“Leveraging technology to improve efficiency and boost sustainability is not easy and takes time. A staged approach delivers short-term benefits while we plan and implement long-term strategies to improve the facilities for the boys for years to come.”Mr Bengie Dickeson
The concept of stewardship at a school in its 150th year is not new.
However, the challenges facing the Director of Facilities, Mr Bengie Dickeson and the Director of Information Technology, Mr Ron Robinson certainly are.
This month's weather has been nothing if not unpredictable and it's in those conditions that both these men's skills come to the fore. With Tropical Cyclone Alfred and its threat to our School campus and community - Mr Bengie Dickeson and Mr Ron Robinson played integral roles in keeping everyone and everything on our 150-year-old campus safe. Thankfully the damage was not as bad as predicted, some trees have fallen and some buildings need repair but in the main we were lucky. Here we'll introduce you to their larger ethos of each of their vital roles.
Director of Facilities — Mr Bengie Dickeson
It has been almost a year since Mr Dickeson joined the School and he still finds joy in seeing School House bathed in sunlight as he leaves most afternoons. “As I turn around and look at the building lit up, it’s certainly a highlight of my day,” he says.
Originally from Adelaide but long settled in Toowoomba, Mr Dickeson began his career with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), working on FA/18 Hornet fighter jets at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory. After leaving the RAAF, he continued as a defence contractor, most recently serving as National Facilities Operations Manager with Raytheon Australia.
His role as Director of Facilities at TGS is new and comes with the enormous task of future-proofing the School for another 150 years. Ensuring the facilities are safe, secure and always looking their best is a significant responsibility. Mr Dickeson is introducing modern facility management methodologies, noting, “Technology is advancing and we’re adopting these changes as we move into the future; we’ve got to do things differently.”
Managing over 40 buildings on the 21-hectare campus is akin to running a small town, complete with top-tier sports facilities.
Under the leadership of then CFO Mrs Christina Onley, TGS has already made significant investments in sustainability and reducing operational costs. Mr Dickeson adds, “The School is large, so reducing energy usage is no small task. It’s a significant investment that will save money and enable a more sustainable operation — a good foundation for the next 150 years.”
For Mr Dickeson, facilities that run efficiently and sustainably serve as a model for students to follow in their own lives. “It’s our job to ensure future generations are inspired by our lead-by-example approach in managing the School’s operations.”
His ultimate goal? To leave a lasting legacy of strong systems, processes and policies that will guide the School long after his tenure ends.
Director of Information Technology — Mr Ron Robinson
Mr Ron Robinson likens information technology to the School’s circulatory system, calling it “the arteries, veins and capillaries.” In today’s highly connected world, contemporary education relies on technology and the department’s role is to empower educators and facilitate student learning.
Mr Robinson has accumulated extensive experience from managing IT departments in organisations such as the Wagner Corporation, Queensland Gas Corporation, Queensland Diagnostic Imaging, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and, most recently, St Andrew’s Hospital.
Hailing from Far North Queensland, he has lived in Toowoomba for over 30 years. At TGS, he has revamped the IT systems, saying he “took apart the Lego house, rebuilding it from the ground up to ensure a strong and efficient infrastructure to support student learning outcomes.”
Mr Robinson highlights that safety and security hold the utmost importance in an educational context.
“Whenever new technology is introduced, there are inherent risks involved. The challenge lies in mitigating these risks without impeding the learning process.”Mr Ron Robinson
TGS provides students with their laptops, which introduces certain inherent risks. “We have a duty of care and that duty should follow the laptop wherever the student is,” Mr Robinson said. Whether it’s minimising distractions in the classroom or ensuring students are not accessing inappropriate content, the focus is unashamedly on their education and their wellbeing.
The IT Department consistently and proactively reviews age-appropriate restrictions for school-aged children. There are differing opinions about these control measures; while many parents endorse them, some express reservations. Nonetheless, Mr Robinson remarks, “I would much rather maximise the protection of the student.”
The adverse effects of social media, for example, are of significant concern, so the School controls and restricts access to more volatile platforms that may directly or indirectly pose a risk to students. While students use Facebook, like many other platforms, it is restricted during class times, while all student activity is monitored by one of the best pastoral care (wellbeing) platforms available.
Latest Blog
Holiday Reading Recommendations
Here is a snapshot; three titles from each year level, and from Head of Library and Information Services, Mr Dan Crook to inspire your choices for holiday reading: Year 7: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - The last Ronin. Hatchet - Gary Paulsen Billy Slaters autobiography - Billy Slater Year 8: The dead of the night (Tomorrow series) - James Marsden Rangers Apprentice The ruins of Gorlan - John Flannagan The Hunger games. -Suzanne Collins Year 9: Back to the Pillaga - Tony Parsons Deadpool Samurai…
Life After School
As children grow and develop, they participate in a range of new experiences, with the “journey” from birth to adulthood being shaped by several awaited and expected transitions. These transitions occur across a range of context and help us to evolve in new environments. It is important to note that transition is associated with a change, which is something that happens for all of us. The concept of transition involves how we process, manage, and respond to the change. As adults, we work hard…
TGS Artist in Residence - Ben Tupas
I’ve been following Toowoomba Grammar School’s exciting Artist-in-residence program for several years. After seeing fellow Toowoomba artists such as Catherine Parker, Alice Weinthal and Vincent Parisi taking up the opportunity and engaging in the program, I decided to apply in 2022 to continue the momentum of my own artist practice. With the four-week residency wrapping up at the end of October, and some time to reflect on the experience I can write that the experience was a valuable…
The Transition to Secondary School
Research shows us that the move from a primary school to a secondary school is one of the most significant life changes that our young men will face. You can help make the transition to Senior School smoother by ensuring that the boys attend the orientation days, practice packing their bags and getting their sports, music, and activities equipment ready. When asked about tips for the boys coming into Year 7, current Year 7 dayboy, Ollie Wells suggests boys should “Be organised. Pack the night…
Nothing is Impossible
Toowoomba Grammar School's Year 7C English has been studying 'Cool Runnings' to learn about how stories or movies based on real life aren't always completely true. Extremely fascinated by the topic, young student Harry Ryan took it upon himself to message (via LinkedIn) the bobsled driver, Mr Dudley Stokes - he responded! After a little communication between the two, Harry asked Mr Stokes if he could FaceTime him during an English lesson, to 'meet' his teacher Mr Paul Irwin and classmates…
Simple Acts of Kindness
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…
A Holistic Approach to our Boarders' Activities Program
A true education is about much more than just lessons in a classroom. It’s about providing experiences that challenge a child, physically and mentally. It’s about providing opportunities that build independence, resilience and that help develop their good character. Toowoomba Grammar School is proud to offer a broad and liberal education that stretches way beyond the walls of a classroom and equips our boys with the skills to flourish as an individual. We offer a diverse and engaging…
A Beginner's Guide to Manga
If your son has brought home a book with big eyed characters, and he seems to be reading backwards, chances are, he's discovered Manga. The Dent library has a Manga collection that would be the envy of many schools, with over 100 unique titles. It Is easily the most visited section in the library, over half of the top 100 titles borrowed this year are Manga! But what is Manga? Manga is an umbrella term for a variety of print comics and graphic novels originating from Japan. Unlike western…
A Safe, Welcoming and Joyous Community
Tell us about yourself My background, at least that associated with boarding and teaching, is long and varied with a number of different aspects leading to this chosen career path. For the most part, I was schooled in Canberra but had extended periods in Lesotho, Norfolk Island, and Samoa as a result of my father’s work in foreign aid. My schooling was quite disruptive, and I wasn’t a model student! I was always passionate about English; often distracting myself (amongst other things) immersed…
