We understand that, as parents, we aspire to provide our children with the best education and opportunities for growth. Within the Junior School at Toowoomba Grammar School, we believe in fostering a love for learning while enabling your son to reach his full potential. In this article, we would like to emphasise the significance of automaticity and basic skill practice in extending your child's learning journey, while emphasising the importance of respecting their individual pace.
Automaticity plays a crucial role in enabling effortless task performance without conscious effort. It forms the bedrock for higher-level thinking and problem-solving abilities. By assisting your child in developing automaticity in core areas such as reading, writing, and mathematics, you equip them with the tools they need to excel academically and beyond. Encouraging regular practice and providing opportunities for repetition not only solidify these skills but also instil confidence and independence in their learning process.
However, it is vital to recognise the importance of allowing your child to progress at their own pace and avoid undue pressure. Every child has their unique developmental timeline, and it is essential to respect their individual journey. While it is natural to desire your child to excel, it is equally important to adopt a balanced approach to learning. Pushing children too hard or expecting them to master advanced concepts before they are developmentally ready can lead to frustration and a negative attitude towards learning. By fostering a supportive and nurturing environment, we enable children to flourish at a pace that is right for them, preserving their love for learning.
In extending your child's learning, it is essential to strike a balance between providing opportunities for growth and allowing for downtime. Engaging in extracurricular activities, reading for pleasure, and pursuing hobbies are equally vital for their holistic development. These experiences broaden their horizons, enhance creativity, and promote social and emotional well-being. Remember, learning goes beyond the confines of a classroom. Encourage exploration, curiosity, and a lifelong passion for learning that extends beyond academic boundaries.
At Toowoomba Grammar School Junior School, we strive to create an environment that nurtures the whole child. We acknowledge and celebrate the uniqueness of each child's learning journey. By focusing on developing automaticity and practicing fundamental skills, while respecting their individual pace, we can cultivate a lifelong love for learning.
Latest Blog
I Have Returned to Where it Began and I Feel Right at Home
I have returned to where it all began, and I feel right at home. My parents decided when I was very young that I would attend Toowoomba Grammar School as a boarder. Coming from a property surrounded by a small community, my parents believed that sending me to TGS would provide me with many fundamental skills needed for a young man, as well as an education that I could not get in my hometown.. Starting my journey at TGS in Year 8 as a boarder in Mackintosh, adjusting from a small country high…
Tuning in to TGS Old Boy (1995-99) - Stuart St Vincent Welch
Our Old Boys have such diverse career paths; we are so proud of the good young men they become and how they make meaningful contributions to their communities. Stuart St Vincent Welch describes himself as an average student who had no idea what he wanted to do after school. But drawing on the TGS values of hard work, respect and resilience he is now working as a Sound Engineer for Barking Owl in New York City, rubbing shoulders with some of the world’s most renowned musicians and actors. He…
The TGS Show Cattle Team - On the moooove
The TGS Show Cattle Team commenced in Term 1 2021 under the guidance of Mr Jack Murphy and Mrs Julie Brophy. The concept of the team was to give boys a hands-on, extracurricular opportunity in the agricultural industry. The boys have been competing in the Young Judges’ competitions at a range of shows across Queensland. The Young Judges’ competition is based on the goal of expanding the boys' knowledge of the skills that are a foundation of the animal production industry, helping them as…
The Importance of Routines
Routines are an important part of our daily lives, providing structure and stability. This is especially true for children in their formative years, who benefit from having consistent and predictable routines in both their school and home environments. At Toowoomba Grammar School Junior School, we believe that routines are essential for helping students thrive both inside and outside the classroom. One of the key ways in which routines help students is by providing a sense of security and…
Ten Steps Ahead - Jackie Gallagher
As a high school athlete, Jackie Gallagher had the world at her feet. She was in a unique position where she was excellent at any distance from 100m to 800m. She broke Queensland and National records and was regularly selected for State and National teams. Jackie was selected for the Australian Youth team to compete at the World Youth Championships in Canada as an U18 along with the Australian Junior Commonwealth Games and the Youth Olympics, before making the U20 Australian team to compete at…
The Makings of a Premiership
The 2022 1st V Basketball squad will be forever etched in the pages of Toowoomba Grammar School history as the first TGS team to win a GPS Basketball Premiership since the competition commenced in 1984. Head of Basketball, and 1st V Coach, Mr Kabe Cicolini has been instrumental in the growth and success of not just our leading team, but of the TGS Basketball Program as a whole. Kabe has come from a background of playing GPS sport – cricket, rugby and basketball as a student at Ipswich Grammar…
Creating a Learning Environment that Boys Enjoy
Creating an environment for students to access and engage in learning is the educational philosophy of the new Toowoomba Grammar School Head of Junior School, Mr Ken Raven. “This requires a supportive an inclusive learning environment across the school where everyone feels they can make a positive contribution,” Mr Raven stated. “I encourage evidence-informed, explicit teaching of curriculum that sparks curiosity and interest for students to engage and explore.” Parental interaction and…
Introducing our new Deputy Head of Junior School (Teaching and Learning), Mrs Chantelle Bauer
Toowoomba Grammar School is excited to welcome our new Deputy Head of Junior School (Teaching and Learning), Mrs Chantelle Bauer. Mrs Bauer brings a wealth of experience and passion to her new role, having lived and worked in the Darling Downs and Southwest Queensland region her entire life. She was born and bred in St George, attended university in Toowoomba and took her first teaching role in Roma. She has worked in various roles across the region, including Year Level Coordinator, Head of…
You can't know a student without knowing where they come from
Boarding at Toowoomba Grammar School can be described as many things such as evolving identity, growing personally and developing character in your second home, but it is also about growing your family. Head of Boyce House boarding, Mr Michael Hall and his family, certainly enjoyed that opportunity over January. Catching up with a beautiful collection of current families from Boyce House was a privilege and has helped to build the relationships of trust and care that are essential in a…
