“They find joy in the simple things and have such an unassuming nature; every day, they remind me of life’s basic pleasures.”— Ms Janelle Fletcher, Corfe House Mother
In the heart of our vibrant boarding community, there is a beacon of warmth and understanding, a motherly presence who has woven herself seamlessly into the tapestry of life for our youngest boarders.
Meet Ms Janelle Fletcher, the House Mum of Corfe, whose journey at TGS began back in 1992 as an instrumental music teacher. Her story is one of deep connections, love for the arts and an unshakeable bond with the students of TGS.
From the time that Janelle first stepped onto campus and shared her musical talents with young minds to now creating her own “mum moments” in Corfe — she has nurtured a profound sense of community and established connections that have lasted through generations. Her presence stands as a testament to the love, compassion and wisdom that can shape the lives of our “Grammar boys.”
Janelle’s journey into the world of Corfe House began last year, not long after her then 18-year-old son Bede and 21-year-old daughter Sienna ventured into the world beyond. This “empty nest” left Janelle with the opportunity to become a mother figure to almost 40 young boarders facing the challenges of life away from home.
As she settled into her role as a House Mum, she found herself captivated by the unique blend of innocence and maturity that these boys possess. “They are so mature in so many ways...yet they have lived a sheltered life and are so refreshingly innocent in such a positive way,” she exclaimed.
In this bustling boarding house, where boys come together from diverse backgrounds, Janelle’s influence radiates.
“I enjoy the reward, watching them grow both physically, mentally and academically, and watching their emotional intelligence grow,” she said proudly.
“They embrace diversity and display tolerance and respect beyond their years. It gives me such hope that these future generations will grow into bright and compassionate men, particularly when youth, especially boys, are often scrutinised.”
Why does TGS offer our youngest boarders a House Mum when they already have so much support from staff and mentors in older boys?
“At the end of the day, they are away from their mums and families. They need to have that loving, genuine mum care to give them comfort and reassurance.”
Beyond the academic corridors, Janelle offers a haven in Corfe alongside the Head of House, Mr Henry White, and his wife Sam and Assistant Head of House, Kabe Cicolini. This is a place where homesickness meets solace, and laughter and encouragement flow freely.
While the Corfies teach Janelle something new each day, she also offers them something special through her involvement with music.
With an arts background that spans her life, Janelle envisions a future for Corfe House that is filled with creativity and homely comforts. She plans to introduce more artistic experiences, nurture interests in music and art and even share culinary knowledge.
“It would be great to have these homely things to balance out the academia and sport so that the boys learn life skills and embrace the holistic education at TGS that goes beyond the textbook,” she expressed, eager to build on the incredible dedication within the boarding community at TGS.
“I’m genuinely astounded by how much these people care for these boys and have their best interests at heart,” Janelle shared.
“I really had no idea until I started working in Corfe, and I am honoured to be a part of it.”— Ms Janelle Fletcher, Corfe House Mother
Her words encapsulate the essence of TGS — a place where education transcends classrooms and mentors become lifelong guides.
Latest Blog
A Cut Shot Above The Rest
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:
Gummingurru Excursion - Deep Time History of Australia on our Doorstep
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.
Correcting our School's official record commemorating World War I and World War II
On the eve of our 150th year, we're calling on the School's alumni, parents, past parents and greater community to aid us in correcting the record of our involvement in two watershed geopolitical events of the 20th century. For the last four years Toowoomba Grammar School Museum Volunteers, Mrs Ann Hallam and Mrs Sue Palmer, have been updating the School records on Old Boys, staff and Trustees for the World War I and World War II theatres of war. Over the years several staff and volunteers have…
