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Prioritising People over Processes
One of the most important elements in effective, profitable business planning is spending time on the plan. Planning begins with an objective evaluation of your options and opportunities. We often hear the suggestion to ‘remove the emotions and the people from the equation and make an unbiased assessment’. While this may be relevant if you are running BHP, it becomes more complicated when working in a school.
People are at the heart of everything we do. If we remove the people and emotions from our scenario – the school - we will only be left with empty grounds, scrub turkeys, dead air, and locked classrooms.
Of course, to be successful, schools must have a clear strategy and goals that align with their mission and vision. Effective management and leadership are essential, and well-designed systems and IT solutions provide significant support.
The challenge in schools is that the moment you create efficiency, you also diminish the need for human interaction and intervention. Removing humans from the decision-making and planning processes causes a school to lose its uniqueness and warmth. It may create fast, efficient, and shiny outcomes, however the sense of community and whole purpose of education would be lost. At this point, I believe any school would lose its heart.
At Grammar, relationships are our currency, and we must vigorously defend and nurture the intangible elements of our community with energy and determination.
Institutions should continuously evaluate and improve their processes to increase efficiency, but never at the expense of effectiveness and human connection. I tend to lean into the human-centric context, as I believe that efficiencies in schools should be implemented with the people in mind. We can certainly always improve our school and its processes, but if we lose the human element, then not all efficiencies are beneficial in the long term.
Open Day
On Wednesday, we hosted our third and final Open Day for 2025.
The most common response from visitors and prospective families is that they chose Grammar because of the way the school and campus make them feel! This sentiment was expressed so succinctly by one of the families visiting our campus this week:
“We were particularly impressed by the school’s commitment to its values of People, Planet, Progress, and its holistic, values-driven approach to education. The strong sense of community, the focus on striving to serve a purpose bigger than oneself, and the integration of family and connection into the school’s culture resonated deeply with us. It is clear that SCGS not only prioritises academic excellence, but also nurtures character, wellbeing, and community, which is of utmost importance to us as a family.”
Let’s never forget that it is people who create and steward culture. It’s about ‘the feels’ – not necessarily the efficiencies.
Anna Owen
Principal
GRAMMAR LONG LUNCH
Our highly anticipated Grammar Long Lunch will be back for its third year on Saturday, 11 October!
We are currently seeking sponsors to help make this event a success. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our sponsors in previous years, we have secured two co-curricular buses, which have boosted student participation in sporting, cultural and service activities.
We invite businesses and individuals to partner with us in delivering an unforgettable Long Lunch. Contact our Events and Development Coordinator, Rachael Synott, to find out more about our sponsorship packages.
Email: marketing@scgs.qld.edu.au
Phone: (07) 5445 4444
Time: 12:00 - 6:00 pm
Location: Sunshine Coast Grammar School
Tickets: Purchase your ticket via Events Online
*Please note this is an 18+ event.
FROM THE P&F
Gift tokens for the Father's Day Stall are now available. For more information and to purchase, visit Events Online.
President
School Photo Day
Queensland School Photography will be onsite to conduct our yearly school photos. The photos will be set up at Grammar Hall and MPC area on the following days:
Tuesday 19 August – Sibling photos, Secondary individual photos (excluding Year 10) and Life Long Learners.
Wednesday 20 August – Sibling photos, Primary individual photos, Primary Class Photos.
Tuesday 26 August - Catch-up photo day, Year 10 cohort
Requirements
Please ensure your child has the following uniform requirements:
- Full school uniform, including blazer
- School shoes cleaned and polished
- School colour hair ties and ribbons only
Cyber Safety
In today’s digital world, staying informed about online safety is more important than ever—especially for parents guiding children through the complexities of life online. To help support these conversations at home, we’ve curated a selection of media recommended by cybersafety expert Susan McLean. Whether you're revisiting these messages yourself or sharing them with other families, we hope these tools empower you to create a safer, more confident digital environment for your children.
Informative & Impactful Shows for Parents
- SBS On Demand: The Children in the Pictures
A powerful documentary that follows Task Force Argos as they work to rescue children from online sexual abuse. Watch on SBS On Demand
- 60 Minutes: The Alarming Rise of Sexual Assault on Young People on Dating Apps
This episode investigates the growing dangers young people face on dating apps and social media platforms. Watch on 9Now
In-Depth Expert Interview
- The Hidden Dangers Every Parent Should Know (44:30 min)
A comprehensive podcast episode where Susan shares her journey, insights on cyberbullying, grooming, and practical advice for families. Watch Full Interview
This exclusive, one-off event is fast approaching to hear from two of Australia’s leading experts, Susan McLean and Dr Michael Carr-Gregg.
They will share invaluable insights on how to empower young people to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.
Date: Tuesday, 2 September 2025
Time: 7:30 pm
Register: Register online here
Director of Operations
Kelly Somerville
In Matthew 25:40, Jesus reminds us:
'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'
At Grammar, our students are regularly encouraged and given many opportunities to live out this call to compassion and service. Recently, our Year 11 and 12 students had the privilege of hearing from guest speakers from Rainbow House, a charity dedicated to providing education and nutrition to orphans and vulnerable children in Lusaka, Zambia, and World Vision, a global organisation committed to bringing global change.
Many of our students have been inspired and are preparing to take part in the 40-Hour Famine, an initiative of World Vision that celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Through this challenge, students will give up something meaningful for 40 hours, standing in solidarity with children and families around the world who face hunger and hardship daily. It has been a blessing to see the enthusiasm and compassion of our students as they model faith in action and look to make a real difference.
Secondary Family Chapel Service
All secondary families are welcome to join us for our annual service on Sunday, 24 August.
Belinda Modlin
Acting School Chaplain
Understanding Executive Function Skills
Executive function is a term used to describe a set of mental skills that help us manage our thoughts, actions, and emotions. These skills develop gradually from birth and continue maturing into our mid-20s, with each person having their unique mix of strengths and challenges.
When executive function skills are significantly impacted — as is often the case for individuals with ADHD — every aspect of daily life can be affected, from learning and problem-solving to managing routines and completing tasks.
By understanding our children’s executive function profile, we can better support them in building routines, habits, and strategies that play to their strengths while addressing areas of difficulty.
Here is a breakdown of the key executive function skills:
Emotional Control – Managing feelings to stay on track and achieve goals.
Tip: Model calm breathing or counting to 10 before responding when you’re frustrated—kids learn best by seeing it in action.
Flexibility – Adjusting plans when things change.
Tip: Occasionally change a small plan (like dinner or a weekend activity) and talk together about new options and how to adapt.
Goal-Directed Persistence – Sticking with tasks until they’re finished.
Tip: Use a simple “before/after” rule—fun activity happens after the less exciting task is done, and celebrate the win together.
Metacognition – Reflecting on how we think, learn, and problem-solve.
Tip: At the end of the day, ask, 'What worked well today? What could we try differently tomorrow?'
Organisation – Keeping track of materials and information.
Tip: Set up a home “launch pad” spot where school bags, shoes, and homework belong, so nothing gets lost in the morning rush.
Planning & Prioritisation – Deciding what’s important and mapping out steps to get there.
Tip: On busy days, make a short “top three” list together—these are the main things to finish first.
Response Inhibition / Impulse Control – Thinking before acting, hitting “pause” on a bad idea.
Tip: Play games like “Simon Says” or “Red Light, Green Light” that require stopping and thinking before moving.
Stress Tolerance – Coping well with pressure, uncertainty, and change.
Tip: Share a simple calming strategy—like slow breathing or a comforting object—that they can use when feeling worried.
Sustained Attention – Staying focused despite distractions.
Tip: Break homework or chores into small, timed chunks with short movement breaks in between.
Task Initiation – Getting started without unnecessary delay.
Tip: Use a “just start for 5 minutes” rule—the momentum often keeps them going.
Time Management – Using time wisely and meeting deadlines.
Tip: Involve your child in setting a start time and finish time for activities, and use a clock or visual schedule to keep on track.
Working Memory – Holding and using information while completing a task.
Tip: Play memory games or ask your child to repeat back instructions before starting a task.
Developing these skills helps children and adolescents become more independent, resilient, and ready to face life’s challenges — both in and out of the classroom.
Fiona Harris
School Psychologist | Clinical Psychologist
FROM THE HEAD OF PRIMARY
Extended Learning
It has been a fantastic year for Extended Learning with exciting events including the da Vinci Decathlon, G.A.T.E.WAYS Workshops each term, as well as the class extension programs led by Mrs Gahan.
ICAS opportunities have also been offered, with Writing and English tests completed, and Science and Maths to be held in Weeks 6 and 7 of this term, which will finalise these competitions. ICAS is an academic competition designed to challenge and engage students who excel academically in specific subjects. Geared towards students with strong academic abilities in their chosen competition area, such as Writing, Mathematics, English and Science, ICAS provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their knowledge, critical thinking and problem-solving skills on a global platform.
The Term 3 Sunshine Coast Independent Primary Heads Alliance (SCIPHA) Day of Excellence was held last Friday for selected Year 6 students. The day involved a series of challenging and engaging codebreaking tasks requiring teamwork, persistence and logic. Students worked alongside other talented Year 6 students from across the region.
Parent Teacher Interviews
In the coming days, the next phase of our reporting process will be communicated to parents, with parents invited to make a Parent Teacher Interview time with their child’s teacher. Interviews will be held in Weeks 8 and 9, the first two weeks of September.
Year 1 Camp Day
Year 1 Teachers, students and support staff will be attending the Mudjimba Apex Adventure Camp on Friday, 22 August for their annual Camp Day. This explicitly organised program has links to the Year 1 Science and Geography Units of study. Camp Day provides a wonderful opportunity for the children to communicate and work together as a collaborative year level.
Student Wellbeing
Throughout the year, students in Year 3–6 participate in a workshop focused on personal development and safety. We partner with Let’s Chat as we build our students’ confidence in their understanding of their bodies. These workshops are developmentally appropriate and provide opportunities for discussion and critical thinking about many concepts that our young people are navigating in their everyday world.
Year 4 and 5 students will attend Let’s Chat sessions in Week 6.
Craig Angel
Head of Primary School
FROM THE ACTING HEAD OF SECONDARY
At the recent Year 11 retreat, guest speaker Glen Gerreyn encouraged the students to spend less time consuming content and more time creating it. He spoke to the idea of finding a ‘daily win’ to help build wellbeing, which could be as simple as committing to two push-ups per day and a one-minute run per week. The point he was trying to illustrate is that we must find consistency before we try to find intensity. The importance of establishing healthy routines and maintaining them cannot be understated. The benefits flow to physical health, mental well-being, and academic outcomes as a by-product.
Grammar provides many opportunities to explore life outside the classroom and away from digital distractions. This week alone, we have seen:
- Performing arts: Musical auditions, Eisteddfod competitions and Battle of the Bands qualifiers.
- Academic pursuits: Cess, debating (with a team reaching the QLD Debating Union semi-finals), Readers’ Cup and code-breaking workshops.
- Cultural exchange: Farewelled our French and English exchange students.
- Sporting excellence: Students represented our school and state across more than ten sports.
- Future-focused learning: Students attended our Future Tech series exploring emerging career opportunities.
Parents are encouraged to reach out if they would like more information on how their children can enjoy all the opportunities that Grammar has to provide. A new activity could be the answer to help provide them with their ‘daily win’.
Mr Scott Mayall
Acting Head of Secondary
FROM THE DEAN OF CO-CURRICULUM
Chess
On Monday, 349 students gathered in the Grammar Hall for the 2025 Sunshine Coast Inter-School Chess Championships. Fifty Grammar students competed against some of the best players in the region and came away with outstanding results across all divisions. Congratulations to all participants!
Our top Secondary team has qualified for the State Finals in Brisbane later this year. Best of luck next term!
Primary Division Results
|
Division |
Team Members / Individuals |
Team Result |
Individual Highlights |
|
Premier |
Alyna A, Ben W, Agamareet S, Xavier F |
4th Place |
Alyna: 5/7 Merit |
|
A Division |
Jamie W, Edward W, Arthur H, Huxley G |
3rd Place |
Huxley: 5/7 Merit |
|
B Division |
Ismail Y, Augie B, Joseph B, Connor M |
3rd Place |
Connor: 6/7 (3rd on tiebreak) |
|
C Division |
- |
- |
Will R: 5.5/7 (4th) |
|
D Division |
Gabriel P, Maxwell R, Samuel H, Accalia I |
4th Place |
Maxwell: 4.5/7 Merit |
Secondary Division Results
|
Division |
Team Members |
Team Result |
Individual Highlights |
|
Premier |
Sebastian R, James V, Savannah H, Lucas L |
1st Place |
Savannah: 7/7 (Board 3 prize) |
|
A Division |
Luke B, Riyon W, Christian F |
6th Place |
Luke & Christian: 5/7 Merits |
Our Future Tech Series event was an inspiring evening filled with fresh ideas and real-world insights, designed to inspire our future entrepreneurs, inventors and leaders.
We were honoured to welcome two exceptional guest speakers, Justin Annesley, Co-Founder of Converged Cloud and Fien Van den Steen, Sustainability Strategy Manager at Carbon Asset Solutions.
Justin shared his expertise in startup strategy and global tech ecosystems, while Fien shared her passion for environmental leadership. Their generosity in sharing their knowledge and experience gave our students first-hand insights into their industries.
Thank you to all students and families for attending another thought-provoking session with industry professionals.
A huge thank you to both Justin and Fien for sharing their experiences and speaking with our students.
Readers' Cup
Last Thursday night, five of our Year 9 students took part in the Year 9/10 Readers’ Cup competition at Matthew Flinders College. They did a fantastic job and finished in 4th place (by only half a mark!), a great result in a tough competition!
Readers’ Cup is a fun and challenging event where teams read four books and then compete by answering quiz questions about them. It’s a great way for students to show their love of reading and work together as a team.
Well done to Amelie D-S, Avalon B, Luke B, Sian S, and Abbie M.
Speech & Drama
Over the weekend, our talented Sunshine Coast Grammar Speech and Drama students showcased their skills at the 58th Sunshine Coast Junior Eisteddfod, performing in a variety of categories including verse speaking, character recitals, mime, prose reading, and championship events.
Congratulations to all our performers for their preparation, courage, and creativity. You truly represented Grammar with pride and passion!
- Original Character Recital 12yrs and Under: Winnie V
- Australian Verse 11yrs and Under: Augie B (3rd Place), Winne V (Highly Commended) Mila E, Quinn H, Olive H, Hazel H, Isla S, Hannah S, Heidi W, Avalon B, Jack C
- Australian Verse 12-18 yrs: Dylan F (1st Place), Lachlan S (2nd Place), Heidi W, Avalon B and Jack C
- Senior Speech Championships 14-18yrs: Laila P (Highly Commended)
- Character Recital 11-18yrs Mila E (3rd Place), Olive H
- Memorised Set Verse 8yrs and Under Paige E (3rd Place)
- Original Character Recital 12yrs and under: Hazel H (1st Place), Augie B (3rd Place) Paige E, Amber B, Jack C, Isla S, Zac G, Quinn H, Max C, Hannah S
- Memorised Set Verse 9-10yrs - Hazel H (3rd Place)
- Individual Prepared Mime to Music Avalon B (1st Place)
- Memorised Set Verse 11-13yrs Dylan F (1st Place), Max C (Highly Commended)
- Prepared Bible Reading 11-18yrs Peter M (1st Place)
- Junior Speech Championship 11-13yrs Dylan F (1st Place), Isabella P
- Prepared Prose Reading 11-18yrs Avalon B (3rd Place), Jack C (3rd Place)
- Junior Drama Championship 11-13yrs - Isabella P
Mark Henricks
Dean of Co-Curriculum
FROM THE SPORTS DEPARTMENT
Athletics
Independent District Carnival 4-6 August
90 secondary students led the way in many of the events and age groups, with many top three finishes and personal bests. We congratulate all of those who have qualified for the Sunshine Coast Regional Carnival and recognise the contribution of our Athletics Captains, Meg F and Billy B-P.
Thank you to Tanya Hoffman for managing the team on the day and ensuring that each student was entered to compete. The Secondary Team were missing several students who were unable to compete and proudly finished in third place. We are grateful to all the students who volunteered to compete in events for which they had not originally been selected.
62 students from Years 3 to 7 proudly represented Grammar at the 9–12 Years District Athletics Carnival. The day was filled with outstanding achievements and numerous personal bests. The team performed exceptionally well, finishing second out of the 11 participating schools, an improvement on our third place in 2024.
We were proud to be named Champion School for the 9 Years Girls and 12 Years Boys age groups, and honoured to have four students recognised as Age Champions: Penny D, Rafferty K, Orlando R Toby Birt and Mack C.
A sincere thank you to Nicole Halloran, Tanya Hoffman, Mark Henricks, Mr Withers and Steve Bowman for their support.
Age Champion results
|
Name |
Age |
Place |
|
Penny D |
9 year girls |
1st |
|
Rafferty k |
10 year boys |
1st |
|
Toby B |
11 year boys |
1st |
|
Orlando R |
12 year boys |
1st |
|
Mack C |
12 year MC |
1st |
|
Finn G |
13 year boys |
3rd |
|
Harry G |
14 year boys |
2nd |
|
Ethan W |
15 year boys |
2nd |
|
Marley R |
17 year boys |
3rd |
|
Ryan K-D |
18-19 year boys |
3rd |
Age Group Results
|
Age |
Place |
|
9 year girls |
1st |
|
10 year boys |
4th |
|
11 year boys |
3rd |
|
12 year girls |
2nd |
|
12 year boys |
1st |
|
13 year boys |
3rd |
|
14 year girls |
3rd |
|
14 year boys |
1st |
|
15 year girls |
2nd |
|
15 year boys |
2nd |
Sunshine Coast Region Qualifiers
|
10-12 Years |
13-19 Years |
13-19 Years |
13-19 Years |
|
Alice A |
Addison H |
Hannah P |
Lochlan G |
|
Toby B |
Amelie G |
Harry G |
Mae C |
|
Mack C |
Billy B-P |
Heidi W |
Marley R |
|
Laura C |
Claire C |
Jack F |
Meg F |
|
Amber G |
Davi NR |
Jack K-A |
Molly A |
|
Ethan H |
Eden L |
Jack T |
Oscar K |
|
Rafferty K |
Ethan W |
Jaz E |
Ryan K-D |
|
Orlando R |
Finn G |
Josie A |
Sian S |
|
|
Grace B |
Jude B |
Will K |
Grammar Representatives 10-12 Years
|
Addison B |
Beau B |
Elizabeth B |
Hugo D |
Mia R |
Raph C |
|
Adi C |
Beau R |
Emilia D |
Hunter C |
Mia S |
Ruby H |
|
Airlie G |
Ben T |
Ethan H |
Hux L |
Morgan D |
Scarlett N |
|
Alex S |
Benjamin C |
Evie W |
Indie M |
Oban S |
Skylar S |
|
Alice A |
Birdie P |
Frankie L |
Isabella P |
Olivia K |
Thomas W |
|
Amber G |
Charlie C |
George N |
Laura C |
Orlando R |
Toby B |
|
Amity B |
Chase R |
Georgia G |
Leo N |
Parker C |
Tom W |
|
Annabel V |
Curtis F |
Grace C |
Lincoln S |
Parker J |
Xavier F |
|
Audrey M |
Darcy C |
Harvey H |
Mack C |
Penny D |
Zahra B |
|
Ayana B |
Dash G |
Hazel H |
Max P |
Rafferty K |
|
Grammar Representatives 13-19 Years
|
Addison H |
Davi N-R |
Grace B |
Justine K |
Matilda W |
Seren B |
|
Alinta T |
David G |
Hamish A |
Kaiya S |
Max R |
Sian S |
|
Amelia H |
Dylan T |
Hannah P |
Kian VDB |
Meg F |
Sophie E |
|
Amelie G |
Eden L |
Harry G |
Kobi A |
Mikayla N |
Teagan C |
|
Annabelle E |
Eliza J |
Heidi W |
Lachlan M |
Missy C |
Thomas A |
|
Ben J |
Ella L |
Jack F |
Lachlan S |
Molly A |
Toma W |
|
Billy B-P |
Emma C |
Jack K-A |
Lexi T |
Oliver C |
William K |
|
Blake L |
Estelle M |
Jack T |
Liberty H |
Oscar K |
Yasmin J |
|
Bodi G |
Ethan B |
Jacob R |
Lochlan G |
Patrick B |
Zara J |
|
Bronte B |
Ethan W |
Jayde B |
Logan B |
Patrick J |
|
|
Caitlin G |
Eva D |
Jaz E |
Lucy G |
Poppy W |
|
|
Charlotte E |
Finn G |
Jemima H |
Luke B |
Quinn M |
|
|
Claire C |
Finn P |
Josie A |
Mae C |
Ryan K-D |
|
|
Coopa P |
Flynn S |
Jude B |
Marley R |
Sam F |
|
Cricket
Registrations are now open for the U10 junior cricket season. Join Grammar Cricket today via PlayHQ.
- Ages: 8 to 10 years (DOB between 1 Sept 2015 – 1 Sept 2017)
- Format: Modified T20 (8-a-side), approx. 90-minute games
- Softball: No protective equipment required
- Game Day: Friday evenings, 5:30 pm start
- Venues: Rotating locations including Grammar, Palmwoods, Buderim, Flinders & Landsborough
- Season Commences: Friday, October 10th, 2025
- Season Fees: $200 – inclusive of Cricket Australia insurance
- Training: Day/Time TBC – updates to follow
Football
Representative Football
Laura C and Neve C recently represented the Sunshine Coast at the QRSS 10-12 Years Championships, and their team claimed first place! This is a historic win, given that the last time the Sunshine Coast achieved similar success was in 2010.
The team remained undefeated throughout the competition - the only team to do so across both boys’ and girls’ divisions, conceding just one goal in the entire tournament. An outstanding performance from start to finish!
They will bring home not only the Championship Trophy and medals but also the Coastal Derby Trophy after defeating the South Coast team.
U7 Blades
What a season it’s been for our U7 Blades soccer team! These little legends have dribbled, passed, and scored their way through the season with big smiles and even bigger energy. Whether it was mastering the art of goal celebrations, chasing the ball in every direction, or pulling off a sneaky goal (or two!), our players gave it their all. A huge shoutout to our superstar coaches and snack-bringing heroes.
U10 Eagles
The team has undeniably had a tough season, but they never lost their spirit and their joy for the game. It has been a privilege to observe the players' tenacity and team spirit throughout the season. Starting with Sebastian in the forefront, he is determined in goal and quick on his feet. Rory is our strength in the centre of defence and midfield. Ben holds the defence together and often has one of the biggest kicks on the field. Lincoln offers pure stamina, holding the defence and midfield together. Josh is one of our playmakers in the midfield, pumping out long-range shots. Austin is pure skill in the midfield and upfront in attack. Harrison is a playmaker in the midfield and offers iron clad defence. Ollie is all skill in attack and solid in defence with a kick that sends the football off like a rocket. Arthur never runs out of energy in midfield and is like a wall in defence. Agam is full of speed and skill in defence and midfield offence. Hayden is steadfast and solid in goals and Vivin is strength and pure soccer skill upfront as an entertaining striker.
Pool Lifesaving
2025 Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships – Swansea, Wales
We have welcomed back Reagan C from her first Australian Lifesaving Team campaign. Reagan’s first campaign was successful, with her winning an individual gold in the 200m Obstacle Race and being part of two gold medal relay teams. The Australian Development Team was narrowly beaten by the English Team, who won the overall point score.
Community Service – Photo Shoot for the Royal Life Saving Society – Australia
In the first week of the June school holidays, a group of Grammar Pool Lifesavers dedicated their own time to take part in a Photo Shoot for the Royal Life Saving Society – Australia. The photos and the footage will be used to update the National Lifesaving manual and the National Swimming and Lifesaving Benchmarks.
Thank you to Mikail, Luke Y, Tom B, Owen B, Ari W, Ben T, Ewan W, Reagan C, Amelia, Zara S, Airlie and Tia – Rose.
2025 Queensland Surf Lifesaving Pool Rescue
We had six Grammar Pool Lifesaving Club members compete at the Gold Coast at the 2025 Queensland Surf Lifesaving Pool Rescue on the weekend of the 12th – 13th July. It was a very successful weekend with Grammar bringing home numerous medals.
- Luke Y - Gold Under 13 100m Obstacle Race, Gold Under 50m Brick Carry
- Ari W - Silver Under 12 50m Brick Carry
Team Events – Under 12 - Under 13
- Tom B and Owen B - Gold 10m Line throw
- Luke Y and Ari W – Silver 10m Line throw
- Luke Y and Ari W – Gold 100m Rescue Race
- Tom B, Owen B, Luke Y and Ari W – Gold in 4x50m Obstacle Relay and 4x25 m brick relay.
2025 Australian Surf Lifesaving Pool Rescue
Good luck to the Grammar Pool Lifesaving Club members and the Pool Rescue athletes from the Sunshine Coast Surf Lifesaving Clubs who are heading to Adelaide to compete in the 2025 Australian Pool Lifesaving Championships this weekend.
Surf Livesaving
Indi B was recently selected in the Australian Youth Lifesaving Team to compete in the Battle of the Tasman on the Gold Coast later this month. We look forward to hearing more and reporting on this experience in the upcoming weeks. Go Indi!
Water Polo
We congratulate Harry C and Sam E on their recent success with the QRSS Water Polo team, claiming the silver medal at the recent Australian Championships.
Harry C is further acknowledged for his selection in the Water Polo Queensland U18 boys’ team that will compete at the 2025 U21 New Zealand National Championships in Rotorua, from 23 - 26 August. This is in addition to his recent selection to compete in the USA as part of a representative team that competed in the US Junior Olympics U18 National Tournament. Well done!
RUGBY
The rain couldn’t keep us off the green for our annual Golf Day last week!
A huge thank you to our sponsors for your continued support and your generous contributions.
Girls 10s Comp
U14
A tough match saw Grammar dig deep for a win over Siena. Maeve ran the length of the field to score and Captains Maeve and Mia delivered strong leadership. Torah was fearless in the second game and Zara impressed on debut. In a friendly rematch, Grammar won again with tries from Maeve, Mia and Zara, plus sharp kicking from Marlee.
Grammar 15 v Siena 5
U16
The U16 Girls hit the home fields last Wednesday with full of energy and determination for their back-to-back games. They came out strong against Siena, showing everyone exactly what Grammar rugby is all about and securing a well-deserved win. With barely a break, they backed it up against Unity in a tough second match. While the scoreboard didn’t swing their way, the girls displayed incredible effort, resilience, and teamwork throughout.
Grammar 38 v Siena 5
Grammar 7 v Unity 20
U18
Last week's game was thrilling and closely contested, with Siena taking home the win by one point. The game went down to the wire, with Grammar conceding a try at the full-time whistle. The team also played well against Good Shepherd and ended the night with a win.
Grammar 19 v Siena 20
Grammar 41 v Good Shepherd 0
Troy Atkins
Head of Rugby
SWIMMING
School Sport Australia Aquatic Games
Six talented student-athletes proudly represented Queensland Representative School Sport at the Aquatic Games last week, bringing home nine medals, including three gold, plus the prestigious Sportsmanship Award!
From swimming to diving, our students competed against top talent from across Australia and Fiji, showing incredible skill, leadership and team spirit.
Congratulations to all students and coaching staff on their remarkable achievements!
Read more about their achievements on our website.
Luke Stafford
Director of Swimming & Head Coach
UPCOMING EVENTS
District and Regional Trials
District and Sunshine Coast Regional Trials commence next week for some sports. It is important that students monitor announcements closely, taking note of the strict closing dates.
Please contact Mrs Hoffman (Secondary) or Mrs Halloran (Primary) if you have any questions.
Students 10-12 years https://scissa.asn.au/trial-info-primary/
Students 13-19 years https://scissa.asn.au/trial-info-secondary/
Grammar Fitness Centre
Attention all secondary students and athletes
Improve your physical and mental health by exercising regularly, using the Grammar Fitness Centre, free of charge.
The school gym is located in the Aquatic Centre and is available for use by students in years 7-12 on Monday and Thursday afternoons between 3:15 - 5:00 pm. All you need to bring is a towel, water bottle, covered shoes and a positive attitude. These sessions are supervised and led by a qualified personal trainer who can help create a training program for you.
We value our students and would like to celebrate success through sport. Please email news articles and a maximum of three photos to Mr Withers - awithers@scgs.qld.edu.au (Primary) and Mr Abrahams - jabrahams@scgs.qld.edu.au (Secondary), and we will try to include them in our fortnightly newsletters. It is important that we mention all Grammar students involved in an event, so please include the names of all participants in your article.
Mr Justin Abrahams Mr Andrew Withers
Director of Sport (P-12) Assistant Director of Sport - Primary
FROM THE LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
French visitors from Aurillac – au revoir!
Over the past two weeks, we’ve had the joy of hosting 24 French students from our sister school in Aurillac. They immersed themselves in every part of school life—joining classes, playing sports, sharing lunches, and exploring our stunning local area. The farewell soirée was a heartwarming celebration of the friendships formed, with plenty of hugs and tears as we said goodbye on Monday morning. For many, it sparked a desire to travel and reconnect next year, and we are very much looking forward to seeing everyone again. Our host families were incredibly generous, and the French students deeply appreciated the warm welcome.
This year, we are also proud to celebrate our 25 years of partnership with ELO. Special thanks to the Guteridge family for hosting the visiting teachers once again, and to all Grammar community members for their kindness.
LTQ Speech competition
Our Primary Mentoring Program is available for students participating in the competition.
- French: Tuesday lunchtime in front of the Primary Library from 1:00 pm
- Japanese: Year 5 Friday lunchtime in S9 from 1:00 pm. Year 6 Thursday lunchtime in SR1 from 1:00 pm.
1000 cranes for peace project
As part of our 2025 Japan Study Tour in December, we will visit Hiroshima and lay a 1000-crane tribute for world peace. Our project began last Wednesday in Japan Club—coincidentally on the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing. We invite all students to be part of this meaningful gesture by visiting the library to enjoy the art of origami. Write your name on your crane, and it will be placed in Hiroshima later this year as a symbol of hope and peace.
Japan Festival: Sunshine Coast
Celebrate the sights, sounds, and flavours of Japan at the Japan Festival Sunshine Coast on Sunday, 17 August, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm. Enjoy a fun-filled day of cultural performances, food, and family-friendly activities!
FROM THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT
We’re delighted to share the fantastic achievements of our string and choral students at the recent Sunshine Coast Junior Eisteddfod. Over the past fortnight, our ensembles have performed with skill, passion and pride, earning well-deserved recognition for their efforts.
A special congratulations goes to the Eucalyptus String Quartet, who impressed the adjudicators with their arrangement of The Entertainer by Scott Joplin and won 2nd place in the 15 Years & Under section, competing against 14 other school groups.
We also celebrate the success of our Bel Canto Choir, Everglade Strings, Glen Strings and Forest Strings, all of whom received Highly Commended awards. These results highlight the strength and commitment of our music students and the vibrant culture of performance at our school.
We are incredibly proud of every student who participated in the eisteddfod for representing our school with such enthusiasm and grace. Your hard work and musicality truly shone through.
A sincere thank you to Mrs Bowman, Mr Eastwood and our dedicated team of string teachers and piano accompanists. Your support and guidance have been instrumental in helping our students prepare and perform at their best.
Congratulations to all involved!
Music Support Group Meeting – Rescheduled
The next Music Support Group meeting will now take place on Thursday, August 21 at 5:00 pm in the Music Hangar. This meeting will focus on planning all aspects of the upcoming Forest Fest. Please RSVP to Diana and Aleta at msggrammar@gmail.com to confirm your attendance. We look forward to seeing you there.
Victoria Bradbury
Director of Music Performance
Back at the Centre, our Junior 2 children have been immersed in the magic of storytelling with a loved Australian classic, ‘Wombat Stew’. The book captured their imaginations, and we couldn’t resist the idea of making our own version of the stew, just like the characters in the story!
This week, the children have also been busy investigating Science Week. They’ve been diving into a range of hands-on science experiences, experimenting, investigating, and discovering the wonders of the world around them.
Nicole Turner
Assistant Director