The boarding journey offers students a plethora of opportunities to step outside of their comfort zone and take advantage of new environments, relationships, and opportunities during their time at Toowoomba Grammar School.
We often talk about “character education” – a theory that originated in the US and has been increasingly embraced by leading schools globally. It is encouraging all students to develop new approaches to their learning, including aspects of morals and ethics, thinking, behaviour and risk taking.
Risk taking is not something we do naturally; and the older we become, the more risk-averse we become. Adolescence tends to be the time in the lives of boys when they are most likely to be ready to take risks, with the exception of in the classroom (unfortunately). Boys are particularly mindful of asking questions of their teachers or even putting their hand up in class. Why? The fear of getting it wrong.
Boarding at TGS opens a world of new opportunities and challenges all boarders, all students in fact, to step outside of the familiar and try something new. Since its introduction just over a year ago, the TGS Boarders’ Activity Program has offered a smorgasbord of opportunity. Furthermore, the appointment of new boarding supervisors in each of the residential houses has given the boys a greater level of exposure to members of staff with new and often diverse interests. Over the next year or so, the challenge for us is to ensure that the new staff are best utilised to support our boarders to explore new avenues and opportunities, and whilst they may not be ‘out of the comfort zone’ in the traditional sense (…think bungy jumping or free fall parachuting…!) they are simply different from what has been provided before.
Students are now able to play golf, get involved in music production or sampling, go indoor rock climbing or go-kart racing. These Sunday offerings get the boys out and about and we will be adding more, and richer, opportunities to the menu on offer.
In our post-COVID world, there were three year groups that had never experienced a social event with a girls’ school and whilst, at first, this does not seem to be an ‘edgy’ or ‘out of the comfort zone’ event, it truly turned out to be! Ranging from somewhat nervous to downright terrified – and that was just the staff – the trepidation of a ‘social’ was interesting to behold; however, upon their return from Somerville House in Brisbane, the excitement and enjoyment was real for these boys who had all just stepped out of their comfort zone, taken a risk and simply enjoyed themselves in the company of girls from another school in another city.
Activities take place because of the hard work of staff behind-the-scenes, from Helen Hemmings (Deputy Headmaster’s Secretary) co-ordinating the paperwork, Nick Byron (Director of Boarding) looking after the calendar and individual members of staff giving up their time to support the boys. The entire TGS community is supportive of trying to give every boy every opportunity to flourish and make the most of his time here – step outside their comfort zone, try new things and develop into men of good character, who are resilient and ready to face the challenges of life in the real world.
- by Phil Kefford, Head of Boarding, Stephens House
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…
