In the words of one of the greatest leaders of all time, Albus Dumbledore, “it does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” The wise wizard spoke these words to Harry as he stood before the Mirror of Erised, a magical artifact that reveals one’s deepest desires. These words tell the story of the balance between our dreams and the richness of the present moment.
We live in a world that often urges us to focus on our aspirations; , sometimes we get so lost in our dreams that we do not enjoy what is the present. I am sure that is what all Year 12s are experiencing right now – caught up in visions of the future, the unknown awaiting them. And yet, this day has crept up on them. The culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and ambition has led us to this very day, and it might seem like it has arrived all too quickly. The final assembly, the last Warcry. It is almost over.
We have all had our dreams. Whether it’s a vision of a successful career, a fulfilling life, or simply making our mark on the world, we’ve all dared to dream. These dreams are powerful motivators but should not overshadow the richness of here and now.
So, it is fitting that we should honour our Year 12 Award winners. These exceptional young individuals have not only dared to dream but have lived their life with an unwavering dedication. They understood that while dreams inspire, the path they took to get here is just as inspiring. They have seized every opportunity during their time at TGS and have made the most of it.
The few moments they receive on stage today do not represent the time and effort they have given to achieving their goals. It is the true commitment that they show away from the limelight that produces the results shown on stage today. And these results, cannot go without mention.
Each boy has experienced the drive that compels them to rise at the crack of dawn for a six o’clock training or a three hour rehearsal after a long day of school. The drive that makes our basketballers and volleyballers work in the gym, day in, day out. The drive that makes our rugby teams so determined and focused. This drive is not just limited to the sports field, it extends to every Year 12s life, whether it be their commitment to the arts, their academic pursuits or other passions. Trainings, rehearsals, weekend sports game. And with this drive, comes power. The power to embrace every moment, no matter what. The power to grab every opportunity that comes your way.
These Year 12 awards are a true reflection of character and hard work, earned through the countless meetings, rehearsals and training sessions. For all this success, is the consistent diligence required to balance the homework, the assignments, the study, the sport, the music, the social life. As you can imagine, that is a little tricky.
We all have our own individual goals and dreams, but it is the Toowoomba Grammar School teaching staff who help us facilitate and achieve these. Without them, we would simply not be where we are today. So, to each and every one of you, thank you. Thank you all for going the extra mile. Tutoring, coaching, boarding. Early morning buses to sports events with music blasting in your ears. Entire afternoons given up, ensuring that we are ready for our external exams. The road has been challenging, but with challenges comes the rewards and hopefully we can all celebrate our successes soon. So, on behalf of the Year 12 cohort, thank you for everything you have done for us.
And now, to what most boys love about this school. Our co-curricular program. Just as every team needs its players, it also relies on the coaches, instructors and directors. The referees, match officials and music tutors. Thank you to all staff involved for your time and commitment. All the opportunities that are given to us to showcase our passion for the school wouldn’t be available if it wasn’t for your work. Thank you to our TGS groundkeepers for keeping our ovals pristine and in beautiful condition.
We only have the privilege of spending six years in the Senior School at Toowoomba Grammar. That’s just 24 terms. 240 weeks. Trust me, it goes by quickly. So, take every opportunity and do all you can at this school. The experiences, the friendships, and the lessons you gain during your time here are invaluable. Embrace every moment, get involved, and leave your mark. Don’t dwell on a dream alone; live in the present and make every moment count. As Grammarians, make sure you always play the game and always remain Fidelis in Omnibus.
- By Sewmith "TJ" Samarawickrama, 2023 Senior Prefect
Latest Blog
The Boarding and Day Family Connections
My husband Ben and I are four years into our boarding journey at Toowoomba Grammar School, we have two boys in Mackintosh House, Josh in Year 10 and Archie in Year 9, and a daughter Ella who is home with us for one more year before we become empty nesters. We are in the fortunate position that we live reasonably close, so we have the privilege of taking our boys home often and can attend most School events. For many of our boarding families, this is not the case, they live great distances away…
Streamline Success
Education is a transformative journey where the path we choose exerts a profound influence on our ultimate success. A streamed class is like an express locomotive: swift, efficient, and filled with eager passengers zooming towards their educational destination. Meanwhile, an unstreamed class resembles a motley group of hikers who accidentally wandered onto the wrong trail, stumbling and bickering as they struggle to find their way. Imagine the express locomotive of streamed classes, full of…
Reducing Stress: the Key to a Peaceful Life
Have you ever felt the soul-crushing burden of stress dragging your life through the mud? Ever had your precious time dwindled away at the hands of stress, while you are left powerless and alone? Well all this pain and anguish can be resolved in an instant; and all it takes is a change in the way we think. This alteration in brain chemistry is defined as mindfulness, the ability to obtain momentary awareness and recognition of our thoughts and feelings. Mindfulness is the key to defeating…
Gaining Ground with a Growth Mindset
I have seen the posters. I have sat the assemblies. I have watched the ads telling us about growth mindsets and how to develop one, and I'm sure you have too. But what we don't do is apply it to ourselves to help benefit our lives, however, there is no reason to blame yourself. The growth mindset is a deep topic that has many layers to it and is extremely important to have today. While we might blame other things on our weaknesses, it all links back to one thing – our mindset. To benefit our…
Sleeping Away the Mental Health Crisis
Two in five. That’s how many young Australians between the ages of 16 and 24 have experienced a mental disorder in the last 12 months (ABS, 2022). Let that sink in. Think of your closest five mates. Odds are that two of them are suffering right now from a crippling mental illness. According to recent studies conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australia is witnessing an unprecedented rise in mental health issues among its youth, leaving them vulnerable and struggling (Headspace,…
Time for a Wake Up Call
Did you know that one in five 12–17-year-olds average over 8 hours of screen time a day? That means that in a 14-hour day, 57% of their waking hours involve looking at a screen! This madness is contributing to a very significant problem all teenagers face - sleep deprivation. It is killing us. We are becoming walking zombies rather than happy, growing lads. However, we can end this treacherous technological tyranny by putting down our screens before bed. Stop and think for a second. How much…
Breaking the Stigma
Strangling you in chains. Smothering you in despair. Anxiety and depression can be mighty beasts to break free from. Unfortunately, the state of traditional masculinity is reinforcing these chains. Mental health is a major threat to the well-being of men. This cage constructs barriers and borders which limit their ability to thrive in the modern world. Traditional Masculinity refers to a set of societal expectations foregrounded through the centuries by gender roles, stereotypes and beliefs.…
The Power of Gratitude
“What do you say mate?” your mum nudges you as the waitress hands you your dinosaur nuggets. “Thank you.” You have always been told to use good manners, and to say thank you, but what does thank you actually mean? Is it just two meaningless words uttered with monotonous regularity, or is it a tool that can alleviate mental health issues generating happiness and a sense of wellbeing? Gratitude is the sunlight that lights up those dark days. The ability to be grateful is at the core of personal…
The Silent Epidemic: Unveiling the Consequences of Sleep Deprivation
“Sleep that soothes away all our worries. Sleep that puts each day to rest. Sleep that relieves the weary laborer and heals hurt minds.” William Shakespeare (Macbeth, 1606) Heart Disease, Cancer, and Alzheimer's. Three life-threatening diseases. Three diseases all linked to lack of sleep. According to Dr. Okorie from the children’s health division of Stanford University, “7 out of 10 high school students are falling short of… (sleep) on school nights.” The Bulk of American teens are not getting…
