“Events like these not only promote a love for mathematics, but also encourage critical thinking and problem-solving abilities among students, a skill for life.”
TGS maths students unleashing their creativity
Term 2 has been a busy one in the Mathematics department; from multiple year levels having extended assessment tasks to competitions run inside and outside the School.
Using mathematical equations to recreate artwork
The Year 11 Mathematical Methods students got a chance to be very creative with their assessment - using numbers to reproduce artwork.
The boys visited the 2024 Grammar Art Show in Term 1 and were given the task to reproduce a chosen work using their knowledge of mathematical functions and their graphs; with some artworks more complex to reproduce than others. A tricky task when each student had to select a unique piece of art.
With a significant limitation of only being allowed to use 20 lines, the boys did a fantastic job at thinking outside the box to recreate their chosen piece.
Enjoy the gallery below to see the progression of some of the boys' recreations.
Queensland Association of Mathematics Teachers' Problem-Solving Competition
Last month, students nominated themselves for the Queensland Association of Mathematics Teachers' annual problem-solving competition. This gruelling two-hour test required the boys to solve a variety of problems individually and had the highest participation rate that TGS has seen to date, with over 80 boys taking part across Years 7 to 12. The papers were sent away, and a lot of the boys are eager to see how they went.
Darling Downs Maths Teams Challenge
On Tuesday, 7 May the Darling Downs Maths Teams Challenge was held at St Ursula’s College and saw an array of schools from around the region participate in both a team and relay event across three divisions (Junior Years 7 and 8, Intermediate Years 9 and 10, and Senior Years 11 and 12). This event proved to be a challenging yet rewarding opportunity for students to showcase their mathematical skills and creativity.
TGS entered two teams of boys in each division and were given a special TGS tunnel as they headed off to the Challenge.
The TGS A team came away as the Senior Division winners where 18 teams competed for the top spot from 11 schools. TGS B team secured an impressive 5th place in the same division. In the Intermediate Division, TGS secured notable 4th and 5th positions, showcasing their mathematical prowess. Meanwhile, in the Junior Division, the TGS A team clinched a commendable second place amidst 25 teams from 14 schools.
Year 9 classroom activity
The Year 9 cohort saw themselves venturing outside the classroom to complete their assessment tasks, where they used inclinometers and trigonometry to determine the height of the spire on top of School House – no long measuring tapes or ladders required.
Term 3 will be another busy one with big internal assessments due for our Year 12 boys, and more competitions including the Australian Mathematics Competition in August and the Australian Intermediate Mathematics Olympiad in September.
The TGS Mathematics curriculum really does have something to appeal to all.
Latest Blog
Preparing for the Future of Work
For months I have been watching the earthworks being undertaken ahead of construction for the new DET Centre at Toowoomba Grammar School with interest. It is hard to miss, given that the Headmaster’s residence, our family home, is right next to the building site. The vibrations can be unsettling, and the noises are constant. However, each day reminds me of the important work underway to secure a part of the School’s future. Soon, all boys at TGS will have the opportunity to immerse themselves…
“Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”
Whether it was American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson, Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, or even UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s father who coined the phrase “watch your character, it becomes your destiny,” it was Dr Linda Evans who gave it real relevance to a theatre full of students, staff and families. After a decade and a half in charge of Toowoomba’s respected Fairholme College as Principal and some 22 years in total on staff, Dr Evans will leave the institution she has led and loved by…
Preparation for Boarding: Practical Tips and Tricks
In fact, I’ve coined the phrase “the clearer the runway, the smoother the landing” as a neat summary of this observation. A great deal of boarding experience can be initiated at home in the weeks and months leading up to your son’s departure, helping him prepare psychologically and logistically for his upcoming journey. At TGS, we acknowledge that the boarding journey for boys and families starts long before they enter the house in late January. In the mind of a new boarder and their family,…
Exploring the Role of Neuroscience in Supporting Teenage Boys
Recent insights from neuroscience reveal that the teenage brain undergoes significant changes, particularly in the frontal lobe, which is essential for decision-making, impulse control and emotional regulation. By leveraging this knowledge, we can create supportive environments that guide our boys through the complexities of their teenage years.The Prefrontal Cortex The prefrontal cortex, located in the frontal lobe, is one of the last areas of the brain to mature, significantly impacting…
Wellbeing and Character Development Program — Benefiting Students and Staff Alike
In 2024, the School re-established the Head of Pastoral Care position. The role will be pivotal in supporting all staff to foster a supportive and nurturing environment at Toowoomba Grammar School. Integral to the role’s success is the parallel expansion of the Wellbeing and Character Development (WCD) program to yield multifaceted benefits for both staff and students. For staff, the Head of Pastoral Care provides guidance, support and resources, aiding in their efforts to address students’…
Nurturing the Seeds of Leadership
Early exposure to leadership roles helps children develop character traits such as responsibility, empathy, resilience and integrity. As a School, we provide the opportunity for the cultivation of leadership skills in our young boys. From the formative years in Prep through to the adolescent years of Year 6, the importance of fostering leadership qualities cannot be overstated. In our modern world, where adaptability, resilience and initiative are regarded as quality attributes, nurturing the…
Pedal Power: The TGS Mountain Bike Club
What started with 12 boys now has 90, with many of the riders racing in the Schools Academy Gravity Enduro Series and other events. We also have a tour of 20 boys going to Thredbo in December this year, where they will tackle some of the most exciting trails in Australia. We thank the wonderful group of parents who support the club. They can often be found driving vehicles up and down the range on a Sunday morning to support the boys. We would not have been as successful as we are without…
Beyond the Blue and Gold
Our focus is to work with each individual student to assist in creating awareness of the world of work, helping students to articulate their interests and identifying what is important to them and their values. We assist the boys in developing the skills to explore the different careers out there. We connect them with employers and industry professionals and help them navigate towards the job or career they are interested in. We work hard to individualise each student’s unique School journey to…
Character and Wellbeing – The Grammar Way
Legacy of Leadership: The Impact of John Mackintosh at Toowoomba Grammar School Toowoomba Grammar School’s first Headmaster, John Mackintosh (1876–1879) led the School with the demeanour of a typical Victorian father figure. His leadership was steadfast and nurturing, with decisions that were definitive and meticulously aimed at creating an environment that was conducive to a boy’s character and learning outcomes. Mackintosh introduced recreational activities such as chess and draughts…
