Giving back to the community is an important value that Toowoomba Grammar School endeavours to instill in our boys. Year 12 student, Tumoana Strugnell is a shining example of how it costs nothing but our time to help others, especially as we move into the Festive season and the challenges of life seem heightened.
I first became involved in community service when I was in Year 6, through my local primary school’s involvement on ANZAC Day and my parent’s involvement in local community events. I’m active in my town of Cambooya, being involved in community events such as Christmas parties, Summer Tunes and Australia Day, be it set up, clean up or involvement on the day. I am a founding member of the Cambooya Community Hall Committee – Next Gen (Youth Committee) and a member of the Toowoomba Regional Council Youth Leaders Program. I assist at Food Bank Queensland via the Cannon Hill Baptist Church with my grandfather, and I am actively engaged in a variety of Toowoomba and School-based events.
Through my involvement in both the Interact Club and School life in general, a multitude of service activities have been made available for me to participate in. I began my involvement in the Toowoomba Grammar School Interact Club in Year 10. The Club’s sole purpose is to give back to our local and wider community and supports the organisation of, and participation in, service activities undertaken through the School. The Interact Club encourages boys to donate their time and aims to educate boys about the importance of service.
Toowoomba Grammar School provides incredible service opportunities year-round, such as the Sony Camp, the AEIOU Take a Hike event, Rosies – Friends on the Street food kitchen, and visits to primary and special schools. These opportunities, in conjunction with the values and examples set by my parents, have helped pave the way for me to become more involved in my community and build the confidence to join groups such as the Toowoomba Regional Council Youth Leaders Program.
I find service and giving to others to be incredibly rewarding, fulfilling and uplifting. I enjoy the social aspect of being involved with service; I enjoy the joy that can be brought to others through simple acts of kindness. I’m only 16, and I may not have a lot of things, but one thing I do have is time. Donations of time are some of the simplest and purest acts of service, in my opinion. Because of this fact, if I can’t find time, I’ll try to make it. Although balancing your study, sporting and social life may be a juggling act, particularly so in your Senior years, I believe everyone can still find time to be charitable and kind. Sometimes, it can be as simple as taking ten minutes and writing a letter to an overseas soldier or an elderly resident. A simple act, inconsequential and fleeting in your life, can bring unimaginable joy and change to another life. So, make the time, put another before yourself, be charitable and spread love, not hate.
Latest Blog
TGS Mates Program - Character Building Education
Current research into character education has shown that educators should not be focusing solely on preparing students for their Year 12 final exams but should be supporting them to become humans who exhibit good character and virtues to contribute to creating a healthier society (The Jubilee Centre, 2022). The Jubilee Centre, which is attached to the University of Birmingham in the UK, maintains that good character is the foundation for improved attainment, better behaviour, increased…
Our TGS Old Boys' Wall of Achievement
The next time you visit the School grounds, pause for a moment at the Toowoomba Grammar School Old Boys' Wall of Achievement. This concept was the initiative of the then Deputy Headmaster, Mr Roger Buttenshaw, and was supported by the Board of Trustees, Headmasters Mr Hugh Rose and Mr Peter Hauser, and the TGSOBA - Toowoomba Grammar School Old Boys' Association. The opening of the Wall of Achievement took place in 2003. Thousands of TGS Old Boys have gone on to lead productive and valuable…
A Musical Reflection
As Director of Performing Arts, there is perhaps no bigger undertaking than a School musical. It requires an enormous effort from a huge team of teachers and students, and to get all these moving parts heading in the same direction is certainly no mean feat. The 2023 co-production of Footloose was my first time involved in a Toowoomba Grammar School and Fairholme College musical, and I found it to be a very rewarding, though exhausting, experience. The process began in Term 3, 2022, as my…
TGS Success in GPS Sport
In 2023, Toowoomba Grammar School witnessed a remarkable resurgence in several of our sports programs, marking a year of triumph and growth. Although an elusive GPS premiership did not fall our way, a number of our 1st teams competed to the final whistle in Round 9 of their respective competitions, vying for their premierships. The achievements of our boys on the field and court were nothing short of exceptional, reflecting the commitment, dedication and character development that participation…
An Exceptional Learning Experience
As a member of the Junior School Leadership Team at Toowoomba Grammar School, my role involves ensuring that the Junior School’s Teaching and Learning programs are designed, implemented and managed effectively. This role is grounded in the vision, mission, and values of TGS and is crucial in supporting the Head of Junior School and the Director of Studies in providing an exceptional learning experience for our boys. At TGS Junior School, we prioritise the use of explicit teaching to ensure that…
An Inclusive Education
Toowoomba Grammar School is proud to introduce the newest addition to our education team, Amanda Gibson. Amanda commenced in Term 4, 2023 in the pivotal role of Head of Diverse Learners and will bring new direction and focus to the position in alignment with our commitment to inclusive education, aligning seamlessly with our Strategic Plan 2022-2026 and the Inclusive Education Policy. “I am very excited about developing this role,” said Amanda. “I have a passion for fostering environments where…
Get Involved in Everything
As Senior Prefect at Toowoomba Grammar School, I have had the opportunity to witness the benefits of being an all-rounder firsthand. With the various activities and programs the School offers, the ability to be involved in as many things as possible is not only enjoyable but brings about numerous benefits that extend far beyond the school years. Ranging from sports to drama and debating, participating in anything the School has to offer is an excellent way to make friends and build networks of…
The Importance of Knowledge
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always enjoyed traveling great distances. As a child growing up in rural New South Wales, this was inevitable. The region was speckled with towns, some more vibrant than others, and diverse landscapes where hillside ruins whispered tales of bygone eras. Over time, these landscapes and towns transformed into familiar scenes, with even minor changes in the community and environment growing more noticeable during each visit. Education parallels this journey, as…
Senior TGS Students' Advice for Starting Senior School
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…
