Jottings

Business Society’s special guests

The Business Society had the privilege of hosting two notable Old Sydneian guest speakers this year – The Hon Malcolm Turnbull AC (OS 1972) and Mr Steven Lowy (OS 1980) – giving the boys a unique opportunity to learn directly from their wisdom and experience.

Former prime minister and merchant banker, Mr Turnbull, visited on 23 June and made a lasting impression on all those in attendance. In thanking Mr Turnbull for his address to the Business Society and Tutorial, David Adam (VI) referenced Mr Turnbull’s statement that “I left Grammar filled with confidence, ambition and, above all, curiosity.” David observed that these words perfectly capture what Grammar instils in its pupils today.

Mr Lowy, former co-chief executive officer of Westfield Corporation, has more than thirty years of executive experience and played a central role in building one of the world’s largest shopping centre businesses. He has had various roles including Chairman of Football Federation Australia. Mr Lowy shared valuable insights with the boys, particularly around his experience serving on various boards across Sydney and the impact that strong leadership and governance can achieve.

Edgecliff Artist in Residence

In Term III Edgecliff had an explosion of colour and energy as the boys explored still-life, “drawing with scissors” in the spirit of Henri Matisse, which was delivered by artist in residence and Old Sydneian, Dr Oliver Watts (OS 1994). Using flowers as their subject, the boys generated an array of approaches to still-life collage. The finished works, exhibited on Edgecliff Day, embodied the energy that the boys brought to the project.

Reflecting on his residency, Dr Watts commented: “I was inspired by the boys and impressed by their thoughtfulness and commitment to the project, sometimes even over their lunch breaks. There was a lovely sense of community and continuity in returning to a familiar art classroom, and even running into my fifth-class teacher, Mr Gonski, after so many years. It was wonderful to see that Edgecliff still maintains such a strong commitment to Visual Arts.”

Janna Tess
Director of Visual Arts

Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival

Our Form IV Chinese cohort recently took part in a Chinese Cultural Incursion that introduced the boys to the history and traditions of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Zhong Qiu Jie (中秋节), which is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar. As part of the incursion, pupils had the opportunity to make snow skin mooncakes (Bing Pi Yue Bing) with the help of two teachers from the Chinese Academy in Sydney, who guided the boys through the process of creating these traditional treats.

The boys learned how to roll out their dough, wrap fillings and use traditional press moulds to create beautifully patterned mooncakes. Each boy could choose from three different fillings: red bean paste, black sesame or Oreo cream cheese. There was also an opportunity to customise the dough by adding food colouring. While some boys carefully crafted intricate designs, others embraced a more colourful approach.

In addition to making mooncakes, the boys learned about other Mid-Autumn Festival customs, including traditional foods and celebrations associated with the occasion. The incursion allowed pupils to experience Chinese culture and provided an opportunity to explore Chinese language beyond the classroom.

Charles Zhou (IV)

The Grammar Life Podcast

In Term III, Grammar Life, St Ives Preparatory’s extracurricular programme, launched a new podcast, giving boys the opportunity to develop skills in interviewing, presenting, research, audio production and storytelling.

Five Year 6 boys formed the first group of podcast hosts, developing segments, writing questions, conducting interviews and recording and producing complete episodes.

The initiative provides another avenue for boys to take an active role in telling the School’s stories, while building confidence, improving communication skills and gaining practical experience in podcast production.

The podcast was widely enjoyed across the School community, with episodes listened to in classrooms, at home and by staff, parents and families.

In Episode 1, the boys recapped the Gold Coast Football Tour, went behind the scenes of The Mikado, the St Ives Drama Production, tested listeners with a Game Show and looked back at the Years 3–6 Athletics Carnival, including an interview with Mr McCarthy.

Click here to listen to Episode 1

Grammar coach wins gold

Congratulations to Grammar’s Athletics Coach, Ms Izobelle Louison-Roe, on an outstanding achievement at the World U20 Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA, winning Gold in the High Jump with a remarkable clearance of 1.92 metres.

Volleyball triumph

The School hosted the AAGPS v Combined Associated Schools Volleyball fixture on Tuesday 23 June. Our GPS representatives Ashton Clarke (VI), Connor Stoermer, Angus Sharpe, and Marcus Yan Wang (all V) helped to secure a convincing 3–1 win. Congratulations!

GPS Chess title

A fantastic result for our Chess team, who claimed the GPS Chess title on Saturday 29 August. The competition came down to the wire, with our team finishing level with Sydney Boys High School. Thanks to their head-to-head victory earlier in the tournament, they secured the championship on a tiebreak.

Chinatown immersion

Form II pupils extended their learning beyond the classroom and into a real cultural experience, as they enthusiastically enjoyed a Chinatown immersion. The visit provided both valuable insights and lasting memories, from enjoying yum cha and exploring a range of Chinese dishes to sampling milk tea. It was a unique day of experiential education.

Theatresports House Cup

On Wednesday 24 June, the Palladium Theatre was filled with energy as our nine Houses competed in the 2026 Theatresports House Cup. In an exciting and unprecedented result, DJL House and KAS House were named joint winners, marking the first draw in the competition’s history.

Theatresports success

Our boys achieved an historic victory, winning the Theatresports Schools Challenge Grand Final for the first time.

Going head-to-head with eight other schools, the team stood out for their creativity and teamwork, earning the only perfect score of the evening. The boys had the Enmore Theatre on their feet!

OnSTAGE nominations

Congratulations to our 2026 HSC Drama pupils, with three performances receiving OnSTAGE nominations. Our Group Performance, Fun Police, has been nominated alongside two Individual Performances: The Haunted Dead, an adaptation inspired by Wuthering Heights and Captain Everything.

This is a wonderful recognition of the creativity, collaboration and dedication these boys have demonstrated throughout their drama journey.

A prestigious appointment

Congratulations to Hamish Wagstaff (OS 2017) on his appointment as Assisting Organist at King’s College, Cambridge.

Currently serving as Organ Scholar at St Paul’s Cathedral, London, Hamish began his organ studies with Mr Robert Wagner at Sydney Grammar School and Mr Philip Swanton at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music before moving to London for postgraduate study at the Royal Academy of Music. Prior to his role at St Paul’s Cathedral, he held the prestigious position of Organ Scholar at Windsor Castle.

Oceania success for Seth Chen

Congratulations to our Head Coach Mr Seth Chen, who represented Australia at the 2026 Oceania Zonal Volleyball Championships in Guam. Seth played an important role in the Australian Men’s Indoor Volleyball Team, the Volleyroos, securing first place following a successful campaign.

This outstanding achievement reflects Seth’s dedication, leadership and significant contribution to the sport.

Voice of Youth National Final

Aditya Paul (III) has added another achievement to his growing list of public speaking successes, winning the Voice of Youth National Final – Junior category on Sunday 12 April.

Aditya competed against 36 finalists, selecting and researching the topic “How can aged care systems be improved to ensure dignity and quality of life whilst remaining financially viable?” With just one week to prepare, he researched the issue, crafted and delivered a four-minute online speech, and confidently answered two impromptu questions from the judges.

Reflecting on his achievement, Aditya explained that his speech explored ways to improve both the quality and efficiency of aged care by addressing the limitations of the current market-based model. His proposed solutions focused on separating profit incentives from care delivery, strengthening the aged care workforce, and introducing clearer accountability measures.

This result builds on Aditya’s national success last year, where he placed second in the same competition.

The Voice of Youth competition is presented by UN Youth Australia, the youth partner of the United Nations Association of Australia and a member of the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA). Congratulations to Aditya on this outstanding achievement.

Hugh Mackay honoured

Congratulations to Old Sydneian, Hugh Mackay AO (OS 1954), Chairman of Trustees (2001–2003), Trustee (1993–2003) who has received his sixth Honorary Doctor of Letters. It was bestowed by the University of Sydney, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to social research and psychology, and his unwavering commitment to the development of Australian society. Gratulor tibi de hoc honore amplissimo

Lawrence Campbell Oratory Competition

Congratulations to Thanh Tran (VI), who won the Lawrence Campbell Oratory Competition at Cranbrook School on Friday 24 April.

An impressive achievement and the first time Grammar has claimed this prestigious trophy since 2010. Thanh delivered a compelling speech on “Definitions belong to the definers not the defined”, thoughtfully exploring how cultures are defined, reshaped and manipulated on Western terms.

Young Archibald Success

Congratulations to Viraj Tandon (III), who won the 13 to 15 years category of the Young Archie competition with his artwork, Reflections. His winning portrait depicts his brother and explores the harmony that can exist between seemingly different identities.

Having been named a finalist several times in recent years, Viraj was delighted to achieve first place, marking an outstanding accomplishment in his artistic journey.

Swimmer excels

Joe Braund (IV) achieved outstanding results at the Short Course Championships in Canberra in August this year. Competing in ten events, Joe secured seven medals and recorded four personal best times. His rapid improvement has attracted the attention of his coaches, who are closely monitoring his progress with a long-term view towards the Junior Pan Pacific Championships.

Pipe band accolades

Visual Arts master Mr Oliver Pike recently travelled to Glasgow, Scotland, to compete in the prestigious World Pipe Band Championships against leading bands from around the globe.

Performing with his Sydney-based pipe band, Oliver and his fellow musicians delivered an outstanding performance, finishing third overall. Competing on the world stage is a remarkable achievement, and Oliver was delighted to bring home a top-three result from one of the most respected events in international pipe band competition.

Mr Oliver Pike pictured far right with his pipe band colleagues

Dr Andrew Browning inspires

Dr Andrew Browning AM, visited College Street in Term II to speak to SNT and DBD Houses. He shared stories from his work as a senior fistula surgeon in Ethiopia and Tanzania for the past 17 years.

Dr Browning’s time in Africa began during the Rwandan genocide, and he previously trained with the late Dr Catherine Hamlin AC.

The boys were enthralled, challenged, and inspired by the experiences and insights into women’s health in the developing world that Dr Browning spoke about. The physical healing given through medical aid provides real hope and a future to many women and their communities.

Boys and staff were so moved by this life-changing work that the Common Room funded the training for two midwives via Dr Browning’s charity, the Barbara May Foundation.

Click here to find out more

Literary Award

Congratulations to Dr James Lucas, recently retired master at College Street, who was short-listed for the Queensland Literary Awards for his poetry collection, “Jack Mundey in Red Square”.

The judges commented that “wit and play gives these poems an enduring elegance. They delight in verbal and formal exploration, their expansive trajectories of subject matter are always stabilised with intelligence and are inflected with finely tuned emotions. This is a poet in full control of his craft. Magic is suffused into every page.”

We congratulate Dr Lucas on this well-deserved recognition.

Geography excursion

At the end of Term II, Form VI Geography pupils travelled to the Hunter Valley and Cessnock as part of their study of viticulture and rural places.

The boys enjoyed a private tour of Brokenwood Wines, gaining valuable insights into the region’s wine industry, before undertaking fieldwork along Cessnock’s main street. There, they investigated the characteristics and functions of a rural service centre, bringing classroom learning to life through real-world observation and analysis.

Tuckwell Scholarship

Thanh Tran (VI) and Angus Windeyer (VI) have each been awarded the Tuckwell Scholarship for 2027.

Founded by Dr Graham Tuckwell AO and Dr Louise Tuckwell AO in 2013, the Scholarship is Australia’s premier undergraduate scholarship program in partnership with Australian National University. Scholars are selected for their intellect, character, leadership and commitment to Australia, and are supported through a unique community that encourages service, leadership and broader contributions to society.

We wish both boys all the very best.

Pictured: L-R: Thanh Tran (VI), Headmaster Mr Stuart McPherson and Angus Windeyer (VI)

2026 Chauvel Scholar

The Headmaster congratulated Oliver Keller (VI) at an Army Cadets parade on being named the 2026 Chauvel Scholar.

In selecting the recipient of the scholarship this year, Mr McPherson was assisted by Colonel Richard Bushby (OS 1992). Established in 1957, the Chauvel Scholarship is one of the School’s most prestigious internal awards, presented annually to a pupil in Forms V or VI with family ties to servicemen (especially Old Sydneians) or servicewomen, who are also doing well academically. General Sir Henry George Chauvel (known as “Harry”) attended Grammar from 1874-1880.

Met East Chess success

The 2026 Met East Chess season proved to be one of the strongest yet for Edgecliff Preparatory. With the competition expanded and the Wentworth Division reinstated, five Grammar teams competed against schools within the electorate area. The teams were spread across three divisions, with the A, B and C teams each winning their respective divisions. We were also delighted to see the D and E teams finish second behind our B and C teams.

In the Championship Division, the Grammar A team progressed to the broader Metropolitan East finals and won its semi-final.

These impressive inter-school results reflect the popularity, commitment and depth of the chess programme at Edgecliff.

Book Week

In Term III, Week 6, the AB ‘Banjo’ Paterson Library celebrated Book Week, reinforcing the School’s commitment to a shared love of reading. Alongside beautiful displays inspired by this year’s Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) themes, boys enjoyed a visit from acclaimed Australian author Mr Will Kostakis, whose engaging young adult novels explore identity, family, friendship, and resilience, encouraging thoughtful discussion and a deeper appreciation of literature.

The Library also hosted a forum on the CBCA Shortlisted Books for Older Readers, and creativity was recognised through competitions celebrating both critical reading and artistic design.

Congratulations to our Book Review winners: Max Nguyen (III), Harry Cheung (I), and Harrison Fitzpatrick (II), and to our Bookmark Design winners: Martin Zentner-Pitman (III), Viraj Tandon (III), and Tyler Choo (I).

The Library wishes everyone a joyful time reading, discovering new ideas, and immersing themselves in books.

Gold Coast Football Tour

During the Term II holidays, 18 boys from Years 5 and 6, accompanied by four staff, travelled to Queensland for the Gold Coast Football Tour.

Across seven days, the boys played six matches against schools, clubs and academies, testing themselves against strong opposition and gaining valuable experience in a touring environment.

Away from the football, the group made the most of their time on the Gold Coast, with activities including Dreamworld, Movie World, SkyPoint, Game Over and Bounce.

The tour was also a valuable opportunity for boys across the two year groups to spend time together away from school, building confidence, independence and friendships throughout the week.

The boys represented St Ives exceptionally well both on and off the field, contributing to a memorable week of football and shared experiences.

UN ECOSOC Youth Forum

In April, Yiming Bing (VI) was livestreamed on UN Television while delivering a speech in the Trusteeship Council Chamber at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Selected as the only Australian secondary school pupil, and one of just 85 globally, Yiming attended the UN ECOSOC Youth Forum, which brings together diplomats, academics and young leaders to advance sustainable development. He was also invited to address a plenary session on climate action, innovation and sustainable cities.

In his address, Yiming highlighted the absence of Australian youth voices in global decision-making, arguing that young people from Oceania offer a vital and underrepresented perspective on issues such as climate change and rising sea levels.

He encouraged other young Australians to pursue their own ideas and engage with international organisations, emphasising the importance of youth participation in shaping global outcomes.

Together for Humanity

Years 3 and 4 boys at Edgecliff recently participated in dynamic workshops led by Together for Humanity facilitators Calisha, Darras, Junie, and Rodger. Drawing on their own lived experiences, the presenters shared cultural traditions, celebrations, treasured objects, and migration stories, offering pupils a rich insight into the diversity of families and communities.

Through stories, discussions and interactive activities, the boys explored how celebrations help people feel connected and included. They also reflected on the importance of understanding different perspectives, and approaching others with openness, respect, and kindness.

A highlight of the workshops was the pupils’ enthusiasm and curiosity. They asked thoughtful, respectful questions, eagerly learned about others’ experiences, and proudly shared stories and traditions from their own families.

These workshops supported our whole-school focus on belonging and inclusivity, helping students strengthen the sense of connection and community that is at the heart of the School.

Ceramics competition winner

The National K-12 Ceramics Competition and Digital Exhibition was launched in 2016 as part of an international biennial event held in Gulgong, regional NSW.

Since then, it has grown to include submissions from all states and territories across Australia. This year, the Stage 6 (Years 11 and 12) section was won by Remy Lavigne (VI), who is majoring in ceramics in his Visual Arts HSC course. Keith Brymer Jones, who is the head judge on the UK television series The Great Pottery Throwdown and patron of the UK’s National Association for Fine Art Education, was in Gulgong to select and award the prizes and described Remy’s work as “sophisticated beyond his years”.

Pupil-led Aeronautics conference

On Wednesday 26 August, the Grammar Propulsion Laboratory Club hosted AstraCon, a pupil-led conference for pupils from various Sydney high schools, exploring the world of aeronautics and aviation.

Associate Professor Nicholas Lawson from the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Sydney, provided insights into contemporary aeronautical engineering, emerging developments in the field, and pathways into aerospace study and research. Qantas A330 First Officer Wayne Daly shared his journey into commercial aviation. He described the training, qualifications and professional experiences required to become an airline pilot, as well as the realities of operating modern commercial aircraft. Mr Declan Walsh, Senior Aerospace Engineer with Boeing Defence Australia, discussed the challenges and opportunities of modern aerospace engineering.

In the question-and-answer sessions that followed, the pupils asked interesting and highly technical questions that showed their fascination with the world of aeronautics.

Pictured: L-R: Associate Professor Nicholas Lawson, Mr Declan Walsh and First Officer Wayne Daly

Australian Economics Olympiad

Seven of the twenty-seven pupils from Forms V and VI who sat the Australian Economics Olympiad on Saturday 23 May were placed in the top 40 nationally, progressing to the second round held on Saturday 13 June.

Working in teams of five, they researched and presented on whether recent changes to Australia’s immigration policy would maximise national welfare.

Following this round, Yesung Cho (VI) was selected to represent Australia, alongside four other pupils, at the International Economics Olympiad.

Pictured: L-R: Mr Stuart McPherson, Yesung Cho (VI) and Mr Jason Slater

Old Sydneian wins the Chern Medal

The International Mathematical Union (IMU) has announced that Graeme Segal FRS (OS 1957) has won the Chern Medal 2026 for his “visionary mathematical insights, which have had an enduring influence in a wide range of fields, including topology, mathematical physics, representation theory and category theory”.

The Chern Medal Award is awarded to an individual whose accomplishments warrant the highest level of recognition for outstanding achievements in the field of mathematics.

Graeme was previously elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1982 and was awarded the Pólya Prize by the London Mathematical Society in 1990 and the Sylvester Medal by the Royal Society in 2010.

Careers Convention

Grammar hosted the 2026 Careers Convention, bringing together twelve schools, over seventy-five exhibitors and ninety volunteers. The convention featured lectures, advising sessions and a vibrant expo.

One of the key lectures was a panel discussion, “Future Proof Your Path: Skills, Choices and Decisions in an AI-driven World”, moderated by Professor Eric Knight (OS 2001). The panel included Ms Mel Silva, Managing Director of Google Australia, Professor Karen Whelan Associate Dean, Teaching and Learning, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology at the University of Technology, and Mr Jason Johnson, Founder and CEO of Johnson Partners.

RUOK? Day

RUOK? Day was celebrated in style this year, with College Street coming together to promote connection, kindness and looking out for one another. Boys were welcomed with RUOK? stickers to wear throughout the day, while giant games of Connect Four, Jenga and Snakes and Ladders provided plenty of opportunities for fun and collegiality.

Form I boys also contributed to a Board of Positivity, sharing encouraging messages with their peers. The Tuckshop joined the celebrations with special treats, while staff showed their support by wearing yellow badges and bracelets. It was a fun and meaningful day, reminding us all to check in with our mates.

NSW Percussion Eisteddfod

On Sunday 26 July, Sydney Grammar School hosted the NSW Percussion Eisteddfod for the second consecutive year. Seventeen percussion ensembles from ten schools gathered in the John Vallance Hall.

Around 180 young percussionists participated, representing Epping Boys High School, Cranbrook School, Ascham School, The King’s School, Hunter School of the Performing Arts, Inaburra School, Oakhill Drive Public School and Sydney Percussion Studio. Boys from Edgecliff Preparatory School and College Street also participated.

The Eisteddfod provided a wonderful opportunity for pupils to perform, share their enthusiasm for percussion and enjoy the talents of musicians from across Sydney and beyond. We look forward to welcoming the participating schools and ensembles back next year.

Science Week at Edgecliff

Science Week at Edgecliff Preparatory School embraced the 2026 theme, Seeds of Science: Nurturing Knowledge for All. The Infants boys explored hands-on activities that encouraged careful observation, questioning and discovery. Stage 2 students extended their thinking through engaging investigations, building confidence as young scientists and learning how ideas can grow from simple questions.

A highlight of the week was the Stage 3 Science Fair, where boys in Years 5 and 6 presented fascinating projects with impressive enthusiasm and thought. Experiments explored the electrical conductivity of different fruits, seed growth in water with different pH levels, the effect of various soils on germination, and how spacing can influence seed development. Science Week sparked genuine excitement for learning, investigation and scientific thinking.

Dr Tim Pritchard

Vale Wendy Scotter

Wendy Scotter was appointed by Dr John Vallance as the Foundation Secretary, and she started working at College Street in February 2002. After a few years, she took on the role of assisting our Old Sydneians.

Wendy made a huge contribution and in many ways was the Old Sydneians’ main connection to the School. She communicated with them about important school events and, for about twenty years, she was solely responsible for organising their reunions.

Wendy was the person that Old Sydneians could talk with, and she patiently provided wise counsel for them. In 2024, she worked in a part-time capacity, retiring on Speech Day.

Sadly, Wendy passed away on 14 July 2026, aged 78.

Chase The Lion Art Competition

Chase The Lion is St Ives Preparatory School’s annual reading challenge, running throughout Term II and encouraging boys to engage with books through reading, competitions, puzzles, activities and giveaways built around a different theme each year.

In 2026, Carrington stepped into the world of L Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, with the story providing inspiration for a range of activities across the term.

As part of the programme, boys were invited to enter the Chase The Lion Art Competition, with this year’s challenge to create a crazy, interesting or magical shoe inspired by the world of Oz.

The response was fantastic, with an enormous variety of colourful and imaginative designs on display. Boys approached the challenge in very different ways, showing creativity, originality and impressive attention to detail.

World Cup fever

The FIFA World Cup swept through St Ives at the end of Term II, with boys and staff following the action and getting behind the Socceroos as they represented Australia on the world stage.

For Australia’s match against Paraguay, the whole School came together in the Hall to watch the match, with boys and staff dressed in green and gold and plenty of excitement throughout the day.

It was a great way to finish the term, a shared enthusiasm for one of the world’s biggest sporting events and, of course, plenty of support for the Socceroos.

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