From the Acting Headmaster

As we end Term 2, I would like to extend my thanks to the parents and carers at Blue Mountains Grammar School. Welcome back to Term 3 Blue Mountains Grammar School – schools are always a much better place when students are here, so it was nice to see them return on Wednesday. 

While term break is quieter at School, there were still a lot of things occurring in our community that deserve a mention and some thanks. 

BMGS really is a vibrant community and we saw that over the past three weeks. I had the opportunity to attend the Junior School trip to Victoria – over 30 students and staff trekking their way from Echuca to Bendigo, Ballarat and Beechworth, developing our understanding of the way the gold rush and the Eureka stockade shaped our country. 

I want to thank the staff – Mrs Gerrard, Miss Smyth and Mrs Newton for leaving the comforts of home for eight days to provide such a rich experience for our students. I would also like to thank the students for making me feel so welcome and for presenting BMGS in such a positive light to our hosts. I am also sure that the Blue Mountains now has a significant supply of Raspberry Drops from Sovereign Hill.

Our snow sports teams had a few trips over the break in both snowshoe events and skiing. The conditions were perfect and hearing the stories at our Senior School assembly yesterday confirmed what a rush it was for everyone who attended. Thank you to Ms Adele Stubenrauch and Mr Nathan Mas-Stephens for the preparation that provided our students with such an opportunity – one that I am sure will live with them forever. 

Our F1 in Schools team were competing on the world stage. While it was disappointing for them that COVID prevented them from heading to London for the Final, their week together gave them an experience that will shape them for some time. I am proud to announce that we finished 19th in the world, which is a significant achievement. I want to thank Mr O’Keeffe for the extensive work he has put into this team over the past twelve months, and I look forward to taking that team out to lunch to recognise what they have achieved. 

Add to that also the numerous teachers and students who came in over the break to provide opportunity for focused times of study and work on major projects, particularly for our Year 12 students. Thank you to all those staff, and thumbs up to those students for making the time to sustain their momentum heading into their last term of classes. 

And that is important to mention as well – that this is the last term for our Year 12 students. Year 12 we are right behind you this term, and we know you are going to be great. We are on your side and while I am sure there will be laughter and tears, remember we are all in this together, so be assured that we will walk this path with you.

We will be in regular communication this term. We are planning several events that we would love to see you attend, including Meet and Greets at both our Springwood and Wentworth Falls campuses. These will be held during the day and also in the evening to make them available for as many people as possible. 

Again, welcome back to Term 3. 

Mr Steven Coote

Acting Headmaster