Mark Oliphant has been the TGS Head of Senior School for the past six years, and also has three sons in the TGS Junior School, with his eldest making the transition to Year 7 next year. He has valuable insight into both roles – that of a nervous new parent, and that of a welcoming, key member of Senior School staff. This is his key message to new parents of TGS for 2024:
Regardless of your history with the school, you are all equally welcome here and should feel comfortable in knowing that we value every family and their son’s contribution to our School.
Toowoomba Grammar School was built by the community, for the community and it is a School that I am immensely proud of. In 2025 we will celebrate our sesquicentenary or Grammar 150 and your sons will play a vital role in those celebrations. Our pedagogy is modelled on explicit instruction which has its roots in the learning sciences. Pastorally your sons will be supported by his Mentor and Head of House through the House system. It is also important to note that Year 7 is treated as a transition year and the boys in Year 7 are supported by Mrs Jodi Blades, Head of Year 7, Mr Henry White, Head of Corfe boarding house and Mr Evan Rees, Assistant Head of Year 7.
As a father of three boys, I am confident that TGS is preparing my sons for their futures beyond these gates. First and foremost, I want my boys to be of good character, to have a sense of self-worth and be assured that they are comfortable in who they are. I want them to learn how to be compassionate, show empathy and understand the fundamentals of respect and to be especially respectful of women. These sentiments are covered in our Strategic Plan and taught explicitly to the boys in the Senior School. Moreover, our diverse range of co-curricular programs also helps to give the boys the opportunity to learn what it means to be of character outside of the classroom.
We want our boys to be busy and engaged and want them to become connected to the School through their friends and the student leaders; many of whom will write to your sons prior to the beginning of next year. For some of our current Year 6s these interactions have already started, with older boys spending time in the Junior School at break times and helping with our reading program. Some interactions will occur through the co-curricular program and some will occur organically through the community. For example, my son Tom is a keen swimmer and through this activity has become friendly with one of our Year 12 Prefects. Ed, or Eddie as Tom affectionally calls him. Ed is a Stephens House boarder from St George. Now, not only is Ed a Prefect and a swimmer, but has been a wonderful contributor to our community. Some of the other “stuff” that Ed has done this year includes:
- House Captain
- Track and Field Captain
- Swim team
- Interact Club for service
- White ribbon committee
- Tennis team
- Volleyball team
- The Push Up Challenge charity
Knowing Ed and seeing the type of young man that he is, I am more thank ok with Tom looking to him as a role model and consider all of the other positive role models that our younger boys are exposed to. Growing into fine young men is not always straightforward, there will be bumps along the way, but we will all (parents and staff) stay true to our core purpose “Educating boys and developing their good character for life.”
- Mark Oliphant, Head of Senior School and father of Year 6 student, Tom
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