From the Principal

Dear Blue Mountains Grammar School Community,

Winter Ball

As we delve into the heart of winter, I am so pleased to reflect on the success of the Winter Ball 2023, an event that brought our school community together for a delightful evening of celebration. I want to thank the dedicated staff who poured their efforts into making this event possible. Their commitment and hard work ensured our students could enjoy a memorable night filled with joy and camaraderie.

It was heartwarming to witness our students' impeccable behaviour and maturity throughout the evening. Their conduct showcased the values and principles we strive to instil in our young people. Furthermore, the support shown by parents, grandparents, siblings, and extended family members is appreciated by everyone in attendance. It is this spirit that makes our school community truly special.

Shrek Junior

In addition to the Winter Ball, I am delighted to thank the team that brought our "Shrek Junior" production to life. Many hours of hard work, dedication, and creative energy have been poured into this production, and the result was an opportunity for our students to enjoy the buzz of performing to a live audience. To the cast, crew, teachers, parents, and volunteers who worked behind the scenes, thank you for delivering a performance that made us smile. Your teamwork exemplifies the spirit of our school, and we are immensely proud of each one of you. Bravo!

Staffing

I want to take a moment to acknowledge some staffing updates within our Senior School. With mixed emotions, we announce the departure of two valued staff members at the end of this term. Julie Hiam, our talented Art / Design and Technology teacher, has decided to embark on new opportunities that will allow her to explore her artistic capacity further. We eagerly await and look forward to witnessing the exciting path that Julie's talents will take her on. Her creative contributions and dedication to our students will be missed.

Additionally, Leah Opie from our PDHPE team has decided to prioritise spending more time with her young family, and as a result, she will also be leaving at the end of Term 2. We extend our sincerest thanks to Leah for her invaluable contributions to Blue Mountains Grammar School. Her nurturing and compassionate approach has left a lasting impact on our students, and we wish her all the best as she focuses on this new chapter of her life.

Subject Selection

Over the past two weeks, we have hosted students and parents at our two Senior School Subject Selection evenings. I want to thank our community for making the time to attend. This year there was definitely a higher representation of families, and we are thankful for your commitment to this part of the process. As you work through the choices, please remember that at any point you have a question, please check in with either a teacher or Mrs Michielsen, who would be only too happy to talk through any questions.

TEDx

As I am sure some people know, I have been invited to speak at TEDx Katoomba on 30th June 2023. I have had a look at the program, and I am humbled to have the opportunity to speak alongside some exceptionally qualified and expert speakers. The event is now a sellout. However, I have been asked to share the word that Blue Mountains Library is offering a live stream of the event at Katoomba and Springwood libraries on the day. I am not telling you this so that you can listen to me, but to give you a chance to pack a nice picnic basket and spend a day at the library to listen to over a dozen quality presenters. TEDx in the Mountains is an exciting prospect, and I am definitely looking forward to the event.  

As we move forward, I hope we remember to enjoy the moments we create together as a school community. Whether it's celebrating achievements, nurturing talent, or facing challenges head-on, we are all an integral part of the Blue Mountains Grammar School story.

I appreciate your support, and let us continue to embrace the warmth and togetherness that defines our community.

Warm regards,

Steven Coote 

Principal