From the Principal
To the Blue Mountains Grammar School Community,
There has been plenty to discuss since our last newsletter at the end of term 1. While I will not capture everything, I will do my best to highlight the depth of action in our school.
Mothers Day Breakfast
Thank you to all who could join us for our Mother's Day breakfasts this week. It is really lovely to host you at our school. To all of our Mums and Grandmothers, it is my hope that you enjoy Sunday. Happy Mother's Day.
2024 NZ Rugby Tour
I want to acknowledge the success of our recent Rugby Tour to New Zealand. This tour marked a significant milestone as our first international sporting excursion since the global pause due to COVID-19. This event showcased our students' skills and sportsmanship and symbolised a joyful return to the traditions cherished within our community.
I acknowledge Mr Adrian Michielsen, whose dedication and tireless efforts were instrumental in orchestrating this memorable tour. The logistical complexities of international travel are challenging at the best of times, and even more so in our current climate. Mr Michielsen's meticulous planning and commitment ensured a smooth and enriching experience for all involved, epitomizing the spirit of BMGS's commitment to excellence.
The tour was a fantastic opportunity for our students to compete internationally. The matches were played with great effort and sportsmanship, and we played admirably. The experiences gained on and off the field were invaluable, fostering personal growth and team cohesion to serve our students well into the future.
I would also like to acknowledge and thank Mr Heckendorf, who generously gave up his term break to assist in supervising this tour. His presence provided invaluable support and guidance to our students, ensuring their safety and well-being throughout the trip.
You can watch a preview of the tour below.
Senior Drama Performances
Last night, I had the opportunity to see our Senior Students perform in Stories From Suburban Road. Congratulations to everyone involved. What an exceptional portrayal of Australia before World War II. And the music - some good quality Australian Rock. Well done, everyone!
Strategic Intent Development
Over the past 6-8 months, we have embarked on a collaborative journey with our students and staff to shape the next strategic intentions document. In the upcoming weeks, we will extend this collaboration to include focus groups for parents, ensuring that we hear from all the valued stakeholders in our community. If you want to participate in a focus group, please click the link and complete the form.
I have been asked, "Why do we need another strategic plan?" The answer to that question is urgent. We are at a pivotal moment in the history of learning. For over a century, the learning model employed by most schools has been focused on knowledge acquisition and convincing young people that their effort, for more than 14 years, will be worth it. However, this model has led to an international decline in the learning outcomes of Australian students since 2008. In fact, Australia ranks among the countries with the highest decline in school engagement among all OECD nations. The disengagement is most severe in year 9, where we only sit above France and The Slovak Republic. The federally funded Grattan Institute identifies that approximately 44% of Australian students are academically unproductive in one year. This is a staggering number, and it is increasing.
As we approach the next 3-10 years at Blue Mountains Grammar School, we need a plan that zeroes in on our community and pulls back to see where we sit globally. The Executive Summary of the 2021 UNESCO report entitled Reimagining our Futures Together - A New Social Contract for Education provides some insight into the case for change. It states:
Our world is at a turning point. We already know that knowledge and learning are the basis for renewal and transformation. But global disparities – and a pressing need to reimagine why, how, what, where, and when we learn – mean that education is not yet fulfilling its promise to help us shape peaceful, just, and sustainable futures.
In our quest for growth and development, we humans have overwhelmed our natural environment, threatening our own existence. Today, high living standards coexist with gaping inequalities. More and more people are engaged in public life, but the fabric of civil society and democracy is fraying in many places around the world. Rapid technological changes are transforming many aspects of our lives. Yet, these innovations are not adequately directed at equity, inclusion and democratic participation.
Everyone today has a heavy obligation to both current and future generations – to ensure that our world is one of abundance not scarcity, and that everyone enjoys the same human rights to the fullest. Despite the urgency of action, and in conditions of great uncertainty, we have reason to be full of hope. As a species, we are at the point in our collective history where we have the greatest access ever to knowledge and tools that enable us to collaborate. The potential for engaging humanity in creating better futures together has never been greater.
Our team is energised by the possibilities for our school and how that will positively impact our students. Our students will not be passive recipients of this work - they will be involved in it up to their eyeballs - exactly the way learning should be designed.
I look forward to walking this path with you as well.
Warm regards,
Steven Coote
Principal