“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
Fostering a creative generation and getting exhibited at GoMA
2023 Visual Arts student Ben Rosenberg (TGS 2019-2023) had his film “Mitchell” selected and it's now on display as part of the 2024 Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art at GoMA. For 30 years the Awards have recognised and promoted excellence in senior visual art education throughout Queensland schools. Secondary schools typically enter the work of up to four Senior students. Previous winners from TGS include Sam McCosker (2013) and Austin Reed (2017). Ben is a filmmaker and…
In memory of Light Horse Field Ambulances
Toowoomba Grammar School would like to acknowledge our admiration for the loyalty, service and bravery exhibited by TGS Old Boys who so valiantly served. We are all the beneficiaries of their sacrifice, and their selfless actions continue to inspire a spirit of service amongst our current students. Today we focus on the contribution of one TGS Old Boy who made a significant contribution to World War I. Here is some of the incredible story of Major Avery, DSO and if you visit the School Museum…
New Caledonia, new horizons and travel through an educational lens
The opportunity to travel not only opens doors to new experiences but also fosters an increased intercultural understanding and empathy, both essential qualities for navigating and existing within our diverse world. For a group of language students travelling to New Caledonia, our recent French Language and Cultural Tour was a unique opportunity for such experiential learning, where language acquisition went beyond just learning vocabulary and grammar - and instead became a gateway to connect…
Erik Sheppard - making TGS Army Cadet Unit history
The 2024 Dining in Night was made even more special with the appointment of the first Toowoomba Grammar School Army Cadet Unit (TGS ACU) Regimental Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1) Erik Sheppard who was awarded his rank and pace stick by the 16th Battalion Commanding officer MAJ (AAC) Gary MacLachlan. WO1 Sheppard enlisted in the TGS ACU just before the COVID shutdown in 2020. Although this was not the ideal way to begin a cadet career, he was able to adapt and overcome the virtual…
The Big Six Reading Tips
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…
Boarding - Building Men of Good Character
Over the past five years, we have found one of the most valuable lessons that boarding can teach teenage boys is the ability to self-navigate and overcome challenges. Entering a boarding house is the first time many boarders have stepped away from the comfort and security of their parents and guardians. Although this can be a daunting experience, one of the things that this unfamiliarity creates is the ability to organise yourself. With a larger workload than previous years, a greater number…
The Learning Pit
Learning is at our core and covers all subject disciplines, co-curricular pursuits, personal development and interest areas. Helping our Toowoomba Grammar School boys view learning as a disposition that goes well beyond the classroom context is incredibly important. Learning has a life-long value in all we do. We also acknowledge that learning can be challenging at times, and it can be uncomfortable, but also wonderfully inspiring and fulfilling. Appreciating the full range of feelings and…
Leap Before You Look
The boarding journey offers students a plethora of opportunities to step outside of their comfort zone and take advantage of new environments, relationships, and opportunities during their time at Toowoomba Grammar School. We often talk about “character education” – a theory that originated in the US and has been increasingly embraced by leading schools globally. It is encouraging all students to develop new approaches to their learning, including aspects of morals and ethics, thinking,…
Literacy at TGS: A research-informed approach
A recent Grattan Institute report has shared that one-third of Australian students are failing to learn to read proficiently, referring to the situation as a ‘preventable tragedy’. In addition, the report identifies evidence-based approaches utilising structured literacy programs with phonics and explicit instruction as the most effective methods of teaching literacy. At Toowoomba Grammar School, we implement a structured synthetic phonics approach to teaching spelling and reading that…
