“The reality is that every single job can expect to change in some respect in the immediate and long-term future.”— Mrs Crystal Hede
In education, some things will never change. Students will thrive in environments that nurture human connections.
They will invariably be inspired by effective teaching and the satisfaction of personal achievement will always be motivating. At Toowoomba Grammar School, the power of high-quality instructional practices has resulted in the development of a strong academic culture that has endured for nearly 150 years. Preserving core principles provides stability and continuity. However, we must be open to continuously adapting our methods so that our students are well-prepared for the ever-changing world they will navigate. As put by CSIRO CEO, Dr Larry Marshall, “Australia is at a pivotal point. There is a tidal wave of disruption on the way, and it’s critical we take steps now to get ahead of it” (CSIRO, 2022).
Several megatrends identified by the CSIRO are set to shape future society. Technological advancement, particularly the rise of machine learning and the Internet of Things (IoT), will drive augmented and autonomous intelligence across many industries and blur the lines between physical and digital. A global focus on environmental sustainability is predicted to drive industrial change. Global geopolitical shifts will occur for stability and economic growth. Lastly, demographic change, particularly an ageing and more urbanised population, will create new needs. In relation to demographic change, Jobs and Skills Australia projects that across all industries, the greatest growth is expected in health care and social assistance, with its share of total employment reaching 16.7% by 2033 (Jobs and Skills Australia, n.d.).
These megatrends will have far-reaching implications for the workforce. According to the World Economic Forum (2023), 44% of workers’ core skills are expected to change by 2027. Incredibly, the Business Council of Australia estimates that 5–10% of jobs could be entirely substituted by technology over the next decade. Technological change will also generate jobs. The field of robotics, for example, has seen a sudden demand for automation specialists, robotics law specialists, robotics ethicists, trainers, educators and job re-design specialists tasked with developing new roles and skill sets for jobs with increased automation (International Federation of Robotics, 2024). It is important to consider that the above-mentioned jobs will be industry-agnostic and relevant to agriculture, sport, finance, retail trade and more.
Looking forward allows us to reflect on the gap that exists between where our students are now and where they will need to be. In his 2019 book Teaching for Tomorrow, renowned futurist and educator Michael McQueen identifies four capabilities that will be critical for individuals to succeed and thrive in future society. At TGS, we are aware of these projected “capability gaps” and are taking steps to address them in the following ways.
First, we know that students will require self-direction to cope with rapid technological and job change, especially in a booming gig economy. As such, we are positioning our students as lifelong knowledge seekers who can adapt their skill sets to stay ahead.
Second, we know that an increasingly competitive job market and pressure to continually master new skills will require tenacity. Consequently, we continually look to create opportunities for our students to deal with perceived failure and develop grit, resilience and optimism in the process. Third, we understand that the rise of artificial intelligence will result in competing organisations having access to the same information. Originality and creativity will, therefore, become highly sought-after skills, further solidifying their importance in our educational program. Lastly, a world of automation and information abundance will require individuals who can think ethically and with acuity. That is, to discern truth and identify biases. The TGS curriculum continues to place value on this higher-level thinking.
We know that developing all these skills requires a broad knowledge base, and this underpins our pedagogical approach of Explicit Direct Instruction within a knowledge-rich curriculum. Giving our boys deep and relevant background knowledge will develop their acuity to solve complex problems and to think critically and creatively in the future (AERO, 2024). Parents can be assured that we are building an educational program that is suitably responsive to future needs.
Additionally, we continue to explore ways of developing our students’ technological capacity. Our forthcoming Design, Engineering and Technology Centre exemplifies our commitment to this cause. Boys will gain further opportunities to automate workflows, use cloud-based solutions and engineer prototypes, for example. From virtual reality to robotics labs, there will be boundless potential for innovation, not to mention the opportunities that the Agriculture and Industry Centre will also offer. Importantly, these planned spaces will connect our boys with industry and the broader community to foster authentic learning.
In partnership with parents, we can equip TGS boys with the skills and dispositions needed to thrive in this ever-evolving world.
References
Australian Education Research Organisation. (2024, March). A knowledge-rich approach to curriculum design. Australian Education Research Organisation. https://www.edresearch.edu.au/sites/default/files/2024-02/knowledge-rich-approach-curriculum-design-aa.pdf
CSIRO. (2022). Our Future World. CSIRO. Retrieved May 05, 2024, from https://www.csiro.au/en/research/technology-space/data/our-future-world
Jobs and Skills Australia. (n.d.). Employment projections for the decade ahead. Jobs and Skills Australia. Retrieved May 01, 2024, from https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/publications/towards-national-jobs-and-skills-roadmap-summary/employment-projections-for-the-decade-ahead
McQueen, M. (2019). Teaching for Tomorrow: A Blueprint for Future-Proofing Our Schools, Students and Educational System. The Nexgen Group Pty Ltd.
The World Economic Forum. (2023, May 1). Future of jobs: These are the most in-demand skills in 2023 - and beyond. The World Economic Forum. Retrieved May 02, 2024, from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/05/future-of-jobs-2023-skills/
Latest Blog
TGS Academic Enrichment Program for Boarders
Toowoomba Grammar School provides an inspiring and broad curriculum for boys, delivered by dedicated educators who understand how to engage boys in their learning. Our staff go above and beyond in providing an outstanding education and support network for our boys. They are regularly available to answer questions, assist with homework and assignments and provide academic support for all our students. This is particularly so for our boarders, thanks to our Academic Enrichment Program (AEP). All…
Teacher as a Student
As a teacher at Toowoomba Grammar School, I teach mathematics and business studies, and manage the GPS Chess team. Prior to teaching, I worked as a financial analyst. Recently I have completed a master's degree in science at the University of Southern Queensland. My study was focused exclusively on data science, and I have become an expert in the management of big data with a specialisation in modelling and forecasting using machine learning techniques. The motivation for this study was…
Developing Healthy Relationships
Healthy relationships are extremely important for the development of mental health in our youth. When you spend time with people you care about, who care about you, this can help you feel connected and supported. This term is one of the largest in regard to boys participating in activities and sports ranging from field, to court, to thought. This is in addition to music and drama programs. At Toowoomba Grammar School, we believe this allows for plenty of opportunity to develop the ability to…
Striving for the Best
Director of Volleyball, Mr Eric Smith has spent the past 20 years at Toowoomba Grammar School not only shaping the minds of the young men in his science classroom but also working tirelessly on improving his capacity to coach volleyball to the highest level. Starting at the School in 2003, Eric quickly rediscovered his passion for volleyball, something he had not experienced since playing for Ipswich Grammar School during the ‘90s. “I felt completely at home back on the volleyball court and…
When it comes to Music, Variety is the Spice of Life
In the Queensland Curriculum, the content of the music syllabus includes the study of the people, places and cultures involved in musical creation and performance. As our country becomes increasingly diverse, it is important for students in every school setting to study a wide variety of musical styles, cultures and genres. The Toowoomba Grammar School Music program of 2022 embraces this holistic approach to the study of music, encouraging teachers and students to explore a variety of musical…
Successful Decision Making - Subject Selections
Term 3 tends to be an important time for students making decisions, and for some, possibly the first time they have really had the opportunity to make a decision that could impact the course of their future. Year 8 students are taking control of their academic program for the first time, being able to select their electives for Year 9. For most, these decisions are mainly about getting the opportunity to pursue subjects which interest them and the joy of not taking some subjects which really do…
TGS Rugby Ambassadors' Program
“As a Grammar boy, you have the Blue and Gold in your blood for life. You’ve got connections and networks because of this special bond. It’s hard to describe what it is exactly; I think it stems from the history and traditions that are passed down to each generation but it’s something you carry your entire life, you’re part of this team.” – TGS Old Boy (1960-63) John Campbell, Senior Prefect 1963, Captain 1st XV Rugby 1963. John was excited to learn in a recent edition of The Blue and Gold…
TGS Leading the Way for IT in Education
Toowoomba Grammar School is fortunate to have a strong partnership with Microsoft / School Locker. We are a Microsoft Lighthouse School, leading the way in technological advancement and deployment in Australian schools. This recognition would not be possible without two key factors: our “whole school” approach to IT, whereby the School supplies every student with the same devices, ensuring equality for all boys from Prep to Year 12.our dedicated IT team, who are based on-site to immediately…
Holiday Reading
Reading is one of those activities that, the more you do, the better you get, and with the holidays fast approaching, now is the perfect time to read that book you’ve always wanted to, finish a book you’ve started or try something new. It is important to keep reading over the holidays, so that we don’t step backward in our reading journey. As the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has found, reading for pleasure is a habit that can prove essential to performing well…
