THE BLUE AND GOLD - Friday, 17 March 2023

All of our Mackintosh House boarders were awesome as they contributed to the AEIOU Take a Hike for Autism Fun Run on Sunday, 12 March.

They raised funds in advance, helped with preparation and set up for the event, completed the run, and packed up.

Mackintosh Day and Boarding set a goal of raising $10,000 and have so far raised over $17,500!

You can still donate to this awesome cause to help local children with autism and their families at http://bit.ly/3E19Sna.

We have great boarders in Mackintosh House and at TGS. We also have some fantastic boarding parents who attended and completed the run. Well done to the AEIOU Foundation and Mackintosh House.

Brad Allen and Andrew McKinnon, Mackintosh Heads of House

Senior School Teacher of History and Head of House – Boyce Day, Mrs Gabrielle Battersby, has extended her leave until the end of Term 2, 2023. Gabrielle commenced long service leave at the beginning of Term 1 to travel to Europe to visit family. We wish her all the best for the remainder of her leave. I wish to thank Mr Tony Wallis for continuing as Acting Head of House - Boyce Day for the duration of Semester 1 while Gabrielle is on leave.

Mrs Renee Murray, Junior School Year 1 Teacher, and her husband, Tim, are expecting a baby in May this year. After much consideration, and following doctor’s advice, Renee will commence her parental leave on 15 March 2023. We wish Renee all the best with the remainder of her pregnancy and look forward to hearing baby news in the coming months.

Miss Jessica Westerhout has been appointed to a parental leave contract in Term 2 to cover Mrs Renee Murray’s leave and she will now join the Junior School in Year 1 from Monday, 20 March. Jessica graduated with a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) from UniSQ in 2022. Jessica has undertaken placements at The Glennie School, The Glennie School Community Kindergarten, Wilsonton State Primary School, Gabbinbar State School, Wallangarra Free Range Kids Childcare and Mirambeena Children's Centre. I am sure the Junior School community will make Jessica feel most welcome.

The annual boarder and staff flu vaccine clinic will be held early in Term 2 and we strongly encourage your consideration of this.

We thank the many boarding families who have already submitted their son's consents and if you are wanting your son vaccinated and haven't already returned the form, please do so as soon as possible.

We also encourage all dayboy families to start thinking about vaccinating their families against the flu too, which can be done through your family GP.

Camp Week is fast approaching and with that, the RNs are compiling first aid supplies and our boarders' regular medications to ensure they are correctly dispensed for the Camp Co-Ordinators.

All dayboys on regular medications can drop them into the Health Centre at the end of next week or supply them directly to the Camp Co-Ordinator the morning the bus is leaving.

Please note there is mandatory requirements when supplying medications and we encourage you to call or email the Health Centre directly for those details.

Please remember we are the central hub for all things medically-related and can be contacted via email at health@twgs.qld.edu.au or phone 0746 872 504.

The annual Student Art Show, featuring the work of 125 of our Art students of 2022, is on exhibition in our Art gallery in the Henderson building.

We open the show to invited guests during the evening of Friday, 17 March and then keep doors open to the School community into Term 2.

This exhibition is also open to the public during the weekend of the Grammar Art Show, 25 and 26 March.

If you can't get to our gallery during these times, you can view it on our online gallery.

2023 Student Art Show - Toowoomba Grammar School (twgs.qld.edu.au)

Please do not park in pick-up zones, across pedestrian crossings or in areas that have been marked to be kept clear e.g., for emergency vehicle access to fire hydrants.

As part of an awareness campaign which commenced on Monday, 6 March we are leaving a small notice (for information purposes only) on any vehicles parked contrary to traffic / road markings. This is to inform the vehicle owner of the reason that particular area is unsafe or unsuitable for parking.

As always – please drive slowly and carefully around our roadways being alert for students and other pedestrians.

We appreciate your continued support to ensure our campus is safe for our staff, students and visitors.

Every week staff, students and Old Boys provide us with interesting stories or researched information to share with our families though our TGS Blogs. Here are the latest articles:

Did you know Toowoomba Grammar School has a connection to the internationally renowned Pepsi Superbowl commercial, to music producers - Dr Dre, Snoop and Kendrick Lamar, and to films such as Sing 2, A Quiet Place 2 and DC Super Pets - just to name a few! TGS Old Boy (1995-99) Stuart St Vincent Welch describes himself as being "just an average student who had no idea what I wanted to do when I finished School." Well, Wow! - Discover more about Stuart's exciting career here http://bit.ly/3l73Z1f

Teenagers are prone to banter, teasing, and bullying which can have a significant impact on their mental health and overall well-being. One of the most common mistakes for teenagers, particularly boys is to think "it's just banter" or "I'm just joking." While banter can be a positive thing and can help build friendships, it's important to recognize when it crosses the line into exclusionary or harmful behaviour. Learn more here http://bit.ly/3mNBtCl

Student Wellbeing Surveys

As indicated in my recent letter to Senior School parents, we are implementing three student wellbeing assessments here at Toowoomba Grammar School this year. A Senior School Bullying Survey, the STEER tracking assessment and a Wellbeing Assessment.

The annual bullying survey has been run since 2018 and gives us data about student interactions in all year levels and between boarders and dayboys. It seeks to identify when and where bullying may be occurring, both at School and online. It is not a bullying report but a tool to help us target programs to the boys. We know that Years 8 and 9 are crucial years for building respectful relationships and resilience. All of our Year 9 boys this year will complete the Bullyproof Australia Resilience Program in Term 2. If this program is successful, we will look to implement it in more Year levels in 2024.

The annual wellbeing survey will be completed early in Term 2. It asks boys about what they think of life at TGS, the support that they receive and how they are feeling. Measures seek to find information about our boys regarding their levels of staff support, sleep, areas of strength, what they find difficult, their level of distress and their social interactions with their peers.

It’s not always easy for us to know which students need our help as they don’t or can’t always tell us, even though we ask. Sometimes we only know something is wrong when we see a change in their behaviour or a dip in their learning. We want to know which students need our help, as early as possible, even if their needs are hidden or masked, and what we can do to help.

This year we are also trialling a program called STEER Tracking for our boys in Years 8 and 9.

To find out more, take a look at the STEER website: STEER Tracking: Whole school mental health and wellbeing tracking

Should you not wish for your son to complete any of these surveys, have questions or concerns about these, then please feel free to contact me or your son’s Head of House.

Outdoor Pursuits and Activities Week

Parents have all received letters regarding the upcoming Outdoor Pursuits and Activities Week in Week 10 of this term. Parents of boys in Years 7, 8, 9 and 11 need to ensure they have completed the camp permission via the Parent Lounge. Year 10 parents need to ensure that one parent has signed the work experience agreement. Year 12 parents will receive notification of the different events that their son is involved in this week.

A reminder to all day parents of boys who are going away on camps during the week that any medications that your son needs to take during the week be clearly named, including detailed instructions, and be handed in to the Health Centre in a clear plastic container during Week 9.

Please contact the Student Services Office if you have any questions regarding the Outdoor Pursuits and Activities Week.

Parent-Teacher Meetings – Term 2

Please see the details below for Term 2 Parent-Teacher meetings. Boys are encouraged to attend the meetings with their parents. The meetings will be split over two days and meetings can be booked online through the Parent Portal. The portal will be open to commence booking meetings on Monday, 3 April.

New Firewall

A reminder that this term we are switching to new firewall software. Previous firewalls have protected our boys from accessing inappropriate content or warning us if a boy searched a concerning site. This was only in effect when the boys were on our School Wi-Fi. The firewall update will always monitor the students’ laptops, regardless of the Wi-Fi server they are accessing.

Please ensure that your son is aware that his laptop is being monitored regardless of the Wi-Fi server he is accessing.

End-of-term

The conclusion of Term 1 will be Thursday, 30 March which is when most boys will return from Outdoor Pursuits and Activities week. Term 2 begins on Monday, 17 April with the return of the boarders on the travel day and Parent-Teacher Meetings. School will start at 8:30am on Tuesday, 18 April.

Wishing all families a safe and blessed Easter.

Mark Oliphant

HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL

2023 Next Step Year 12 Completers Survey

All our students who completed Year 12 last year will soon receive an invitation to do the Next Step survey. The short five-minute survey asks graduates about the study and work they have been doing since finishing school. The results from the survey help our School improve our senior programs and prepare students for work and further study.

We ask parents, siblings and friends to encourage our graduates to complete the survey. If their contact details have changed, please assist survey interviewers with their updated details or forward the survey to their new address so they can participate. Graduates may receive an invitation by mail, email or phone. The survey can be completed online or by phone.

For more information about Next Step, including previous results, visit www.qld.gov.au/nextstep.

King's College Visit

Mr Greg Eddy, Master and Chief Executive of King's College, will be visiting the campus on Thursday, 23 March at 9:30am. All students in Year 12 who are considering applying to King's College for 2024 entry and those students who have already applied are invited to attend this session in the Careers room. This is the perfect opportunity to find out about what King's has to offer. Further details will be sent out to the boys.

ANU Visit

Mr William Trinh from the Australian National University will be on campus Friday, 24 March at 2:15pm. He will be presenting application and scholarship information to the Year 12 Careers class and any additional Year 12 students who are considering ANU. The ANU Direct Entry applications are now open, and this is a timely visit for our students.

UCAT Registration

Any students in Year 12 who are considering Medicine or Dentistry in 2024, will need to sit the UCAT exam. Registration for the UCAT is now open and will close 17 May 2023. For further information please go to the UCAT Consortium Website.

Griffith University Pathways to Medicine Information Sessions

Griffith is hosting a series of information sessions to help students learn more about various pathways into the University’s Doctor of Medicine. Attendees will find out everything they need to know about Griffith’s admission criteria and selection process, as well as application deadlines, the Griffith University Multiple Stations Admissions Assessment (GUMSAA) and the Graduate Entry Medical School Admissions system (GEMSAS). They’ll also learn about Griffith’s accelerated program for high-achieving school leavers, which offers guaranteed entry to eligible candidates. You will need to use this link to register your attendance.

University Workshops

Each university offers holiday workshops for a variety of subject areas. We encourage you to take some time to explore the opportunities available to you. Please contact us if you would like further information.

Kind regards

Anthea Richters

HOD Careers

My name is Sewmith Samarawickrama but for most, it’s just "TJ". I moved over to Australia when I was six years old and started primary school at Rangeville in Year 2. I started at TGS in Year 7, along with Pat and Riyan, and have loved every single bit of it. The culture that we have as a community, even at such a young age is something to be proud of. The facilities, the teachers and all other facets make it an enjoyable place to learn. The basis of my leadership is to be a role model to all. Lead with your actions and be a positive influence on those around you. Servant leadership is a huge part of the way things are done at TGS and this also plays a part in the way we conduct ourselves as leaders.

- TJ Samarawickrama, Senior Prefect

My name is Pat Savill and I’m a Year 12 boarder in Boyce House. I started at TGS alongside TJ and Riyan as a Year 7 student in 2018. I originate from a cattle and cropping property in Moonie where my father is a farmer and my mother a primary school teacher. I have thoroughly enjoyed my five and a half years boarding at TGS, specifically the connections I have made with other boys from across the country through shared experiences.

- Pat Savill, Senior Boarder Prefect

My name is Riyan Khan and I am a Year 12 dayboy in Boyce House. I too started as a Year 7 student back in 2018, and since then have enjoyed participating sports, music, and debating. Alongside TJ, Pat, and the 19 other Prefects, it is our plan to implement our vision of “Find Strength in Unity” to create a more unified, respectful community to help hold all of us to a higher standard and to help grow Toowoomba Grammar School’s culture. We envisage a supportive environment within the School that will ultimately increase interaction and connection within the student body. We hope to promote acceptance and continue to be at the forefront of student wellbeing, whilst ensuring that students respect their roles and responsibilities as a member of the TGS community.

- Riyan Khan, Senior Dayboy Prefect

The 22 prefects started planning for their leadership this year at the end of 2022 with a three-day Prefects' Planning Camp held at the Bunya Mountains. At the conclusion of this, we had developed a plan for 2023. We have started the year strong, aiming to tick of a few things on this plan. The plan itself is based on the vision “Find Strength in Unity” and is split up into three pillars:

- Tone and Spirit,

- Unity and Relationships, and

- Identity.

We have started a new initiative allowing Year 11 boys to mix up with the Junior School at lunch times. Adding to this, we have reintroduced Pride Points which aims to increase support at not just main sporting events, but things such as Debating, Chess and the Performing Arts. We have also aimed to increase positive connections with all members of the community through social touch footy games with Fairholme College and The Glennie School.

With Term 1 almost coming to a close, we must stay consistent in all our responsibilities and try to enact servant leadership and be good role-models to younger boys. This is imperative in upholding the standards, respect and behaviour that Toowoomba Grammar School is known for.

Can you remember the last time you drove on an extended car trip?

I imagine at the beginning of the trip you would have known where you were going, either roughly or exactly. During the trip you would have kept track of the time, fuel and traffic, adjusting your estimated arrival accordingly. You probably kept others informed along the way so they knew when to expect you, and at each stage you probably re-affirmed where the next town is that you were driving towards, ultimately to get you where you want to go.

With Parent-Teacher Meetings in the coming week, providing feedback on student learning is not too dissimilar to the car journey analogy. Parent-teacher meetings can be particularly helpful as a check-in point for the learning journey of a student and an opportunity to reflect on three key questions:

Where are we going? (key goals)

How are we tracking? (progress)

Where to next? (focus area/s going forward)

There is tremendous value in adults having a shared understanding for the three questions above, and I would also advocate this is even more powerful when a student can articulate for themselves ‘where the learning goals are’, ‘how they are currently tracking towards them’ and ‘what their next step is’. This is more challenging than it sounds though, and takes practice to become confident in sign-posting (visible thinking), of these learning stages.

Visible thinking practices promote transparency of the learning process for students, but also adults too. The three questions, ‘where are we going?’, ‘how are we tracking?’ and ‘what’s the next step?’ in a visible thinking context articulates learning intentions, success criteria and what the next step of their learning is.

Learning intentions define a learning focus.

Success criteria share how students will recognise they have achieved the learning intention and often this can be supported with exemplars.

What’s the next step? Students reflect on their learning either by self-monitoring, peer-review or teacher feedback to know how they will progress their learning.

I enjoyed speaking with many students this week about these visible learning cues and how it is informing their learning.

It’s wonderful to see and hear students talking about the learning in a way that shows they are empowered to take those next steps for themselves. If you’re finding your son is unclear on their learning progress or has trouble explaining what their core focus areas are for the term ahead encourage them to speak with their teacher and clarify those key points, it really makes a significant difference when students know exactly where to focus their efforts, as it does for all of us. Enjoy the Parent-Teacher Meetings in the week ahead, it’s a wonderful opportunity to talk through this first phase of the year with your child's teacher.

Warmest regards and appreciation,

Ken

Ken Raven
Head of Junior School

I am excited to share with you some information about our upcoming Team Approach to Teaching and Learning (TATAL) days we are planning for our teaching staff. This day provides teachers with the opportunity for professional development, to collaborate and plan together, and tailor their teaching to meet the needs of each individual student.

A meta-analysis of over 1,000 studies conducted by John Hattie found that teacher professional development was one of the most effective strategies for improving student outcomes. In fact, Hattie's research showed that teacher professional development had an effect size of 0.62, which is considered to be a high impact.

Through collaboration and planning, teachers are able to differentiate instruction, ensuring that all boys are challenged and supported to reach their full potential. Differentiation allows teachers to identify the strengths and areas for improvement for each student, and tailor their teaching to ensure that every student is challenged and supported in their learning journey.

Our Team Approach to Teaching and Learning also allows teachers to discuss the boys’ literacy progression. This is critical in ensuring that boys are meeting their reading goals and progressing at an appropriate rate. It also allows teachers to discuss strategies and interventions that may be needed to support students who may be struggling in these areas.

Our teachers are dedicated, experienced, and compassionate professionals who have a passion for educating and inspiring your children. They are committed to creating a warm and nurturing learning environment that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and personal growth. We are proud to have such exceptional educators on our team and believe that they are an integral part of your child's success.

Warm regards,

Chantelle

Chantelle Bauer
Deputy Head of Junior School (Teaching and Learning)

Charity Fundraiser
The boys really enjoyed wearing casual clothes on Tuesday for a fundraiser for The Lighthouse Toowoomba. A sincere thanks to all families who supported this event by providing your sons with a pre-loved picture book and also to Mrs Amelia Grills for organising the event.

Hair
Hopefully, the following guidelines will assist parents with regards to the requirements around haircuts for boys in the Junior School. Your son’s hair must not be over his collar and must be neatly shaped at the back of the neck; his ears must not be obscured. The fringe must not extend below his eyebrows. Extremes of hairstyles and lengths are not permitted (including very short haircuts or “fresh” cuts).

Drop-off & Pick Up
Boys are expected to be ready for class by 8:25am and may be collected at 3:10pm. Staff will be on duty in the playground at 8:00am. The arrival of boys before 8:00am is not encouraged but if this occurs, they must sit on the bench seats at the top paved area at the bottom of the stairs near the Junior School’s office until 8:00am. Staff will be on duty from 3:10pm to 3:30pm each day at the main Junior School drive-through area near the office and the drop-off area adjacent to Corfe Boarding House. Boys should be collected from the pick-up zones by the end of this duty otherwise they will be sent to After School Care.

Pedestrian Crossing
It has been observed that some boys, after being dropped off in Suffolk Street, are not crossing Herries Street by using the pedestrian crossing. I strongly encourage the boys to cross under the supervision of the Crossing Supervisor.

Co-curricular Clubs
Co-curricular Clubs will not be held in Week 10 to allow for Parent / Teacher interviews. However, all music ensembles will continue rehearsing up until the last day of school. Co-curricular clubs will recommence in Week 1 of Term 2.

GPS Bus Trips
We wish to foster collegiality amongst the boys when travelling on a bus to and from sporting events. Therefore, I wish to inform you that if your son travels on a bus to a GPS sport or other School event, he will not be permitted to carry an electronic device on the bus. The boys are discouraged mobile telephones. If your son is given a mobile telephone to enable contact with you sometime throughout the trip, he will have this collected at the beginning of the journey and then given back temporarily at the venue or during the return journey so as he can communicate with you. Your support in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Mike Sharpe
Deputy Head of Junior School

Eisteddfod – choral
All boys from Prep to Year 6 will be performing at the Toowoomba Eisteddfod in Term 2. Boys have been preparing pieces in their weekly Voiceworks rehearsals. The proposed dates for the choral section of the eisteddfod are Thursday, 4 May – Sunday, 7 May. It is most likely that all Voiceworks performances will occur on Sunday, 7 May. A letter with all details will be sent home early next term once times and sections have been confirmed.

Choral rehearsals
Some extra choral rehearsals have been scheduled for Tribe and Tribe Junior on the Student Free Day (Monday, 17 April) to ensure we are prepared for our eisteddfod performances. These extra rehearsals are in addition to all regular scheduled rehearsals. Please see the rehearsal times listed below. A note with all details has been sent to relevant parents.

Blue Care visit
Tribe and Tribe Junior will be travelling to Blue Care on Thursday, 20 April to present a concert to the residents. A letter with all information has been sent home to parents. Please log onto the Parent Lounge and accept the invitation so your son has permission to attend.

Ensemble Rehearsals
All ensembles will continue rehearsing up until the last day of this term, Thursday, 30 March. All rehearsals will recommence in Week 1 next term, from Tuesday, 18 April. If your son is unable to attend a scheduled rehearsal, please email his conductor to inform them of his absence.

Kellie Dixon
Head of Junior School Music

Swimming
The swimming season is now officially over after a short and sharp season. All boys participated to their fullest and displayed a high degree of School pride. The season finished with the GPS Championships. Despite coming 8th overall, there were a lot of personal best times and it was fantastic to see the enthusiasm of the team. Charlie Beverland was outstanding with three firsts and three seconds in his races. Congratulations.

Cross Country
Cross country will occur on the last day of shool, Thursday, 30 March. Boys will wear their House shirts on this day and look to try hard to score House points. Details of the day and the course will be sent home this week.

Club Football and Club Rugby
After our first pre-season training was rained out, we are looking to get back out there this week in preparation for the season ahead. The next training sessions are on March 17 and 24. Sessions will be held from 3:30pm-4:30pm and will include confidence in contact training for rugby boys. Football boys will be on Old Boys’ Memorial Oval and rugby will be held on Barbour Oval. Let’s hope this week brings fine weather.

Representative Sport
Congratulations to the following boys who have been selected in the Darling Downs Rugby League teams.

Under 11
Paddy Sander
Isaac Seddon
Charles Slipper

Under 12
Sonny Gibbons
Nate Gill

Yours in sport

Brendan Doherty
Sportsmaster

The Year 6 boys departed by bus last Monday for a three-day camp on North Stradbroke Island. After catching a ferry across to the island, bedrooms were allocated and then we proceeded to start the first of the many activities. These included boomerang painting and throwing, sandboarding, a gorge walk, boogie boarding at Cylinder Beach, swimming in Brown Lake, playing cricket and basketball, and also some night activities in the hall. The boys were certainly busy for the whole time, and they thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

At the beginning of Week 6, all Year 5 boys visited Tallebudgera Recreation Centre on the beautiful Gold Coast for Activities Week. During the action packed three days, all boys were involved in canoeing, archery, team rescue, indigenous orienteering, beach games, body boarding, night evasion games and also relaxing walks along the stunning beach. These awesome activities completely filled each day, which began before 6:00am and finished with lights out at 9:00pm.

For some of us, our favourite activity was archery. During archery, we all shot marshmallow arrows onto a target which was fun and a great challenge. Another activity all the boys enjoyed was body boarding. We caught some amazing waves and were able to practice some epic tricks that our instructors taught us. We all had a great time!

Our cabin style accommodation was outstanding and included three pairs of bunk beds, an ensuite and free flowing air conditioning. Outstanding… and all of these just metres away from beach. Falling asleep to the sound of waves crashing…. It does not get much better than that!

Or does it…The food was delicious. Our favourite meals were the burger and chips and the pasta and garlic bread. Most of us certainly do not get to eat these favourites during the week, when we are at home.

On behalf of all the Year 5 boys, we would like to thank the staff at Tallebudgera Recreation Centre, Mrs Bauer, Miss Krahenbring, Jack Smit, Josh Kerr and Mr Stains for looking after us over the three days. We all cannot wait for our next camp in Year 6 when we are leaders of the Junior School.

Year 5 Students
Louis Mackintosh-Bailey, Aarav Kansagara, Fred Hudson and Sam Stains

Last week, Year 2 students participated in their Outdoor Education Week by camping out at School. The boys enjoyed a range of activities including woodwork art, scavenger hunts, ball games, team challenges, tug of war and swimming. Students and their parents then made their way over to Old Boys' Memorial Oval where they pitched their tents to spend the night. We had a movie night in the Assembly Hall and woke rather early to enjoy a lovely warm breakfast and pack up our tents. A fabulous time was had by all. Special thanks to our gap students Mr Jack and Mr Josh who made themselves available to assist throughout the camp, and to Mrs Fraser and Mrs Alexander for their talents with the woodwork art.

Peter Nicholls and Pam Wells
Year 2 teachers

This Term, in Year 5 we have been reading the fantasy novel Deltora Quest – Forests of Silence, written by Emily Rodda. We have read stories of adventure and mystery where the main character or the narrator takes us on a magical journey. This week, our class selected a scene from Deltora Quest – Forests of Silence and rewrote it to show our ability to think outside the box! We had so much fun sharing our ideas and creating different character viewpoints. Miss Krahenbring was so proud of how we were able to tell the story from a different perspective. Take a look at the story we wrote together as a class. Perhaps you can find a simile or a noun group that we included in our writing!

Jarred’s Escape
With steam blowing out his ears, Jarred knew exactly where he was going to hide. With no time lost, he arrived at the tree that he knew so well. As silent as a mouse, he scurried up the dark, oak tree and took shelter in the tree’s hollow. The hollow was dark, moist and brought back a lot of memories. Panting, Jarred took in his surroundings.

In his search, the loud sounds were starting to dim which allowed Jarred to concentrate and assess the hollow. He began to dig through the rotten leaves and the flaky bark. He caught a glimpse of a damp, weathered note that was nestled in the far corner of the hollow. He opened it. Immediately, Jarred knew the note was Endon’s. Written in his old friend’s messy handwriting he read the coded scripture.

This note brought Jarred more anger than he could withstand. Still furious at Endon for believing Prandine, he ripped the note into smithereens. This satisfied his burning rage. As he tried to rid the note from his hand, he soon realised that the note was stuck to his fingers due to a sticky, sweet-smelling substance. Annoyed, Jarred began rapidly flapping his hands like a maniac in an aim to let go of the note. With success, the note dropped into the hollow. Tempted and hungry, Jarred tried to lick the sticky residue off his fingers.

All of a sudden in the silence of the hollow, he heard the sound of a mild buzz. His heart skipped a beat and he slowly followed the sound and looked upwards. To his surprise a wet splatter of warm goop dropped between his eyes. Wiping the goop from his face, he faintly saw an object that resembled a gigantic pinecone.

Shocked, Jarred instantly discovered that dangling above him was home to the well known Blue Fire Breathing Hornet. He couldn’t believe he was within centimetres of this rare species, especially given that he use to play in the tree often. He remembered a book he read when he was younger and recalled information revealing that these creatures were nocturnal. With that, he placed his hand into the monstrous hive. All of a sudden, with force, a blue tornado plummeted towards him. Their sound was aggressive and their burning stingers were glowing amber. Jarred needed to escape.

Remembering more information from the book he read in his early years, he knew that these hornets were blind and had bad hearing. Jarred quietly and cautiously peered out of the hollow. He saw six royal guards patrolling the area. “They are looking for me!” he mumbled to himself. Jarred had to come up with a plan quickly. Out of nowhere, he noticed a red rubbish cart that had stopped directly under the tree he was in. “Could this be my chance?” Jarred thought to himself.

From Miss Krahenbring and the students in 5L
Year 5 Teacher

Term 1, Week 9A

This past Friday, 10 March saw the return of the Welcome Concert which was cancelled in 2022 due to COVID. The Welcome Concert provides an early performance opportunity for our ensembles each year and helps to give the boys a springboard from which to launch the year's ensemble program. Friday night's concert included performances from all the usual groups such as Wind Orchestra, Choir, Guitar Ensemble, Grammarphones, String Orchestra, RnB, RnB Too, Big Band, and Concert/Show Band. This year also included the first ever performance from our Middle Years Chamber String group. This group performed with only two rehearsals under its belt highlighting the wonderful work of our Strings Tutor, Ms Teresa Brix, in building our string program from the base up. All performances were enthusiastically received by a good audience who had been provided dinner by our Supporters of the Arts members who ran a fundraising BBQ for our 2023 Musical Coproduction of Footloose. Many thanks go to our wonderful music teachers and tutors who are doing an excellent job providing our students with a fun, stimulating and comprehensive ensemble program.

Often, TGS Army Cadets are asked, what do you do on camps? In the Army Cadets, we call them bivouacs and we use them as an opportunity to build a sense of comradery within the cadets and to utilise skills learnt during home trainings.

Last weekend, TGS Army Cadets conducted Exercise Dangerzone a second year and above bivouac designed to test the cadets on navigation, survival, team building and develop their leadership skills through section, platoon, and individual challenges. Lessons taught on this bivouac involved sounds and movement by night, reconnaissance, cooking, and shelter construction. Exercise Dangerzone provides the cadets with the opportunity to “survive” in a bush setting by constructing bush shelters, building fires to boil water, and rationing of food.

The weekend bivouac also proved to be the ideal location for the beginning of the Annual Platoon Competition. This year saw the resurgence of the Platoon Flag, and the added challenge of keeping your flag safe and away from opposition forces.

While the weather was beautiful the terrain proved to be challenging to navigate. Even with a few too many radio calls for a LOCSTAT, the cadets made it through and should be commended on their resilience.

We now look forward to the End of Term Dining In Night and planning Term 2's Recruit Induction Exercise.

GPS Volleyball

Over the last two weeks, TGS volleyballers have been training hard for their last few rounds of the 2023 GPS season.

Our Round 6 BYE allowed our wonderful coaches and all TGS volleyballers a well earnt Saturday off. Our second BYE round for the season, due to The Southport School not participating in volleyball, fell on Round 7 and saw us enter the GPS Supplementary Draw. In order to give all volleyballers a game after a week off, we had a jigsaw-like draw, with TGS teams versing Ambrose Treacy College, Nudgee College, Gregory Terrance, Brisbane Grammar School and Toowoomba Volleyball Titans teams. For teams that didn't have an external opponent, we held a number of internal games to ensure all of our teams had a Round 7 game.

A massive congratulations to the following teams on securing their first win of the season:

• 10A defeated ATC
• 10C defeated GT
• 7A defeated ATC
• 5A defeated BGS

TGS Volleyball Presentation Evening

The 2023 TGS Volleyball Presentation Evening will take place on Saturday, 25 March 2023 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. The evening will include:

• BBQ on Arrival (Gold Coin Donation)
• Awards Presentation
• Raffle Prizes Drawn
• Parents vs Students Volleyball Match

The evening is sure to be a lot of fun, we look forward to seeing you there!

Volleyball Queensland Awards

Congratulations to TGS Old Boys, Ben Hood and Andrew Byrnes, and 2023 1st VI Captain, Hussein Yusaf, on receiving awards at the recent Volleyball Queensland Annual Awards Evening

• Ben Hood - Junior Beach Male Award
• Andrew Byrnes - Most Improved Under 19 Male Indoor Player (VQ White Team)
• Hussein Yusaf - Most Improved Under 17 Male Beach Player

We have an exclusive opportunity to experience boarding at TGS.

Please let your friends know about this great event.

Stay in our boarding houses, meet our staff, explore our facilities and learn more about our boarding program.

Phone our Enrolments officer, Kelly Charles to secure your spot 46872517.

Our Old Boy connections are extremely important to the School. Old Boys can provide leadership and be great mentors as a result of their personal experience and love of the School.

We are currently seeking Old Boys to become more involved in our Boarding Program in a range of areas:

- as a tutor or mentor in sports or performing/visual/manual arts or other skills

- assisting as a tutor/mentor in specialist subject areas/academics

- taking shifts and just having a 'presence' in the boarding houses

Our Old Boys are great role models and we would love to take advantage of these good men to help our current students see first-hand the outcomes possible for them as a boarder.

If you know anyone who might be interested, please let them know that we are looking for them! Contact Director of Boarding, Nick Byron to find out more or register your interest: n.byron@twgs.qld.edu.au

Below is a wonderful article from Mac Flegler describing why he wanted to come back to TGS Boarding. We hope this might provide you with some inspiration to rejoin our boarding community too!

I have returned to where it all began, and I feel right at home.

My parents decided when I was very young that I would attend Toowoomba Grammar School as a boarder. Coming from a property surrounded by a small community, my parents believed that sending me to TGS would provide me with many fundamental skills needed for a young man, as well as an education that I could not get in my hometown. Starting my journey at TGS in Year 8 as a boarder in Mackintosh, adjusting from a small country high school to one of the biggest private schools in the country, was frightening but exciting. While at TGS, although education my primary focus, I was involved in many co-curricular activities including cricket, football, rugby and track and field.

I loved my time as a boarder. Living with 56 other people probably doesn’t sound like the most enticing thing to many people; however, when you put that into the perspective of a teenage boy, it’s more like a sleepover with 56 of your mates! Over the five years of my time within Mackintosh, I was able to create many memories and make many friends which will be with me forever. I graduated in 2021 and it didn’t take me long at all to realise that I missed boarding so much that I wanted to come back, this time as a staff member.

Currently I am studying Psychology at UniSQ in Toowoomba while also committed to playing sport for local clubs. My Psychology studies, along with my experience as a TGS boarder, means that working in the Year 7 boarding house (Corfe House), is a great opportunity to assist many of the young boys in their development into young men by providing advice based on my own experience. As a Boarding Supervisor in Corfe House, my role is to provide a supportive outlet and friendly face to make the boys feel as if they are home. From working with the boys to complete their homework, or playing table tennis with them, providing a role model or someone to point them in the right direction is essential in helping the boys to reach their full potential both academically and as young men of good character. What I enjoy the most though, is being able to create a home away from home for the boys and provide them with rich memories that will stay with them forever - just like mine.

The importance of role models for TGS boarders cannot be understated, and whom better to do this than the TGS Old Boys themselves! Being able to understand the daily routines as well as help the boys with any specific questions, whether that be directions to a classroom or which oval their sports training is being held, this help never goes un-appreciated by the boys. I would encourage any Old Boys to get back involved within the TGS community in any capacity. Our own experiences and knowledge of the School can help produce many more great experiences for countless students as they engage in their transition from young boys into good young men.

Coinciding with this year’s Grammar Downlands Weekend, 18-20 August, the OBA hosts reunions for Old Boys, most specifically from cohorts in multiples of ten years. This year, we feature reunion events for boys who were in Year 12 or would have finished in Year 12 in 2013, 2003, 1993, 1983, 1973,1963, 1953 and 1943.

We are always on the lookout for coordinators for these year-level groups so if you are interested, please let me know. We are beginning the planning process for this year’s events. If you have ideas on what might work for your cohort, please let me know.

Mark Creedon (1973-77)

TGSOBA President

The Headmaster is very keen to continue his interactions with Old Boys, specifically through regional Old Boys’ events. We have been hosting such events for some time with this year’s calendar already published. We are unable to be everywhere every year but trying to visit as many places as possible.

These events are most successful when we have a local Old Boy or Old Boys who can act as a contact and conduit for sharing information. The TGSOBA and School staff will undertake the administration and communication associated with the event, the local contact providing input such as suitable venue, suitable date, time and the like.

If you would like to see your local area host such an Old Boys’ reunion and would like to be our local contact can you please let Jennifer Bazley or me know. We would love to talk with you about what is possible in your community.

In the meantime, if anyone has any matters they would like to share or discuss please contact me on tgsoldboys@twgs.qld.edu.au I am keen to talk to you about our Association, what we do and how you can become involved.

On behalf of the TGSOBA, I would like to take the opportunity to wish all in the Grammar community the continual best for a most successful year.

Places are limited and filling fast - make sure you secure your spot now!

Intensive two-day skills camp aimed at improving individual skill acquisition; ball mastery; technical understanding and decision making. This Football Skills Academy will analyse and improve each player's touch, technique and ability to be more effective in 1 v 1 situations.

Category 1: Skill Development 9:00am – 12:00pm Boys/Girls Born years 2011, 2012, and 2013

Category 2: Ball Mastery 12:30pm – 3:30pmBoys/Girls Born years 2008, 2009, and 2010

High Performance coaches from Europe and Australia
Improve skill acquisition in passing, receiving & delivering the ball
Master 1st Touch under pressure
Improve running and turning with the ball
Skill development using all parts of the body
Improve Speed, Agility Quickness

Cost $90.00 per head Register by Sunday, 19 March 2023 https://bit.ly/3ltNDzSOpen to all Football Players across the Darling Downs

More information here https://www.twgs.qld.edu.au/community/events/holiday-campsEnquiries Nigel Fanning, TGS Head of Football 0432 179 930

A two-day Goalkeeper Academy for all aspiring goalkeepers from across the Darling Downs.

This Goalkeeper Academy will conduct a capability analysis of each keeper and will then aim to improve their technical application of the fundamental mechanics of becoming a successful Goalkeeper.

Target Group 1

Goalkeeper Development Academy.

9:00am – 12:00pm

Boys/Girls Born Years 2013/2012/2011/2010/2009

Target Group 2

Emerging Goalkeeper Academy

Boys/Girls Born Years 2008/2007/2006/2005/2004

Delivered by high performance goalkeeper coaches.

• Improve your impact on the game by improving your technique & become a more effective and accomplished keeper.

• Game specific scenarios designed improve a Goalkeeper’s ability to be more effective and a reliable last line of defence.

• Improve decision making, shot stopping, positioning & decision making

• When to catch, when to parry, when to punch

• Playing out from the back, dealing with the pass-back.

• Dealing with crosses.

Cost: $120

Register by Sunday, 26 March (Grammar Blazers Camps - Toowoomba Grammar School (twgs.qld.edu.au))

Thank you to all our wonderful parents who volunteer at the School, or are considering volunteering. It is a requirement for all volunteers who attend the School more than seven times a year to have a Blue Card as part of child safety requirements.

If you would like to volunteer, or currently volunteer, we ask that you please get your Blue Card as soon as possible.

Thank you for your ongoing support, and your understanding that the safety and wellbeing of our boys is our priority.

Please access this link for details about the TGS "Incognito" Show 2023:

https://www.canva.com/design/DAFaDjHa3Sw/BMRwQx1sTJfV-a1XEbl3Cw/view?utm_content=DAFaDjHa3Sw&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink

Organised by the TGS Art Show committee, the 'show' is a way to raise money for various charities and is open to all TGS students and staff to enter.

You create! - TGS exhibits! - Work is sold! - Money is raised!

We can't wait to head out to some of our key areas to meet families of past, current and prospective students, and our Old Boys.

Please keep an eye out for the days we will be near you - come and say 'Hi' and bring your family and friends. We can't wait to see you!

Monday: 8:00am - 5:00pm

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

Toowoomba Grammar School is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people at the School and is dedicated to protecting them from harm. At TGS, we have zero tolerance for child abuse. Our child protection responsibilities are of the utmost importance to the School and, as such, the School is committed to providing the necessary resources to ensure compliance with all relevant child protection laws and regulations and to maintain a safe and supportive School environment for all children and young people.

As part of our commitment to child protection, safety and wellbeing, Toowoomba Grammar School has appointed a number of Child Protection Contact Officers as honest, mature, ethical and experienced members of the School community who can handle sensitive issues relating to child protection and safety. Our Child Protection Contact Officers are available to report any concerns or answer any questions that you may have with respect to the School's Child Protection Program.

The Child Protection Contact Officers are:

John Kinniburgh – Headmaster
John Anderson – Deputy Headmaster
Mark Oliphant – Head of Senior School
Ken Raven – Head of Junior School
Nick Byron - Director of Boarding
Lyle Gothmann - School Counsellor

Read more about the School's Child Protection Policy and Child and Risk Management Strategy on the TGS website: Policies & Procedures - Toowoomba Grammar School (twgs.qld.edu.au)

A reminder to all our families about our excellent resource for parents: SchoolTV

This resource covers a range of topics presented by experts in their field including Cybersafety, Mental Health, Wellbeing, School Survival and Positive Parenting.

SchoolTV is regularly updated with new articles and videos and provides insightful information and handy tips for parents.

Click here to check it out

You can also access SchoolTV via 'Links' at the very bottom of our TGS app.