Starting at a new school can be a time of mixed feelings – very exciting, but also quite daunting and challenging. Here are some tips from some Year 7 Grammar boys who started Senior School in 2023.

Get involved in different sports and activities

Toowoomba Grammar School provides many sports and activities that any student can participate in. As a current Year 7 student, I highly recommend trying out as many different sports and activities as you can. Throughout my first year in high school, I have learnt that participating in sports and activities is a great opportunity to socialise with mates and make new friends. The coaching and facilities provided is a great way to either extend your knowledge of the sport, learn new things, and improve your existing skills.

Toowoomba Grammar School is part of the Great Public Schools’ Association of Queensland (GPS), which consists of nine schools from Southeast Queensland competing in a wide array of sports and activities. Participating in the GPS competition is a memorable experience. From representing your School with pride, to the atmosphere of watching the Open and 1st teams compete against the opposing schools.

Don’t be afraid to have go and try new sports and activities as TGS has a wonderful, welcoming team environment and I am sure that you will enjoy every moment. - Eddy Beverland


Just be yourself

Know that you can always ask teachers for academic help or social support. Don’t feel like you must try and be someone you are not to fit in because there all sorts of people that will have the same or similar interests as you.

Set goals that you want to achieve before the end of the term or the end of the year.

Try and be the best person you can, always be kind and don’t be someone who makes others feel left out or someone who hurts other people’s feelings. There are always going to be people who are new to the School, so don’t think that you are the only one. - Tom Rawlings


Try new things

When you first come to Grammar get involved in as many sports and activities as you can. Getting involved is a good way to have some fun and a chance to try sports you have never tried before. Give new sports a go as you could end up really enjoying it.

Playing sport is a great way to keep yourself busy and meet new friends. GPS sports are a great way to spend your Saturday because you can head down to Brisbane with your mates, play a game against a Brisbane school and have some fun. Give everything a go and don’t hesitate to try new things! - Charlie Beckwith


Tips for making new friends

Making new friends at a new school can be a daunting task but here are my top tips:

Sitting next to people and just talking and working together can be a strong friendship starter which is easy to do. Sit next to someone new in the classroom or if you are a boarder you may want to sit with new people at dinner. The reality is that in Year 7 everyone is new in the Senior School and every boy is in the same position so just start up a conversation. Also take advantage of the activities at lunch. Although the library is a good option if you need some quiet time or to get some homework done. I love getting out and heading for a quick basketball game during lunch. I’m not great at basketball, but it doesn’t matter, it is a chance to run off some energy and meet heaps of other kids not in your class.

Another simple way to make new friends is to get involved in as many activities as you can. The more the better! For example, join a musical band. If this is not your style than join any of the clubs - photography or chess might be your thing. There are also so many different sports – even if you don’t love sport, I am sure you will find one that you might enjoy. You don’t need to be a rugby or cricket fanatic, maybe volleyball or basketball might suit you better. In my personal experience when I play sports, I make new friendships and strengthen those that I already have.

Making new friends at a new school can be a scary task but you just need to put yourself out there and be confident. - Benjamin Gentry, Year 7


Tips for managing homework

It’s important to stay organised so that you can complete your priorities, such as your schoolwork and assignments, and you won’t forget them once they are written down in your diary. Set aside specific times to complete your assignments and homework. It will be much easier if you divide larger assignments and homework into smaller, more manageable portions and set aside specific times for each.

Once you’re done, you can spend some time doing what you like. It’s important to take breaks when you’re studying which might be as simple as walking outside, talking to your friends or just doing what you like to do. Working in a quiet, nice environment where you won’t be distracted is important so you can give your schoolwork your whole attention.

Don’t hesitant to ask questions. If there is anything you don’t understand, just ask the teachers, they are nice, helpful and will explain everything to you. The boys at Toowoomba Grammar School are also incredibly kind and considerate so don’t hesitate to reach out to them as well! - Iskcon Gyawali, Year 7


Euert Juerken, Year 11 and Joseph Sedl, Year 8



Latest Blog

Character & Wellbeing
/
Thursday, 05 Dec 2024

“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…

Read More
Boarding
/
Thursday, 28 Nov 2024

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,…

Read More
Character & Wellbeing
/
Thursday, 14 Nov 2024

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…

Read More
Character & Wellbeing
/
Thursday, 07 Nov 2024

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’…

Read More
Character & Wellbeing
/
Thursday, 31 Oct 2024

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…

Read More
Sports & Activities
/
Thursday, 24 Oct 2024

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…

Read More
Teaching & Learning
/
Thursday, 17 Oct 2024

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…

Read More
Character & Wellbeing
/
Thursday, 10 Oct 2024

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…

Read More
Teaching Excellence
/
Thursday, 03 Oct 2024

2024 IBSC Conference

It is part of our Strategic Plan's People Pillar which is "build a high-performing culture that supports the wellbeing and development of staff, who exemplify the TGS values and share our commitment to the growth of our boys". In fact, that focus was acknowledged in our receiving The Educator’s 2024 5-Star Employer of Choice award. The Award acknowledges excellence in providing professional development opportunities and nurturing a culture of inclusion and respect. So it was with great pleasure…

Read More