Football
The First XI had an outstanding campaign, losing only two matches throughout the year. They reached the Sydney FC Cup final but were narrowly defeated by Oakhill College in a tense penalty shootout. Unfortunately, they lost in the same way to The Scots College in the Plate Cup final. Rufus McGuinness (VI) earned a well-deserved selection for the prestigious Australian Schoolboys team.
Several age groups enjoyed exceptional seasons, with the Under 13s proving the most successful overall. The 16B and 14B teams also dominated their competitions, staying unbeaten. Overall, Grammar football achieved a win rate of 60 percent, recording 200 victories, 58 losses, and 29 draws – a season of strong results despite the challenging weather conditions.
Rugby
The First XV faced strong competition from GPS teams but ended the season positively, particularly with a strong final match against Sydney High. Noah Dekell (VI) won the Robert A Smith Memorial Cup for Best and Fairest Player, while Will Egger (VI) received the Cooper Rice Brading Award for Clubman of the Year, and Charlie Lieutenant (VI) was awarded the Hazell Shield for Captain of the Rugby Club.
The standout team was the 13As, who won the Ian Clark Anderson Memorial Cup and achieved an undefeated GPS season by also clinching the Fathers’ Association Cup. They demonstrated exceptional commitment with strong attendance at training. Congratulations to Thomas Delaney (IV) and Ronan Shepherd (IV) for making the GPS Presidents' team and to Noah Dekell (VI) for being selected for the Opens GPS Blue team.
Volleyball
The 2025 season saw twenty-one volleyball teams play a total of 212 matches, and it can be summed up as a season of spectacular plays, impressive depth of skill and character, and a consistently strong community spirit. Ashton Clarke (V) and Marcus Levison (VI) represented Grammar in the GPS team, while Ashton and Aden Tay (Form V) were selected for the CIS team. Ashton also earned a place in the U18 Australian team, which competed in Thailand earlier this year.
The Firsts finished third on the GPS ladder, while the Seconds came close to winning the premiership, highlighted by a history-making five-set victory over Sydney Boys High School – their first ever against that opponent. They placed second overall. With the depth of talent emerging from our junior programme, the future of volleyball at Grammar is undeniably strong.
Cross Country
The cross country season has been thrilling, with the Juniors emerging as favourites for the season finale after an incredible race season. The team of Josh Westmoreland, Charlie Naughton, Maran Rajeev and Craig Kelly won this year’s CIS Championship and these boys have been the backbone of the School’s success this year.
The Intermediates have shown remarkable consistency throughout the race season, and the Seniors have steadily improved, culminating in a third-place finish at the Shore Invitational. It's been a season of growth and excitement for all teams!
Fencing
Grammar Fencing continued to dominate in 2025. At the NSW AJ Rae Shield, the Firsts won gold, Seconds took bronze, and both the Intermediate A and B teams medalled. In the NSW Schools League, Grammar made history by winning five of six categories, an unprecedented achievement, with the Firsts conceding only two hits all tournament. There was also phenomenal success nationally with the Intermediate A and B teams claiming gold and bronze in Melbourne, and the Firsts and Seconds again securing gold and bronze.
Taekwondo
The winter taekwondo season ended with impressive results for the Grammar boys. After finishing second following the interschools competition, Grammar competed against Shore in the Grand Final, winning 3-2, and the Interschools Cup.
The rest of the All-Schools competition also took place that day, and the junior competitors featured in a lot of finals matches, securing many wins. Grammar ended the day about 30 points ahead of Shore to bring home the Interschools Trophy; a terrific showing of skill and team spirit.
Term III Music
Concert A was held on 31 July and included vocal scholars from St Ives, as well as many different College Street bands. On Thursday 21 August, the Classical Guitar Concert was held in Big School and the following week many of the School’s large ensembles performed in Concert B in the John Vallance Hall. It was a special concert, as it was an opportunity to farewell Form VI musicians.
Major Music Events for Term IV
Jazz Concert
Tuesday 11 November 6:30pm
Alastair Mackerras Theatre
Term IV Concert
Thursday 13 November 6:30pm
John Vallance Hall
Ensembles Concert
Tuesday 18 November 6:30pm
Alastair Mackerras Theatre
Ithaka Lecture
Our next Ithaka Lecture will be held in Term IV on Wednesday 22 October at 6:00pm in the Alastair Mackerras Theatre. Professor Jioji Ravulo is Chair of Social Work and Policy Studies at The University of Sydney. He is the first person of a Pacific indigenous heritage to become a Professor in Australia. Professor Ravulo’s areas of research include alcohol and other drugs, mental health, young people, diversity and inclusion, and educational leadership.
Tickets can be purchased here.
