THE BLUE AND GOLD - Friday, 16 August 2024

Dear TGS Families,

Toowoomba Grammar School is committed to providing high-quality education and support for all our students, particularly those with diverse learning needs. As part of this commitment, we recently engaged Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ) to conduct a comprehensive review of our learning support and NCCD processes and practices.

The ISQ review team visited our School in May 2024 and conducted a thorough examination of our policies, documentation, data, staffing and evidence. They also interviewed various stakeholders, including School leaders, teachers, learning support staff and counsellors. The review's aim was to identify our strengths and areas for improvement in meeting the needs of students with disabilities and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and guidelines.

We are pleased to share with you some of the positive findings from the review, which highlight the dedication and professionalism of our staff and the quality of our educational provision. The review team commended:

• The genuine commitment of all staff to the pastoral and academic support of all students and their families, with formal structures and processes in place to identify and facilitate both aspects of support.
• The enthusiasm of staff to learn and improve their contribution to the students' achievement.
• The existence of processes and understanding of key staff within the School to request assistance from the Diverse Learners team as needed.
• The School's commitment to an Explicit Instruction Approach, which benefits the students.
• The relatively new educational leadership team across sub-schools and Diverse Learners, with significant experience, an inclusive approach and a varied skill set.
• The well-informed and clear plan developed by the Diverse Learners team to move towards an inclusive education approach specific to the school context.

The review team also identified some areas where we can enhance our effectiveness and consistency in supporting students with diverse learning needs. These include developing a clear and transparent framework for student identification and referral, reviewing our personalised planning processes and documentation, implementing a comprehensive School-wide approach to data collection and analysis, aligning and streamlining our evidence storage and retrieval systems and providing professional development opportunities for staff to enhance their skills in differentiation, universal design for learning and delivering targeted interventions.

We are grateful to the ISQ review team for their valuable feedback and recommendations, which will help us to continue to improve our learning support and NCCD practices. We are now working through the recommendations and developing an action plan to implement the necessary changes and ensure an inclusive learning environment for all our students. We will keep you updated on our progress and achievements as we embark on this journey of continuous improvement.

Kind regards,
Dr John C Kinniburgh
Headmaster

Dear TGS Families

I am delighted to share some exciting news from the Paris 2024 Olympics and the upcoming Paris Paralympic Games. Our Toowoomba Grammar School alumni have made us incredibly proud with their outstanding achievements on the world stage.

Isaac Cooper, a TGS graduate from 2020 competed in Men’s 100 metres backstroke and in the final of the Men’s 4x100 metres medley relay in the 2024 Olympic Games. While he finished outside the podium, Isaac's determination and contribution to his team's success exemplify his unwavering commitment to excellence.

Matthew Denny, who graduated from TGS in 2013, also achieved a significant milestone at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games by winning the bronze medal in the men's discus throw. With a throw of 69.31 meters, just shy of his personal best, he secured third place, marking his first Olympic medal. This accomplishment broke his streak of finishing just off the podium in previous major competitions, including a fourth-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Matthew's determination and resilience played a key role in what has been hailed as one of the greatest Olympic men's discus finals in history.

Another Old Boy, Jeremy Peacock, a 2009 TGS graduate, has been selected to represent Australia at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Jeremy has shown exceptional dedication and skill in Para Triathlon, a demanding combination of swimming, cycling and running that requires not only physical endurance but also strategic precision. His journey to the Paralympics is marked by resilience and a deep commitment to pushing the boundaries of his abilities and we eagerly anticipate his performance on the global stage.

As the Headmaster of Toowoomba Grammar School, I am immensely proud of our Olympic and Paralympic heroes, who have exemplified the values and spirit of our School. They have shown us what is possible when we aspire big and follow our dreams. They have also demonstrated the importance of teamwork, respect and gratitude. I hope that their stories will inspire our current students to pursue their own goals and passions, whether in sport, academics, arts, or service. I also hope that you will join me in congratulating and supporting them, as they are part of our TGS family.

Kind regards,

Dr John C Kinniburgh
Headmaster

Staffing Updates

Mark Chalmers has informed me of his decision to step down from his role as Director of Performing Arts, effective at the end of Term 3. I am pleased to announce that Mark will continue to be a valued member of the TGS staff, remaining with us as a Senior School Teacher of Music and also continuing his involvement with various ensembles. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mark for his leadership of the Performing Arts program over the past 2 ½ years. His involvement with various ensembles, school performances, Eisteddfods and musicals has been instrumental in fostering a vibrant and dynamic performing arts culture within our School. We extend our gratitude to Mark for his dedication and leadership in his role as Director of Performing Arts and we look forward to his continued contributions as a Senior School Teacher and Ensemble Leader.

We are delighted to introduce our new GAP student, Joseph Pym, to the TGS community. Joseph has recently graduated from ACS International School in Egham, where he was a boarding student. Joseph has a strong passion for sports and has excelled in various athletic activities. He has played county-level rugby and cricket and has rowed for Henley. Notably, he was the captain of the First XV rugby team and the rowing team. Additionally, he was appointed as a mental health ambassador at his school. Joseph commenced at TGS on Monday, 12 August.

Appointments

Amelia Grills, Junior School Teacher, will be taking Long Service Leave for Term 4, 2024. Please join us in wishing Amelia all the best during her well-deserved break. To ensure that Amelia’s Prep class continues to receive the same high level of education and care, I am pleased to advise Siobhan Fagan has been appointed to this short-term contract. Siobhan is well known to TGS, having already completed regular supply teaching for both the Junior and Senior Schools and is also a parent of the School with her son, James, being in Year 9. We look forward to welcoming Siobhan in Term 4.

Also taking long service leave in Term 4 is Senior School Teacher, Greg Manthey. During Greg’s absence, we are pleased to welcome Daniel Park to the School to teach Maths and Science. Daniel comes to us with seven years of experience from Alice Miller School and Ballarat Clarendon College, where he has taught a range of science and maths classes. Daniel has completed a Bachelor of Biomedicine with a major in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Melbourne. Daniel also holds a Master of Teaching at Monash University.

Drew Saunders has commenced in the role of Indigenous Education Mentor, on a part time term time basis. Drew has been part of our community, since February 2024, as Corfe House Boarding Supervisor and brings a wealth of experience for supporting Indigenous students. In the Indigenous Education Mentor role, Drew will be responsible for assisting boys both in the classroom and in the boarding house. Drew is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment.

Samantha Walsh will be joining TGS as our new Senior School Library Assistant and will commence on Monday, 26 August. Samantha brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles at Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School, where she served as Receptionist, Teacher Aide in the Junior School Library and Boarding Supervisor. In her library role, Samantha has assisted with library classes, maintained the library catalogue and created educational displays. As a Boarding Supervisor, she provided pastoral care and support to boarding students and she also held clerical positions in the Marketing and Accounts departments.

Dr John C Kinniburgh
Headmaster

As I am sure you would have seen, the School is still receiving notifications regarding positive cases of Whopping Cough. This is a notifiable condition that we are obligated to report to the Public Health Unit. If you would like to know more about Whopping Cough please review this information from the Queensland Government. If you have a son that has tested positive, can you please advise the Health Centre so we can follow up as necessary. Anyone who has a positive result must isolate and complete a five-day course of antibiotics. If you need any more information, please don't hesitate to contact us here in the Health Centre.

Year 7 school-based immunisations, immunising against Human Papilloma Virus and Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis, will take place in Term 4. If you would like to have you son participate in this and haven't already returned your consents, there is still time to return the consents to the Health Centre.

As always, please reach to the staff at the Health Centre with any questions or concerns you may have.

Registered Nurses
Health Centre

Using Data-Informed Practices to Promote Wellbeing at Toowoomba Grammar School

At the core of Wellbeing and Character Development at Toowoomba Grammar School is the essence of the need for authentic and genuine relationships between staff and students. Staff are encouraged to promote discussions with students in these classes about where they are now and what they are still yet to encounter. Learning how to thrive in the now is a proven method for preparing for what it still yet to come. But how does an educational provider tailor a program that not only meets the needs of their students now, but also caters for the journey beyond graduation? The School uses information from data collected by students from Years 7 to 12 through the STEER well-being surveys, Wellio program and the National Youth Mental Health survey.

STEER tracking is the module that allows boys to share information about their wellbeing in and out of school. This information provides mentors and other pastoral staff the opportunity to gauge what type of support staff can offer to assist students that may be at risk in regard to their mental health. The National Youth Mental Health Survey is a nationally recognised survey that provides a report to the School on matters related to students who may not know they are in a risk category for their wellbeing. It allows the School to reach out and check in on boys that may be feeling forms of distress and offer them support.

The internationally recognised Wellio program is a character and virtues-focussed program that assists staff in guiding adolescent students through the senior school years of their educational and holistic journey. The program delivers lessons with information about certain aspects of character and encourages class discussions leading to survey responses that we use to continue evolving wellbeing at Toowoomba Grammar School.

This information is then built into the pillars which the character development program is built upon. The data received is then considered and applied to the intellectual, moral, civic and performance virtues being taught. These virtues are introduced through multi-tiered stages of development that focus on student's transitioning from the 'Awareness' stage to the 'Interactive' stage to the 'Mastery' stage. It is crucial to note that throughout the delivery of these stages, staff are encouraged to develop their relationship with the students and invite them more and more into conversations acknowledging and respecting the adolescent voice.

Stage 1

This is the 'Awareness' stage of learning for boys in Year 7 and Year 8. During these lessons, boys are introduced to aspects of quality character and how they are formed and practiced. As it is part of the boy's foundations in Senior School, we focus on multiple elements such as introduction to senior years, digital citizenship, respectful relationships, leadership traits and healthy choices with a personal growth mindset.

Stage 2

The 'Interactive' phase of the journey is where we start to see boys put into practice what they are learning through the Wellio program in line with information gathered from the STEER student wellbeing surveys. The School obtains data from these sources to assist in building a bespoke program tailored for the students at Toowoomba Grammar School across the various year groups. Group presentations and guest presenters assist in reinforcing the message of strong character development. Careers guidance is commenced with boys engaging with counsellors about where they may wish to go after school and gather information on how to get there. Key focusses at this stage are leadership, grit and resilience, gratitude, empathy for others, self-discipline along with looking after yourself strategies.

Stage 3

The 'Mastery' stage of development looks at the students in Years 11 and 12 implementing effective strategies to assist in the growth of character development by modelling what they have learned through service, leadership and continue to build respectful relationship with their peers across academics, co-curricular, boarding and areas of the School. Traits such as positive masculinity, good study habits, healthy relationships, showing gratitude to the School and their peers through service-related events are some of the core elements that the program focusses on these years.

We are grateful for the support of the wonderful teaching staff involved in this program and will continue to develop ways that not only support the students but can provide a means to support staff wellbeing also in the not-too-distant future.

Mr Michael Hall
Head of Pastoral Care

We are pleased to be able to share with the TGS community our new video promoting the TGS boarding program. This video features insights into the breadth of opportunities that TGS has to offer each and every boarder through the lens of one of our current boarding families.

Plans for the remainder of the term

With less than a full term left in the schooling year, the 2024 Prefects still have ambitious goals before their time at Toowoomba Grammar School concludes. With our external assessments approaching quickly, the Prefects are still determined to check off some of our final goals while maintaining our established programs and standards. With the clock counting, the Prefects have several initiatives we look to complete to finish off a successful and well-rounded year.

These include the unveiling of the Headmaster’s Shield Leaderboard for the final 2024 house carnival which we have been planning and designing since the conclusion of the Prefect’s camp. As the leaders of the School, we have identified that we needed a physical leaderboard that is regularly updated to encourage healthy sporting competition and an incentive for all students to see their house names on the top.

Moreover, we look to complete our Boarder’s Weekend initiative introduced in 2024. In Term 1, day boys were encouraged to take a boarder out on leave for one of the weekends so boarders could get out of their boarding house and experience Toowoomba. Following this, we encourage the boarders to say thank you by taking a day boy home over the holidays and showing them what it’s like out at home. While not as significant for the older boys this initiative looks to help create and foster day boy and boarder relations within the younger grades as we found this opportunity is only available at places such as School Camp. By doing this we hope that we can strengthen the connection of the whole School while fostering the opportunity for boys to make some lifelong friends.

With one of the Prefect pillars being the current student interactions with Old Boys, the Prefects are pleased to announce that they will be reaching out to 1953 Senior Prefect in preparation for the 150th anniversary next year. After receiving a letter from the 1953 Senior Prefect expressing his interest in helping the School out in 2025, the Prefects figured that it would be fitting to acknowledge his intentions to contribute to the School. Although we will not be here next year, we hope that the 2025 Prefects will be able to continue the pillar of the Old Boy interactions and foster a community outside of the School grounds.

Student Representative Council (SRC) will continue to give students a voice in the junior grades – a point was also made in supplying the younger boys with the opportunity to lead and have a voice, regardless of their grade or age. As such, a new, re-modelled SRC was formed and implemented in Year 7. The committee consisted of one boy selected from each of the six Year 7 classes, designated as the ‘class representative.’ These boys met fortnightly with Mrs Blades as well as several Prefects to discuss challenges they were currently facing as a cohort as well as plans to combat such issues. This committee has allowed the younger boys the opportunity to tackle such problems and formulate their solutions, such as creating their own set of ‘TGS Handball Rules’ that are played now around the Hugh Rose Handball courts. This committee also changes each semester, with Term 3 and 4 seeing a new representative from each class selected and included in these meetings to broaden the perspectives and give more keen boys the opportunity to lead and promote positive change.

The Junior School Lunchtime program has recommenced for the second year in a row and has been met with bolstered support from the Year 11 boys. The program was relaunched this year in Term 1 and currently sees thirty-three Year 11 boys travel down to the Junior school once a fortnight to interact. These interactions include assisting at sports training through coaching roles as well as heading down and playing on the oval with the younger boys. Such interactions are aimed to promote positive relationships between the grades and give the younger boys some familiar faces to look out for at sports on the weekends. For the Year 6 boys, it also gives them a senior that they will know and trust who can assist them through their integration into Year 7 the following year. The program has seen continued success, with feedback from staff being nothing but positive and it will continue to run for the remainder of the year.

A focus was also made on TGS boys’ behaviour regarding sporting games on the weekends, particularly First games that attract large crowds from members outside of the School community. The boys have been continually reminded of the standards they are expected to uphold both while playing and spectating their sporting fixtures, which has allowed us to focus on creating an environment that is both supportive and enjoyable for our teams and the opposition. In conjunction with the usual war cries and School chants, boys of all year levels have been given the opportunity to mark their names in history by coming up with their own war cries. The War Cry Book, which is inscribed with all the School’s chants and songs, has been re-opened and has a spot open this year for the boy’s potential inclusion. Likewise, with a focus on supporting teams that do not generally get many spectators, it has been pleasing to see that we are completing regular tunnels for chess squads before their games on Friday and we are continuing this for the remainder of the term.

With a massive focus of the Prefects being the improvement of the internal support surrounding the major sports throughout each term, we are continuing to actively create posters and highlight videos for the respective teams. With Prefects and Year 12 students designated as media designers and photographers, we regularly release promotional videos intending to provide students with something else to look forward to throughout the week. We also look for any opportunity to promote activities with fewer participation numbers, as we value all aspects of the School and want to give everyone within the School something to look forward to.

Finally, after the end of Semester One, the Prefects were pleased to see a massive increase in attendance at the Headmaster’s Shield activities based on 2023. With the final event being the House Carnival at the end of Term 3, the Prefects are looking to continue the same trend as we have a focus on encouraging students to step outside of their comfort zone, always supporting students to try their best and encouraging and promoting healthy competition amongst the School.

Whilst the 2024 Prefects only have a short time left at Toowoomba Grammar School, we still have big plans for the remaining weeks. Whether it be in the School or on Saturdays at sports, there is always something we are looking to implement as we want to leave the School in the best possible position for 2025.

Many thanks,

The Prefects

Last week I had the privilege of travelling with the Year 6 cohort and their teachers on their camp to Canberra. This was the Junior School's first trip interstate since COVID-19 and for this particular cohort their first extended journey out of the broader region.

The Canberra camp for Year 6 is a culmination component of their learning unit on Government, but also serves as an age-appropriate milestone for them in their final year of the Junior School. The value of visiting each of the Government facilities and educational programs in-person is tremendous: Parliament House, Government House, Old Parliament House and Electoral Commission. The educational programs they deliver are excellent and our students truly gain a great deal from the experience.

At Government House we were fortunate to meet the new Governor General - Her Excellency the Honourable Samantha Mostyn. She was very generous with her time talking about the role, explaining the various duties and answering lots of questions. At Parliament House we toured the House of Representatives and the Senate before conducting our own mock House of Representatives bill. When visiting Old Parliament House the group enjoyed a guided tour through the House of Representatives and had a presentation on the history of democracy in Australia. They have a great facility too highlighting each of our Prime Ministers, their key achievements and cultural events occurring during their time in office. The Electoral Commission’s educational facility is also located in Old Parliament House where the boys learnt about the history of federal voting and took part in their own mock election. While the voting process is something they have seen us as adults participate in for many years, actually going through the process themselves was really interesting for them and they enjoyed it.

Canberra offers a great deal more for Year 6 groups and we certainly made the most of our time with visits to Questacon (Science Museum), the Australian War Memorial, Australian Institute of Sport, National Art Gallery, National Exhibit, National Zoo and Mount Ainslie lookout. Each of these exhibits were brilliant in their own way. At the Australian War Memorial, guides toured small groups around the facility and spoke about specific stories behind the exhibits to help the boys connect with the individual they were speaking about. We also visited the Commemorative Area, Roll of Honour and Hall of Memory. Mount Ainslie provided a spectacular view of Lake Burley Griffin and the Parliamentary buildings we had visited. The Art Gallery guides showed the boys a number of pieces and collections including Jackson Pollock's 'Blue Poles' and the Sideny Nolan 'Ned Kelly' collection.

Questacon has a high energy highlight for the boys, lots of interactive activities for them to get involved with around Science. The Lego exhibit on the top floor was impressive, as was the Earthquake room and lightning strike machine. The big drop on the ground floor was the favourite though. National Zoo, the boys enjoyed a tour around the enclosures, feeding kangaroos and emus. Some even were brave enough to hold a snake. The Australian Institute of Sport was a highlight for the many of the boys, we were guided around some of the sport venues (Gymnastics, Volleyball, Swimming, Strength and Conditioning) by rowing athletes, then enjoyed the interactive sports space for schools.

The whole experience was wonderful for the group. I am very confident they have a much deeper understanding of the parliamentary process now they have literally ‘walked the halls’ of our parliamentarians. The value of travelling somewhere quite different, much colder, and working together for a week can be a source of great confidence for them leading into their final stages of Year 6 and preparing for Year 7. Lots of positives to take away from the experience and I am very grateful to have shared that with the group. My sincere thanks to the boys for a great trip, the Year 6 teachers for their preparation and support to make such a trip successful and for all the families for their support and assistance in preparing their sons for the journey. Well done to all, a wonderful experience.

Monday, 19 to Friday, 23 August – Children’s Book Week

Each year Toowoomba Grammar celebrates Children’s Book Week to highlight the immense value in promoting reading for young people, but people of all ages really. The value of reading for its pure joy or for learning is one we advocate for young people especially. The foundation of these beliefs is developed in the home with families while children are infants and toddlers, then fostered and grown during their Junior School years. It is our hope that done well, students entering the Senior School years have developed a value for reading that will serve them well for the rest of their schooling and adult lives.

This year's Children’s Book Week theme is Reading is magic. Throughout the week book authors will be holding sessions with cohorts, providing an insight into the world of authors – Dimity Powell will be working with Years Prep to 4 and Lucia Masciullo will be working with Years 5 and 6. Dimity is a children’s book author with many publications that our students will be familiar with and Lucia is an award-winning illustrator specialising in children’s books.

Each day during DEAR, boys will test their reading knowledge with quizzes based on books and what is happening in the book world over the last twelve months.

The Book Week Parade and picnic will be the culminating events to celebrate the week.

Thursday, 22 August

8:30am Parade, each class will show off their costumes as they walk around the synthetic turf playground. Parents are welcome to view the parade from the top veranda’s for the best view. Once the parade has concluded please feel comfortable taking a gallery walk to view each classrooms front door, decorated in a book theme.

12:45pm Picnic, boys will share a picnic lunch with their friends. The boys are encouraged to bring their favourite picnic food, blankets, pillows and anything else for them enjoy their picnic.

2:30pm MATES, our fortnightly House Mates session this week will have a reading activity focus as they enjoy spending time with their House peers and teachers.

Children’s book week is a wonderful event to share and celebrate a love of reading. I extend my sincere thanks to all families for supporting this occasion, getting in the spirit of organising costumes of your son’s favourite books and stories. These are memories for a lifetime I assure you. Thank you also to all staff for your efforts in preparing for Book Week and to our Junior School Librarian, Mrs Worthington for your co-ordination and inspiration to connect with a good book!

Ken Raven
Head of the Junior School

We are pleased to introduce Ms Amanda Hall, who joined Toowoomba Grammar School as our new Deputy Head of Junior School – Students in Week 6 of this term. Amanda brings a wealth of experience and a passion for education that promises to greatly benefit our School community.

Most recently, Amanda has served as the Head of Junior School at SCOTS PGC College in Warwick. In this role, she excelled in creating an engaging and supportive environment for learners, driving academic excellence, and promoting the overall well-being of students. Her innovative approach and collaborative spirit have left a lasting impact on the school community there and we are confident that she will bring the same dedication and enthusiasm to Toowoomba Grammar School.

Outside of her professional life, Amanda enjoys exploring new places, diving into a captivating book and spending quality time with her family. She is also currently working towards completion of a Master of Research through University of Southern Queensland. Her interests reflect her belief in the importance of a balanced life and her enthusiasm for lifelong learning and discovery.

We extend a warm welcome to Amanda, Ari and Reuben as they embark on this new chapter with us. We are excited to have Amanda’s expertise and energy enriching our Junior School and look forward to the positive contributions she will undoubtedly make in the role of Deputy Head of Junior School – Students.

Supporting our students with the MacqLit Program

At Toowoomba Grammar Junior School, we are committed to ensuring every student reaches their full potential. For students in Years 3 to 6 who are more than 6-12 months age-appropriate literacy development below their peers, we deliver the MacqLit program (part of the MultiLit suite), a specialised Tier 3 intervention designed to provide intensive support.

MacqLit is a comprehensive reading intervention program tailored for students who require additional assistance beyond the regular classroom instruction. It is specifically designed for those who are well-below their peers in reading and spelling skills. This program is part of our Tier 3 support, which means it is targeted to students who need the most intensive and individualised assistance. Our current Tier 1 (Universal) and Tier 2 (Targeted) supports are delivered through our PLD program.

The MacqLit program continues our focus on key areas of literacy, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. It uses a structured and systematic approach to help students develop the foundational skills necessary for reading success.

There are many reasons why a student may experience difficulty in learning to read. Research has shown that the approach to effective reading intervention is the same regardless of the ‘label’ or cause of the difficulty, i.e., systematic and explicit instruction in phonics with multiple opportunities for reading practice using real books. Most students will make good progress with such instruction. If students have a problem with accessing print, MacqLit is suitable whether they have been formally identified with dyslexia or not. Students who are behind in their reading need good instruction based on scientific research, irrespective of their label.

Through MacqLit, students participate in small group sessions, allowing for further personalised attention and support. Each student group receives tailored lessons that address their specific needs and learning gaps as part of this approach. We continuously monitor each boy’s progress to ensure they are making significant gains and adjust instruction as needed. The program includes a variety of engaging and age-appropriate materials to keep students motivated and interested in learning.

Research has shown that early and intensive intervention can make a significant difference in a child’s reading development. By providing targeted support through the MacqLit program, we aim to bridge the gap for students who are struggling and help them achieve literacy success. We also have MiniLit, the equivalent for the early years, being delivered in Year 2.

We believe that parents play a crucial role in their child’s education. We encourage parents to stay involved and informed about their child’s progress. Regular updates and communication between teachers and parents ensure that we are working together to support each boy's learning journey.

At Toowoomba Grammar Junior School, we are dedicated to providing the best possible education for all our boys. The MacqLit program is just one of the many ways we support our students in reaching their full potential. If you have any questions or would like more information about the MacqLit program, please do not hesitate to contact us. Together, we can make a difference in your son’s literacy development and overall academic success.

Chantelle Bauer
Deputy Head of Junior School - Teaching and Learning

My first week at Toowoomba Grammar has been a whirlwind of new faces, names and experiences and I thank all of our boys, staff and parents for being so welcoming. I have been so touched by the authenticity, respect and care displayed by the boys in their interactions around the Junior School this week.

In my role as Deputy Head of Junior School - Students, I am focused on supporting the growth and character of our boys through the promotion of a nurturing environment where every student feels a strong sense of belonging and is valued. Working closely with Junior School teachers, staff and the leadership team, a core aspect of my role involves building and maintaining positive relationships with parents and families, as well as our wider community, as we work together to navigate each boy’s individual educational journey.

I thank the staff, families and our boys for the warm welcome this week and look forward to continuing to become more familiar with this vibrant community over the coming weeks.

Amanda Hall
Deputy Head of Junior School - Students

Athletics

Congratulations to all boys who competed at the Range Zone carnival recently. Toowoomba Grammar School took 28 boys to compete at this carnival with 11 boys successful in being selected in the Range Zone team to compete at the Darling Downs carnival. We wish all boys the best of luck in their athletic pursuits as the competition becomes stiffer with each subsequent event.

Mini Meets

For the last month, boys have prepared a run, throw and jump at a Wednesday training session to then compete against Glennie girls on Friday afternoons. The boys enjoyed their athletic interactions with the girls from Glennie. Thanks to all staff involved, particularly Mrs Pratt, Mr O’Toole and Mr Stone.

PE Homework

Being able to throw overarm is a key skill that transfers to many sports. Please spend some time in the next few weeks throwing a tennis ball, baseball, vortex (or any type of ball) with your son. The more you do, the better he will become. And it is great chance to have a chat and catch-up with him!

Sporting Success

We have a very active group of boys at TGS, which is fantastic. They often have success in sport that we want to celebrate. If your son has achieved well in any sporting arena, please let me know so that his achievements can be shared with our community.

Brendan Doherty
Junior School Sports Coordinator

Musical – Finding Nemo Jr

All boys from Years 3 to 6 will be involved in our Junior School Musical, Finding Nemo Jr.

Please ensure your son has his costume at School by the requested date. Tickets are now on sale and can be accessed via the QR code on the below poster, via the booking link or on the School's website.

Toowoomba Eisteddfod

Congratulations to all boys who performed in the recent Toowoomba Eisteddfod. We had a large number of boys involved in ensemble performances, quartets, duets and solos. Thank you to parents and music tutors for ensuring the boys were prepared for these performances. Please find below an overview of our results from ensemble sections, as well as solos and duets.

Junior School Eisteddfod Results - Ensembles

1st - Percussion Ensemble (Primary Recorder / Orff section)

2nd - Percussion Ensemble (Primary Percussion Ensemble section)

2nd - String Ensemble (Primary String Ensemble section)

2nd - Concert Band (Primary Concert Band section)

3rd - Intro Strings (Primary Beginner Strings section)

HC - Jazz Band (Primary Stage Band section)

HC - String Quartet (Primary String Quartet section)

HC - Chamber Strings (Primary Chamber Strings section)

HC - Chamber Winds (Primary Woodwind Ensemble section)

Junior School Eisteddfod Results – Solos and Duets

1^st – Andrew Reeves and Jordan Seddon (Primary Clarinet Duet)

1^st – Charlie Lunn (Year 6 Popular / Jazz / Movie Woodwind Solo)

1^st – Hamish Lunn (Year 6 Saxophone Solo)

1^st – Xavier Terrey (Year 5 and under trumpet or cornet solo)

2^nd – Charlie Lunn and partner (Primary Flute Duet)

2^nd – Hamish Lunn (Year 6 Popular / Jazz / Movie Woodwind Solo)

2^nd – Savith Wijayaratne (Year 1 and under Verse Speaking Solo)

2^nd – Riley Green (Year 3 Humorous Solo)

2^nd – Jordan Seddon (Year 5 and under Clarinet Solo)

2^nd – Zackaidyn Fleming (Year 5 and under Flute Solo)

2^nd – William Brown (Year 6 Popular / Jazz / Movie Brass Solo)

3^rd – Charlie Lunn and Hamish Lunn (Primary Any Other Woodwind Duet)

3^rd – Leighton Binney and Swayam Prajapati (Primary Flute Duet)

3^rd – James Andersen (Year 6 Popular / Jazz / Movie Woodwind Solo)

3^rd – James Andersen (Year 6 Saxophone Solo)

3^rd – Andrew Reeves (Year 5 and under Clarinet Solo)

3^rd – Charlie Lunn (Year 6 Flute Solo)

3^rd – Riley Green (Year 3 Verse Speaking Solo)

3^rd – Jack Purves (Year 6 Other Brass Solo)

3^rd – Xavier Terrey (Year 5 and under Popular / Jazz / Movie Brass Solo)

HC – Hamish Lunn, Charlie Lunn and James Andersen (Primary Woodwind Trio)

HC – Hamish Lunn and James Andersen (Primary Saxophone Duet)

HC – Francis Fu (All-Age Graded String Solo Preliminary)

HC – Zackaidyn Fleming (All-Age Graded String Solo Grade 1 Level)

HC – Riley Green (Year 3 Character Poem Solo)

HC – Jack Purves (Year 6 Popular / Jazz / Movie Brass Solo)

Musicians’ Concert

The Term 3 Musicians’ Concert will be held on Tuesday, 27 August, commencing at 2:30pm in the Junior School Assembly Hall. Nominations are due by Monday, 19 August. Please refer to correspondence emailed home to all families.

Musicians’ Cup

The Musicians’ Cup is an adjudicated event and open to all instrumentalists in Years 4 to 6 who are playing at a minimum Grade 2 AMEB standard (or equivalent) on their instrument. The Musicians’ Cup is scheduled for Week 2 next term at 5:30pm on Thursday, 10 October in the Junior School Assembly Hall. I encourage all instrumental students to discuss the possibility of competing in this competition with their tutor. Nominations are due by Friday, 6 September. Please refer to the correspondence emailed home to boys enrolled in private tuition or contact Mrs Dixon for further information.

Ensemble rehearsals

Please be aware that there will be no ensemble rehearsals on the morning of Thursday, 22 August due to Book Week Dress up day. There are also no ensemble rehearsals scheduled in Week 10 this term due to the Musical. Please contact the conductor of your son’s ensemble, or Mrs Dixon, for clarification on ensemble rehearsal times. If your son is absent from any scheduled rehearsals, it is appreciated if an email is sent to the conductor of the ensemble.

Kellie Dixon
Head of Junior School Music

2024 Eisteddfod

The Toowoomba Eisteddfod for 2024 is now complete. Part 2 of the Eisteddfod focuses on Instrumental Music as well as Speech and Drama Solos. Across the Eisteddfod week we had over 150 students take part in no less than 125 different sections. Toowoomba Grammar School represented in such a positive way.

Speech and Drama

• Artharsh Gajaharan took 1st place across two verse speaking sections. He won both the Year 10 Verse Speaking Solo and the Year 10 Memorised Prose Solo.

• Riley Green represented the Junior School strongly and he took home a 2nd and a 3rd in the Year 3 Humorous Solo section and the Year 3 Verse Speaking Solo sections respectively.

Great work boys.

Groups

Our instrumental ensembles performed amazingly well across the entire Eisteddfod week.

Our Senior School Big Band won both the Open Stage Band and A Grade Secondary Stage Band sections with two absolutely outstanding performances.

The Junior School Percussion Ensemble also had an awesome win in their section too. We also had some great representation in Duets, Trios and Quartets with Harry Bland, Jordan Seddon, Andrew Reeves and George Paton involved in some winning performances. A complete set of results for our ensembles is contained in the table below.

Solos

So many of boys took part in solo sections with some outstanding results.

George Paton and Henry Geise both won two sections with other winners including Ndumo Tembo, Hamish Lunn, Charlie Lunn, Ruhan Bulchandani and Xavier Terrey. We had many other placings but the most pleasing aspect of all was the sheer number of participants we fielded. So many students working really hard, preparing performances and putting themselves out there. Well done to all. Please see a full list of results below.

Well done to all students who participated in the Toowoomba Eisteddfod across the year. Thank you!

Mark Chalmers
Director of Performing Arts

GPS Basketball continues with some strong performances across the program. Congratulations to our 7B, 8A, 8B, 10A and 11A teams who took home wins against Brisbane Grammar School on the weekend. The 10A boys continue to be front-runners for Team of the Year with an impressive 4W-1L record, just ahead of our 11As and 1st V each with 3W-2L. We continue to build upon our commitment to our development model and look forward to more positive growth and results as the season rolls on.

GPS Basketball Match Reports

Round 3 versus The Southport School

Round 4 versus Anglican Church Grammar School

Old Boys' Basketball Day | Saturday, 31 August 2024

TGS Basketball, supported by the TGS Basketball Supporters' Group, is incredibly excited to host its 2024 Old Boys' Basketball Day on Saturday, 31 August 2024. The event will bring together the TGS Basketball community, young and old, from 10:00am to 12:00pm for intergenerational games and All-Star festivities.

Lunch will be served at 12:30pm in time to enjoy the rest of Grammar Downlands Day.

Please spread the word or register to express your interest in participating by completing this form.

For any queries, please contact Head of Basketball, Mr Kabe Cicolini on (07) 4687 2591 or k.cicolini@twgs.qld.edu.au

School Sport Australia 10–19 Years Swimming Championships Results

From Saturday, 27 July to Wednesday, 31 July 2024, Bryce Krause and Declan Zimmerle represented Queensland at the School Sport Australia (SSA) 10–19 Years Swimming Championships on the Gold Coast and they certainly did us proud representing their state and TGS.

Bryce competed in the 14 Years events and brought home:

• Gold in the 50m Backstroke with a time of 28.22
• Gold in the 100m Backstroke with a time of 1:00.64
• Silver in the Medley Relay, where he led off the 50m Backstroke with a time of 27.81, breaking the SSA 50m back record!

Declan also shone brightly, earning:

• Silver in the 15 Years 100m Breaststroke with a time of 1:07.93
• Silver in the 15-16 Years 200m Breaststroke with a time of 2:26.20

Well done, Bryce and Declan - we are incredibly proud of your achievements!

Queensland Short Course Championships Results

From Thursday, 8 August to Sunday, 11 August, six of our TGS students made waves at the 2024 Queensland Short Course Championships held at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre. We are immensely proud of Declan Zimmerle, Bryce Krause, Lachlan Parker, Cooper Chappel and Ollie Hendriksen for their outstanding performances over these few days of racing.

Well done to the following boys who saw themselves on the Queensland podium!

• Bryce Krause (U13):
  • Gold: 50 Backstroke (Queensland/Australian Record), 100 Backstroke, 200 Backstroke, 50 Freestyle, 100 Freestyle
  • Silver: 50 Butterfly, 100 IM
  • Bronze: 200 IM
• Declan Zimmerle (U14):
  • Gold: 100 Breaststroke, 200 Breaststroke
  • Silver: 50 Breaststroke
• Lachlan Parker (U15):
  • Silver: 100 Backstroke, 200 Freestyle
  • Bronze: 200 Backstroke

In addition to these incredible achievements, a special congratulations go to Cooper, Alex, and Ollie for their impressive individual results and personal bests.

Jason Cooper
Director of Swimming / Head Coach

From Friday, 9 August to Sunday, 11 August, our TGS volleyball team participated in the Year 11 Honours Division at the Volleyball Queensland Senior Schools Cup on the Gold Coast.

The three-day challenge began with a bang as our boys secured a strong 3-1 victory against Caloundra. Later that evening, they faced a formidable Kelvin Grove side. Despite a 3-0 loss, the close-set scores (23-25, 25-27, 19-25) highlighted the intense competition. Kelvin Grove ended up winners of the Year 11 Honours Division.

Day 2 saw our team take on Burnside in the morning. Though the boys fought hard, they fell 3-0 in tightly contested sets. That evening, we had a GPS showdown against BSHS. TGS came out strong, taking the first set, but BSHS fought back, ultimately winning the match 3-1. Despite the setbacks, the team remained undeterred, ready to regroup for the final day.

Day 3 kicked off with an early 8:00am match against Craigslea. The early start showed in the first set, but our boys dug deep, coming back to win the next two sets and securing a 2-1 victory. This win set up a rematch against BSHS for 5th/6th place. In a thrilling contest, TGS took the second set after dropping the first, leading to a nail-biting third set. The teams went point for point, but BSHS managed to edge us out with a close 15-13 win in the final set.

We are incredibly proud of the following players and coaching staff for their effort and determination over these three days of intense competition. Well done, everyone!

• Alex Denman
• Kaden Hohn
• Matthew Jacob
• Finn Moriarty
• Kurt Seckler
• Elliott Simon
• Will Smith
• Ned Sullivan
• Rory Webster
• Chayton Wong
• Coach: Mr Jan Bakker

Kellie Richter
Head of Sport - Volleyball

Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable journey that connects you with Australia's military history and the ANZAC spirit? The Premier's ANZAC Day prize is calling all Queensland-based students to seize the opportunity of a lifetime.

Prize includes

1. A 14–16-day tour of Europe's historical landmarks.
2. Flights, accommodation, most meals and entry to all sites.
3. Immersive lessons on ANZAC life and history during WWI.
4. Young Historians' Workshop (by State Library of Queensland)

Applications close soon on Friday, 6 September 2024

To find out more, or to apply, visit The Premier's Anzac Prize.

Reunion event for all past TGS cricketers and the TGS community

Next year is a significant year in the history of the School as it marks 150 years since the foundation stone was first laid.

As a contribution to the Schools’ celebrations of this momentous year, the Old Boys' Association (TGSOBA) is planning to host a player reunion from all eras of cricket at Toowoomba Grammar School on Saturday, 25 January 2025.

This will coincide with the annual 20-year reunion game where the First XI cricket side from 20 years prior will reassemble and play the School’s current First XI side.

The day will provide the opportunity for past cricketers to gather at the School and watch the annual 20-year reunion game, watch or participate in other activities and attend a dinner hosted by the TGSOBA. It is hoped we will be able to access prominent TGS Old Boy cricketers as guest speakers and provide opportunities to reacquaint with friends from the past.

There is also a proposal of a 20/20 Old Boys versus Old Boys Celebrity Big Bash game on Old Boys Oval, complete with a super over lunchtime entertainment spectacle.

The 20-Year Old Boys would play the current First XI on Mills Oval; the 2005 team is our last to win a GPS Cricket Premiership so it should be a great game.

All attending will be invited to join the post-match formalities for the 20-Year reunion game, including drinks hosted by the TGSOBA.

Please keep an eye out for more details as they are published.

Register your interest

To assist with planning we are seeking early indications of those who may be interested in attending the Player Reunion Dinner on Saturday, 25 January 2025. There is no commitment in registering your interest; please email Jenny Bazley to assist with event planning.

Should you have suggestions for this event, would like to assist in its organisation, or would like to join our working group for this event, please contact Mark Creedon 0409 010 595 or Ian Dumigan on 0427 029 517.

Mark Creedon
Immediate Past President, TGSOBA