Creating an environment for students to access and engage in learning is the educational philosophy of the new Toowoomba Grammar School Head of Junior School, Mr Ken Raven.
“This requires a supportive an inclusive learning environment across the school where everyone feels they can make a positive contribution,” Mr Raven stated.
“I encourage evidence-informed, explicit teaching of curriculum that sparks curiosity and interest for students to engage and explore.”
Parental interaction and community involvement are other key areas of focus for Mr Raven. He believes that in a Junior School, parents are closely connected to the daily lives of their children, in-part because children require this from us developmentally, but this is also the phase of a child where their parents and the community they belong to are their world.
“Celebrating these connections and valuing each other's contributions will only enhance the experience for everyone,” stated Mr Raven.
Mr Raven is originally from Southwest Queensland, but his family moved around a lot as he was growing up, mostly in Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia.
“That diversity of experience throughout my own schooling years helped to develop a flexible and adaptable approach which I’ve found to be an asset in my career and life more broadly,” he said.
Mr Raven started teaching at a small primary school in Perth, really enjoying the community approach to education this instilled in him. He then taught in Queensland, Canberra and Western Australia before returning to Queensland again.
“I’ve held roles as a specialist teacher, classroom teacher, Director of Junior School and Head of Junior School over the past 22 years, all tremendously valuable experiences,” Mr Raven elaborated.
Despite being at TGS for only a few weeks, Mr Raven has already found it to be an inspiring place. He looks forward to supporting students, colleagues and families to develop an experience with bold goals they feel inspired to work towards.
“For boys, attending an all –boys' school offers an immediate value through the people working with them every day; our staff have chosen to work in an all –boys' school,” said Mr Raven.
“They value education for boys and will prepare and deliver experiences they feel will resonate with their interests and learning needs to form a connection that will help them grow their understanding and skills.”
Mr Raven said accessing this commitment and dedication early in a boy’s schooling is tremendous for a child.
“From their earliest learning boys will feel valued, confident and capable of growing their knowledge and skills because the people working with them believe in them and provide learning experiences that will connect for them,” he stated.
Latest Blog
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…
That Life-Changing Moment
His teacher, Mrs Rosemary Bishop saw his potential. She believed this young indigenous boy from Murgon had something special to offer the world and she fought to put him on the path to greatness. Mrs Bishop contacted the then Headmaster of Toowoomba Grammar School, Mr William Dent and asked if Waverley could be accepted into Toowoomba Grammar School on a scholarship. Mr Dent agreed and so changed the course of Waverley’s life. “I don’t like to think about where I would be now if that hadn’t…
Senioritis - The way we think affects the way we feel and behave
As high school students approach their final year, they may experience a phenomenon known as "Senioritis". As described by educators, Senioritis is a decrease in motivation and productivity, often accompanied by procrastination, complacency, and negative risk-taking behaviours. While not a medical term, Senioritis is a widely recognized term used to describe a common set of observed behaviours. As Jessica Lahey notes, "Senioritis is a real phenomenon. It can be defined as a decline in…
