Introducing TGS’s new Director of Boarding, Mr Nick Byron

Mr Nick Byron, Director of Boarding

This is the best time possible to take over the role as Director of Boarding according Mr Nick Byron who is settling into his new appointment at Toowoomba Grammar School.

“There is a lot of new staff bringing fresh ideas and positive energy to the School and it’s very exciting to be part of this new chapter,” said Mr Byron.
“I’m looking forward to meeting the TGS community, particularly the boarding families and working closely with them on their son’s journey through the School.”
Mr Byron’s philosophy on developing good young men is to recognize each individual’s character.
“The best thing about TGS Boarding is the positive relationships developed between the boys and staff,” he said. “We want to nurture each boy’s personality and passions. I strongly encourage students to be themselves and I value their individuality.”
He plans to work very closely with families to achieve this and wants good strong communication with families, seeking their input.
“They’re part of this journey too,” said Mr Byron.
“I don’t want them to just drop their son off and that’s it. I want to develop partnerships between the School, the boys and their family.”

Mr Byron is a strong advocate for an all-boys’ education because he believes they have good role models and classes tailored to their interests which helps them enjoy learning and discover their passions in life.
“School isn’t just about English and Maths. Teaching boys how to be good young men is the most important part of their education here and I want to foster that through not just the staff, but the senior students too; their behaviour and values have a huge impact on the younger boys, particularly in boarding,” stated Mr Byron.

This desire to develop mindful young men through the strong family values instilled at TGS was one of the factors that attracted Mr Byron to applying for the Director of Boarding position.
“The School’s values have been clearly evident, right back to when I was a student at Brisbane State High School and would play against TGS in the GPS competition,” Mr Byron said.
“The TGS boys have always had a reliability and integrity that impressed me.”

After graduating BSHS, where he was School Captain in 1997, Mr Byron combined his pursuit for a rugby union career with his teaching career. He represented Queensland and Australian in U16-U21 rugby and played in Australia, New Zealand and the UK whilst teaching at various state and independent schools. He hopes to eventually share his rugby knowledge and experience with the TGS Rugby teams, but his priority for the first 12-18 months is developing a strong boarding program, particularly with three new Heads of House, Mr Brad Allen, Mr Eugene Massi and Mr Chris Stearn also stepping into their roles from Term 1 this year.

Mr Byron will draw on his strong background in pastoral care to further strengthen the TGS Boarding experience. He has worked in pastoral care in almost all his previous positions, citing the most rewarding experience at Tenbury High School in the UK. He taught there in the Learning and Behaviour Support Unit, looking after special needs children and students with behavioural problems.
It was also during his time at Tenbury that he met his wife, Freya, who was also teaching at the School. They have two daughters, Elizabeth (Libby) who is almost 10 years old and Bridget who is 7 years old.

The fond memories of their rural lifestyle in the UK were one of the drawcards for coming to Toowoomba Grammar School.
“We lived in a farming and agricultural community and we loved that lifestyle,” said Mr Byron.
“Toowoomba is also an ideal place to raise a family.”

Mr Byron has spent the past five years as the Head of Residence at Brisbane Grammar School and while acknowledging that the TGS boarding program is bigger than BGS, he is excited about the opportunities that await him and his new team.
In the coming weeks we look forward to sharing information about our new boarding Heads of House, Brad, Eugene and Chris.


Latest News

news
Character & Wellbeing
/
Wednesday, 31 May 2023

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…

Read More
news
Sports & Activities
/
Monday, 15 May 2023

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…

Read More
news
The Arts
/
Monday, 15 May 2023

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…

Read More
news
The Arts
/
Thursday, 23 Mar 2023

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…

Read More
news
The Arts
/
Friday, 17 Mar 2023

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…

Read More
news
The Arts
/
Monday, 27 Feb 2023

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…

Read More
news
Sports & Activities
/
Friday, 03 Feb 2023

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…

Read More
news
General
/
Monday, 23 Jan 2023

Headmaster's Welcome to 2023

Dear TGS families As I write, our Senior School campus is a hive of activity with new students and their families attending our informative Orientation Day. The Junior School campus is also busy with new boys and their families visiting to meet their teachers. All TGS staff members are eagerly anticipating the return of all boys tomorrow. After a number of COVID-impacted years, it is wonderful to be able to commence the academic year without disruption and in our traditional fashion. I extend…

Read More