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.