From the
Head of Senior School
Over the past fortnight, the Senior School continued to demonstrate the energy, commitment, and spirit that make our community so special. As we moved deeper into Term 2, students balanced academic commitments, co-curricular opportunities, leadership responsibilities, and the many events that shape life at Blue Mountains Grammar School.
This week, students participated in House Meetings as preparations continued for the Athletics Carnival. These occasions played an important role in building House spirit, participation, and connection across the Senior School, while also encouraging students to challenge themselves and contribute positively to their House communities.
Our Year 9 students recently returned from their Wilderness Education Expedition, an important part of our Learning Beyond the Classroom program. Experiences such as these provide students with opportunities to develop resilience, teamwork, independence, and leadership in authentic settings beyond the traditional classroom environment. Staff were incredibly proud of the way students approached the challenges of the expedition and the growth many demonstrated throughout the experience.
This week also saw our Years 10 and 12 students attend the Careers Expo at Randwick Racecourse. Exposure to universities, apprenticeships, traineeships, and industry pathways remains a critical part of helping students make informed decisions about their futures. Students engaged positively with exhibitors and were encouraged to explore a wide range of post-school opportunities and pathways.
Our School Captains, Zara Nicholas and Finley Snedden attended a Leadership Symposium at the University of Sydney, where they had the opportunity to engage with student leaders from a range of schools, hear from keynote speakers, and reflect on contemporary approaches to leadership, service, and community. The experience provided valuable insight and inspiration for our student leaders as they continue their work within the Senior School. A write-up of the day can be seen from Zara below.
Academically, this continued to be an important reporting and assessment period across the Senior School. Staff worked closely with students to support academic growth, provide feedback, and maintain high expectations around organisation, attendance, and engagement with learning. We also thank families for their continued partnership and support, particularly during Parent/Teacher Interview evenings and reporting periods.
Excitement has also continued to build as we entered the final stages of preparation for the 2026 Winter Ball, which will take place next week. Rehearsals have been filled with enthusiasm, energy, and anticipation, and students have embraced the experience with great spirit and commitment. The Winter Ball remains one of the most significant traditions in Senior School life, bringing together students, staff, and families in a celebration of community, connection, and belonging. It is shaping up to be a truly memorable evening and undoubtedly a night to remember.
At a broader level, our work in the Senior School continued to be shaped by the School’s Strategic Transformation Project (STP), particularly through its focus on learner experience, culture, belonging, and future-focused education. Across classrooms, wellbeing initiatives, leadership opportunities, and co-curricular programs, we remain committed to ensuring students are known, challenged, cared for, and prepared for the world beyond school.
As always, I would like to thank our staff, students, and families for the positivity and support they bring to our community each day. The middle of Term 2 is always a busy and demanding period, but it is also one filled with growth, opportunity, and celebration.
Warm regards,
Alicia Michielsen
Head of Senior School
On Thursday of Week 4, Finn and I were lucky enough to attend a high school Leadership Symposium for Captains/Leaders at St Andrew’s College, Sydney. On the day, we participated in sessions run by professors from Sydney Uni, which was super insightful- particularly hearing about the value of ‘luck’. We learnt that often, ‘luck’ is the result of simply stepping towards opportunities rather than away. We later discussed core values in an interactive activity with the other students (I shared my thoughts on care and curiosity!) and worked in teams to fulfil roles in a virtual ‘Everest Climb’ experience. Later, we heard from leaders at St Andrew’s College and learnt about post-high school leadership opportunities. A really valuable take-away from the day was the power of effective listening. Working in groups, we provided each other with feedback on how we can be more constructive listeners, a super important aspect of leadership.
Thank you to BMGS for giving us opportunities like these to step towards. I highly recommend symposiums like this for anyone interested in leadership during high school and beyond!
Zara Nicholas