“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
It Takes a Village...
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…
Unlocking Literacy - The Big Six Elements for Your Child’s Reading Success
Literacy skills are a core component of each day for our students, and parents often ask how they can support this from home. I am delighted to share with our parent community the essential components that underpin successful reading development. These elements, known as the Big Six, provide a solid foundation for your son’s literacy journey. These critical building blocks include: Oral Language: Communication skills are the bedrock of reading. Encourage rich conversations with your child.…
The Journey of a Boarding Mother
When you look up mother in the dictionary it reads: female parent of a child. When you look up boarder, it simply reads: a child who lives away from home. So, put “boarder mother” together and we have: the female parent of a child who lives away from home – if only it were that simple. My definition of boarding mother is: a strong, dedicated unbelievably great female parent of a child who has the wisdom to put her son’s educational needs, wellbeing and lifelong endeavours before her own. A…
The Importance of Differentiation
As parents, we all want our children to have the best possible education, and one of the most effective ways for teachers to provide this is through differentiation. Differentiation means tailoring instruction to meet the unique needs and interests of each student, and it can take many forms. First, let's define differentiation. Differentiation is a teaching approach that recognises that students have different strengths, interests, and learning styles. By adjusting instruction to meet these…
Addressing Anger in Teenage Boys
As a community dedicated to the growth and well-being of our teenage boys, it is essential to address the complexities of emotions we experience during adolescence. Among these emotions, anger stands out as a powerful and intense feeling that can influence their behaviour, relationships and overall wellbeing. Untreated anger can lead to a myriad of problems and challenges for our young boys. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the dangers of untreated anger, ways to support healthy…
Study Skills Program
Just as teachers benefit from an understanding of the Learning Sciences in their lesson planning and preparation, so to do students when they are studying for major summative assessments. A survey of TGS students in Years 9 to 12 found that 70% of our boys felt that they knew how to study, with the biggest impediments to study being lack of motivation and too many distractions. The most highly preferred study technique was found to be rewriting notes. Cramming, rereading the text and rewriting…
Developing Teachers Worldwide
I recently had the pleasure of attending the 2023 International Boys’ Schools Coalition (IBSC) Annual Conference at Westlake Boys High School in Auckland, New Zealand, in my capacity as a Team Leader in the IBSC Action Research Program. Action research is a systematic inquiry conducted by teachers in their own classroom to better understand the impact that an aspect of their practice is having on their students. Each year, 40 teachers from IBSC member schools from around the world are accepted…
Developing a Sense of Belonging for our TGS Boarders
How do we adequately develop a teenager’s 'sense of belonging' in boarding? Head of Boyce House, Boarding, Mr Michael Hall has investigated how 'Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs' applies to boarding. It is a psychological theory that suggests human beings have a set of fundamental needs that must be fulfilled in a hierarchical order. The theory proposes that individuals must first satisfy their physiological needs before moving on to higher-level needs, such as the 'belongingness' that is so…
Kia Moemoeā – Dream Beyond Limits
A 12-year study has found that boys consistently perform better in an all boys’ school compared to boys in co-educational schools. This was one of several interesting topics presented at the recent International Boys’ Schools Coalition (IBSC) Conference in Auckland, New Zealand which I attended alongside three of my Toowoomba Grammar School colleagues – Mr Luke Rawle, Mr Dave Klan and Mrs Jessica Galbraith. We joined 600 leading educators from 15 countries around the world for the four-day…
