“Boarding is who we are. When we first opened as a school in 1877 with 44 students, 20 of those were boarders. The experiences that our boarders bring to TGS enhances our community and makes us a better school. We are proud to be a boarding school, not just a school with boarders.”Headmaster, Dr John Kinniburgh
At TGS you will find a boarding experience that offers educational programs allowing every boy to deliver their best and develop their character.
Our boarders make up nearly one third of our student cohort from Years 5 to 12, which enables us to consider the boarding experience in all that we do at the School. Every boarding experience at TGS is about equipping boys with the skills to function as a student and preparing them for their future.
We recognise that each student is unique; whether it is a university or vocational pathway they seek, our boarding program supports each boy’s journey. Our experienced staff guide students in the classroom and within the boarding houses, with personalised assistance available to help boys thrive academically.
We prioritise the character development and wellbeing of our boarders. With nearly 150 years of experience, we understand what it takes to nurture young men into well-rounded individuals. We appreciate that every boy brings a distinct perspective to our boarding community, so we actively engage with families to develop a boarding program that recognises the value of these diverse experiences.
“With the breadth and variety of options available, the TGS Boarding experience is special, unique and individual for every boarder.”Mr Nick Byron, Director of Boarding
Boys of all backgrounds and abilities are given the opportunity to participate in a broad range of co-curricular and house-based activities in addition to their daily educational experience.
We work in partnership with our boarding community to foster a sense of community that is like no other.
At TGS, boarding is who we are.
Why TGS boarding?
Current TGS parents Duncan (TGS 1990-94) and Toni were kind enough to share some insights into their experience as a TGS boarding family; discussing some of the unique opportunities that cater for each of their sons' interests.
Toni
"We have had a long association with the School, with Duncan attending in the early 1990s and the boys grandfather completing scholarship in the 1950s. The high boarder to day boy ratio is something that particularly appealed to me. Since first enrolling the boys in 2022, we have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know other families in the broader boarding family. For the boys, having come from a very small, rural primary school, they have relished developing friendships with so many other like-minded boys, from similar backgrounds and family values. The staff are friendly and engaging and you won’t often walk past a TGS student on campus without an acknowledging “hello”."
Duncan (TGS 1990-94)
"In my early years as a student at TGS, a memorable experience was watching the First XV Rugby match - the overwhelming sense of pride and respect amongst the TGS boys was something I had never experienced. This, along with the many opportunities available at Toowoomba Grammar was something that I wanted our boys to experience as I know that it will be so beneficial for them in their later years."
Adrian (Year 9)
"I have had some amazing opportunities while I have been in boarding - the experience of living away from home and the weekend activities that are put together for us. So much consideration is given to the activities on offer to make sure that all boarders have a good experience. I have been able to get a good taste of a broad range of things while I have been at Grammar. These experiences have changed the way I look at life and what my future plans might hold after school. I strongly believe that I am getting the education that I need to succeed after leaving school."
Riley (Year 9)
"Boarding at TGS is a wonderful and rewarding prospect, as it allows for you to participate in so many activities with all your mates and develop into a young man giving you a head start towards the future. There is a strong sense of community amongst the boarders. I really appreciate the mateship and sharing experiences with the great people surrounding me."
Curtis (Year 7)
"There are so many opportunities on offer as a TGS boarder. You can play a term sport, go on leave with day boys and get involved with club sports. There is also a great amount of academic support if you need it. I enjoy being part of the TGS Show Cattle team - it's fun going out on the weekends with your mates and judging some cattle. It feels good to get out of the city and back into the country atmosphere."
Latest Blog
Disappointment: A Necessary Part of School Life
Schools are inherently hopeful and happy places. Their natural focus on growth, connectedness and preparing youth for a better future creates an optimistic atmosphere in which ambitions are born. These positive emotions and experiences lay the foundation for our expectations and while these can be highly motivating, they come with a catch: the greater our expectations, the greater the disappointments, too. Disappointment is not a popular feeling. Rightly so, not many of us wish to feel sad,…
Boys and Belonging at TGS
As a boarding master of adolescent boys, my role fundamentally concerns pastoral wellbeing and character development to support a successful academic journey. A positive sense of belonging — where boarders feel safe, supported and heard — is fundamental to an effective boarding environment. As such, I felt there was a distinct connection between the International Boys’ Schools Coalition’s (IBSC) theme for the 2024–25 Action Research Cohort, “Boys and Belonging” and what I believe is best…
Fostering Growth and Resilience
This philosophy is vividly demonstrated through our Junior School MATES program, an initiative designed to equip boys from Prep to Year 6 with the skills they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom. Year 6 leader Hugo Seaby epitomises what the program is all about. As a leader in Stephens House, he explains its importance: “It’s about spending time with the younger boys and learning about honesty, respect, kindness and other attributes like that.” He said that it’s helpful for the…
Preparing for the Future of Work
For months I have been watching the earthworks being undertaken ahead of construction for the new DET Centre at Toowoomba Grammar School with interest. It is hard to miss, given that the Headmaster’s residence, our family home, is right next to the building site. The vibrations can be unsettling, and the noises are constant. However, each day reminds me of the important work underway to secure a part of the School’s future. Soon, all boys at TGS will have the opportunity to immerse themselves…
“Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”
Whether it was American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson, Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, or even UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s father who coined the phrase “watch your character, it becomes your destiny,” it was Dr Linda Evans who gave it real relevance to a theatre full of students, staff and families. After a decade and a half in charge of Toowoomba’s respected Fairholme College as Principal and some 22 years in total on staff, Dr Evans will leave the institution she has led and loved by…
Preparation for Boarding: Practical Tips and Tricks
In fact, I’ve coined the phrase “the clearer the runway, the smoother the landing” as a neat summary of this observation. A great deal of boarding experience can be initiated at home in the weeks and months leading up to your son’s departure, helping him prepare psychologically and logistically for his upcoming journey. At TGS, we acknowledge that the boarding journey for boys and families starts long before they enter the house in late January. In the mind of a new boarder and their family,…
Exploring the Role of Neuroscience in Supporting Teenage Boys
Recent insights from neuroscience reveal that the teenage brain undergoes significant changes, particularly in the frontal lobe, which is essential for decision-making, impulse control and emotional regulation. By leveraging this knowledge, we can create supportive environments that guide our boys through the complexities of their teenage years.The Prefrontal Cortex The prefrontal cortex, located in the frontal lobe, is one of the last areas of the brain to mature, significantly impacting…
Wellbeing and Character Development Program — Benefiting Students and Staff Alike
In 2024, the School re-established the Head of Pastoral Care position. The role will be pivotal in supporting all staff to foster a supportive and nurturing environment at Toowoomba Grammar School. Integral to the role’s success is the parallel expansion of the Wellbeing and Character Development (WCD) program to yield multifaceted benefits for both staff and students. For staff, the Head of Pastoral Care provides guidance, support and resources, aiding in their efforts to address students’…
Nurturing the Seeds of Leadership
Early exposure to leadership roles helps children develop character traits such as responsibility, empathy, resilience and integrity. As a School, we provide the opportunity for the cultivation of leadership skills in our young boys. From the formative years in Prep through to the adolescent years of Year 6, the importance of fostering leadership qualities cannot be overstated. In our modern world, where adaptability, resilience and initiative are regarded as quality attributes, nurturing the…
