The devastating effects of domestic and family violence (DFV) are more prominent today as this previously ‘taboo’ issue is finally being publicly recognised and addressed. Toowoomba Grammar School is proud to be leading the way in creating generational change for this sensitive issue through a variety of School initiatives and by supporting community groups associated with DFV. Our programs are aimed at developing good men of the future who will “Stand Up and Speak Out.”
TGS became a White Ribbon School in 2017, making a commitment to help stop violence against women. We support the White Ribbon program of “Breaking the Silence” through our strong culture of respect and equality at all levels in the School community; through our curriculum, role modelling, domestic violence programs and community partnerships. We regularly have guest speakers from Protea Place, the Domestic Violence Action Centre (DVAC) and other DV support organisations address our boys about the impact of domestic violence on men, women and children.
Students in Years 11 and 12 are invited to be part of our School’s White Ribbon Committee each year, so that there is a constant flow of new young men exposed to this important committee and issues. This year, 60 boys have volunteered their time to be part of this group which is responsible for developing initiatives and White Ribbon events at School to raise awareness of DFV.
TGS was asked to assist Toowoomba Together with its “Not In Our Community” campaign earlier this year. This video involved our senior leaders speaking out against domestic violence and our Years 7 to 12 students gathering for a “blazer show” which was filmed on the Terraces. This video has been shared with the broader Toowoomba community, and we are proud to be part of this initiative.
The DVAC hosted the Domestic and Family Violence Remembrance Day March and Candle Lighting Ceremony on Wednesday, 4 May. TGS was represented, proudly leading the march, and Year 12 Prefect, Jamie Watson, was privileged to be a guest speaker.
Jamie told the gathering that be believes in developing and encouraging respectful relationships from a young age, and that a respectful relationship is a two-way street, meaning it is one of mutual respect, trust, good communication and honesty.
“I think all young people across the world can practice respectful relationships right from the very first day of their schooling,” he stated.
“At Toowoomba Grammar, we practice positive and respectful encounters everyday with teachers, fellow students, parents, nurses, grounds staff and so on.”
Jamie said TGS students are encouraged to be upstanders and call out excluding behaviour, words and actions.
“This empowers students to positively reinforce those core values of respect and positivity which will hopefully echo into their adulthood and the rest of their lives,” affirmed Jamie.
Boarding is at the heart of TGS with students from other cities, remote country areas and overseas.
“Our goal is to spread this message of respectful relationships and for it to be taken back to those communities; hopefully a ripple effect will occur, spreading this vital message throughout Australia and the world,” Jamie said.
“If we truly want this behaviour to be long lasting, we must not only educate today’s youth, but inspire them to put what they have learned into practice and share with those around them.”
Jamie said he has personally witnessed this positive change and understanding grow and develop during his time at TGS, and he believes that shows that persistence is key.
“Wouldn’t it be great for all members of society to have positive experiences, healthy relationships and opportunities to learn?” he asked.
“For everyone to understand right from wrong. For people to respect others, and respect themselves. It is important we understand the cycle of violence. Not all disrespect results in violence. But all violence starts with disrespect.
“I hope we can be the generation that helps shape a brighter future when it comes to domestic and family violence.”
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…
