THE BLUE AND GOLD - Friday, 12 June 2026

Dear TGS Families,

This week we were delighted to welcome a large and engaged cross-section of the Toowoomba Grammar School community to our Strategic Planning Community Event. It was an evening characterised by energy, optimism and a genuine sense of shared purpose as we began shaping the next chapter of our School’s journey.

I extend my sincere thanks to all who attended, including parents, Old Boys, students, staff and members of the broader community. Your willingness to give your time, to listen thoughtfully and to contribute your ideas through the interactive sessions made the night both meaningful and productive. It reinforced what we know to be true at TGS: that this is a school built by the community, for the community.

A particular highlight was the presentation from our guest speaker, Simon Kuestenmacher. Simon brought both clarity and perspective to the complex global and generational trends shaping the world our boys will enter. His insights challenged us to think beyond the immediate and to consider how shifts in population, technology and the nature of work will influence the future of education. Importantly, he helped set the scene for our strategic thinking, reminding us that while change is constant, thoughtful planning and strong values provide the foundation for success.

Following Simon’s presentation, the strength of our community was evident in the way our guests engaged in discussion and shared their perspectives. The conversations were rich and forward-looking, reflecting both a pride in what has been achieved under the current Strategic Plan and a clear ambition for what lies ahead. The ideas generated will form an important part of our broader consultation process as we continue to develop the School’s next Strategic Plan.

There remains an important opportunity for all families to contribute to this work. We warmly invite families to participate in the Strategic Plan survey. It includes a series of questions, with the option to provide multiple responses to open-ended questions should you wish to share more than one idea or perspective. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete and can be accessed at this link: TGS Strategic Planning Survey. The survey will remain open until Wednesday, 17 June at 4:00pm.

As outlined on the evening, the past four years have been marked by intentional progress across all pillars of the current Strategic Plan, including teaching and learning, character and wellbeing, people, community engagement and stewardship. This strong foundation now provides us with both confidence and responsibility as we turn our attention to the future.

What was most encouraging was the alignment in thinking. There was a clear desire to ensure that Toowoomba Grammar School continues to honour its rich heritage while also embracing innovation and change. There was also a strong commitment to remaining focused on our core purpose: developing young men of good character who are well prepared for the complexities and opportunities of the world beyond school.

This is an exciting time for Toowoomba Grammar School. With the momentum we have built, the strength of our community and the insights we continue to gather through this process, we are well placed to plan with confidence and ambition.

Thank you to those who have already taken the time to contribute. Your insights are valued and are helping to shape a direction that honours who we are while positioning the School thoughtfully for the future.

Looking ahead to the beginning of Term 3, we will warmly welcome back the Headmaster, Dr John Kinniburgh, following his period of sabbatical during Term 2. During his leave, Dr Kinniburgh attended a number of local and interstate conferences and will also participate in the 16th UK Festival of Education at Wellington College over the holiday period. We look forward to hearing from him early in Term 3.

As we now approach the holiday period, I would like to extend my best wishes to the staff and students participating in upcoming tours to Tanzania, Japan and Oxbridge. These experiences offer meaningful opportunities for both our staff and students and I wish you safe travels and a rewarding journey.

As this is the final Blue and Gold for the term, I encourage all members of our community to take the opportunity over the coming weeks to rest, recharge and spend valuable time together. The holiday period provides an important moment to step back from the pace of the term, enjoy time with family and friends and return refreshed for the term ahead.

John C Anderson
Acting Headmaster

For many years, our youngest students have been introduced to the traditions and story of the School, helping them build an early sense of connection and belonging.

Acting Headmaster Mr John Anderson recently shared some of that history with our boys in Old Hall, offering insight into more than 150 years of Toowoomba Grammar School before leading them on a tour of School House.

The boys marvelled at the Honour Boards and the stories they represent and even had the chance to sit at the Boardroom table, still used each month by the School’s Board of Trustees.

Moments like these bring the School’s history to life for our youngest students and perhaps, for some, spark the beginnings of a future role.

Perhaps a future Trustee in the making?

My role may have looked a little different this term, but it has still brought me enormous pleasure to hear the many stories of growth, perseverance and achievement across the School.

One of the most important reminders is that success is not a one-size-fits-all concept. For our youngest boys, success might be mastering a new reading level, improving their spelling, or building confidence in the classroom. For our older boys, success can look quite different—it may be contributing positively at home or in the boarding house, stepping up without being asked, or showing leadership through small, consistent actions.

What connects all of these examples is not talent or luck, but effort over time.

In a recent assembly, I spoke to the boys about the danger of making excuses and the importance of simply “having a go.” Drawing on the example of Billy Slater following Queensland’s State of Origin loss, we reflected on the power of accountability; owning outcomes, supporting others and choosing not to look for excuses when things do not go our way. True growth begins when we are honest with ourselves and prepared to accept that improvement comes through effort.

If we are serious about teaching our boys the foundations for success, then we must be prepared to ensure they are challenged. Challenge may come in many forms, academic rigour, co-curricular commitment, or the complexities of relationships with others. It is within these moments of challenge that growth occurs.

However, challenge alone is not enough. Boys must also learn to persevere through difficulty with what psychologist Angela Duckworth describes as grit - a combination of passion and sustained persistence over time. When boys develop grit, they do more than just overcome obstacles; they build capacity, extend their capabilities and strengthen their character.

This is where success becomes something that can be taught. It is not an easy or quick process, but when boys begin to understand how effort, resilience and reflection lead to improvement, they start to develop a genuine growth mindset. Alongside this comes a growing sense of self-efficacy and I cannot understate the power that comes with the belief that they can influence their own outcomes through their actions.

Ultimately, when boys experience this process repeatedly, they begin to internalise a powerful truth: success is not accidental, it is the product of skill, effort and persistence over time. And perhaps most importantly, success breeds further success, as confidence and motivation continue to build.

As we head into the holiday break, I encourage you to take some time to sit with your son and reflect on his journey through Semester 1. Ask him:

• What successes are you most proud of?
• What did you learn from those successes?
• How can you apply those lessons to the challenges of Semester 2?

Importantly, try to keep the focus on the positives and the learning that has taken place, rather than dwelling on what did not go to plan. Because it is through this simple habit of reflection, combined with sustained effort, that real growth occurs. Over time, the rewards will follow.

Wishing all TGS families an enjoyable mid-year break.

Mark Oliphant
Acting Deputy Headmaster

Several weeks into the rollout of our new academic support initiatives, it has been encouraging to see growing engagement from students across Homework Club, Homework Club Plus and 1:1 tutoring. These programs are designed to provide structured, supportive environments for boys to develop positive study habits and build confidence in their learning.

Homework Club has seen a steady group of students attend each week, with numbers gradually increasing. While giving up extra time in the afternoon for homework is not always the most appealing option for an adolescent boy, those who attend are speaking positively about the experience. Boys value the calm, focused environment and the access to a teacher for support and many leave with a strong sense of satisfaction in having used their time well.

Homework Club Plus is also building momentum. The structured evening setting, supported by a teacher and including dinner, is helping boys establish productive routines and engage more deeply with their learning. The mix of boarders and day boys is contributing positively to the developing academic culture, with students benefiting from both staff guidance and peer support.

Our 1:1 tutoring program has also commenced. The inclusion of Old Boys as online tutors has expanded accessibility for families. In particular, online tutoring is making it easier for day students to access personalised, one-to-one support from home, providing more flexible opportunities for targeted academic assistance.

As we look ahead to Term 3, we encourage families to consider how these supports might benefit their son. To ensure tutoring placements can be organised over the holiday break and ready for the start of term, we ask that expressions of interest are submitted in advance.

1:1 Tutoring Expression of Interest – Fill out form

Homework Club Registration Form – Fill out form

Homework Club Plus – Fill out form

Crystal Hede
Director of Learning and Innovation

Staff Profile: Travis Dowling — Director of Performing Arts

What excites me about this position

I’m excited by the opportunity to reinvigorate the performing arts and help make it a central part of the School’s culture and identity. It’s about ensuring every boy feels he has a place in the arts and the confidence to be involved. From the moment I arrived, it was clear there is a strong appetite among students to grow the program, and being part of that energy and helping shape where it can go is incredibly motivating.

Experience I bring

My background spans professional theatre, tertiary education and youth programs. I’ve worked in an Associate Director role with companies such as HotHouse Theatre (at the time the largest regional theatre group in Australia), The Grin and Tonic Theatre Troupe and The Queensland Theatre Company. More recently I led the acting program at the University of Southern Queensland, where I also focused on engagement and program development. Throughout my career, I’ve consistently worked with young people, building programs that connect industry practice with education, which has naturally led me to this role.

Goals for the year

My focus is on growing participation and ensuring every boy feels the performing arts are accessible and valuable. That includes strengthening programs, supporting our extraordinarily talented staff and working towards long-term goals such as developing dedicated facilities. At its core, it’s about positioning the performing arts as a space where boys build confidence, creativity and skills that extend well beyond the stage.

Looking forward to this year

I’m looking forward to seeing students step into performance opportunities and watching their confidence grow. The upcoming ensembles and junior productions will be exciting first touchpoints and I’m especially keen to see younger students find their voice early in their journey. More broadly, I’m looking forward to building momentum and sharing the work of these talented young men with the wider community.

Staff Profile: Jack Wiggins — Head of Rugby

What excites me about this position

I’m excited to step into a program with such a strong history and tradition. You can feel the significance of rugby at Toowoomba Grammar School the moment you arrive on campus. There is a deep sense of pride and connection to the game, and the opportunity to build on that while working with a new group of players, coaches and staff is something I find incredibly rewarding.

Experience I bring

My journey in rugby has taken me from playing professionally in England with Saracens and Worcester to working across education and elite sport. After completing a degree in sport and exercise science and training as a teacher, I spent the first decade of my career as a teacher, coach and rugby director before moving into professional rugby as a coach and academy manager. Coming back into a school environment feels like a natural fit and something I’ve always been drawn to.

Goals for the year

My focus is on growing participation in rugby across the School while continuing to strengthen the quality of the program. That includes supporting coaches, developing players and building on the culture and values already embedded in the program. Ultimately, it’s about creating an environment that helps boys perform on the field and develop as people.

Looking forward to this year

I’m looking forward to contributing to a program that is already well established and respected and to being part of a community that values rugby so highly. There is real opportunity here to build on tradition and continue pushing the program forward in the GPS competition.

The recent TGX Discovery Morning welcomed both current students and members of the wider community for an engaging showcase of the program, offering families a guided tour of the new Design, Engineering and Technology Centre and the chance to hear directly from a panel of TGX students about their experiences.

Attendees also took part in a lively, hands-on TGX-style problem solving activity, where current and prospective students worked side by side, with some parents enthusiastically joining in to compete, creating plenty of laughter and energy throughout the morning. The event highlighted the collaborative, innovative spirit of TGX and provided a valuable opportunity for families to experience its approach to learning firsthand; to find out more about TGX follow this link.

Crystal Hede
Director of Learning and Innovation

TeamKids has another exciting school holiday program planned this winter. Families can look forward to:

• Unique daily experiences, incursions and excursions
• Screen-free fun and active play
• Delicious morning and afternoon snacks included daily
• CCS-approved care
• Flexible booking options

Book now via TeamKids.

Shop Hours

Opening Hours for the start of Term 3

Monday, 13 July - 8:00am to 5:00pm

Tuesday, 14 July - 8:00am to 5:00pm

Normal Hours from Wednesday, 15 July onwards

Mondays 8:00 am to 5:00pm

Tuesday - Friday 1:00pm to 5:00pm

Merchandise

A range of Toowoomba Grammar School merchandise is available from the Uniform Shop. Proceeds benefit the School.