“It’s very rewarding to drive down Margaret Street and see the iconic buildings that you’ve contributed to.”— Chris Wicks
When Chris Wicks’ (1981-1985) son Lachlan was just two days old, Chris proudly strolled across the road from St Vincent’s maternity ward, over Trustees’ Oval and down to the TGS office to enrol his firstborn.
“I had such fond memories from the School and enjoyed all the opportunities available, particularly participating in sport and learning at such a high level; my sons were going to have the same great education,” said Chris adamantly.
Chris was a boarder from Dalby and an “all-rounder” as a student. He was part of the 1st XV, a CUO in the Cadets, a member of the debating team, involved in drama (featuring in two plays during his time) and a good academic student.
“I really enjoyed boarding,” reminisced Chris.
“It was great to be part of all the activities that were on offer and to be immersed in the School community.”
He studied Applied Science at the University of Queensland, Gatton and is currently the Access Strategy Manager at Arrow Energy in Brisbane. But he has maintained strong connections with TGS through a number of important roles. His two sons are also Old Boys, Lachlan (2002-2010) and Hamish (2010-2014). Lachlan is now an operations and logistics manager and Hamish is a carpenter.
One of the values taught at Toowoomba Grammar School is the importance of giving back and contributing to the community. Chris has certainly done that for TGS itself. He has had over 25 years of direct involvement with the School – from being a student to a parent to a member of the Old Boys’ Association Committee to a Trustee.
“Not quite Glen McCracken territory, but it was a good run,” laughed Chris.
He was President of the TGS Old Boys’ Association from 2006-2008.
The TGSOBA is a great way for Old Boys to stay actively connected with the School. The Association works closely with the School to promote it while maintaining the history, traditions and values that we, as Old Boys, think to be important.
He joined the TGS Board of Trustees in May 2011 and was Chair of the Finance Committee from 2016 to 2022. During that time, the Board implemented a number of major capital works projects, including the P.B. Hauser Aquatic Centre, the Glen McCracken Sports Centre, the new Boyce and Taylor boarding houses and various other infrastructure projects that formed part of the larger “jigsaw puzzle” as Chris refers to it.
“It was great to be able to contribute to the School in this way and play a role in its long-term future,” said Chris.
He said the Board plays a crucial role in preserving the traditions of the School whilst providing strategies to help it grow and move forward, as well as a responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of the boys and staff.
After much consideration, Chris resigned from the Board in February 2022. He had served for ten years and ten months.
“It was a difficult decision,” he said.
“I enjoyed having the opportunity to give back, but I felt it was time for fresh blood to bring some new ideas and a different perspective.”
Chris is very proud of the capital works projects, as well as the structures and systems the Board implemented during his time to ensure that the School would be in a strong position moving forward.
Latest Blog
Developing a Sense of Belonging for our TGS Boarders
How do we adequately develop a teenager’s 'sense of belonging' in boarding? Head of Boyce House, Boarding, Mr Michael Hall has investigated how 'Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs' applies to boarding. It is a psychological theory that suggests human beings have a set of fundamental needs that must be fulfilled in a hierarchical order. The theory proposes that individuals must first satisfy their physiological needs before moving on to higher-level needs, such as the 'belongingness' that is so…
Kia Moemoeā – Dream Beyond Limits
A 12-year study has found that boys consistently perform better in an all boys’ school compared to boys in co-educational schools. This was one of several interesting topics presented at the recent International Boys’ Schools Coalition (IBSC) Conference in Auckland, New Zealand which I attended alongside three of my Toowoomba Grammar School colleagues – Mr Luke Rawle, Mr Dave Klan and Mrs Jessica Galbraith. We joined 600 leading educators from 15 countries around the world for the four-day…
Blue and Gold in the Blood
“I had such fond memories from the School and enjoyed all the opportunities available, particularly participating in sport and learning at such a high level; my sons were going to have the same great education,” said Chris adamantly. Chris was a boarder from Dalby and an “all-rounder” as a student. He was part of the 1st XV, a CUO in the Cadets, a member of the debating team, involved in drama (featuring in two plays during his time) and a good academic student. “I really enjoyed boarding,”…
The Benefits of Repeated Reading
An effective and evidence-based method that can significantly improve your child's reading abilities is repeated reading. Reading proficiency is a vital skill that sets the foundation for academic success and lifelong learning. Repeated reading, a simple yet powerful technique, has been proven to enhance reading fluency, comprehension, and overall confidence. Let's delve into why repeated reading is such a beneficial practice for your child. Research consistently supports the benefits of…
Print v Digital
I recently read an article by Petra Stock, entitled "Streaming Stories: Will Children’s Digital Book Platforms Upend Print", an interesting discussion comparing ebooks and print media and the ways they are being used during and post COVID. Which is better according to the article? Well, there is a clear winner; however, like many things, the answer can depend on the situation. I'd like to break elements of the article down, along with my own thoughts and compare the two. Social…
Striking a Balance
We understand that, as parents, we aspire to provide our children with the best education and opportunities for growth. Within the Junior School at Toowoomba Grammar School, we believe in fostering a love for learning while enabling your son to reach his full potential. In this article, we would like to emphasise the significance of automaticity and basic skill practice in extending your child's learning journey, while emphasising the importance of respecting their individual pace. Automaticity…
Developing Sportsmanship from Prep
Overwhelming pride in wearing the Blue and Gold is a familiar emotion for Toowoomba Grammar School students, as is abundantly evident in all our boys, from Prep to Year 12. This emotion and passion for the School is the essence of our TGS culture and defines what it means to be a TGS student. The launch of the 2022 - 2026 Strategic Plan creates an exciting opportunity for our co-curricular program, which links perfectly into the "character and wellbeing" pillar. The development of good…
Why Study Drama?
As an educator with over 30 years’ experience in the Arts, I specialise in the analytical, creative and practical spheres that quantify and qualify success in drama. I have been a Drama teacher and Arts Project Officer in the Independent, Catholic, state, and private sectors in primary and secondary, single sex and co-educational environments. This longevity of knowledge, gained through firsthand experience, affirms that students who study drama through until at least Year 10 acquire…
Drive and Determination
Jeremy Peacock is ranked third in the world in the PTS4 Para category and his sights are set on selection for the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. During Jeremy’s time at TGS he represented the School in numerous endeavours but was particularly known for his contributions to the Arts, particularly Music. On the sports field, Jeremy represented TGS in GPS Athletics, Cross Country, Cricket and Football. After returning from a gap year in the UK teaching music at Port Regis School, Dorset, Jeremy…
