“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 Pioneering Woman of TGS
My late husband was a teacher, and our four children are all teachers, which we encouraged them to do because it is the best job in the world. It’s hard to believe I’ve been here for 36 years, working under four Headmasters: Mr Bill Dent, Mr Hugh Rose, Mr Peter Hauser and now Dr John Kinniburgh. I still drive into the School each day and smile, looking at the beautiful place it is — magnificent ovals, gracious trees and historically significant buildings. It is difficult to express the…
NZ Rugby Tour success, more than winning matches across the Ditch
The teams were undefeated and it was a trip the players will never forget. This tour was years in the making and heralds a new era of touring and hosting different rugby schools to give our players opportunities for growth as athletes and as people. Head of Sport - Rugby, Mr Lincoln Clapham, explained they selected 46 students to take part in the ten-day tour and began training last year. From Term 1 onwards, the squad trained twice weekly on the oval plus two and sometimes three gym sessions…
Aussie Teen Reading Habits Revealed
I was recently sent an article, summarising some research from Deakin University around the reading habits of teens in 2024. Some of it was, as the title suggests, surprising. Some was not. However, all of it was built around the importance of reading, and supporting our teens to read, which is something that every one of us should do. While we tend to see our teens as digital natives, recent research from Deakin University suggests that the average Aussie teen reader would rather flick through…
Now More Than Ever
The one-of-a-kind Indigenous artwork is emblazoned across the shirts for the First IV Tennis team, jerseys for the First XI Football team and First XV Rugby team and First V Basketball team's singlets. National Reconciliation Week is a significant date on the calendar for all Australians, running from Monday, 27 May to Monday, 3 June. The incorporation of this Indigenous design in our uniforms is a significant milestone for our School, especially for our 47 Aboriginal and Torres Strait…
It's a numbers game, making mathematics mainstream
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…
Bucolic beginnings, boarding and becoming a bowel surgeon
Coming from a cattle property near Injune I was in awe of the School’s ovals with lush, green grass and immaculate facilities. I found being able to throw yourself around and not risk skin cuts and grazes quite novel. Sharing the same field where many Old Boys and past heroes trotted was inspirational. I found the comradery among the boarders my most overwhelming memory. It was like having 60 brothers with similar interests all living under the same roof. There was always someone around to kick…
Our Other Mother
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…
Fostering a creative generation and getting exhibited at GoMA
2023 Visual Arts student Ben Rosenberg (TGS 2019-2023) had his film “Mitchell” selected and it's now on display as part of the 2024 Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art at GoMA. For 30 years the Awards have recognised and promoted excellence in senior visual art education throughout Queensland schools. Secondary schools typically enter the work of up to four Senior students. Previous winners from TGS include Sam McCosker (2013) and Austin Reed (2017). Ben is a filmmaker and…
In memory of Light Horse Field Ambulances
Toowoomba Grammar School would like to acknowledge our admiration for the loyalty, service and bravery exhibited by TGS Old Boys who so valiantly served. We are all the beneficiaries of their sacrifice, and their selfless actions continue to inspire a spirit of service amongst our current students. Today we focus on the contribution of one TGS Old Boy who made a significant contribution to World War I. Here is some of the incredible story of Major Avery, DSO and if you visit the School Museum…
