THE BLUE AND GOLD - Friday, 16 October 2026

Dear TGS Families

Welcome back to Term 4. It has been wonderful to see the School come alive again after the holiday break, with the familiar energy and enthusiasm that accompanies the start of the final term of the year. While Term 4 is relatively short, it is always a busy and significant period in the School calendar, with many important events, celebrations and milestones occurring in quick succession. One such occasion that commenced the term was our Prefects Induction and House Captains Announcement Assembly, held on Wednesday, 7 October.

At last week's assembly, we formally recognised the young men who will lead Toowoomba Grammar School in 2027. It was a special occasion, attended by parents, family members and staff, and one that marks an important transition in the life of our School community.

Leadership is often associated with titles, badges and positions of responsibility. However, the appointment of a Prefect or House Captain is not simply about holding a position. Rather, it is recognition of the character, judgement and trust that a young person has built over time. The boys inducted last week did not arrive at this moment by chance. Each has demonstrated a commitment to the School, contributed positively to our community and earned the confidence of their peers and teachers through their actions.

In my address to the Senior School students at assembly, I spoke about a recurring theme in leadership, whether in schools, business, government or the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence: people are willing to follow those they trust. Authority may be granted, but trust must be earned. True leadership is built upon integrity, service and the ability to place the interests of others ahead of one's own.

This principle has long underpinned student leadership at Toowoomba Grammar School. Our Prefect system dates back to the nineteenth century, with the first recorded appointment of Prefects occurring in 1892. More than 130 years later, that tradition continues, with each generation of leaders entrusted with the responsibility of upholding and strengthening our School culture.

Leadership at Grammar is not confined to formal positions. It is displayed daily in classrooms, on sporting fields, in the boarding houses, on the stage and through service to others. The best leaders are often those who quietly set standards, support their peers and make choices that positively influence those around them.

To our outgoing Prefects and House Captains, I thank you for your service and commitment over the past year. To our newly inducted leaders, congratulations. The opportunity to lead is both a privilege and a responsibility. I encourage you to approach it with humility, courage and a genuine desire to serve others.

As we progress through the term, I would also like to acknowledge our Year 12 students, who next week will complete their final week of classes before commencing their external examinations. I extend my sincere thanks to the many staff who have taught, guided, encouraged and supported these young men throughout their time at TGS. Your dedication and commitment have played an important role in preparing them for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

As both Headmaster and the parent of a Year 12 student, I appreciate that there may be a few late-night study sessions still to come. However, I am confident that our boys have been exceptionally well prepared by their teachers, mentors and support staff, and I know they will approach the weeks ahead with determination and resilience.

I wish all members of the TGS community every success for the remainder of Term 4 and look forward to sharing in the many achievements, celebrations and memorable moments that still lie ahead.

Kind regards
Dr John C Kinniburgh
Headmaster

Cricket Supporters Group Dinner

The Cricket Supporters Group Dinner was held on Friday evening at George Banks, with Australian cricket legend David Boon entertaining guests as the event's guest speaker.

It was a wonderful night that brought together members of the TGS community in support of our cricket program. Funds raised from the evening will go towards the Cricket Supporters Group and help provide valuable opportunities for our boys.

Welcome back to Term 4

A new term brings new opportunities, fresh challenges and exciting moments to look forward to as we begin the final chapter of the school year.

We are delighted to welcome our boys back for Term 4. Here's to a fantastic term together.

Campdrafting Team in Action

Congratulations to our Campdrafting Team on their efforts at the 2026 Ariat High School Campdraft Percentile Cup in Pittsworth.

A special congratulations to Lachie Delforce, who achieved an outstanding result, placing equal second in Round 1 aboard Mirage.

The team performed consistently throughout the competition, finishing 16th overall in a highly competitive field. Their skill, horsemanship and determination were on full display and reflected the dedication they bring to the sport.

We also extend our sincere thanks to Wholesale Horsewear House for generously donating the team's shirts. Their support helped our boys look the part and proudly represent TGS throughout the event.

Mini World Cup

Our footballers enjoyed an outstanding week at the Rale Rasic Joeys Mini World Cup in Inverell, with the TGS Mexico team progressing to the Grand Final and the TGS France team reaching the Semi Finals.

Several players also received individual recognition, with Tom Putter, Jackson Peter, Rhys Bailey, Iskcon Gyawali, Ben Browett and Jacob Carney selected for the prestigious Joeys All-Stars Germany Tour. Jack Sweeney, Marley Schutz and Marcus Dean were also awarded tour bursaries to support their football journey.

A special congratulations to Mr Steve Maugham, who was named Coach of the Tournament, and to Mr Chris McLeod, who received the Rale Rasic Football Award in recognition of his outstanding service to the tournament since 2009.

Old Boys Return to Grammar

One of the great pleasures of life at TGS is welcoming Old Boys back to School. Whether it's for reunions, events or simply a walk down memory lane, we are always delighted to see former students reconnect with the place that helped shape their journey.

Recently, we had the pleasure of welcoming back Austin (1988-92), David (1990-94) and Roderick McLennan (1999-03).

What makes the McLennan family's story particularly special is that Austin had never planned to attend TGS. It was only through receiving a scholarship that he was able to join the School, creating an opportunity that would see his younger brothers follow in his footsteps.

Today, the McLennan family's connection to Grammar spans three generations, from their grandfather, Austin McLennan (1921-23), to their father, David Roderick McLennan (1964-68), and then Austin, David and Roderick themselves.

It's a wonderful reminder of the lasting impact a single opportunity can have, shaping not only one student's journey, but generations of a family.

As our Year 12 students approach their final examinations and prepare for the many celebrations that mark the end of their school journey, it is natural to reflect on what success really looks like.

Over the coming months, ATAR scores will be released, awards will be presented and accomplishments celebrated. These achievements matter. Academic excellence deserves recognition. Outstanding musicians, artists, debaters and sportsmen should be applauded for the countless hours of dedication they have invested in their pursuits.

Yet, I often wonder whether these are the most important measures of success.

When I think about the purpose of education, I find myself returning to a much deeper question: What sort of person does a young man become by the time he leaves our gates?

The ultimate goal of education is not simply to produce high achievers. It is to develop good people.

A school should certainly help students acquire knowledge and skills, but it should also help them develop the character strengths required to navigate life well. Integrity, courage, humility, gratitude, compassion, perseverance and self-discipline rarely appear on an academic transcript, yet these are often the qualities that matter most in adulthood.

As parents and educators, we naturally want our boys to succeed. However, I am not sure success is best measured by marks, rankings or job titles. I certainly don't want my own sons to be defined by what they do for a living. Rather, I hope they become the sort of men who can face life's inevitable challenges with courage, resilience and decency.

Earlier this week, I listened to Glenn Gerreyn from The HopeFULL Institute speaking to our Year 10 students. He began with a simple but powerful question:

"Who tells you what to do when your dreams don't come true?"

The question immediately captured the attention of the boys because it touched on a reality we often prefer to avoid. Life rarely unfolds exactly as planned. Few people achieve every goal they set for themselves. We will all experience disappointment, setbacks, failures and unexpected detours.

The reality is that we lose more battles than we win.

The challenge is learning how to respond when things don't go our way.

This is where resilience becomes so important. Success is not simply about talent or intelligence. More often, it is about the willingness to keep showing up, keep learning and keep working when circumstances become difficult.

While schools celebrate those who earn As and receive major awards, history and experience suggest that some of the people most likely to flourish in life are those who combine passion with perseverance. They understand that meaningful achievement is rarely immediate. They have learned that sustained effort, applied consistently over time, eventually bears fruit.

Some of my favourite stories are not those of effortless success, but of young people who display grit and determination in overcoming obstacles. They stumble, they experience disappointment, they learn from their mistakes and they continue moving forward.

That is real success.

One of the finest examples of this is TGS Old Boy Lachlan Stuart, author of States of Mind. Lachlan's story is not one of a perfectly straight path to achievement. It is a story of challenge, growth, resilience and ultimately finding purpose through adversity. His journey reminds us that our greatest struggles often become our greatest teachers.

Adventurer Bear Grylls has often spoken about the importance of resilience, courage and determination. His message is a simple one: life rewards those who refuse to quit. Talent may open doors, but character determines what happens when those doors close.

This is why character education matters.

We want our boys to develop moral, civic and performance virtues. The moral and civic virtues help them become good people. They shape how they treat others, how they contribute to their communities and how they exercise leadership. The performance virtues help them pursue excellence. They teach boys how to work hard, persevere, delay gratification and overcome obstacles.

All are essential and all are increasingly difficult teach in a world where our young people are so familiar with the short dopamine hit that is provided in many aspects of their lives.

A young man who achieves highly but lacks integrity will eventually fall short of his potential. Equally, a young man with strong values but no capacity for discipline and effort will struggle to realise the opportunities before him.

Our hope is that our graduates possess both.

As our Year 12 students prepare to conclude their time at Toowoomba Grammar School, my greatest hope is not simply that they achieve their academic goals, although I sincerely hope they do. Rather, it is that the parents, teachers, coaches, mentors and friends who have walked alongside them have helped shape them into men of character. Young men who are honest, respectful, kind, courageous and always give their best effort. Fidelus in Omnibus in vita.

I wish all members of our TGS community, and particularly our Year 12 students and their families, a productive, rewarding and enjoyable Term 4.

Mark Oliphant
Head of Senior School

Toowoomba Grammar School is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievement of Michael Hall, who has been recognised as one of just three Queensland teachers to receive the Dr Joe McCorley OAM Outstanding Contribution to School Community Award.

The award recognises registered Queensland teachers who have made a profoundly positive impact on their school community through excellence in student learning, meaningful community engagement and an outstanding contribution to the teaching profession.

Drawing on extensive experience in elite sport, coaching and pastoral care, Michael has dedicated his career to fostering student wellbeing, character development and a strong sense of belonging among young people. His approach is centred on building authentic relationships, mentoring students and creating an environment where boys are supported to thrive both academically and personally.

Throughout his time at Toowoomba Grammar School, Michael has been a passionate advocate for student growth and wellbeing, helping to shape a positive culture that encourages every boy to reach his potential. His commitment extends beyond students, with his guidance and support also creating valuable opportunities for emerging educators.

This well-deserved recognition reflects the profound impact Michael has made on our School community and the wider teaching profession. We congratulate Michael on this significant achievement and thank him for the dedication, care and leadership he brings to Toowoomba Grammar School each day.

Last week, we formally welcomed our 2027 House Captains during the Prefects Induction Assembly, marking the beginning of their leadership journey for the year ahead.

We congratulate each of our newly inducted House Captains and look forward to seeing the positive impact they will have within their Houses and across the wider School community.

We also extend our sincere thanks to our outgoing House Captains for their commitment, leadership and service throughout 2026.

Congratulations to Year 12 student Mitchell Wilkes, who achieved an outstanding eighth-place finish in his first international para-triathlon event at the 2026 World Triathlon Para Cup in Chiba, Japan. The event brought together elite para-athletes from around the world to compete over a sprint-distance course comprising a 750m swim, 20km bike ride and 5km run.

Mitchell's achievement is even more remarkable considering his journey to the international stage began only a few years ago. After completing his first aquathlon in 2022, he has rapidly progressed through the sport and is now setting his sights on representing Australia at the Paralympic Games.

The 16-year-old para-triathlete lives with Stargardt disease, a degenerative eye condition that causes progressive vision loss. Rather than allowing the condition to limit his ambitions, Mitchell has embraced the challenges of para-sport, demonstrating exceptional determination, resilience and commitment to his goals. Together with guide Sam Ovenden, he is pursuing a pathway to international competition and future Paralympic qualification.

To compete internationally, Mitchell and Sam must race in overseas events to earn valuable world ranking points, making the trip to Chiba an important milestone in their Paralympic campaign.

We are incredibly proud of Mitchell's achievement and look forward to following his journey as he continues to represent both Toowoomba Grammar School and Australia on the world stage. Congratulations, Mitchell, on an outstanding international debut.

At Toowoomba Grammar School, we value open communication and strong partnerships with our students, parents, and broader community. While most questions or concerns can be resolved quickly through direct conversations with the staff member involved, we recognise that there may be times when concerns require a more formal process. Our Complaints Handling Policy provides a clear and fair framework for raising, addressing, and resolving concerns in a timely and respectful manner. The School's commitment to maintaining accessible complaints processes for parents and the wider community is reflected in its published policy.

We encourage parents to raise concerns as early as possible and, where appropriate, with the person most directly involved. If a matter cannot be resolved informally, our Complaints Handling Policy outlines the steps available for lodging and managing a formal complaint. The policy is designed to ensure concerns are heard, handled impartially, and used as an opportunity for continuous improvement.

The Complaints Handling Policy is available on the School website and can be accessed at any time by parents and community members. We encourage families to familiarise themselves with the policy so they understand the processes available should they ever need to raise a concern.

Excitement is building for the 2027 Toowoomba Grammar School and Fairholme College musical production, Disney's High School Musical On Stage!

Next year marks 20 years since the first professional stage production of High School Musical, making this a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the energy, fun and spirit of the much-loved show while bringing our own fresh approach to the stage.

Most importantly, this production is for our entire school community.

Students do not need previous musical or performance experience to audition. Whether your son has performed before or is simply curious to try something new, we encourage him to get involved. We are looking for enthusiastic students who are willing to challenge themselves, learn new skills and be part of something special.

There are also many opportunities beyond the spotlight. Students can express interest in backstage and technical roles, including lighting, sound, set construction and other production support. A successful musical requires a dedicated team both on and off the stage, and every contribution is valued.

Families are encouraged to read through the audition and expression of interest information and discuss how their son might like to participate. If you have any questions about the audition process or the opportunities available, please contact Director of Performing Arts, Mr Travis Dowling, at t.dowling@twgs.qld.edu.au.

We will also be seeking expressions of interest from parents and carers who would like to support the production, with further information to be released shortly.

Ready to get involved? Access the student audition and expression of interest resources below:

• HSM Audition and EOI Pack
• Disney's High School Musical On Stage! Student EOI Form

The Roll Call Long Lunch is a new event designed to bring the entire TGS community together. Whether you're a current family, Old Boy, staff member or friend of the School, everyone is welcome to be part of this special occasion.

Hosted by the Parents & Friends Association and Old Boys' Association, the event will be held on Saturday, 7 November. Guests can bring a picnic to share or choose from one of the pre-arranged catering options, while enjoying live entertainment, raffles, prizes and the Best Dressed Table competition.

A licensed bar will be operating throughout the event, however BYO alcohol is not permitted.

The afternoon will also feature the unveiling of a significant new initiative, born from a remarkable journey and designed to create a lasting impact for generations to come.

Tickets are available to purchase here: The Roll Call.

Join us for Take Note, Toowoomba Grammar School’s annual Performing Arts Awards evening, as we celebrate the talent, dedication and achievements of our boys in music and theatre.

From first rehearsals to final performances, our students demonstrate creativity, commitment and collaboration in every aspect of their performing arts journey. Take Note is an opportunity to recognise outstanding achievement, celebrate personal growth and acknowledge the countless hours of effort that bring performances to life.

We warmly invite families, friends and members of the wider School community to join us as we celebrate another remarkable year in Performing Arts and acknowledge the boys and staff whose passion and hard work have made it possible.

Monday, 19 October
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Empire Theatre

Book your tickets here.

For a comprehensive list of our upcoming events, head to the TGS Events Calendar.