a well-earned break. For many, holidays provide an opportunity to rest, reconnect and recharge. I also recognise that school holidays are not equally easy for everyone. For some families, changes to routine can make life more complicated rather than less. We acknowledge that reality and hold those members of our community particularly in our thoughts.
My hope for each of us over the coming weeks is that we find time for genuine rest, movement, laughter, good books, conversations around the dinner table, and opportunities to serve others. These simple things often do more to restore us than we realise.
Finally, to those families and staff who are leaving BMGS at the end of the term, thank you for the contribution you have made to our community. Please remember that once you have been part of Blue Mountains Grammar School, you will always be part of Blue Mountains Grammar School. You will always be welcome back, whether as a student or as a visitor. To those joining our community in Term 3, welcome! We look forward to getting to know you well and to sharing the journey ahead together.
Have a safe and restful break, and I look forward to welcoming everyone back for another exciting term.
Warm regards
Steven Coote
Principal
This document has been reviewed for spelling and grammar. Please note that as such, it may identify some content as being generated by AI.