2023 Annual Report Snapshot
Messages from Key Bodies
Principal's Message
Reflecting on 2023 at Blue Mountains Grammar School, we can celebrate a year of growth, creativity, and commitment. This year was marked by significant achievements that have enriched our learning environment. We were thankful for our first COVID-free year for some time, and we again enjoyed building community and expectation around the vital work that we are called to in schools.
In 2023, we began to reflect on building our learning to be more globally astute and able to respond to more prominent and pressing global issues. We are now looking to form global partnerships that put our learning model into a context that compares among the best in its intent.
2023 was the first year with a new Principal at Blue Mountains Grammar School. As a result, the opportunity to find worthwhile new initiatives while also allowing the community to engage in a new leadership model was pursued. The school was proud that the NESA Board Endorsement Panel approved our Outdoor Leadership Application for Stage 6 students. This program offers 240 indicative hours over two years, providing four units of Higher School Certificate credit and possibly earning a Statement of Attainment towards the SIS30619 Certificate III in Outdoor Leadership. We are proud to be the only school in New South Wales authorised to offer this unique program to date.
Our 2023 graduating class achieved well and should be proud of themselves. Statistically, over 50% of our cohort achieved an ATAR above 80, 100% graduated with their Higher School Certificate, and all students received an offer at their university of choice. A special mention should be given to our Dux Oliver Drew (97.75) and Proxime Accessit Casper Larkin (96.60). Our students pursued further studies in musical theatre, engineering, actuarial studies, media arts, biochemistry, and more.
Our co-curricular programs have continued to excel, with the school offering over 35 options for our students, ranging from chess and photography to rugby and basketball. The students at Blue Mountains Grammar School continue to be heavily committed to their co-curricular program, which plays an important part in the life of our school.
This year saw our teaching team come together to imagine and design a more student-centred approach to learning, initially in our Year 7 cohort. The 'Year 7 Odyssey' was developed by over 32 members of our BMGS team, marking a significant development in our educational approach. It
emphasises the importance of empowering young learners and creating optimal conditions for their development. This work also spoke to the commitment and collegiality of the team at BMGS.
Our community service initiatives have brought warmth and support to many, mainly through the generous commitment of time and thought to charitable organisations in our local area. Donations of Christmas Hampers, service at the breakfast club for those affected by homelessness, and numerous fundraising activities for charities such as Compassion, Brain Cancer Foundation, and Jeans for Genes Day were warmly received and deeply appreciated by the community. The Annual Bungawarra 45km Walk celebrated 20 years in 2023 and exemplifies the spirit of BMGS, highlighting our commitment to community and charity. 2023 saw over 120 walkers participate. The funds raised are shared with three charities both, here and overseas.
The newest facility at Blue Mountains Grammar School, the John Cunningham Student Centre, opened in Term 1 and promises to transform our Senior School. The JCSC will enhance our students' learning experience and provide a warm and inviting space for reflection and wellbeing, providing them with modern, innovative spaces to learn and grow.
I thank our dedicated staff, supportive parents, the School Board and the wider school community for making 2023 a commendable year. Their commitment and enthusiasm make Blue Mountains Grammar School a wonderful place to learn and grow. 2023 has been a year of achievements and community at Blue Mountains Grammar School. We are proud of our accomplishments and excited about the opportunities ahead.
We look forward to another year of excellence, innovation, and community engagement in 2024.
Mr Steven Coote Principal
As School Captains for 2024, we both had many experiences through this position that we have learned from. School is a place for learning, and while we have both learned how to write an essay or integrate f(x), we have enjoyed and are thankful for many other opportunities we gained through our leadership positions. So, what have we learned? We have learnt how to write a speech, how to talk to a wide variety of people, and different ways of rallying people around an idea. We have done this with the support of our vice-captains, along with Mr Coote, Mrs Michelsen, Mr Laffin and many others. We have created initiatives for White Ribbon Day, Funky Sock Friday, and other changes within the school. We are especially looking forward to running the Winter Ball. The
hope is that we leave BMGS better than we found it, and set an example that others can aspire to and exceed. Student leadership at BMGS is fostered, we believe, from very early on. Opportunities to be involved in the Student Council and community initiatives like house charity days means that those who show an interest in leadership at this early stage are supported and encouraged by older student role models, as well as teachers who aim to push us further. This has meant that our year group as a whole, including both our captaincy team and our portfolio/co-curricular captains, have been practising and developing leadership skills not only in our final year when we are given these positions, but also in the years throughout high school. As captains, we see our role as not only to serve the school publicly and to implement positive change, but also to uplift our fellow student leaders, particularly those younger than us who we feel we can contribute to in developing their leadership skills and confidence.
We look forward to the future and are very excited for what comes next. We have the opportunity to run the Winter Ball, and be involved with leadership programs selecting next year’s captains. BMGS has fostered our skills as academics and as leaders, and we look to the future feeling as equipped as we can be to make our steps into the world. We thank you for your ongoing support.
Emily Monks and Sidney Edwards Senior 2024 School Captains
Blue Mountains Grammar School is owned and operated by Blue Mountains Grammar School Limited. Membership of the Company includes members of the Board of Directors, a Church Member appointed by the Archbishop of Sydney, Ordinary Members and Associate Members as defined by the Constitution.
The Board oversees the governance of the Company including setting and monitoring strategic direction, and School finance, compliance, and performance. It is responsible for the recruitment and oversight of the Principal to whom the day-to-day operation of the School is delegated Three Board Committees support the Board. They are Finance and Audit, Governance, Risk and Compliance, and Major Projects.
A skills matrix, which includes building and development, legal. Marketing, risk management, strategic planning and education, is used in the appointment of Board members to ensure effective management.
All Directors participate in ongoing professional development to meet NESA requirements.
2023 saw the start of an exciting new period at Blue Mountains Grammar School with the commencement of Mr Steven Coote as its new Principal. The Board was able to harness this opportunity to commence a review of its strategic plan and consider the opportunities for the school and its community for the next three years.
The Board actively supported Mr Coote to ensure that the School maintained its focus on the delivery of sound student outcomes with an eye on strategic financial planning, a repositioning of the School to meet the demands of a changing environment, and the exploration of contemporary approaches to education and student wellbeing that will better position the School into the future.
The planned retirement of long-standing Chair, Mrs Christine Olliffe, and other Directors, allowed Director succession to be implemented to retain ongoing sound stewardship of the Company.
2023 saw some changes in the composition of the Board with planned retirement of some Directors. There were nine Director positions occupied through the year, five appointed by the Anglican Diocese of Sydney and four elected at an AGM or appointed by the Board to fill as casual vacancy. Attendance at Director meetings is presented below:
Mr Costantine (Costa) Zakis Chair, BMGS Board
For more than a century, the Blue Mountains Grammar Senior School has partnered with parents and the wider community to grow outstanding young people of the highest character and capacity.
As a school uniquely situated within a World Heritage Listed National Park and serving the community who call the Blue Mountains home, the Senior School has a strong focus on Wilderness Education. The School’s exceptional commitment to, and expertise in, this field was recognized in 2023 as BMGS became the first school in Australia certified to offer Stage 6 Outdoor Leadership as a fully-fledged HSC/TVET Subject, with students achieving both 2 units towards their HSC and a Certificate 3. This course will be offered to Year 11 students for the first time in 2024.
In 2023 the Senior School celebrated the much-anticipated opening of the John Cunningham Student Centre. Named in honour of a significant benefactor and alumnus John Cunningham, the Centre offers a relaxed and welcoming space for students to engage with one another and with relevant support staff, study and learn in comfort. Lounge areas and diverse learning and meeting spaces offer students the opportunity to manage their own learning, friendships and wellbeing in a more adult and collegial environment, preparing them for adult life and future tertiary studies. It also provides a new focal point for the Senior School and will house the School’s Reception and administration offices.
Since 2020, the Senior School has been led by Deputy Principal – Head of Senior School, Mr. Owen Laffin. At the conclusion of 2023, Mr. Laffin will transition to a new and more streamlined role of Deputy Principal, allowing him to spend more time in Blue Mountains Grammar School’s Junior School Campuses at Springwood and Wentworth Falls. From 2024, the Senior School will be led by Mrs. Alicia Michielsen, in the standalone role of Head of Senior School. We are confident that the Senior School will continue to grow and flourish under her capable leadership.
Mr Owen Laffin Head of Senior School
The Junior School is a learning community. We exist to serve the children in our care, so that they can grow and develop in all areas. We highly value childhood – we do not want to see it rushed. We see play as a central component of learning to grow emotionally, socially, physically and academically.
Some of the changes and improvements we’ve made include the introduction of ‘Wilderness Education’, which has been a strategic improvement in the Junior School. This has been led by Luke Carr and Laura Fox who were extensively trained as Forest School leaders late 2023 A Stage 3 class have built a partnership with Sydney Zoo and are involved in a program which sees water towers with cameras placed in schools to gather data about animal activity. Students have fundraised to ‘adopt a koala’, performed extensive maths investigations relating to animals and birds and completed a class project building a ‘Frog Haven’ led by Luke Carr, which has been an outstanding success. Each initiative very much fits with our wilderness and environmental focus
Continued improvements have been made to our performing arts events, including the Whole School Concert and Early Years Nativity Plays. Bringing a higher standard of performance will continue to be a focus in the Junior School. Changes have been made to the corridor of the building at Wentworth Falls. This was a deliberate move to create a welcoming space that is student-centred. The second part of this project is the new creation of an ‘Honour wall’ in Coote Hall to hold trophies, honour boards and House posters
A focus on the school behaviours in assembly has been very well received by students and parents. Staff are enjoying visiting this at assembly with their students and a chance to dive deeply into the wellbeing topics, and practise skills in drama and public speaking. Our teachers are embedding explicit teaching for wellbeing in their weekly timetables too, and we are hosting an evening on Digital Citizenship this term to assist parents with navigating the online world with their children
Introduction of ‘Loose Parts Play’ in the Springwood playground. This has improved the level of creativity the children engage with in play, as well as cooperation and collaboration
The Junior School continues to offer a broad variety of cocurricular opportunities. Some highlights include being state finalists for all four Tournament of the Minds groups, coordinated by volunteer Dr Elissa Drew.
Performing Arts highlights include the IPSHA Music festival at Town Hall and a day of collaboration with local independent schools in November. John Forbes and Julie Cooney are committed to choir, orchestra and band and giving students great opportunities to grow. We have had some students take on playing the anthem in assembly at Wentworth Falls and it’s wonderful to see them taking on this role to serve others
Students at Wentworth Falls continue to be involved in Debating, Sustainability Club, Art and cooking clubs. At Springwood our students can be involved in Cooking or Philosophy clubs after school
Lori Gerrard has worked hard to build an interest and involvement in Basketball, with a number of students involved in local competitions but playing for the team. Lori is dedicated to helping students build their skills and develop further, and fosters inclusivity amongst the players
The Junior School is an incredibly busy place, where learning and play are equally valued and intertwined. I am proud of my team, who work with diligence and passion to see our students grow and achieve. At times we may feel stretched, particularly with the two campuses set up, but we have unity
and commitment to serve the children and families in our care.
Mrs Rachael Newton Head of Junior School
The P & F Association is led by an Executive Committee representing Junior (Springwood, Wentworth Falls) and Senior School campuses.
We hosted events including Icebreakers Evening and Welcome Picnics; and organised fundraisers and community events throughout 2023. Activities included Easter fundraisers, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day stalls, Coffee Mornings, a Bulb Drive, Movies Nights, a Disco, Gingerbread House building, barbecues, and Fun Runs in Term 4.
Parents supported school productions and carnivals as volunteers, including polling stations for elections. The major fundraiser was the Trivia Night.
Four General Meetings were held with the Annual General Meeting in Term 4. Thank you to all campus representatives and committee members for their dedication. The role of Senior School Campus Representative was filled for 2024. I also thank the community for their support during my tenure and congratulate Mr Mark Rodgers on becoming Chair for 2024.
Mr Michael Magill Chair, Parents’ & Friends’ Association
Contextual Information About The School
Blue Mountains Grammar School (BMGS) is an Anglican, coeducational day school for students from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12.
BMGS has two campuses - Springwood (Pre-Kindergarten to Year 4) and Wentworth Falls (Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12)with a total enrolment of 531 students in 2023, across the three campuses, including two Exchange students.
Although registered to enrol international students (Years 7 to 12) there were no International students enrolled at BMGS in 2023.
Established in 1918, the School is a non-selective, forward thinking school with a proud tradition of academic excellence, comprehensive student wellbeing programs and a ‘whole child’ approach to education. Our students thrive in our caring and holistic approach to their education, which seeks to equip them with personal excellence and Christian integrity.
Our students come from a range of backgrounds, including students with language backgrounds other than English (2%) and those with identifiable disabilities (34%), ranging from quality differentiated teaching practices in our classrooms,
through to extensive support. According to the NCCD, 14% of the identified 34% are classified as QDTP, with the remaining 20% requiring assistance ranging from supplementary to extensive levels of adjustment.
The School aims to provide students with superior academic and co-curricular programs, delivered by highly qualified and professional staff in an outstanding learning environment, within a charter of quality and thorough pastoral care and student wellbeing program.
Promoting Respect and Responsibility
All BMGS staff undertake training in current and emerging curriculum practices, especially program design that encourages deep thinking, the development of students’ thinking dispositions, and the integration of technology in the classroom environment that focuses on improved educational outcomes for all students. Students are encouraged to make personal meaning from study and learning, to appreciate the implications of learning for the trajectory of their lives (i.e. a lifelong process), and are transformed, through learning, into more confident young people.
Through a diverse and broad range of extra and co-curricular activities, students find an excellent balance to their studies whilst further developing their natural gifts. Sport is an excellent outlet for students and helps to shape character and innate skills. Through sport students learn to win with grace, lose with courage and participate with pride. The School’s extensive Outdoor Education programs, teaches students to understand their personal limits and to push through them when appropriate. It teaches the value of teamwork and management of risks. Music, drama and public speaking activities allow students to express their inner self and discover the sensitivity that inhabits each human being, male or female.
A special emphasis is placed on all students’ learning and developing leadership skills for the inspiration, encouragement and benefit of others, especially in the Senior years.
The strength of the BMGS community is reflected in the quality of the relationships that exist within it. Relationships are founded on mutual respect and understanding to create a sense of care and compassion and allow each person to feel safe to be themselves. We strive to instil in our students an awareness of the communities to which they belong, both local and international, encouraging their contribution, service and example in these communities.
At BMGS we want every student to be themselves, at their best.
For more information about the BMGS philosophy and values, please visit here
Academic Standards – NAPLAN
Blue Mountains Grammar School NAPLAN results continue to be strong in both the Senior and Junior Schools, with continued strengths in Reading, Writing, Grammar and Numeracy in particular. Spelling is an area of future focus for the School. The graph below shows BMGS results compared with students in Australia with a similar ICSEA (Index of socio-educational advantage):
Interpreting the Table:
All information relating to NAPLAN results and allowing for comparison with other schools is available here.
Academic Standards – HSC
Parents and educators alike understand that the learning and achievement of young people can never be captured in a single mark, and their value as human beings and potential to positively impact the world cannot be defined by a numerical rank. Our students, however, consistently achieve
We achieve far fewer Bands 1, 2 and 3 than the statewide average and a higher level of Bands 4, 5 and 6 than statewide results. 100% of students who completed Year 12 received an HSC. There were 0% VET students in 2023 and three students received RoSA Certificates from NESA HSC results -number of students above each ATAR
high Australian Tertiary Admission Ranks (ATARs), and we are proud of the academic effort that underpins their achievements.
The academic results of BMGS students’ places it as one of the best independent schools not only in the region but across the state. Results are tracked longitudinally to monitor student performance and to assist with development strategies.
Typically, a third of our HSC students achieve an ATAR score above 80, with a large number of students receiving University Scholarships and Corporate Cadetships upon completion of Year 12. This year, in an excellent result, almost 50% of the cohort achieved an ATAR of 80 and above. We particularly congratulate our Dux Oliver Drew,
who achieved an ATAR of 97.75, and our Proxime Accessit Casper Larkin, who achieved an ATAR of 96.6.
The majority of our students elect to stay in contact with our staff after their graduation and we are therefore able to establish that of the students completing their HSC in 2023, the majority of students gained entry into their first choice of course at their preferred university.
A feature of this year’s Year 12 cohort was that the majority of students applied for, and gained, early entry into their desired courses. Of these, all students who applied for early entry gained a tertiary position of their choosing.
For a more detailed analysis of the 2023 cohort HSC results and post-school destinations, please see here.
Student Attendance
Blue Mountains Grammar School Total Average Attendance 92%.
NON- ATTENDANCE PROCEDURE
Parents are required to contact the School to advise student absence by phone, email or via the Parent Portal. Unexplained/unjustified absences are advised by the School via email or phone call. Medical certificates or detailed signed notes are required after extended periods of absence. The relevant Head of House or the Director of Wellbeing periodically performs an analysis to determine any emerging patterns of absences and addresses these separately.
Policies and Procedures
Blue Mountains Grammar School maintains a comprehensive suite of policies in relation to student attendance, enrolment, anti-bullying, student discipline, and complaints and grievances. Policies are reviewed on a regular basis as the School works towards best-practice in a complex and ever-evolving environment. The Child Protection, ICT, Whistleblower and Complaints & Appeals Policies were reviewed in 2023. To see the School’s publiclyavailable policies please click here
SCHOOL RETENTION RATE
96% of students who commenced Year 10 in 2021 completed year 12 in 2023.
Non-Teaching Workforce Composition
Support and operations staff include a mix of full time and part time employees in Administration, Finance, Maintenance and Property, ICT, Teaching Support and Out of School Hours Care
Teacher Workforce Composition
At our School we embrace all faiths and backgrounds for all our staff and students. In 2023, BMGS had a total of 67 teaching staff made up of the following, which includes teachers who hold leadership positions
In 2023 there was one member of teaching staff who identified as indigenous. This is not mandatory due to the Privacy Act. Please also refer here.
Staff Engagement
An anonymous Staff Perceptions Survey open to all staff offered an opportunity for staff to report on their perceptions of the school, their experiences, school values and differences to other local schools.
• 81% of staff see strength outside their immediate team/faculty.
• 96% of staff see the physical work environment as a strength of the school.
• Staff report improvement in communication across the school.
• Change management seen as an area for future focus.
• Values and Behaviours - 100% of staff have taken part in explicit training around the school’s values and behaviours.
42/48 responses (92%) staff see BMGS as a place where students can find their place Improved responses in staff wellbeing, particularly relating to inclusivity and respect. Highest rated aspect of BMGS education is access to unique opportunities, for example Wilderness Education
Teacher Accreditation and Qualifications
We have 66 teachers linked with NESA. 59 are accredited at Proficient, 4 are accredited at Conditional, 3 are accredited at Provisional No teachers are Prospective, Highly Accomplished or Lead.
Teacher Professional Learning Attendance
• 100% of staff undertook updated mandatory Child Protection.
• Senior Executive professional learning focused on compliance issues including school governance, cybersecurity and employment relations.
• Senior Executive worked significantly with Future Schools in the preparation of the Strategic Plan.
• Notable PL providers were Association of Independent Schools (AIS), Sydney University, ISTAA, VADEA
• Teacher PL focused on pedagogy improvement in Mathematics, using digital media in the arts; various State Conferences for different subjects
• Admin and Support PL focused on changes to school management requirements, enrolment process training, supporting neurodivergent students.
• The spend for Teacher PL was approximately $680 per staff member.
Student Wellbeing
Every School program and every aspect of School life is crafted to develop in our students the School Values of Faith, Hope, Love, Integrity and Courage, and provide them authentic opportunities to explore life’s big questions.
Parent and Student Satisfaction
Based on Year 10 Focus Group, Term 1 2024 Student Survey Results:
Growth in student belonging and ownership for consecutive years.
• 94% of respondents have an adult in the school they can go to if needed
• 88% reported teachers having high expectations of them
• 86% saw their teacher as ‘very credible’ or ‘significantly credible’ to teach their subject area
• 93% view the learning environment as ‘very well set up’ or ‘extremely well set up’
Access to higher-speed internet was an area where students would like to see improvement
Parent Survey Results:
• 87% of respondents were ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with communication with teachers
• 90% of parents are satisfied with the academic standard of the school
• 95% of responses indicated BMGS is a ‘safe’ or ‘very safe’ place to come to school
Email is a preferred method on contact over phone calls, school portal messages or push notifications
Summary Financial Information
