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 employability and, most importantly, flourishing societies. Furthermore, Clarke, McLellan and Harold (2023) and Morris (2015) contend that students need to develop a strong sense of self to achieve academically and develop critical and reflective thinking whilst developing a conscience that allows them to engage in the wider community after school. According to Spratt (2015), schools are uniquely positioned to explicitly nurture the character skills and dispositions needed to become individuals who flourish, contribute to society, and lead meaningful lives.
In the Junior School, the staff recognise that we are fundamental in building the foundation of this very important process. Given this understanding, the Junior School has introduced a fortnightly vertical House meeting, which we have named Mates. Mates aims to enhance the current Pastoral Care program by providing students with opportunities to participate in activities that assist them in developing the skills to be independent, well-balanced and successful in life, as well as to respond well to challenges and achieve lifelong wellbeing.
Each term, there is a topic or theme chosen through consulting research and surveying students and staff. This topic allows boys to practice skills that will develop their character. In Term 2, the boys participated in activities that honed their ability to acknowledge and follow the rules of a game. For Term 3, the boys are building their resilience in a variety of ways, from attempting tasks they may not be able to finish and playing games that rely on luck, not skill. During the sessions, our oldest Junior School boys assist and lead our younger students in completing the tasks with a sense of responsibility and pride. Following the practical experience, the boys have a House discussion led by their Head of House, sharing ideas for ways they may complete the task next time and issues they noticed during the task.
The boys have engaged in these lessons with great humility and respect. The older boys have identified their need to communicate effectively and be aware of all boys’ skill levels when working together as a House. Moving forward, the boys will be engaging in topics like conflict resolution, teamwork and positivity during challenging times, as well as discussing the history and traditions of our School and the importance of upholding them. Throughout the sessions, boys are encouraged to show integrity in all that they do by doing things because it is right and not because they are seeking rewards.
We believe that developing the character of our boys will allow them to develop the integral skills required at key times during their education and life (Ganeson and Ehrich 2013).
- Mrs Jessica Galbraith, Teacher - Junior School
Latest Blog
The Boarding Journey
Every parent will have a unique journey with their son whilst he is boarding at Toowoomba Grammar School. I’m Kym Wright, mother of Clancy, who is in Year 12 and this is my journey…. From my very first experience with Toowoomba Grammar School Boarding ten years ago, I had a good feeling straight away that TGS would be the perfect fit for my son. I was picking up my nephew for lunch. He had started boarding at TGS just six weeks prior. It was pouring rain and there were boys enthusiastically…
Building Self-Confidence and Resilience in Year 7s
As your child enters the new and unknown world of secondary school, it is a very important time to nurture the confidence and self-esteem of your son. Adolescence can also be a time of bewildering physical changes and strong emotions, opinions and increasing independence. Nurturing their confidence, self-esteem and assertiveness will go a long way to helping them to have the self-belief to tackle difficult new academic challenges, to developing new friendships and social skills, and…
Introducing our new Head of Year 7 - Jodi Blades
My family moved from Brisbane to Toowoomba when I was ten years of age. I’ve lived here for most of my life, other than to study and begin my teaching career in Brisbane. I lived and worked in London for 18 months before returning to Toowoomba in 2001. With over 20 years’ experience teaching and leading pastoral care programs within independent day and boarding schools, I am dedicated to developing students holistically; the academic, social, emotional, cultural, and physical development of…
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…
