A true education is about much more than just lessons in a classroom. It’s about providing experiences that challenge a child, physically and mentally. It’s about providing opportunities that build independence, resilience and that help develop their good character.

Toowoomba Grammar School is proud to offer a broad and liberal education that stretches way beyond the walls of a classroom and equips our boys with the skills to flourish as an individual. We offer a diverse and engaging co-curricular program that caters to boys’ interests and passions and we encourage our boys to try new things.

“This mindset is particularly important for our boarders as keeping them interested, engaged and happy is vitally important,” stated Director of Boarding, Mr Nick Byron.

The TGS Boarders’ Activities Program (BAP) provides a holistic approach to after-school and weekend activities for the boys. It’s a carefully crafted mix of fun while gaining life experience to help the boys develop into good men.

“Our BAP includes dinners, dances, or other activities such as football with girls from schools in Toowoomba and Brisbane. This is to encourage diversity and respect, along with developing social interaction skills,” said Nick.

The BAP recreational opportunities are endless, such as day trips to Brisbane to watch NRL or AFL matches, to visit GOMA or the beach. We also take full advantage of the relaxed rural region where TGS is based and enjoy bush walking, mountain biking or fishing.

Heads of House often take small groups of boarders to the nearby eateries for dinner or to the movies, all of which are conveniently within walking distance from the School. It is also thanks to this central location that enables boarders to have a graduated independence as they get older. They can take a few hours “local leave” and walk five minutes to nearby shops or eateries and meet up with friends.

The BAP is further extended for our youngest boarders in Years 5 to 7 in Corfe House with activities including a specialised Ninja Warrior course and program at AllStars Gymnastics. They also participate in Games’ Night on Fridays in the Glen McCracken Sports Centre. Here, the senior boarders coordinate and lead various games and activities with the younger boarders in a fun-filled night that is enjoyed by all.

“This not only allows the boys to relax and have fun, with a little ‘sibling rivalry’ thrown in, but it helps foster leaderships skills, respect, and patience, particularly for the older boarders who are leading the games,” Nick said.

“These evenings encourage good community spirit and brotherhood; like playing backyard cricket or similar interactions with siblings at home.”

Our boarders also thrive from the strong connection that they develop with our dayboys. They relish the opportunity to take ‘weekend leave” to stay with relatives, dayboys or other friends in a family setting. In return, dayboys will often spend time during holiday periods with a boarder’s family, many of whom live on remote properties.

“It is through these family interactions that special memories and bonds are forged and are treasured for a lifetime,” Nick stated.

Considerable time and thought are put into the TGS Boarders’ Activities Program and the activities we provide help build independence and self-regulation through requirements such as keeping track of time when on leave.

This program also enables the boys to build integrity and trust, both with staff and other families; understanding the rules and regulations and adhering to them, while thoroughly enjoying themselves at the same time.

All of this leads to our overall aim of equipping boys with the skills to be of good character so they can flourish as an individual, contribute to society, and leave TGS as independent, well balanced young men who can respond well to the challenges that will inevitably come their way.

Learn more about our TGS Boarding Program here Boarding - Toowoomba Grammar School (twgs.qld.edu.au)

TGS boys on a Mountain Biking activity



Latest Blog

Senior School
/
Wednesday, 22 Nov 2023

Transition to Senior School at TGS

Starting at a new school can be a time of mixed feelings – very exciting, but also quite daunting and challenging. Irrespective of whether your son is joining us from the TGS Junior School, or if they are just starting at Toowoomba Grammar School, this is the start of a long and special journey. Your son will have a lot to digest with a new, possibly larger campus to navigate, different teachers and lessons, making new friends, where to go and what to do at morning tea and lunch. There can be a…

Read More
Senior School
/
Tuesday, 14 Nov 2023

The Transition to Year 7 - from a Parent and Staff Member's Perspective

Regardless of your history with the school, you are all equally welcome here and should feel comfortable in knowing that we value every family and their son’s contribution to our School. Toowoomba Grammar School was built by the community, for the community and it is a School that I am immensely proud of. In 2025 we will celebrate our sesquicentenary or Grammar 150 and your sons will play a vital role in those celebrations. Our pedagogy is modelled on explicit instruction which has its roots in…

Read More
Boarding
/
Monday, 13 Nov 2023

Boarding Families - Surviving Homesickness

Homesickness can be brutal for both the child and their parents. As a parent it can feel like your heart is being ripped out in some cases daily. It is extremely hard hearing how sad your boy may sound on the phone, and then you are left reeling for 24hrs until the next call, you are often left worried that they are feeling like this ALL DAY. Rest assured only vary rare cases are that bad, they usually improve as they settle in, and it is temporary. The reality is that most boys tend to save…

Read More
Boarding
/
Monday, 13 Nov 2023

Helpful Tips for New Boarding Parents

Name absolutely everything! Socks, undies, phone chargers, water bottles, caps. EVERYTHING!! Make sure you name items with Boy’s name & House number; most parents will put their senior house number if printing the tags so they don’t have to rename items when they move the following year (Corfe House doesn’t have a house number). Some boys find a double bed doona is a better option than single doona as it hangs down the sides of the bed a little more to keep them warmer in winter. An…

Read More
Character & Wellbeing
/
Wednesday, 08 Nov 2023

Parenting Styles: Parties and the Holidays

As the holiday season approaches, parents and caregivers find themselves immersed in the joy and bustle of festivities. Amidst the celebrations, it’s essential to pause and reflect on the pivotal role our parenting styles play in shaping our children’s attitudes and behaviours, especially concerning alcohol and other drug use. As a father of four young people with my fifth child coming into our family on 8 December 2023, I’m particularly mindful of my parenting style and my role as School…

Read More
Boarding
/
Thursday, 02 Nov 2023

Building the Boarding Experience - at Home

Family connections is a vital aspect of our Toowoomba Grammar School boarding program that we hold close to our heart. Our Heads of House regularly make the effort to visit our boarding families so they have a better understanding of our boarders' lives, the challenges and experiences, and staff always enjoy the warmth and hospitality provided by families. Head of Corfe House, Henry White and his wife, Samantha recently spent a weekend with the Acton family on Dalgonally Station near Julia…

Read More
People
/
Thursday, 26 Oct 2023

A New Season for Coach Kabe

Highly respected Head of Basketball and 1st V Coach, Kabe Ciccolini is embarking on a new and inspiring chapter. This season, he takes up the role of Assistant Head of Corfe House, guiding our youngest boarders with a warmth and passion that is uniquely his own. Kabe’s decision to transition into the role of Assistant Head of Corfe House reflects his unwavering commitment to mentorship and leadership. For him, this move signifies a positive step in his career. “It’s an opportunity to further…

Read More
Senior School
/
Wednesday, 18 Oct 2023

Embrace Every Moment

In the words of one of the greatest leaders of all time, Albus Dumbledore, “it does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” The wise wizard spoke these words to Harry as he stood before the Mirror of Erised, a magical artifact that reveals one’s deepest desires. These words tell the story of the balance between our dreams and the richness of the present moment. We live in a world that often urges us to focus on our aspirations; , sometimes we get so lost in our dreams that we do not…

Read More
Sports & Activities
/
Wednesday, 11 Oct 2023

What is the TGS Athletic Development Academy?

As a TGS Old Boy (2003-14), sport has always been an integral part of my upbringing. As a young boy I discovered the joys of cricket, track and field and touch footy. This love of being active led me to studying Exercise Science at University and I was fortunate enough to work with a range of national and international level athletes, culminating in an internship at the Brisbane Broncos. This experience launched my career in the strength and conditioning space, allowing me to work with…

Read More