“I think the boarders were the heart of the School in my day, it becomes your home and just like any home, you protect and support it.”— Dr Scott Mansfield
I have no doubt the future trajectory of my life and career was forged during my time at Toowoomba Grammar School.
Coming from a cattle property near Injune I was in awe of the School’s ovals with lush, green grass and immaculate facilities. I found being able to throw yourself around and not risk skin cuts and grazes quite novel. Sharing the same field where many Old Boys and past heroes trotted was inspirational.
I found the comradery among the boarders my most overwhelming memory. It was like having 60 brothers with similar interests all living under the same roof. There was always someone around to kick the footy with, play a game of basketball or head to the cricket nets. Similarly, when it came to schoolwork there was always someone to clarify some homework, give direction on an assignment or help with that difficult maths equation.
My time as a boarder was in a different age but I have fond memories of watching the PNG lads stalk and trap pigeons. I saw photos of them in full warring outfits and they were formidable, so I don’t think the pigeons had much of a chance!
I remember the nicknames of our year including Dunny Brush, Cecil (from Cecil the ram of Footrot Flats fame), Donkey, Snorkel and Snapper to name but a few. In hindsight these nicknames were terms of endearment and have stuck to this day.
I recall the day about ten of the Seniors picked up Boyce Boarding Housemaster, Vernon Ezzy's Mini-Minor and left it stranded in the grassed area out the front of the house. He got quite the shock when he went to head for university the following day and I don’t recall how it was moved but it was gone by the afternoon.
The loyalty to the School and your fellow boarder ran deep. Most memories I have are of boarding and I don't think dayboys get that same experience.
I have no doubt the future trajectory of my life and career was forged during my time at Toowoomba Grammar School. I feel being immersed with like-minded people gave me perspective and motivation and as a boarder, you grow up quickly and I was taught to work independently outside direct parental guidance. This prepared me for life after school and transition into the real world.
My advice to future boarders would be to make the most of your opportunity. Your parents have made sacrifices to send you to school, so do them proud.
“Respect the history and traditions of the School. Always strive to be better but take time to quietly appreciate your achievements.”— Dr Scott Mansfield
Dr Scott Mansfield is a colorectal and general surgeon at St Andrew’s Hospital in Toowoomba and in 2017 headed the team which performed the region’s first reconstructive bowel surgery. More recently he was one of the surgeons involved in the Regional Queensland Colorectal Cancer Survival Study, which aims to improve outcomes for people in rural areas after bowel cancer diagnoses. During his time at TGS, Dr Mansfield was the Senior Prefect and was awarded a Merit, the prize for Physics and Science, and the Belford Prize for Scholarship, Leadership and Sport. He was a member of the First XI Cricket team, the Cross Country team, Captain of Track and Field and Vice-Captain of the First XV Rugby team.
Latest Blog
Introducing our new Deputy Head of Junior School (Teaching and Learning), Mrs Chantelle Bauer
Toowoomba Grammar School is excited to welcome our new Deputy Head of Junior School (Teaching and Learning), Mrs Chantelle Bauer. Mrs Bauer brings a wealth of experience and passion to her new role, having lived and worked in the Darling Downs and Southwest Queensland region her entire life. She was born and bred in St George, attended university in Toowoomba and took her first teaching role in Roma. She has worked in various roles across the region, including Year Level Coordinator, Head of…
You can't know a student without knowing where they come from
Boarding at Toowoomba Grammar School can be described as many things such as evolving identity, growing personally and developing character in your second home, but it is also about growing your family. Head of Boyce House boarding, Mr Michael Hall and his family, certainly enjoyed that opportunity over January. Catching up with a beautiful collection of current families from Boyce House was a privilege and has helped to build the relationships of trust and care that are essential in a…
DNF (Did Not Finish)
- Dan CrookHead of Library and Information Services I was talking books with a friend the other day; an avid reader, she had been looking for some light reads in new genre for the holidays, and so had sought out the wisdom of the internet. After watching a few BookToks (Tiktok book recommendations) she’d settled on some titles and begun to read. However after investing a good amount of her time and getting half way through the first and most highly recommended book, she asked herself, and then…
TGS Boarding - A Safe, Welcoming and Joyous Community
“From a boarding perspective, enabling young boys to flourish is only achieved within a community that is safe, welcoming, and joyous. These three aspects are at the core of my boarding philosophy and are closely aligned with my fundamental values as a boarding Head of House – acceptance, resilience, and fun,” explains Mr Henry White, Head of Corfe House. Corfe House serves as the entry point for Toowoomba Grammar School’s youngest boarders (Years 5 to 7) and the skills, relationships, and…
Transitioning to Year 7 at TGS
Can you remember your first day in secondary school? It 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, it can appear to be the start of a long journey. It is a rite of passage in many respects but with this comes increased emotions in response to transition. The boys have a lot to digest with a new, possibly larger campus…
The Boarding Journey
Every parent will have a unique journey with their son whilst he is boarding at Toowoomba Grammar School. I’m Kym Wright, mother of Clancy, who is in Year 12 and this is my journey…. From my very first experience with Toowoomba Grammar School Boarding ten years ago, I had a good feeling straight away that TGS would be the perfect fit for my son. I was picking up my nephew for lunch. He had started boarding at TGS just six weeks prior. It was pouring rain and there were boys enthusiastically…
Building Self-Confidence and Resilience in Year 7s
As your child enters the new and unknown world of secondary school, it is a very important time to nurture the confidence and self-esteem of your son. Adolescence can also be a time of bewildering physical changes and strong emotions, opinions and increasing independence. Nurturing their confidence, self-esteem and assertiveness will go a long way to helping them to have the self-belief to tackle difficult new academic challenges, to developing new friendships and social skills, and…
Introducing our new Head of Year 7 - Jodi Blades
My family moved from Brisbane to Toowoomba when I was ten years of age. I’ve lived here for most of my life, other than to study and begin my teaching career in Brisbane. I lived and worked in London for 18 months before returning to Toowoomba in 2001. With over 20 years’ experience teaching and leading pastoral care programs within independent day and boarding schools, I am dedicated to developing students holistically; the academic, social, emotional, cultural, and physical development of…
Holiday Reading Recommendations
Here is a snapshot; three titles from each year level, and from Head of Library and Information Services, Mr Dan Crook to inspire your choices for holiday reading: Year 7: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - The last Ronin. Hatchet - Gary Paulsen Billy Slaters autobiography - Billy Slater Year 8: The dead of the night (Tomorrow series) - James Marsden Rangers Apprentice The ruins of Gorlan - John Flannagan The Hunger games. -Suzanne Collins Year 9: Back to the Pillaga - Tony Parsons Deadpool Samurai…
