“The opportunity to participate in the GPS competition across multiple sports is also an experience that enables the development of communication, teamwork and time management skills and has also provided me with memories and friendships that have contributed greatly to my enjoyment of school.”— Joshua Zahra
We’re proud to celebrate our students' outstanding achievements, with Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) and Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) results revealing another successful year for our school.
Our 2024 QCE graduates have performed very well, and we want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to them. Our School also wants to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of all the teachers who have supported and guided these students throughout their time at Toowoomba Grammar School. In particular, we would like to express our gratitude to all Year 12 teachers and Heads of Department for their exceptional dedication in guiding this cohort.
We are delighted to report that 100% of students achieved their Queensland Certificate of Education. Excitingly, three students received an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 99 or above. We are pleased to announce Aaron Nelbin as Dux of Toowoomba Grammar School with an ATAR of 99.8 and Bertie Mansfield as Proxime Accessit with an ATAR of 99.75.
Here are some of the key highlights from our 2024 TGS QCE and ATAR results:
- 17% of students achieved an ATAR of 95 or above, compared to 5% across the state.
- 34% of students achieved an ATAR of 90 or above, compared to 10% across the state.
- The median ATAR is 84.
- We congratulate the following six students on achieving a perfect subject score of 100. These students are Nicholas Baulch and Juert Eerkens – Drama, Oliver Clifford and Aaron Nelbin – Mathematical Methods, Bertie Mansfield and Joshua Zahra – English.
- 100% of students achieved a Queensland Certificate of Education.
- Seven students achieved an A in every subject.
Importantly, many of our 2024 Year 12 students have met their goals, gaining entry to their desired courses or pathways. This is highlighted by a significant 61 students completing their studies with a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification.
As is our TGS tradition, we look forward to celebrating these accomplishments formally at the Scholars’ Assembly on Friday, 31 January 2025.
While we, as an educational institution, will analyse the results in greater detail to develop strategies for further enhancing our academic program, we thought it timely to ask our students how they achieved such success.
We’ve asked some of our high achievers how they managed their workloads, achieved balance, and what, or indeed whom, inspired them to excel.
What motivated me to take on these roles was the positive influence of the academic leaders I had during my own high school journey. They inspired me to play a similar role when I reached Year 12. Initiatives like Tutor Tuesdays gave younger students the confidence to tackle their studies and showed them that help was always available. These sessions encouraged students to improve themselves by providing easy access to constructive feedback from older boys who had already gone through the same assignments and exams.
Being able to successfully balance my schoolwork with other important activities such as service is definitely something that has only come with time and experience. I’ve learnt that a lot of the time it involves getting things done when you least feel like it and reaping the rewards for that later on. As for what motivates me, it would have to be the students that have come before me – those I looked up to. This year, with me being in the position of those who were role models to me, I have been motivated to be the same role model to younger students so that they too can achieve great things while at this school.
The thing that was really important about the culture here at Grammar are the teachers, they were always here to back us up. Whichever subject we were in our teachers always guided us along the way. I'm excited for the future and all the opportunites that await.
Top Tips
Bertie Mansfield: “Being prepared to adapt a schedule to factor in new things is what I have found to be the most important skill for my personal academic success.”
Aaron Nelbin: “I would recommend that younger boys take every opportunity to get involved in co-curricular activities. This year I played GPS tennis, and those good times we had at training and games were really what got me through the year. Having those laughs with your mates gets your mind off those exams and will be something you’ll remember in the future. I know a lot of people get worried if they can balance their co-curricular and academics, especially in Year 12, but honestly, I feel like if you have the drive to keep on top of your studies, it’s definitely possible to excel in both.”
Future Plans
“I plan to go directly to university and, though I have applied for a course to start on, I hope to enter my tertiary studies with an open mind. I aspire to discover a real passion that I will enjoy dedicating myself to, and I believe that, thanks to what I have learnt in high school, I will be prepared to adapt to potential changes in perspective. My experience in the music department has also shown me that putting myself outside my comfort zone can develop my character and open new doors. This is a valuable experience that I believe will motivate me to continue to pursue new opportunities as I go through life.”— Bertie Mansfield
Joshua Zahra: “In the future, I aim to study medicine at university and pursue a career as a medical professional whilst hopefully continuing to play football. To achieve these goals, I believe that the time management and study habits that I have developed throughout my time at Toowoomba Grammar School will be crucial to facilitate the maintenance of a balanced lifestyle.”
“Hopefully I’ll pursue a career in the health field, preferably Medicine. Having spent most of my childhood in Toowoomba, I’m passionate about returning here after my training to work as a doctor. I’d like to specialise, though I’m keeping my options open at this stage. My goal is to make a meaningful impact on rural healthcare and work towards bridging the gap in healthcare access and quality between metro and regional areas like Toowoomba.”— Aaron Nelbin
Gurnoor Randhawa: With the ATAR I recieved I should be able to get into the degree I want, I'm hoping to go to James Cook University and do Medicine there. Otherwise I've applied to Monash to study Engineering.
Latest News
news
Read More
TGS Athletics Coach on Track to Olympics
In an incredible achievement, Toowoomba Grammar School Athletics Coach, Mrs Jackie Gallagher is on track for Olympic coaching glory. Jackie is one of only 25 women worldwide, and the only Australian to be selected for a leadership program in preparation for Olympic and International team management. Jackie was nominated for the 21-month program by Athletics Australia and endorsed by World Athletics and the IOC. It follows her selection for the prestigious Women in Sport High Performance Pathway…
news
Read More
TGS Aquatic Centre Rated One of the Best in the Country
Royal Lifesaving Society Australia (RLSA) conducted a review of the operations of the School’s Aquatic Centre on 13 March 2023. This review, called the Aquatic Facility Safety Assessment, is undertaken to provide pool operators with feedback on their operations against industry standards and covered the following areas: Work Health and Safety Emergency Planning Qualifications and Training Aquatic Programs Supervision First Aid Plant and Chemical Areas Changing Facilities Lap and Lane Pools…
news
Read More
Historic RAP Launched by TGS
In an historic milestone, Toowoomba Grammar School launched its Reconciliation Action Plan today, Wednesday, 31 May as part of National Reconciliation Week celebrations. TGS has proudly formulated this Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) over the past eighteen months in close conjunction with Narragunnawali, a nationally recognised organisation that promotes reconciliation in education. Narragunnawali supports schools to develop environments that foster a higher level of knowledge and pride in our…
news
Read More
TGS Swimmers make a Splash Nationally
Toowoomba Grammar School Swimming club claimed swimmers claimed three national titles and a nice haul of medals at the Australian Swimming Age Championships on the Gold Coast earlier this month. Sienna Duerloo cemented her position as one of Australia’s best up and coming long distance swimmers. She is now a National Champion after swimming away with two golds – winning both the 800m and 1500m in the 17 years girls freestyle. Mackenzie Grimes is also a National Champion after collecting gold in…
news
Read More
TGS has the next Spielberg, we mean Rosenberg!
Toowoomba Grammar School Year 12 student, Ben Rosenberg is making a name for himself nationally as an up-and-coming young film maker. Ben won 'Best Director' overall at the 2022 Nextwave Youth Film Awards in Coffs Harbour on Saturday, 22 April for his film 'Green Room'. There were over 160 short films submitted to the competition from around the country and 28 films were chosen as finalists. Ben was named the Best Director overall! Ben has had previous success at this competition in his age…
news
Read More
It's Showtime - Grammar Art Show Time to be Exact
The 30th annual Grammar Art Show from March 24-26, will showcase a dynamic and diverse exhibition of more than 650 contemporary Australian artworks on display, a further 275 online from 220 different artists. The Grammar Art Show has become such a prestigious exhibition that artists from all over Australia nominate their work months before the Show and, unfortunately, many don’t make the final cut. Grammar Art Show is recognised as one of Toowoomba's signature events, attracting over 3,500…
news
Read More
Student Art Show Online
We are excited to launch our 2023 Student Art Show. Thank you to all the guests who came to this wonderful Opening Night on Friday, 17 March to support our young artists. Featuring the work of 125 of our Art students of 2022, this exhibition is in our Art Gallery in the Henderson building into Term 2 for TGS families to enjoy. It is also open to the public during the weekend of the Grammar Art Show, 25 and 26 March. Can't make it to our Gallery? Enjoy the works online - and share with long…
news
Read More
TGS Music Teacher Hitting the Right Notes
A Toowoomba Grammar School Music teacher has been appointed to a highly regarded international position, one of the only people in Australia to have the role. Woodwind teacher and accompanist, Melissa Buchholz has received the honour of a position on the Trinity College London music examinations panel. This position is considered one of the highest in the music industry examination sectors. "This has been a lifelong dream of mine and a rigorous two year process to be appointed," said Mel. "I…
news
Read More
2022 1st Basketball team presented with Premiership Caps
At a special School Assembly yesterday, Thursday, 2 February The TGS Old Boys' Association, represented by President, Mark Creedon (1973-77) and committee member, Nicholas Hess (1997-2001) presented the players in the 2022 Basketball 1st V with a Premiership Cap in recognition of their efforts and achievement of winning a GPS Premiership. It has become a TGSOBA honoured tradition to make a presentation of a Premiership Cap to the players of a Premiership side as a recognition of their feat. The…
