As Senior Prefect at Toowoomba Grammar School, I have had the opportunity to witness the benefits of being an all-rounder firsthand. With the various activities and programs the School offers, the ability to be involved in as many things as possible is not only enjoyable but brings about numerous benefits that extend far beyond the school years.
Ranging from sports to drama and debating, participating in anything the School has to offer is an excellent way to make friends and build networks of like-minded people. Being able to play and perform with the same group of boys all the way from Years 7 to 12 allows a different type of connection not found in your classroom. By tapping into the different aspects of the School, you meet new people and learn from them, developing a sense of trust and respect. Whether it be on the sporting field, in the classroom or on the stage, relationships formed in these younger years are still as strong when you grow older and are sure to continue to flourish after school, making them so valuable. Doing all I can in school has given me these long-lasting relationships and has led me to enjoy my journey through the School with boys I respect and have fun with.
There is an ever-present opportunity to develop a variety of skills by being an all-rounder. Taking part in many different activities requires you to have different skill sets. With cricket, I learnt the importance of focusing on your own game as it is an individual challenge at times. However, with football, I quickly noticed that you must rely on your teammates heavily and the significance of communication. For the “Read My Lips” performance which focuses on drama, I understood that it was not my strong suit, making me take a step back and allowing those who are more experienced to take the lead. This highlights how different activities and sports require different skills and by partaking in these activities, you can learn things such as teamwork, communication and humility which are all useful in your schooling and future years.
Whilst getting involved in as much as possible demonstrates the skills that need developing, it can also show your strengths and opportunities for personal growth. It allowed me to discover my passion for cricket and football and my interest in other activities. Through playing chess with some boys in my Year 9 class, I realised my interest in playing the game and started to enjoy it. By trying everything, you can discover what you are passionate about and this can help you to discover what you want to pursue in life.
Being an all-rounder enables boys to learn beyond the confines of the classroom and acquire skills that can be applied in real-life situations. As a result, I have certainly become a more well-rounded individual, capable of tackling a variety of challenges and pursuing different opportunities. With this, I encourage all students to get involved in as many activities as possible and take advantage of the opportunities that Toowoomba Grammar School has to offer.
Latest Blog
TGS Mates Program - Character Building Education
Current research into character education has shown that educators should not be focusing solely on preparing students for their Year 12 final exams but should be supporting them to become humans who exhibit good character and virtues to contribute to creating a healthier society (The Jubilee Centre, 2022). The Jubilee Centre, which is attached to the University of Birmingham in the UK, maintains that good character is the foundation for improved attainment, better behaviour, increased…
Our TGS Old Boys' Wall of Achievement
The next time you visit the School grounds, pause for a moment at the Toowoomba Grammar School Old Boys' Wall of Achievement. This concept was the initiative of the then Deputy Headmaster, Mr Roger Buttenshaw, and was supported by the Board of Trustees, Headmasters Mr Hugh Rose and Mr Peter Hauser, and the TGSOBA - Toowoomba Grammar School Old Boys' Association. The opening of the Wall of Achievement took place in 2003. Thousands of TGS Old Boys have gone on to lead productive and valuable…
A Musical Reflection
As Director of Performing Arts, there is perhaps no bigger undertaking than a School musical. It requires an enormous effort from a huge team of teachers and students, and to get all these moving parts heading in the same direction is certainly no mean feat. The 2023 co-production of Footloose was my first time involved in a Toowoomba Grammar School and Fairholme College musical, and I found it to be a very rewarding, though exhausting, experience. The process began in Term 3, 2022, as my…
TGS Success in GPS Sport
In 2023, Toowoomba Grammar School witnessed a remarkable resurgence in several of our sports programs, marking a year of triumph and growth. Although an elusive GPS premiership did not fall our way, a number of our 1st teams competed to the final whistle in Round 9 of their respective competitions, vying for their premierships. The achievements of our boys on the field and court were nothing short of exceptional, reflecting the commitment, dedication and character development that participation…
An Exceptional Learning Experience
As a member of the Junior School Leadership Team at Toowoomba Grammar School, my role involves ensuring that the Junior School’s Teaching and Learning programs are designed, implemented and managed effectively. This role is grounded in the vision, mission, and values of TGS and is crucial in supporting the Head of Junior School and the Director of Studies in providing an exceptional learning experience for our boys. At TGS Junior School, we prioritise the use of explicit teaching to ensure that…
An Inclusive Education
Toowoomba Grammar School is proud to introduce the newest addition to our education team, Amanda Gibson. Amanda commenced in Term 4, 2023 in the pivotal role of Head of Diverse Learners and will bring new direction and focus to the position in alignment with our commitment to inclusive education, aligning seamlessly with our Strategic Plan 2022-2026 and the Inclusive Education Policy. “I am very excited about developing this role,” said Amanda. “I have a passion for fostering environments where…
Get Involved in Everything
As Senior Prefect at Toowoomba Grammar School, I have had the opportunity to witness the benefits of being an all-rounder firsthand. With the various activities and programs the School offers, the ability to be involved in as many things as possible is not only enjoyable but brings about numerous benefits that extend far beyond the school years. Ranging from sports to drama and debating, participating in anything the School has to offer is an excellent way to make friends and build networks of…
The Importance of Knowledge
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always enjoyed traveling great distances. As a child growing up in rural New South Wales, this was inevitable. The region was speckled with towns, some more vibrant than others, and diverse landscapes where hillside ruins whispered tales of bygone eras. Over time, these landscapes and towns transformed into familiar scenes, with even minor changes in the community and environment growing more noticeable during each visit. Education parallels this journey, as…
Senior TGS Students' Advice for Starting Senior School
Starting at a new school can be a time of mixed feelings – very exciting, but also quite daunting and challenging. Here are some tips from some Year 7 Grammar boys who started Senior School in 2023. Get involved in different sports and activities Toowoomba Grammar School provides many sports and activities that any student can participate in. As a current Year 7 student, I highly recommend trying out as many different sports and activities as you can. Throughout my first year in high school, I…
