Light Dark Blue: The Brisbane Grammar School Podcast

In our third and final episode, our host Anthony Micallef explores how AI is part of a broader discussion on remaining safe in the digital world. Joined by Head of Senior School Simon Conway and Head of Middle School Rebecca Campbell, they discuss how irresponsible use of AI can have a negative impact on our boys’ mental health and wellbeing. They share advice for parents who may feel overwhelmed by the impact of this technology on learning, and tips on how parents can help their son use AI safely.

In episode two of our AI series, Headmaster Anthony Micallef is joined by Executive Director of Educational Innovation Jacqui Zervos and Deputy Headmaster Teaching and Learning Steve Uscinski. They explore how BGS is adapting to AI, the frameworks guiding our students and staff on how to use it in a safe and ethical way, and how an internal AI report is helping to shape the future of learning at our school.

Our host and Headmaster Anthony Micallef explores the dynamic world of artificial intelligence and its growing impact on education. This first episode in a three-part series features guest speakers Head of English Greg Howes and English and Academic Services teacher Bridget Pearce. They discuss how students are using AI in their schoolwork and how teachers are guiding them to use it – not as a replacement for original thinking, but to strengthen it.

In our last episode of the series we speak to two Middle School students about their studies, their cocurricular interests and public purpose commitments. Here we explore their curiosity for learning, giving back to community and the impact it has on their overall outlook.

In this episode we discuss online usage and the mechansims to support our students make informed decisions online . This also equips our parents with the neccessary tools and resources to help navigate their sons online engagement in a healthy manner.

In this episode, Senior Deputy Headmaster David Carroll dives in to the psychology of healthy sleep, and addresses its impact on academic performance and focused learning, sharing tactics for students and parents.

In this episode, we discuss how physical activity empowers students to maximize their energy, focus, and overall cognitive performance for optimal learning and retention.

In this episode we explore the daily lives of boarders through the eyes of house parents and how they help to navigate the variety of needs throughout their time in the Boarders House. We discuss key events as well as weekend activities for a happy holistic home environment.

In this episode we discuss how adventure in the great outdoors at Peperina Hill provides students with the resilience to work through challenging situations and obstacles they come up against.

In this episode, we explore the importance of connection and its significance to a student's well-being. We discuss why the cocurricular program is a key part of the school's overall approach to wellbeing.

In this episode, we explore the idea of passion with Noel Chan, i.e., doing what you love, and how that helps students be self-motivated and more engaged in their studies, which results in happier, more productive students.

In this episode, Headmaster Anthony Micallef discusses the importance of having purpose to enhance a student's overall educational experience and how it transforms them into socially responsible citizens both now and into the future.

The School’s culture was the focus of an external review conducted last year by Dr Phil Cummins of CIRCLE. Dr Cummin’s report relates Brisbane Grammar School’s trajectory of cultural development to an existing global body of work mapping student culture in character education. Dr Cummins featured in a special episode of the Light Dark Blue podcast in which he discussed his report on the School’s culture in further detail

In the final episode of our Wellbeing Series, we hear from five BGS boys about their lived experience at the School. We find out who they turn to when things get challenging, what the BGS culture means to them, and how the range of student Wellbeing programs have helped them thrive.

What is key to the students at BGS emerging as happy and successful young men? Nathan Simmons, Director of Counselling and Academic Services, discusses the pillars that support the boys to thrive during their time at BGS, some of the common wellbeing issues he sees in his role, and some advice for parents to support their boys. 

Student wellbeing is crucial for every BGS student — none more so than our boarders. We talk to Tim Holzgrefe about how much boarding has changed over the years, the challenges young boarders can face on arrival, and the bespoke program that supports the BGS boarders to feel protected and connected right through their journey at BGS.

If a student feels like he belongs, he thrives. That is the message from Paddy Last who is an Assistant Head of Year 10 and Drama Teacher. Mr Last’s role is to ensure boys find a sense of belonging and connection with others — whether that is through a combination of sport, academics or on stage in one of the School’s dramatic or musical productions. He explains why students should keep an open mind and try a range of cocurricular activities, to avoid pigeonholing themselves.   

Each week, BGS boys help tutor students at neighbouring schools, make sandwiches for kids without school lunches, help raise money to train guide dogs…and so much more. With 14 Public Purpose programs going strong across the school, the popularity of what used to be called ‘community service’ has never been greater. We speak to Crystal Thompson, who leads Public Purpose about why the program is beneficial not only to the community and school, but to the boys themselves.

As Head of Year, Craig Timms accompanies students on an extraordinary journey supporting the same cohort from Year 9 through to graduation. In this episode, he discusses his experience of working with students as they grow and mature year-on-year, and how the wellbeing programs help navigate challenges, including those posed by technology.

Days kayaking on the lake and nights listening to Dreamtime stories over a campfire, Moogerah provides fond memories for many BGS students. Derek Jervis chats to Light Dark Blue about the Outdoor Education program, and how the practical skills – while undoubtedly important – are secondary to the sense of connection and wellbeing gained from “going bush”. 

What is Protect and Connect, and why does it take everyone — teachers, parents, staff and student leaders— to make this model work? We chat with Adam Block about helping boys navigate the shift between junior and senior schools and the importance of connection during this momentous and foundational time in a boy’s life. 

From insufficient sleep and tech dependence to body image and friendship issues, the impact on students of today is significant. We talk to the Director of Student Wellbeing Programs, Philippa Douglas, about how the School is helping students to manage social pressures in a healthy way and how parents can support their sons.

Why has Brisbane Grammar School put so much emphasis on student wellbeing in recent years? In this episode, we talk to the heads of the Middle and Senior schools about the ongoing, school-wide efforts in building connected and resilient young men who are ready to face the challenges of a changing world. 

This December, students throughout Queensland will breathe a sigh of relief as they receive their ATAR. For those embarking on their journey in year 11 or 12 in 2024, the adventure is only beginning.   Understanding the ATAR system can be a formidable task for students and their parents. In this special edition podcast, BGS Deputy Headmaster of Teaching and Learning Mr Steve Uscinski, offers a comprehensive explanation of ATAR, unravelling its complexities. He carefully details how the rank is calculated, achieved and utilised for tertiary education entry. 

Our final episode of the season is for every parent or teacher who occasionally feel their efforts with teenage boys are falling on deaf ears. We hear from three senior students about their personal journeys at BGS and how they have changed as learners along the way. We ask what drives them to succeed, and how their teachers and parents and carers have helped them. Summary of topics: Adapting to BGS from different schools. How collaboration and competition increase motivation. Best experiences with teachers so far.

We dive into the how and why BGS has become a “learning organisation” and what it all means for the boys. We talk to the Director of Organisational Learning, Hannah Campos Remon, who pays respect to the integral role that the late Professor Peter Taylor played in driving this shift. Summary of topics: ● What is BGS doing that is different from other school educational improvement programs? ● Customising the program to BGS and our boys. ● Why building self-regulation will support students in achieving their goals?

Research and evaluation of our programs are proving just how effective these outcomes are in delivering better outcomes for our boys. In this episode, we talk to Adam Kuss about tracking the boys’ feedback about their learning journey at BGS. Summary of topics: ● The bigger picture of learning at BGS – the importance of student feedback ● How to ask open questions to avoid the “model” response from the boys? ● What questions help us to incorporate student voice in learning about the effectiveness of our programs?

Director of Student Wellbeing Programs and Geography teacher Phillipa Douglas joins Light Dark Blue to discuss how teaching methods have shifted over her 25 years at BGS. Recent developments in the focus of teaching have revolutionised the way she teaches and how the boys response. ● The importance of collaborative learning and self-regulation. ● Examples of ‘making thinking visible’. ● How to help a student who doesn’t have a natural affinity for a subject.

Parents will have heard the term “learning conversations”, but they might not be sure exactly how they run or how they help the boys. Andrew Webb, from the Learning Organisation Team, tells us the importance of these conversations in supporting the boys in their development as a learner.  Summary of topics:  What are learning conversations and how are they run?  What is the role of Form Tutors in these conversations? What has been the feedback from the boys so far?

What is Consolidation Period and why has it been added to the timetable? We’ll answer the question many parents might be asking “what’s to stop the boys wasting this valuable time?” We are joined by a panel of students and Hannah Campos Remon, the Director of Organisational Learning at BGS, to discuss the value of CP. Summary of topics:  What do the boys use CP time for? Productive failure and the pressure of organising learning for yourself. How the boys are learning to use CP time to their advantage.

What is it like to study Applied Thinking? Does it help with other subjects? We bring together Applied Thinking teacher Naomi Russell and a panel of three BGS boys to find out what they think about this innovative subject. Summary of topics: How have BGS boys adapted to this subject? How is Applied Thinking different to other subjects? Advice for boys about to start studying Applied Thinking.

What is Applied Thinking and why is this new subject now part of the BGS curriculum? Most importantly, how will it help our boys adapt to a variety of learning challenges throughout life? Listen to Head of Middle School Rebecca Campbell explain the topic and provide advice to parents and carers on how they can become more involved in their son’s learning. Summary of topics: What happens in an Applied Thinking class? Does Applied Thinking help the boys in other subjects? How can parents help their boys in this subject?

We talk to Executive Director Educational Innovation Jacqui Zervos about how BGS is preparing its students for an uncertain future through the Effective Thinking Cultures initiative. What is it and how does it impact our boys? What is the role for ‘old-school’ teaching and is ChatGPT threatening it all? We also share great questions to get your son thinking more deeply about what they’re learning. Summary of topics: Why did BGS implement the Effective Thinking Cultures strategy? How does it help students improve their learning? One, two and three-star questions parents and carers can ask their sons to help them think more critically.

Why is Brisbane Grammar School starting a podcast and what can parents and carers gain by tuning in? BGS Headmaster Anthony Micallef joins podcast host and Old Boy Harry Clarke to chat about the reasons for launching Light Dark Blue. Summary of topics: What listeners can look forward to this season?  How can parents contribute to their son’s learning? How are teaching practices shaping students as lifelong learners and leaders?

Welcome to Brisbane Grammar School’s podcast Light Dark Blue. Designed to give you a behind-the-scenes look into Queensland’s leading school for boys, the podcast explores how BGS is revolutionising teaching and learning practices to prepare students for an uncertain future. We appreciate big changes at the School aren't always obvious to parents — after all, it is unlikely our boys go home talking about developments in teaching and learning methods. We’ve created the podcast to lift the curtain on what is happening in the classroom and how parents can be more involved in helping their son become better learners and leaders.