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The Newsletter T E R M 1 | W E E K 3 | 11 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 6
Contents Message from the Head of College
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Message from the Head of Prep
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Dates for Your Diary 3 Notices and Events 5 Brighton Talks: Supporting Early Communication, Language and Phonics
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Brighton Coffee and Connect 9 Spotlight on Art 10
Message from the Head of College Dear Parents, It has been another busy and enjoyable week at the College, not least with our co-curricular activities getting fully underway. The haze and now this evening’s storms, have inevitably caused some disruption, but it has nevertheless been lovely to see pupils enjoying the wide range of activities on offer. We are hopeful that tonight’s rain might actually bring some welcome relief from the haze and reduce the likelihood of further disruption next week. Thank you, as ever, for your support and forbearance as we navigate the changing conditions. I am delighted that so many parents have signed up for next week’s Quiz Night at the British Club. It is always one of my favourite events of the school year, so I am particularly sorry that I will have to miss it this time. I will be in the UK from Wednesday until the following week, but Mrs Shea is very much looking forward to welcoming everyone, alongside around 20 members of College staff who will also be taking part. I hope you have a brilliant evening. We also received some wonderful news this week: Brighton College (Singapore) has been named a finalist in the Independent Schools of the Year 2026 Awards, in the ‘British International School of the Year’ category. We are one of just six schools from around the world to have reached the final, which is a fantastic recognition of everything our pupils, staff and wider community have achieved together. Fingers crossed for the final result! It has also been excellent to see so many parents at events around the College recently, including our Brighton Talks events and this morning’s coffee morning at the ELV Café. Creating opportunities for parents to come into school, meet one another and spend time with us is really important and there will be plenty more opportunities throughout the year. One date change to flag: our Sixth Form Opening Event, to which all parents will be invited, will now take place on Thursday 12 November. As well as providing an opportunity to learn more about our Sixth Form provision, the evening will give parents the chance to see some of the new spaces we have recently opened around the College. More information will follow shortly. As ever, you can also find details of forthcoming events at the back of this newsletter. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Best Wishes, Nick Davies Head of College
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Message from the Head of Prep Dear Brighton College Community, It has been another busy and positive week across the Prep School, and it has been wonderful to see our pupils becoming increasingly settled and confident as we move further into the term. With routines and transitions now firmly established, there is a real sense of purpose across the school. Pupils are growing in independence, approaching their learning with curiosity and confidence, working well with their friends and showing resilience when faced with challenge. The positive energy in our classrooms is a real pleasure to see. Our co-curricular activities are also now in full swing, and it has been fantastic to see pupils enjoying such a wide range of sporting, creative and academic opportunities. These experiences are an important part of Prep life, giving children the chance to try something new, develop their talents and, importantly, have fun with their friends. We have also been carefully monitoring the recent haze conditions across Singapore and adapting activities where necessary. The children have responded brilliantly, showing great flexibility and good humour when plans have needed to change. Something I particularly enjoy seeing as I move around the Prep School is the kindness our pupils show one another. Whether helping a friend, welcoming someone new or looking out for a younger pupil, these small moments reflect the values at the heart of our community. It was also a real pleasure to spend time with so many parents at our Coffee and Connect this morning. I particularly enjoyed meeting some of our new families and having the opportunity for relaxed conversations about school life. Thank you to everyone who joined us and for the helpful feedback offered across various areas of school life. Next week, I am looking forward to welcoming many more of you into school for our Settling-In Meetings. These are a valuable opportunity to celebrate how your child has started the year and talk together about their friendships, well being and experiences so far. Thank you, as always, for your continued support and partnership. I hope you and your families have a lovely, restful weekend. Warmly, Emma Shea Head of Prep
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Dates for Your Diary 2026/2027 School Year Calendar. *Please note the additional dates/changes (highlighted in red) in the calendar* Sunday, 13 September
Tri Factor Triathlon & Duathlon 2026
Monday, 14 September
Whole School Class Photo Sessions, 9.50am - 3.30pm
Monday, 14 September
Settling-in Parent Meetings” Prep School only, 4.00pm-7.30pm
Tuesday, 15 September
Whole School Class Photo Sessions, 9.10am - 3.30pm
Tuesday, 15 September
House Meetings: Pupils to wear House Shirts
Wednesday, 16 September Whole School Class Photo Sessions, 9.10am - 3.30pm Friday, 18 September
Brighton Society Event Quiz Night, 6.30pm-8.00pm
Monday, 28 September
European Day of Languages Assembly (Upper Prep)
Monday, 28 September
Brighton Talks Episode 18: Pathways to University - A Guide for Sixth Form Parents, time tbc
Tuesday, 29 September
House Meetings: Pupils to wear House Shirts
Friday, 2 October
European Day of Languages Week ( Non-Uniform Day)
Friday, 2 October
Class Representatives Meeting EYFS and Prep School, 9.30am-10.30am
Monday, 5 October
Senior School Class Representatives Meeting
Saturday, 10 October Monday, 26 October
School Holiday
Tuesday, 27 October
House Meetings: Pupils to wear House Shirts
Wednesday, 30 October
Lower Prep European Day of Languages Assembly
Saturday, 31 October Sunday, 1 November
Football Tournament U13 FOBISIA Football, Malaysia
Wednesday, 4 November
Deepavali Celebrations
Sunday, 8 November
Remembrance Sunday
Monday, 9 November
Public Holiday: Deepavali
Tuesday, 10 November
House Meetings: Pupils to wear House Shirts
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Dates for Your Diary 2026/2027 School Year Calendar. *Please note the additional dates/changes (highlighted in red) in the calendar* Wednesday, 11 November
Remembrance Day
Thursday, 12 November
Sixth Form Opening Event
Tuesday, 24 November
House Meetings: Pupils to wear House Shirts
Wednesday, 25 November
Whole School Fire Evacuation Drill
Monday, 30 November
Christmas Tree Lighting Event - British Club
Thursday, 3 December
Nativities ( Nursery - Reception )
Thursday, 3 December
Nativities ( Year 1)
Thursday, 3 December
Nativities ( Year 2)
Thursday, 3 December
Christmas Celebration Show (Year 3)
Friday, 4 December
Brighton Society Event - Christmas
Monday, 7 December
PCP and PCS Graduation Celebration
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Important Notices & Events 14 S E P T E M B E R , B R I G H T O N C O L L E G E ( S I N G A P O R E )
Class and Pupil photography sessions Reminder: Class and Pupil photography sessions 14-16 September This is a reminder that the school will be conducting class and individual photography between 14 - 16 September. Please ensure that your children are smartly attired during their photography day in school. The photographs will be ready for purchase in midNovember 2026. The updated class photography schedule can be found HERE. Sibling Photography As noted in the previous issue of this newsletter, the photography team will be covering sibling photography for all who have opted in, in the school on the same days between 4:00pm to 5:00pm. Registrations are now closed. If you missed out, you can still reach the team on email HERE - state the school, your available day and time, and the team will try to find an available slot for late registrants. If your oldest child is in Year 4 or lower, sibling photography will take place at the Early Learning Village Level 5, Rabbit Pod, Room 1 If your oldest child is in Year 5 or higher, sibling photography will take place at room D1012 at Brighton College, ground floor directly behind the main reception counter Note that it is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to bring their children to the location for sibling photography after the end of school.
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Important Notices & Events Under One Moon: Mid-Autumn Photography Competition This Mid-Autumn Festival, we are inviting our Brighton parent community to get creative and take part in our Mid-Autumn Photography Competition: Under One Moon. Running alongside our school-wide competition for pupils, parents are invited to capture what Mid-Autumn Festival means to them. It could be a family tradition, a glowing lantern, festive food, the moon in the night sky or simply a moment that brings Under One Moon to life. Each parent may submit one photograph, accompanied by a short caption sharing the story or meaning behind the image. Competition Period : Friday, 11 September 2026 - Monday, 28 September 2026 Winning photographs will be showcased around the school alongside selected pupil entries and featured as artwork for a Brighton College (Singapore) postcard. We would love to see Mid-Autumn Festival through the eyes of our Brighton families. Register to submit your photo here.
FOBISIA Drama Competition - Duologues (Years 5 - 8) This week, pupils across Year 5-8 have been introduced to an exciting FOBISIA Drama Competition, where they have the opportunity to write and perform their own original duologue exploring the theme of friendship. During Drama lessons next week, we will spend time exploring the competition brief and getting started with some initial planning and ideas. This gives pupils the opportunity to develop and practise the key creative and performance skills we are focusing on in lessons this term. Pupils who would then like to enter the competition will be encouraged to continue developing and rehearsing their duologue in their own time, ready to submit both their script and a final filmed performance of no more than two minutes. For more information, click here. Deadline for submissions: Monday, 5 October 2026 If you have any questions, please contact Diaz-Umbhau for Years 5 and 6, or Catherine Snell for Years 7 and 8.
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Important Notices & Events Senior Choir Our first rehearsal happened on Friday, and a very promising number of students attended, making a very good sound! New members from Year 7 through to Year 12 are welcome to join at the next rehearsal. Please note there is a change of rehearsal day - our next rehearsal is this Wednesday, 16 September 2026.
Camp Asia’s Fall Camp Get ready for an unforgettable holiday adventure with Camp Asia’s Fantastic Fall Camp! Packed with exciting activities, creative exploration and plenty of fun, our camps are designed to spark curiousity, build confidence and keep child active and engaged throughout the school holidays. From discovering new interest and developing new skills to making new friends and creating wonderful memories, there’s something for every child to enjoy this fall! Save the dates: 19 to 23 October 2026 Exclusive for Brighton College Singapore families: Use BCS15 to enjoy an enhanced 15% OFF all available camps! Don’t miss out on the fun and secure your child’s Fantastic Fall adventure today! Book here. For more information, drop us an email at info@campasia.asia.
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Brighton Talks - Supporting Early Communication, Language and Phonics Thank you to everyone who joined us for our latest Brighton Talks sessions. The downloadable resources and summary notes from both sessions are now available below. Session 1: Speech, Language and Communication in the Early Years (Pre-Nursery to Year 1) • Speech & Learning in the Early Years • Screening Guide • Session summary notes Session 2: Understanding Phonics – Supporting Early Reading (Nursery to Year 2) • BCS Phonics Parent Talk • Session summary notes Chinese translations of the resources and summary notes for both sessions are also available to download for our Chinese-speaking community.
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Brighton Coffee and Connect This morning, we kicked off our very first Coffee & Connect at the ELV Parent Café, with our new Brighton parents joining us for the first session. It was a lovely morning of easy conversation over coffee, getting to know some of our newest parents and giving them a chance to meet a few new faces too. Thank you to everyone who popped by. We’re looking forward to more Coffee & Connect mornings with our wider parent community throughout the year!
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SPOTLIGHT ON...
Design and Technology Spotlight on...
Art
At Brighton College (Singapore), we believe that art is one of the most powerful expressions of curiosity, confidence, and kindness. The Artist spotlight award celebrates the exceptional talent and dedication of our pupil artists, recognising those who push themselves to observe deeply, work with skill, and produce something truly remarkable. We are delighted to announce that the very first recipient of this award is Bella Chen. Bella Chen — Artist Spotlight Award Inspired by the powerful documentary photography of Lee Jefferies, Bella set herself an ambitious challenge: to respond to one of Jefferies’ striking portraits through a tonal pencil sketch of the model’s face. The result is a compelling and expressive piece of work that demonstrates a strong understanding of form, light, and human emotion. Bella’s sketch captures the intense, wide-eyed expression of the subject with remarkable confidence, faithfully reproducing the drama and personality of the original photograph. Her use of tone across the forehead, cheeks, and eye sockets gives the face a convincing sense of volume and three-dimensionality, while her careful attention to detail shows real patience and observational skill. The work is a testament to Bella’s dedication and her growing ability as an artist. Congratulations, Bella — a truly deserving first recipient!
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