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Development, Communications & Marketing Office[ BGS Home ] |
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Development, Communications & Marketing Office[ BGS Home ] |
The role of the Development, Communications & Marketing Office is to seek support for Brisbane Grammar School through positive promotion, and the cultivation and nurturing of all the members of its community. Achieving this objective will ensure that the Grammar community will be able to better understand the School's vision and plans for promoting the highest standard of academic education into the 21st century.
Telephone |
Facsimile |
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| Director of Development Mr Max Hutton |
3834 5205 | 3834 5287 | hutton@staff.bgs.qld.edu.au |
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Communications Manager Ms Wendy Johnston |
3834 5212 |
3834 5287 |
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Community Relations Officer Miss Tara McGrath |
3834 5206 | 3834 5287 | tmcgrath@staff.bgs.qld.edu.au |
What is Development?
The term 'development' is a relatively new term within the Australian education system. A development program within a school involves:
promoting the School to its past, present and future school communities
encouraging financial and volunteer support for the School, together with goods and services in kind;
involving the School community in the life of the School;
encouraging an ambassadorial role by the School community to promote the qualities of the School to a wider external audience.
History of Giving at Brisbane Grammar School
Before 1864, secondary schools in Queensland were non-existent. In 1860, the first Queensland Parliament passed the Grammar Schools Act. Under the legislation, grammar schools could be established in any municipality where residents had subscribed £1,000. The Government would subsequently double any amount raised by subscribers. As a result, in 1864, Ipswich Grammar School opened its doors to secondary school students for the first time. After the £1,000 was raised by subscribers, the go-ahead was given to allow for the construction of Brisbane Grammar School.
Brisbane Grammar School, Gregory Terrace (circa 1884) |
Since 1868, when Brisbane Grammar School was founded, it has continued to be developed and sustained from generation to generation by gifts and donations. Some families have established scholarships and prizes whilst others have directed their gifts in a variety of ways to benefit the School. |
Over the years, our community has given to the School many assets including the War Memorial Library (1924), a gymnasium (1953), a swimming pool (1954), the Centenary (1968) and music buildings (1981). More recently, the School has seen the completion of its Northgate Playing Fields complex (1997), magnificent Indoor Sports Centre (2000), refurbished former gymnasium into a vibrant Centre for Art (2003), and the opening of the BGS Middle School for Years 6-8 (2003).
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War Memorial Library (foreground) and Centenary Buildings (Hall and Gallery - right; Resource Centre - left) |
Northgate Playing Fields (six ovals for rugby, cricket, soccer) - adjacent to Gateway Motorway |
Volleyball in Sports Hall of M A Howell Sports Centre |
These assets are testimony to the enormous goodwill of our School family and illustrate how willing people have been to invest in the School's future.
The Development Office at Brisbane Grammar School
As a member of the Brisbane Grammar School community, you are part of the history of the School. For more than five generations, our School has been educating students in an atmosphere that fosters a keen spirit, a strong sense of fellowship and an enduring respect for academic achievement.
The Brisbane Grammar School Development Office was established in August 1992 to raise the funds necessary for the School's ongoing development and to protect it against declining government funding. It assists the School in continuing its rich tradition of helping students in need, providing scholarships, bursaries and extra resources needed to enhance its broad curriculum. Through the Development Office, the School family is encouraged to provide funds for much needed projects beyond the normal scope of the School's financial means.
The Development Office has three main programs - an Annual Giving Program, capital appeals (such as the current Foundations for the future appeal) for the School's major building program and other projects, and a bequest program through The Great Hall Society.
Annual Giving and Voluntary Gift Programs
These programs provide an opportunity for members of the Grammar community - current, future and past parents; Staff; Old Boys; Friends and Suppliers - to make an annual gift to the School (in support of a specified project) of an amount they feel comfortable with at the time.
Since the Annual Giving Program first commenced in 1994, some 8,000 gifts totalling $1.6M have been received.
Gifts to the BGS Building and Library Funds are tax deductible.
Artist’s impression of the Centre for Art, with view to internal gallery.
Rolling Capital Campaign
Since 1997, the School has been conducting its Foundations for the future fundraising program, seeking major gifts for a number of projects and programs including physical development of facilities (eg. indoor sports centre, Centre for Art), continuing maintenance of heritage-listed buildings, information technology upgrades, staff professional development, and means-tested bursaries (through the School's Endowment Fund).
All parents are approached once for a pledged gift via this Program, to whatever level they can afford, and over a 3-5 year period (essentially the period at which their son is at school).
Gifts to the Building and Library Funds are tax deductible.
The Great Hall Society
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Established in June 1997, The Great Hall Society honours and recognises those who have remembered the School in their will. It also seeks to acknowledge the pivotal role that they play in securing the future of the School. The Great Hall was chosen as the symbol for the Bequest Society because it holds such a special place in the hearts and minds of all those who know the School. Membership of The Great Hall Society is open to anyone who makes a bequest to the School. |
If you are considering a bequest to Brisbane Grammar School, we would dearly like to know about it in your lifetime. We would like to thank you personally and discuss with you, exactly where you wish to have your bequest directed.
The Endowment Fund
The School's Endowment Fund has the over-riding aim of providing long term strength and financial stability for Brisbane Grammar School. Apart from specific gifts from members of the Grammar community directed to the Endowment Fund, the Confirmation Fee of $650 from each student who enrols at Brisbane Grammar helps build a significant financial base for the School.
Specifically, the Fund will:
- help minimise school fee increases;
- provide a significant number and variety of means-tested bursaries;
- assist families, whose sons are already attending the School, following the death of the principal salary earner;
- enhance the educational environment of the School in ways in which offer the widest range opportunities to the greatest possible number.
The principal donated to the Endowment Fund is never spent, only the interest over and above the rate of inflation. This means that an endowment fund can ensure that an item can be provided each year in perpetuity because the principal always maintains its real value. As a guide, an endowment fund in perpetuity costs 20 times the present day cost of the endowed item. The endowed item (bursary, prize etc.) can be named in honour of an individual, family or group.
Gifts to the Endowment Fund are not tax deductible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Annual Giving and Voluntary Gift Programs?
The Annual Giving Program, as the name implies, is conducted once a year (before June 30), and seeks financial support in the form of one-off gifts to specific building projects, maintenance of heritage-listed buildings, purchase of library resources, and means-tested bursaries. The Program is aimed at past scholars of the School, past and future parents, and other friends of the School.
The Voluntary Gift Program is aligned with the payment of tuition fees. Current parents are able to make a voluntary gift to the School Building Fund at the same time as they pay their fees.
Why are these fundraising programs necessary?
Tuition fees alone do not extend to cover many of the physical resources our students need to enjoy a quality education and, like all independent schools, it is necessary to call on our School community to assist in making up the shortfall.
How much should I contribute to the Annual Giving or Voluntary Gift Program?
Every gift, no matter its size, makes a difference. It can be from $1 to $50,000 or more. The size of the gift is not as important as the fact that you choose to participate.
Is
my gift tax deductible?
Gifts made payable to the BGS Building or Library Funds are tax deductible.
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