BGS Strategic Plan 2026-2030 by Brisbane Grammar School

Strategic Plan

202 6 - 2030

History

Brisbane Grammar School maintains strong ties to its community and is dedicated to achieving excellence through a well-rounded liberal education. The School consistently upholds and advances its motto, Nil Sine Labore nothing without labour.

Currently, BGS functions as a progressive educational institution, serving around 2,000 students and employing a multidisciplinary team of experienced educators, coaches, tutors, business professionals, and support staff.

Upholding the School’s traditions, commemorating its significant milestones, and showcasing the achievements of alumni are essential in cultivating a strong sense of community and engagement among current students and graduates within the Grammar network.

The Grammar Schools’ Act of 1860 established the framework for secondary education in this state. By 1868, dedicated public subscribers had contributed the necessary funds to enable the founding of our School.

Thomas Harlin, serving as the inaugural Headmaster from 1868 to 1876, admitted ninety-four students to the original Roma Street campus in February 1869. In that same year, Sir Charles Lilley established a gold medal to recognise the school’s highest-achieving student.

In 1881, during the tenure of Headmaster Reginald Heber Roe (1876–1909), the School was relocated to its current site at Spring Hill. That year also witnessed the official opening of the Great Hall and its associated classrooms. The establishment of the Boarding House in 1886 positioned the School among the pioneering institutions to provide integrated on-site boarding facilities.

For over 155 years, Brisbane Grammar School has supported the academic, social, cultural, and athletic growth of its students. The School’s forward-thinking philosophy is evident in its integration of advanced digital resources, interdisciplinary methodologies, flexible learning spaces, and comprehensive wellbeing initiatives, all aimed at cultivating future leaders.

The School’s updated strategy reflects its ongoing commitment to educational needs and stakeholder expectations, ensuring quality instruction, student achievement, and career readiness.

Board Chair

Warren Traves

The Board of Trustees, in conjunction with the School’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT), has conducted an extensive review and revision of Brisbane Grammar School’s strategic priorities and plans. This undertaking has culminated in the establishment of a rigorous framework to guide the School’s development over the forthcoming five-year period (2025–2030).

The opening of the STEAM precinct in 2024 underscores the growing complexity and accelerating change in the global environment, highlighting that prior achievements alone cannot guarantee the School’s continued success. In such a dynamic environment, strategic complacency is indefensible. Accordingly, our strategic direction must be subject to ongoing evaluation and enhancement as we work toward realising our vision of becoming Australia’s leading school for boys.

At BGS, our goal is to offer students a comprehensive range of educational, cocurricular, and social opportunities aimed at cultivating thoughtful, confident individuals of good character who contribute positively to their communities. We recognise that the School’s culture is fundamental to achieving these objectives, and we are committed to pursuing our “Protect and Connect” programs with dedication and intent.

This document presents a sharp vision and strategic direction for the delivery of our programs. We encourage constructive feedback from stakeholders regarding these objectives and plans, as it is an essential means to ensure the sustained success and long-term viability of the School.

Headmaster Anthony Micallef

Established in 1868, Brisbane Grammar School upholds a distinguished tradition of educational excellence.The School continues to honour this heritage by integrating its enduring values with innovative instructive methodologies.

The Board of Trustees and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) acknowledge that achieving our vision requires continuous improvement and effective change management. Our primary goal is to provide an outstanding educational experience that prepares students to meet future challenges and seize emerging opportunities.

To advance the BGS vision, school leadership has identified key areas of strategic importance.

Educational Excellence: The School is dedicated to fostering a culture of academic and cocurricular distinction through enhancement of its programs, targeted professional development for staff, and the implementation of innovative teaching and coaching methodologies. Our objective is to equip students and teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary for success.

Wellbeing: The School is committed to promoting the wellbeing of students and staff by cultivating a supportive and inclusive environment. Through the enhancement of a contemporary people and culture program, we strive to foster leadership and positive relationships among our students, staff, and BGS families.

Partnerships: Community engagement is integral to achieving the School’s objectives. We are dedicated to fostering collaborative initiatives with local businesses, educational organisations, the BGS Old Boys’ Association, BGS Parents and Friends Association, BGS Support Groups, and members of the wider community. These partnerships enrich our students' experiences and strengthen the School’s culture.

Infrastructure: To ensure an optimal learning environment, BGS remains committed to the continual enhancement of its physical and digital infrastructure. This promise encompasses the modernisation of classrooms, implementation of advanced technological solutions, and development of recreational areas to address the changing requirements of both students and staff.

This strategy is focused on adaptability and ongoing innovation, ensuring that our educational approach remains responsive to national and global developments. Our objectives are future focussed, while upholding the traditions that form the School's esteemed legacy.

The BGS Strategy aligns our core plans and initiatives, articulates our objectives and values, and emphasises the qualities that distinguish us in our pursuit of recognition as Australia’s leading boys’ school.

Strategy

Vision

To be the best school for boys in Australia

Strategic Pillars

Education

Provide a safe and supportive learning environment where staff and students strive to attain their personal best.

Strategic Enablers

People

BGS attracts and retains the best people to deliver premium educational programs to our students.

Purpose

Brisbane Grammar School educates boys within an innovative learning culture that nurtures their intellectual, physical and emotional wellbeing to become global citizens who contribute to their communities.

Sustainability

Use contemporary practices that ensure the development of staff, the durability of critical resources and the application of sound governance.

Community

Engage with stakeholders to enhance BGS programs, enact cultural values and celebrate school traditions and achievements.

Places

BGS provides contemporary virtual and physical spaces, to deliver premium educational programs for our students.

Programs

BGS offers innovative programs facilitated by talented people in contemporary spaces, to enable superior outcomes for our students.

School Colours: Cambridge and Oxford Blue

Academic Colours: Red and Gold

School Motto: Nil sine labore (nothing without labour)

In Pursuit of Excellence

Students | Empowering Learners

Brisbane Grammar School offers an array of academic courses, dynamic cocurricular activities, and a comprehensive wellbeing program designed to enable students to actualise their potential. Guided by an accomplished faculty and an innovative curriculum, graduates are empowered to thrive in diverse roles both within their local communities and on the global stage.

Employees | Stronger Together

Brisbane Grammar School values its employees as essential to its mission. The School is dedicated to cultivating a collaborative and inclusive professional environment where advancement, innovation, and wellbeing are prioritised. Staff are supported to make meaningful contributions to both student progression and the wider community.

Parents | Cultivating Success

Brisbane Grammar School delivers an exceptional, future-focused education that empowers students to excel academically while nurturing their wellbeing and individual talents. By forging strong partnerships with parents and maintaining open, transparent communication, the School endeavours to support each student to achieve their potential.

Old Boys | Intergenerational Connection

The Brisbane Grammar School Old Boys network facilitates connections between graduates and current students. Through engagement in shared traditions and experiences, alumni contribute to the strength of the School community and provide valuable support to new generations, thereby maintaining a legacy for all members.