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
Latest Blog
Tik Tok - From Fun to Fear
Social media platforms have ingrained themselves into our daily lives in a time when technology is constantly evolving and drawing millions of users with seductive features and never-ending streams of captivating content. Among these, TikTok has become a worldwide phenomenon, captivating users with its viral challenges and short-form films. Underneath the fun and inventiveness however, there is growing concern about the risks connected to TikTok and other social media platforms. TikTok's…
Active Procrastination – Unlocking the Gates of Time
“Procrastination is like a credit card: it’s a lot of fun until you get the bill.” - Christopher Parker – professional actor. Unfortunately, procrastination is a term that we are all familiar with as students; the vast majority of us have experienced it firsthand. It saps our time and results like a parasite, a burden on its host. However, despite it’s reputation, recent studies have shown that when harnessed correctly, procrastination can be a powerful tool to improve both academic efficiency…
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…
