Light Dark Blue: The Brisbane Grammar School Podcast

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 B...

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? ● Custo...

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 fro...

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 hel...

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...

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...

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. See...

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 Appl...

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....

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 a...

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 talk...