Mr Eugene Massi – Head of House – Taylor Boarding
To develop men of good character is the main aim of Toowoomba Grammar School’s new Head of Taylor Boarding House, Mr Eugene Massi.
“The unique environment of Boarding provides an opportunity unlike any other. It allows for boys to connect with each other, develop meaningful and long-lasting relationships and allows them to develop and grow as individuals,” said Eugene.
Eugene is grateful for his positive role-models in pastoral care as a young high school student. He said he was given a lot of care and compassion, which he needed, and he’s keen to replicate that with his boarders.
“The boarding dynamic has an impact on the rest of your life,” he stated.
“As a carer, I have the opportunity to get to know each boy on a personal level. I want to extend them beyond who they think they might be, to who they are and then to the type of man that they want to be.
“Essentially I’m helping develop good young men who will have a positive impact on their families, friends and within their community, when they graduate from TGS.”
Eugene has had a long involvement in boarding, from his days as a student to leading boys in boarding both here in Australia and overseas.
Spending two years casual teaching after graduating from The Australian College of Physical Education, Eugene decided to visit the UK for six weeks. That six weeks became six years landing an exciting role as a PE teacher and Year Coordinator Thomas More Catholic School in the UK.
“It was such a phenomenal experience and a great learning ground,” said Eugene.
“I was given opportunities that I never would have had until much later in my career if I had stayed in Australia.”
Eugene thoroughly enjoyed working with some very challenging children and it sparked his love for the pastoral care component of education.
“Some of these kids had really tough lives, so it was amazing to be able to guide them with care, compassion and attention. I helped extend their view of where they could go and the kind of people they could become. It showed them they didn’t have to be pigeon-holed.”
Eugene remains in contact with some of his past Thomas More students, now in their 30s, today.
His career took him to Appleby College and then Crescent School in Toronto as a Boarding Master and teaching PE, as well as coaching the snow skiing team and 1st XV rugby team.
Eugene decided to return home to Sydney in 2012 and began his Masters in Mathematics at the University of Notre Dame. He commenced at Saint Augustine’s College in 2017 where he was again heavily involved in pastoral care as a Head of House.
Last year Eugene, and his wife Karri, decided it was time for a change from city life to a more relaxing, family-focussed community for their four-year-old daughter, Emilia and they are thrilled to be part of TGS.
“There is a lot of history and tradition at TGS. I’m excited for this new generation of students to be able to continue those traditions and leave their own mark in a positive way, and developing new traditions that will also become part of the TGS experience,” said Eugene.
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