In Toowoomba Grammar School’s Boarding Program, Years 5 to 7 students reside at Corfe House – a nurturing environment providing close pastoral support and guidance to the School’s youngest boarders. The skills, relationships and perspectives that boys develop here set them up for the rest of their boarding and school journey.
Toowoomba Grammar School understands the challenges for young students transitioning into boarding. Leading the way in creating a ‘home away from home’ is the Corfe House team: Head of House, Mr Henry White, supported by Corfe House Mother, Mrs Janelle Fletcher and Assistant Head of House, Mr Kabe Cicolini.
“From a boarding perspective, enabling young boys to flourish is only achieved within a community that is safe, welcoming and joyous,” said Henry, who develops the Corfe boarding program. He is responsible for ensuring that the daily management of the program meets the School’s long-term objectives relating to the boys’ academic and character development, and pastoral wellbeing.
“These three aspects are at the core of my boarding philosophy and are closely aligned with my fundamental values – acceptance, resilience and fun.”
The day-to-day logistics at Corfe House are largely overseen by Janelle who expertly assumes the role of surrogate mother to the boys, with great warmth and kindness. As a mother of two children who are grown and left home herself, she understands the importance of being a ‘shoulder to cry on’ and creating a place where homesickness meets solace, and laughter and encouragement flow freely.
"They find joy in the simple things and have such an unassuming nature; they remind me of life's basic pleasures," Janelle states. "At the end of the day, they are away from their mums and families. They need to have that loving, genuine maternal care to give them comfort and reassurance."
He may be Corfe House’s newest team member, but Kabe’s journey at TGS has spanned a decade, primarily as the Head of Basketball. As a GPS Old Boy, he genuinely appreciates the exceptional education and opportunities available at TGS and the sacrifices families make to provide their sons with this privilege.
“Our School has a warm and welcoming community based in humility and hospitality and our staff always put our boys first,” Kabe believes. “I want to ensure the boys make the most of their time at TGS, seizing every opportunity for personal growth, development, building lasting relationships and creating memories. My goal is to empower them to make informed decisions, take charge of their boarding experience and evolve into ‘good blokes’.”
Henry, Janelle and Kabe pride themselves in their ability to collaborate to bring a sense of stability and structure to students at Corfe, establishing clear boundaries, routines and duties that mimic their lives at home. Boys are given the tools to lead themselves and develop a sense of independence, building discipline and resilience. This allows them to thrive at school, on the sporting field and in their relationships, all within a supportive and compassionate environment.
While a boarder’s time in Corfe is relatively short, the team strive to make it memorable and ensure that each boy is prepared for success in, and beyond, their boarding journey. Empowering ‘Grammar boys’ to take true ownership of their experiences and shape their own unique adventures, supports them in becoming independent thinkers and leaders, well-prepared for life beyond TGS.
Discover more about Toowoomba Grammar School boarding here www.twgs.qld.edu.au
Latest Blog
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…
Developing a Sense of Belonging for our TGS Boarders
How do we adequately develop a teenager’s 'sense of belonging' in boarding? Head of Boyce House, Boarding, Mr Michael Hall has investigated how 'Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs' applies to boarding. It is a psychological theory that suggests human beings have a set of fundamental needs that must be fulfilled in a hierarchical order. The theory proposes that individuals must first satisfy their physiological needs before moving on to higher-level needs, such as the 'belongingness' that is so…
Kia Moemoeā – Dream Beyond Limits
A 12-year study has found that boys consistently perform better in an all boys’ school compared to boys in co-educational schools. This was one of several interesting topics presented at the recent International Boys’ Schools Coalition (IBSC) Conference in Auckland, New Zealand which I attended alongside three of my Toowoomba Grammar School colleagues – Mr Luke Rawle, Mr Dave Klan and Mrs Jessica Galbraith. We joined 600 leading educators from 15 countries around the world for the four-day…
