Finale

This final Pulse for 2021 provides students and families with closing remarks on a whole range of matters.

Giving Day and the Student Centre

Letters are currently being sent to the donors of our inaugural BMGS Giving Day to thank them and keep them abreast of developments. Having celebrated our fundraising triumph back in May, follow-up communications and the construction project itself were both disrupted by the 2021 COVID-19 lockdown. Construction will now commence and be completed in the new year.

Academic Reports

Next week, families who have not yet, will receive their children’s Semester 2 Academic Report(s). The achievements of our students must be commended, considering their transition to online learning and then back out, as well as the many other complications and distractions 2021 has sent their way. Despite the challenges our students have faced, their reports demonstrate a great deal of growth and many achievements. They should be proud of both and be commended for both.

After surveying parents in mid-2021 in relation to the aspects of School reports they value, we changed the design and focus of our reports substantially. Senior School reports have been issued in this planned format, whereas Junior School reports have been cut down due to the extraordinary nature of this semester. Whilst some aspects have been included this semester, Junior School families will receive reports wholly in the new format for the first time in 2022.

Parents will soon receive an email with a link to a survey that will enable them to provide their perspective on the reports they will receive next week, if they have not already done so. Please note that we will continue to survey parents in relation to reports throughout 2022.

Presentation Ceremonies and the BMGS Art & Design Exhibition

Next Wednesday, 8th December, will provide us with one last opportunity this year to collectively celebrate the achievements of our students.

The Junior School Presentation Ceremony (11:30am) remains in the middle of the day and the Senior School Presentation Ceremony (3:00pm) has been moved to an earlier time to facilitate the involvement of all Senior School students by a simple transition into the Sports Centre at the end of the school day. This timing also enables us to follow the Ceremony with the BMGS Art and Design Exhibition (5:00pm – 7:00pm).

Parents who are attending the Presentation Ceremonies are encouraged to visit the Art and Design Exhibition. Parents are also encouraged to arrive early as, despite our best plans, COVID-Safety check-in protocols are expected to take time. Those unable to attend our Presentation Ceremonies may be thankful for the link to a live stream we plan to send next week via email. We will also be recording the Ceremonies for others to view later. A link will be sent to this content when editing is complete.

Goodbyes

This year our community says goodbye to some much-loved students, families and staff. We will wish them farewell, celebrate their time among us and give them due honour at the appropriate times. For now, I thank each one of them for their unique contribution to this community.

At the Year 12 farewell events and combined Valedictory Assembly/Dinner on Monday, 6th December, we say goodbye to the 2021 Year 12 cohort that has persevered through an extraordinary two years. Their academic and co-curricular achievements are all the more special because of the circumstances under which they have been achieved. We have nothing but admiration for their character and nothing but well-wishes for their future and look forward to kicking up our heels with them at the Year 12 Formal the following night.

This week the Junior School have begun to say goodbye to Year 6, who transition to the Senior School next year. On Friday evening, 3rd December, they will celebrate their transition in an outdoor Graduation Ceremony and Chapel Service before they too kick up their heels at the Year 6 Formal.

We also say goodbye to some extraordinary educators that have committed themselves to BMGS students for many years. We are profoundly thankful for their contribution to our students’ academic and co-curricular lives and wish them all the very best for the next chapter of their lives.

No one departing staff member has contributed more to the lives of generations of BMGS students than our inimitable Head of Junior School, Mr Nigel Cockington who will, next year, be sunning himself in a leadership role in an Anglican school in Port Macquarie. Mr Cockington has been the heart of the Junior School for fourteen of his fifteen years at our School. He has left a profound mark in the lives of every single student and will forever be remembered by them and by this School. I thank him on behalf of the whole School community.

Thank You

This year has required every one of us to be more flexible than we have ever been before. Many of us have adapted more, worked harder, been more isolated, missed our family and friends, laughed less, cried more and generally struggled. It has required us to forego experiences we previously took for granted. For many, the simple pleasures that had previously kept us going were stripped away and, at times, life was just hard. I, like many of you, regret that this describes any of our lives. I am further saddened if for you, the measures the School has been required, or has elected, to implement have contributed to making this year less than you had hoped. However, I am thankful for the understanding, support and encouragement my staff and I have received from the BMGS community of students and parents throughout 2021. I am further thankful that students, parents and staff have been so supportive and encouraging of each other. Yet again, 2021 has underscored the strength of our community.

Seasons Greetings

On behalf of every hardworking member of my fabulous staff team, I wish every student and every School family a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and a fabulous time with family and friends over the summer break. On behalf of every student and parent, I wish every BMGS employee Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and a deep and powerful rest over the summer break.

May God bless each one!

Per Ardua Ad Altiora

Mr Ian Maynard

Headmaster

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