The Toowoomba Grammar School Boarding community plays a pivotal role in shaping the young minds of our boarders and instilling values whilst creating a sense of mateship that can last a lifetime. The nurturing and supportive network of staff not only ensure a safe and structured environment but also cultivates a sense of belonging and camaraderie among the boys. ‘The staff supply the fuel to the ship but ultimately it is the boys who steer it and decide upon its final destination’.
Our TGS Health Centre staff share the responsibility for ensuring the wellbeing of our boys. Their role goes beyond administering medical care; they actively promote health and wellness through genuine and sincere support. In times of illness or injury, Health Centre staff provide immediate attention and care, reassuring the boys and reinforcing their trust in the School's support system.
Teachers are at the core of a boys' educational experience. At TGS, our educators go beyond their academic responsibilities to inspire and engage the students intellectually. The close teacher-student relationship that develops at TGS fosters open communication and creates a safe space for boys to explore their interests, ask questions, and seek guidance. This strong bond instils a love for learning that extends beyond the classroom.
Mentors, such as the older boys in each boarding house, play a crucial role in shaping the character and values of the boys. As experienced individuals who have excelled in various fields, mentors share their experiences, guiding the boys toward making informed decisions about their future.
The TGS kitchen staff are the beautiful people who start their day earlier than anyone else on campus and play an integral role in nurturing the boys' physical and social wellbeing. Mealtimes are an opportunity for students to bond, share experiences, and develop lifelong friendships, making the Dining Hall a centrepiece of the School's community spirit.
In this digital age, tech support staff play a critical role in enabling a smooth learning experience. Their expertise ensures that boys have access to the necessary technological tools and resources, facilitating academic progress and enhancing their digital literacy skills. Tech support personnel also contribute to maintaining a safe online environment, protecting the boys from potential cyber threats and guiding them on responsible internet usage.
In a boys' boarding environment, the value of community cannot be overstated. The cohesive efforts of the above mentioned successfully create an environment where boys can thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. Together, this supportive network of individuals fosters an inclusive and empowering community that shapes young boys into responsible and compassionate men, ready to make a positive impact on the world.
- by Michael Hall, Head of Boarding, Boyce House
Latest Blog
Filmmaker, Storyteller and Visionary
From his days as a boarding student at Toowoomba Grammar School, where he first dipped his toes into the world of filming GPS sporting events, to his current roles as sports documentarian and founder of the Outback Film Club, Clancy’s journey is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. Establishing Outback Film Club has been a real triumph The echoes of school war cries reverberating around the Chandler Aquatic Centre in 2011 marked the start of Clancy’s cinematic journey.…
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Ben’s sport takes him to the best beaches on the planet, but his love of volleyball began back at Toowoomba Grammar School, inspired after seeing his older brother play. As Ben explains, he was hooked:
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Gummingurru is unique in being the best-preserved initiation site in southeast Queensland, including bora rings and various stone arrangements that have ancient links to the totems and kinship practices of the Jarowair and Giabal people of Toowoomba and the Darling Downs, as well as the broader region within the highly significant cultural landscape of the Bunya Mountains. The boys were welcomed to, and guided through, the site and its learning centre by Mr Shannon Bauwens, a Western Wakka…
Responding to Negative Peer Interactions
As we approach the end of Term 3, we find it is typically a time when boys start to get tired and emotional and are most likely to make poor decisions that can lead to relationship challenges between peers. Comments and humour shared between mates that may have been received without concern in the first week of the term may change as boys start to tire and their tolerance levels decrease. This may lead to boys reacting with heightened and overly emotional responses. This is normal as boys are…
Boarding is who we are
Our boarders make up nearly one third of our student cohort from Years 5 to 12, which enables us to consider the boarding experience in all that we do at the School. Every boarding experience at TGS is about equipping boys with the skills to function as a student and preparing them for their future.
Making a Positive Impact with Homework Assistance
The Anglicare Homework Assistance Program (HAP), run in conjunction with Darling Heights State School, sees many of our boys volunteer their time on Wednesdays after class to help many young refugee and primary school students facing challenging times with their homework, or to chat and play games. Our boys thoroughly enjoy meeting, supporting and learning about the lives of the younger children. This forges community connections and fosters inclusion for the Darling Heights students; it also…
Fresh Faces Guide - TGS Sportsmen into the Fray
With their dedication to excellence and player development, TGS athletes are in good hands as they navigate the challenges and triumphs of competitive sports.
Honouring Tradition, Preparing for the Future
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…
We See You - Mitchell Wilkes
That was the heart-wrenching diagnosis for Year 10 student, Mitchell Wilkes, right on Christmas in 2021. Mitchell’s mum noticed he wasn’t reading properly and had a gut feeling that there was something wrong with his eyesight. A trip to the optometrist revealed a thinning in the retina, and further tests showed that Mitchell had a genetic condition called Stargardt Disease, a juvenile macular degeneration illness that results in slow central vision loss.
