The Interact Club successfully raised over $10,000 last year for charities and services on a local, statewide and international scale through the hard work and commitment of its members. With these funds, the Interact Club has donated Backpack Blankets to Toowoomba's homeless, helped AEIOU's efforts in supporting children with autism, contributed to the "Are You Bogged Mate?" campaign for rural mental health and raised funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. As well as many other individual initiatives, the Interact Club remains committed to supporting the education of our sponsor student, Sara, at The School of St Jude in Tanzania, with the aim of breaking the cycle of poverty in her community through education. The club's actions can also be seen on a local level such as supporting the 2023 Domestic and Family Violence Remembrance Day march and candlelight vigil. Interact Club members learn that small actions and simple conversations about important issues can not only have an impact on themselves but also positively impact the lives of others, ultimately improving the community we live in.

Students are eligible to join Interact Club from Year 10, and with over 100 boys on the club's roll, service is clearly at the heart of Toowoomba Grammar School's ethos. Senior members of the club commit to providing service opportunities for the whole School through our House system, which ensures boys of all ages are given a voice to propose and modify initiatives. In 2023 alone, this has taken the form of The Push-Up Challenge, World's Greatest Shave and volunteering to help run the LifeFlight Gala Dinner, as well as hosting after-school activities in the Junior School.

At its core, the Interact Club holds the belief that community service is profoundly important in our development as young men. Through service, students are given a sense of purpose and empathy that broadens their horizons and perspectives. Rather than focusing solely on fundraising, the Interact Club encourages boys to donate their time by giving back to the community and focusing on the why.

Despite the challenges presented when balancing academic, co-curricular and personal commitments, boys are actively encouraged to pursue action in matters they believe are important. Whether it simply be a visit to a nursing home to have a conversation with an elderly resident or spreading awareness of a particular charity at a TGS home game, these seemingly inconsequential acts can bring about immense change. Members should be happy with the great work done so far and rest assured that the club will continue to be in good hands in the future. Polio vaccine inventor Jonas Salk said, "The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more." and the Interactors remain happy to help.

- by 2023 TGS Interact President, Sam Gladwin

The Interact Club successfully raised over $10,000 last year for charities and services on a local, statewide and international scale through the hard work and commitment of its members. With these funds, the Interact Club has donated Backpack Blankets to Toowoomba's homeless, helped AEIOU's efforts in supporting children with autism, contributed to the "Are You Bogged Mate?" campaign for rural mental health and raised funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. As well as many other individual initiatives, the Interact Club remains committed to supporting the education of our sponsor student, Sara, at The School of St Jude in Tanzania, with the aim of breaking the cycle of poverty in her community through education. The club's actions can also be seen on a local level such as supporting the 2023 Domestic and Family Violence Remembrance Day march and candlelight vigil. Interact Club members learn that small actions and simple conversations about important issues can not only have an impact on themselves but also positively impact the lives of others, ultimately improving the community we live in.

Students are eligible to join Interact Club from Year 10, and with over 100 boys on the club's roll, service is clearly at the heart of Toowoomba Grammar School's ethos. Senior members of the club commit to providing service opportunities for the whole School through our House system, which ensures boys of all ages are given a voice to propose and modify initiatives. In 2023 alone, this has taken the form of The Push-Up Challenge, World's Greatest Shave and volunteering to help run the LifeFlight Gala Dinner, as well as hosting after-school activities in the Junior School.

At its core, the Interact Club holds the belief that community service is profoundly important in our development as young men. Through service, students are given a sense of purpose and empathy that broadens their horizons and perspectives. Rather than focusing solely on fundraising, the Interact Club encourages boys to donate their time by giving back to the community and focusing on the why.

Despite the challenges presented when balancing academic, co-curricular and personal commitments, boys are actively encouraged to pursue action in matters they believe are important. Whether it simply be a visit to a nursing home to have a conversation with an elderly resident or spreading awareness of a particular charity at a TGS home game, these seemingly inconsequential acts can bring about immense change. Members should be happy with the great work done so far and rest assured that the club will continue to be in good hands in the future. Polio vaccine inventor Jonas Salk said, "The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more." and the Interactors remain happy to help.

- by 2023 TGS Interact President, Sam Gladwin


Latest Blog

Student Contribution
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Thursday, 21 Sept 2023

Tik Tok - From Fun to Fear

Social media platforms have ingrained themselves into our daily lives in a time when technology is constantly evolving and drawing millions of users with seductive features and never-ending streams of captivating content. Among these, TikTok has become a worldwide phenomenon, captivating users with its viral challenges and short-form films. Underneath the fun and inventiveness however, there is growing concern about the risks connected to TikTok and other social media platforms. TikTok's…

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Student Contribution
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Thursday, 21 Sept 2023

Active Procrastination – Unlocking the Gates of Time

“Procrastination is like a credit card: it’s a lot of fun until you get the bill.” - Christopher Parker – professional actor. Unfortunately, procrastination is a term that we are all familiar with as students; the vast majority of us have experienced it firsthand. It saps our time and results like a parasite, a burden on its host. However, despite it’s reputation, recent studies have shown that when harnessed correctly, procrastination can be a powerful tool to improve both academic efficiency…

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Boarding
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Wednesday, 06 Sept 2023

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…

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Boarding
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Wednesday, 06 Sept 2023

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.…

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Boarding
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Tuesday, 29 Aug 2023

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…

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Teaching Excellence
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Wednesday, 16 Aug 2023

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…

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Character & Wellbeing
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Wednesday, 09 Aug 2023

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…

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Teaching Excellence
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Thursday, 03 Aug 2023

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…

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People
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Tuesday, 25 July 2023

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…

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