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
The Learning Pit
Learning is at our core and covers all subject disciplines, co-curricular pursuits, personal development and interest areas. Helping our Toowoomba Grammar School boys view learning as a disposition that goes well beyond the classroom context is incredibly important. Learning has a life-long value in all we do. We also acknowledge that learning can be challenging at times, and it can be uncomfortable, but also wonderfully inspiring and fulfilling. Appreciating the full range of feelings and…
Leap Before You Look
The boarding journey offers students a plethora of opportunities to step outside of their comfort zone and take advantage of new environments, relationships, and opportunities during their time at Toowoomba Grammar School. We often talk about “character education” – a theory that originated in the US and has been increasingly embraced by leading schools globally. It is encouraging all students to develop new approaches to their learning, including aspects of morals and ethics, thinking,…
Literacy at TGS: A research-informed approach
A recent Grattan Institute report has shared that one-third of Australian students are failing to learn to read proficiently, referring to the situation as a ‘preventable tragedy’. In addition, the report identifies evidence-based approaches utilising structured literacy programs with phonics and explicit instruction as the most effective methods of teaching literacy. At Toowoomba Grammar School, we implement a structured synthetic phonics approach to teaching spelling and reading that…
Past Mothers, Present Supporters
Any Old Boy will tell you the Blue and Gold is part of their blood. They love the history, the traditions, the memories, and the lifelong friends they made during their time at Toowoomba Grammar School. Well, it seems the same can be said for many TGS mums. The Past Mothers’ Group was formed in 1979 by Mrs Mary Campbell who contacted as many past mothers as she could and invited them to meet at her home where the Past Mothers’ Group was officially formed with the intention of retaining links…
The TGS Interact Club - the Reward for Work Well Done
The Interact Club successfully raised over $10,000 last year for charities and services on a local, statewide and international scale through the hard work and commitment of its members. With these funds, the Interact Club has donated Backpack Blankets to Toowoomba's homeless, helped AEIOU's efforts in supporting children with autism, contributed to the "Are You Bogged Mate?" campaign for rural mental health and raised funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. As well as many other individual…
A Question of Character
In an age bursting with technological innovations and an overwhelming abundance of information, the present era appears to be characterised by a swift and unrelenting pace of change. Our society, young and old alike, finds itself constantly bombarded with provocative and sensationalist narratives. The media floods our consciousness with constant streams of global dilemmas, highlighting the flaws of our leaders, uncovering corporate or political scandals, and bringing conflicts and tragedies…
Coping with Homesickness
Homesickness can be brutal for both your son and for 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 24 hours 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 and in most cases it’s temporary and things usually improve as your son settles in. The reality is that…
Introducing Gabe Robbie, the new Head of Curriculum
I am excited to be joining the staff here at Toowoomba Grammar School in the role of Head of Curriculum. I grew up in a small coastal town in NSW and attended the University of Sydney to complete my undergraduate degree. Please don’t hold my NSW origin against me (Go Blues!). Teaching, and education, has always been a passion of mine and ever since I was in high school, the plan was to be a teacher. I graduated from the University of Sydney with a double degree in Education and Arts, majoring…
What Old Boys Have Contributed to TGS Over Time
The Old Boys’ Association has played an integral role in the history and tradition of Toowoomba Grammar School. It was formed on December 29, 1888, when 25 Toowoomba Grammar School Old Boys met at Long’s Imperial Hotel to create a new society. The Toowoomba Grammar School Old Boys’ Association rules were drawn up, and office-bearers elected. The inaugural president was Mr Joesph Vincent Herbert Esq. (TGS 1877-80) From there, the TGSOBA has grown significantly, ensuring that the Blue and Gold…
