THE GRAMMAR ODYSSEY
LEARNING THAT MATTERS
COUNTDOWN TO YEAR 7 ORIENTATION 2024
WHAT IF LEARNING
WAS MORE THAN ASSESSMENT?
Principal’s Introduction to the Year 7 Odyssey Program
As our team designed Odyssey, we understood that given the right conditions for learning, young people are willing to step up and be exceptional. By visiting schools across the globe and investigating some of the best ideas, we are now designing a place where profound learning meets courageous resolve to make a positive impact in our world. The word 'odyssey' means "a long and eventful or adventurous journey." That is what we want learning to be for your child - an adventure that requires focus, energy and hopeful expectation. Welcome to Odyssey!
THE ODYSSEY CHANNELS
PURSUIT
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Each fortnight students will have a number of lessons that cover the fundamental, explicit teaching of skills in subject areas. These ‘pursuit’ lessons are set up to chase the knowledge and information they will need to apply in their projects.
These carefully planned lesson sequences will form the building blocks for the learning that takes place in the Quest stream. Pursuit teachers will work closely with the Quest teachers to ensure there is alignment between the teaching in the two channels and that students have the clear, explicit instruction needed to develop their skills in all subjects.
QUEST
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A significant challenge in Senior School is the structure of the timetable and a model of staffing that does not allow for teachers to teach easily with teachers from other faculties.
Quest, through grouping overlapping outcomes and teaching them simultaneously, as well as a specifically designed staffing model addresses this challenge. Through meeting multiple outcomes simultaneously, we have been able to buy time during the week for students to take part in cross-curricular investigations and projects, which are linked to present-day challenges and problems.
The products the students produce during these lessons will be tangibly linked to the problems they are looking to solve and reflect the During these ‘quests’ students will be the drivers of their own learning and direct the projects with timely guidance from their teachers.
ELEVATE
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Mr Hoffmann has spent 2023 building a bespoke coaching-style program that focuses on ‘laddering up.’ During these weekly sessions, students will come together to celebrate one another’s work, share wisdom and spend time reflecting on their explicitly developed learning goals. Through work in their portfolios and journals, students will build the intrapersonal and interpersonal skills needed to take responsibility for themselves and their learning; key success metrics of the Odyssey program are increased independence, improved self-advocacy and elevated confidence in written and verbal communication.
Odyssey students will remain part of the Blue Mountains Grammar School tutor program that is a foundational aspect of Senior School learning. Each morning, students will have 25 minutes with their House tutor who will be their wellbeing contact and the first point of call for parent contact. Students and tutors attend camps, chapels, assemblies etc. in their tutor groups and build a deep and long-lasting relationship over their six years together.
Heads of House will remain a key figure in the life of Odyssey students. These leaders work with the Director of Student Culture & Character Development and tutors to ensure a strong connection between the pastoral care aspects of school and academics. Odyssey students will spend time with their Heads of House and 7 – 12 House groups during extended tutor events as well as carnivals and assemblies.
LEARNING TO BE
EXCEPTIONAL!
PASSPORT
The Learning Passport represents the Odyssey journey we are taking our students on. Learning needs to be connected to real-life experiences. To do this well, students need explicit opportunities to grow particular skills. Throughout the year students will be completing tasks that align with the key skills we are helping them develop: Communication, Critical Thinking, Collaboration and Creativity. Many of these will come through the Odyssey program but as they take part in tutor groups, co-curricular activities and sport they will be able to have passport stamps added.
TIMETABLE
Odyssey steps towards an alternate model that tailors the timetable to maximise flexibility, rather than matching subjects to particular times of the week. This is part of a bigger change in the Senior School, moving to 6 x 50 minute periods in a day which allows for more versatility 7 - 12. With this new model students will be free to work on particular projects for extended periods rather than needing to pack up 6 times a day and move to a new room.
LEARNING SPACES
The design of Odyssey learning requires a particular style of space to function. From January 2024 the Austin Building (currently HSIE) will be repurposed to home all 75 of our Year 7 students. This building will have a specifically designed layout and furniture that is adaptable for different learning activities. We will have rooms for group work, direct instruction, a boardroom style space, quiet/sensory spaces as well as break-out rooms. Students will go out to practical subjects such as visual arts and technology, but the majority of classes will be in Austin.
MAGIC DAY
Wednesday in Odyssey will be Magic Day. These are the days that students will have 6 periods of Quest lessons timetabled so they can fully dive into their projects without the need to keep packing up, moving to a different space, and start again.
Magic Days will be taught by the Year 7 Teaching Team and will have lessons and activities that are loud, messy and require students to think and problem-solve deeply. The opportunity to sink deeply into projects means engagement and efficiency will improve, and students are given opportunities to self-regulate and lead their learning.
Magic Day will be the time when students hear from guest speakers and go on excursions. By having a full day clear in the timetable there is flexibility to meet with industry experts, local people of influence, and other schools.
BMGS HOUSES
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Symbol: Bull
Colour: RedNamed in honour of: Dr Stewart Ziele
In honour of Dr Stewart Ziele's commitment to sport and education. Dr Ziele was an eminent dental surgeon who attended St Alban's Anglican Church in Leura. Upon his death in 1955, Dr Ziele's estate purchased a parcel of land which was donated to the School.
Dr Ziele's generosity enabled the expansion of educational facilities at BMGS and as well as the development of the ovals and Sports Centre, sustaining the sporting life of the School.
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Cor 15:57
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Symbol: Serpent
Colour: GreenNamed in honour of: The Pitt Family
In honour of Mr Robert Matcham Pitt’s commitment to Community and Service. In 1889, Mr Pitt built Coorah as a holiday house and cultivated acres of daffodils. He and his wife became very involved in the local community and served in many ways. In 1935 he donated the homestead and its five acres of land to the advancement of children’s education.
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
1 John 3:18
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Symbol: Phoenix
Colour: Royal BlueNamed in honour of: The Deane Family
In honour of E. K. Deane’s commitment to leadership. In 1918, Mr Deane was the founder and first Headmaster of Blue Mountains Grammar School for Boys at Springwood. Consistent with the times, he was strict but fair and a passionate sportsman.
Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.
2 Cor 5:18
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Symbol: Lion
Colour: BlackNamed in honour of:
The MacLaurin FamilyIn honour of Mrs Emily MacLaurin’s commitment to Christian Faith and Values, Mrs MacLaurin was a committed Christian and promoted Christian values within the Leura School for Boys. She continued with this priority once it amalgamated with Blue Mountains Grammar School or Boys in 1951 and moved to the present site in Wentworth Falls.
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
Ephesians 6:14-15
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Symbol: Ram
Colour: WhiteNamed in honour of: Mr William Kelley
In honour of Mr William Kelley’s commitment to The Visual and Performing Arts. Mr Kelley provided distinguished service to Blue Mountains Grammar School in the 1980s and 1990s as honorary Treasurer on the School Council. As a great lover of Music, he encouraged and supported Music programmes within the School and his wife Kathleen, a talented painter, similarly encouraged the Visual Arts.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.
Philippians 4:8
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Symbol: Griffin
(head + wings of an eagle, body of a lion)
Colour: MaroonNamed in honour of: Mr William Hughes
In honour of Mr W.W. (Bill) Hughes’ commitment to Academia and Scholarship, Mr Hughes, a former student of Blue Mountains Grammar School for Boys, was Dux in 1937. After his retirement in the 1980s, he was present at most school community events, generously supported many of the School’s major development projects and remained passionate about the School’s pursuit of academic excellence.
Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31
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