THE BLUE AND GOLD - Friday, 28 April 2023

Dear TGS Families

Welcome back to all our families, and a special welcome to those who are joining our community for the first time. I hope this term brings renewed energy and excitement for the boys and particularly with respect to their learning and growth.

Easter is a wonderful time and I hope that you enjoyed the break by spending quality time with family and friends. It is often a time to slow down, to contemplate, and seek renewal. It also represents new beginnings, just like the start of a new term provides for educators. Easter presents us with a chance to leave behind the old and embrace the new. It is a time for introspection, self-awareness, and personal growth. As educators, we also have the privilege of guiding and shaping the minds and hearts of the boys we teach, support, or coach, which is something we look forward to at the beginning of each term. This allows us to remind the boys about the need to always strive to be the best version of themselves.

For Christians, Easter is a time of faith, commemorating the resurrection of Christ. It symbolises hope, salvation, and eternal life. As a School community, I hope that we are able to embrace the values of faith, hope and resilience that Easter represents, and that we can work together to instill them in our boys as they navigate their educational journey.

Term 2 is relatively short with several public holidays occurring in the coming weeks. One of the most significant of these was ANZAC Day, last Tuesday, which holds a significant place in the Australian calendar. ANZAC Day provides us with an opportunity to honour the memory of those young men from Toowoomba Grammar School and across Australia who sailed from our shores early in World War I and made the ultimate sacrifice so that the rest of the nation could live in peace. It is a day to remember and pay tribute to all those who have served in terrible conflicts abroad, defending our values and freedoms.

As a boys' school, Toowoomba Grammar School has contributed significantly to the number of those who tragically lost their lives on the field of battle. The names of 62 TGS Old Boys who lost their lives in World War I and 122 in World War II are inscribed in Old Hall. We also remember the TGS Old Boy who lost his life in Vietnam, one in Korea, and another in the Australian War on Terror in Afghanistan. The loss of even one soldier is a sheer tragedy, and we stand in solemn remembrance of their sacrifice.

ANZAC Day is a time to reflect on the courage, bravery, and patriotism of those who served, and the enduring impact of their sacrifice on our nation's history. It is a day to honour their memory and express our gratitude for their selflessness and service. ANZAC Day also serves as a reminder of the importance of peace, unity, and the value of freedom. It is a day to reflect on the true cost of war and the responsibility we have to promote peace and understanding in our communities and beyond.

The School's ANZAC service coincided this year with the Senior School Grandparents' Day which was a lovely occasion. Our boys have always had a strong sense of occasion and they presented wonderfully well on Monday. My thanks go to all who were involved in the organisation of the Service and the concert for grandparents. I also wish to acknowledge Year 12 student, Sam Freer, who delivered the main address at the Toowoomba Regional Council ANZAC Day Service on Tuesday at 10:15am. Sam delivered some important reminders about the need to reflect on the past but also be positive about the future. Hearing Sam, and his key messages, gives me great hope for the future.

I wish all families the very best for the term ahead.

Dr John C Kinniburgh
Headmaster

Staff Appointments

We are pleased to announce that Ronan Williams has been recruited for a six-month contract to provide support to the IT Team during Travis Theuerkauf's extended leave. With seven years' experience in the fast-food industry, Ronan brings a wealth of customer service skills to the role. Additionally, Ronan holds a Certificate III in ICT. Ronan commenced with the School on Tuesday, 12 April 2023.

Tricia Priest has accepted a temporary contract as Junior School Receptionist and commenced in the Junior School on Wednesday, 26 April 2023. Tricia has many years’ experience working in administration in a school environment, having held the roles of Receptionist and Events Coordinator at Concordia Lutheran College. She has also worked for the Australian Industry Trade College in Student Services and Reception. I am sure you will join with me in welcoming Tricia to TGS.

Staff Resignations

Majella Jorgensen has advised of her intention to relinquish the role of Assistant Head of House Groom Day. Majella has been managing the Assistant Head of House responsibilities since January 2021 and has been an asset in this role. We appreciate all that she has done to support the Groom House boys during her tenure. Majella will remain in her role as Senior School Teacher of English and Drama.

During the holiday break, Rhonda Hannant notified the School of her intention to resign. Rhonda has been an invaluable member of the Junior School Administration Team since 2007 and has been the friendly face at the Junior School Reception that the boys have grown familiar with. Rhonda leaves TGS to take on a new promotional administration position.

Karen Newton, who was on long service leave during Term 1, has resigned from her position of Teacher Aide in the Junior School. Karen joined the School as a Junior School volunteer in February 2009 and later transitioned to a paid part-time position as a Junior School Learning Support Teacher Aide in August of the same year. In 2012, Karen took on the Library Aide role to combine with her Classroom Aide position and became a full-time term-time employee. We thank Karen for her pleasant manner and cheerfulness as she has attended to our younger students. Her pleasant demeanour and dedication to the Junior School has been greatly appreciated.

The School’s Health Centre Coordinator, Sharon Morgan, has placed her resignation with TGS. Sharon initially joined the School as a casual nurse in 2012 and later transitioned to a full-time role in 2014. In 2020, she was appointed as the Health Centre Coordinator and she also contributed to the Sports and Activities Department as a Sport Trainer and Volleyball coach. Meg Ahern will continue to act as Health Centre Coordinator during Term 2. Meg will share some of the Health Centre Coordinator duties with Gemma Johnston. I wish to express my appreciation to both Gemma and Meg for their willingness to assume the additional responsibilities associated with the coordinator role.

Michael Cass, our IT Customer Service Coordinator, has concluded his employment with the School. Michael had joined our IT Department in October 2022 and played a crucial role in facilitating a staffing transition during that period. We express our gratitude to Michael for his contribution to our IT Department and the support he extended to the boys throughout his tenure.

We wish to extend our best wishes to departing staff.

Over the school holidays, two new solar powered radar speed alert signs have been installed at the School, one in the Herries Street loop area across from the Pavilion, and one next to the bus shelter in the Margaret Street loop.

These locations were chosen to suit the visibility of the signage from cars, the longest runs that allow cars to increase speed, and the areas where traffic needs to be reminded to slow down before getting to a shared vehicle/pedestrian area.

The 10km/h limit has been chosen with advice regarding Queensland speed limits for shared zones. School roadways are classed as public access roadways and the school shared zones fall under the Queensland Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Road Rules) Regulation 2009.

We appreciate all drivers helping to keep pedestrians safe.

If you have any questions about the speed alert signs, please contact the School at communications@twgs.qld.edu.au.

Tickets for the Toowoomba Grammar School - Fairholme College production of Footloose the Musical are now on sale via the Empire Theatre box office and Empire Theatre online.

Footloose The Musical - Empire Theatre

These talented performers have been rehearsing since the start of the year for this biennial production. Don't miss out on your seat - book now!

Term 2 uniform is navy trousers and for Years 7 to 12 it is Blazer dress every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

The Uniform Shop will open:

Monday, 17 April 8:00am to 5:00pm

Tuesday, 18 April 8:00am to 5:00pm

Wednesday, 19 April back to normal opening hours - 1:00pm to 5:00pm

You will often hear staff at Toowoomba Grammar School describe their role as contributing to "developing men of good character". This has been a trait of The Blue and Gold for generations, epitomised by so many of our Old Boys. One shining example is Mr Wellington Lee (TGS 1940-42), a trailblazer for multicultural Australia. Mr Lee was one of the first Australians of Asian heritage to be elected to public office as a councillor. He faced up to racism at many stages of his life but never let it define him. Instead, he became a Melbourne legend and a champion for a multitude of good causes. Read his inspirational story here https://bit.ly/3AAXU17

Have you ever wondered what sets Toowoomba Grammar School boys apart from the rest? What does our staff do that instills the values and helps develop the men of good character? From the tip of a hat as they cross the road to offering a helping hand to a stranger, these attributes are instilled in our boys from the time they commence Prep, starting with the REACH program in our TGS Junior School. Discover more here... https://bit.ly/3LamWus

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.

We have another busy term coming up, preparing for subject selection with Year 10s and the universities releasing new information guides for 2024 applications for the Year 12s. There are a few key activities coming up this term that I have highlighted here for you.

UCAT

By now all Year 12 students considering Medicine or Dentistry in 2024 should have registered to sit the UCAT exam. The booking deadline is Wednesday, 17 May. Please contact the Careers Office if there are any concerns or questions about this.

University Accommodation Expo

The Toowoomba Anglican School University Accommodation Expo is being held on Wednesday, 3 May, from 4:00pm - 6:00pm in the Millenium Centre. This is a community event, and the invitation has been extended to interested Years 11 and 12 TGS students and parents.

By now, Year 12 students considering living on campus should be investigating accommodation options and applying to colleges if they are considering university in Brisbane in 2024. It is not too early for Year 11 students to explore accommodation options as well. The Accommodation Expo will host representatives from various UQ Colleges and some private colleges as well. An email with registration links to the event has been sent to all Years 11 and 12 students and parents.

Year 10 Career Profiling

The Year 10 boys will undertake the Career Avenues Profiling on Monday, 8 May. We have engaged the services of an external agency, Career Avenues whose career psychologists will conduct a morning of aptitude and career interest profiling with the Year 10 boys. Following this profiling, a detailed report will be provided to each student, and this will be used in the upcoming Career Plan Interviews held in Term 3. Year 10 parents will receive a letter outlining this process in the coming days.

Year 10 Parent Information Evening

There will be an information evening for all year parents and students on Tuesday, 16 May at 5:30pm regarding the subject selection process and senior school studies. Details about this event will be sent out this week.

UQ Medicine Information Evening

Learn about studying medicine at UQ. Hear from leading medical experts, UQ alumni and current students on the changing medical climate, how to apply for medicine at UQ, and tips for success. Year 12 students and their parents/guardians are welcome to register for the virtual information evening.
Date: Wednesday, 26 April
Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm (AEST)
Location: online

Registration link here: UQ Medicine Information Evening - Study - The University of Queensland

Griffith University Parent Information Evening

Griffith University is hosting an online event Thursday, 27 April at 6:00pm. The event will cover a range of topics and they are as follows:

• Degree information
• How to apply for 2024 study
• Getting the most out of QTAC preferencing
• Scholarships
• Studying overseas as part of your degree
• Year 12 Early Offer Guarantee
• Transitioning to university
• Please find the registration link here: https://www.griffith.edu.au/parent-q-and-a

Many of the universities are offering early entry schemes and we encourage the Year 12 students to research options and opening dates for these. It is a great way to secure a university place before the ATAR is released.

We look forward to working with the boys again this term. Please don’t hesitate to contact the Careers Department on 4687 2603 if you have any questions or would like to make an appointment to speak with one of our Careers Advisers.

Kind regards

Anthea Richters

HOD Careers

It has been lovely to hear the excited conversations between the boys in the first week of term as they catch up with friends and share stories of their break. I hope it was a restful and enjoyable time for you and your family. Term 2 has much to look forward to across all the year levels. A quick snapshot of the term ahead.

Eisteddfod is a large focus for the first few weeks of this term with every cohort participating along with special ensemble groups and choirs. Mrs Kellie Dixon, Head of Junior School Music provides more details in her section of this Blue and Gold around the Eisteddfod schedule and the groups involved. Participating in Eisteddfod has tremendous value for all boys; rehearsing and performing not only develops their musicality but also their work habits to follow a routine, work together as a group and understand the level of focus required for a top performance. These are all incredible skills, transferable throughout their life.

The Sports program moves into winter with GPS (Years 5 and 6) Football, Tennis and Cross Country (Years 3-6) along with the Club Sports in the local competition for Rugby and Football across all age groups. It’s a full program with dedicated boys eager to take the field, court and of course to represent Toowoomba Grammar School. Our sincere thanks to the staff and families who commit so much to these programs, your support enhances the experience for the boys and significantly develops the programs for their skills to build over time. Later in the term we hold our House Athletics Carnival, which the boys are starting to prepare for during Friday afternoon sport during school time. Mr Brendan Doherty, Junior School Sportsmaster, has more detail in his section of this Blue and Gold for each of the sports.

The Afterschool Activities program this term offers a broad range of special interest areas including, Coding for Kids (Prep to Year 2), Circus Games (Prep to Year 2), Lego Engineering (Prep to Year 2), Masterchef (Years 3 and 4), Bright Sparks Entrepreneurs (Years 3-6) and Senior Chess (Years 4-6). These activities offer a range of experiences designed to stretch boys' thinking, creativity and problem solving, whilst also having great fun with their friends.

Prep and Year 1 have an excursion to Peacehaven Park this week, sharing fun and games with each other and interacting with their peers from Fairholme College.

Our Mother’s Day breakfast and stall is always a special feature on the calendar to celebrate. This is such a wonderful opportunity for us all share how grateful we are for the role our Mums and mother figures play in our lives and thank them, but also for our community to connect together.

Years 3 and 4 will travel to the Sunshine Coast for their camp later this term. This will be an exciting time for both cohorts, spending two nights away from home, developing their own early sense of independence and responsibility while enjoying time with their mates in the outdoors.

It’s a busy term with lots on offer for everyone to enjoy. The core of each day though is the learning program. Our message to boys is that we are always in ‘learning’ mode. The literacy and numeracy programs form a regular part of our every day, typically in the morning and middle blocks of the day, followed by the broader subject areas of Humanities, Science and Technology led by the class teacher together with Specialist Subject teacher areas including Art, Library, Music, Japanese/French, PE and Health. Each area is valued and has much to contribute to our learning. A core theme we will be building throughout the year is to ‘celebrate learning’; the incremental growth of understanding that layers on each day, but also the bursts of knowledge and skills that comes from specific activities and excursions that often ignite an interest. We celebrate them all and will look to acknowledge these moments in all we do through assemblies, newsletters, events and occasions.

Lastly, our MATES program held its first session last week in its new format. MATES is a pastoral program designed to support boys forming friendship connections and mentoring across cohorts through shared activities. In previous years pairs of classes formed MATES groups, this year the suggestion was to work in House groups vertically across all cohorts. Our Housemasters and Captains discussed how this new format might work and designed small groups of eight students within each House, led by two Year 6 boys in each group. The Year 6 boys become leaders of their group with students from Prep to Year 5. All Year 6 boys become leaders in this new format which is a wonderful experience for the cohort as genuine leaders of our Junior School. MATES sessions will take place fortnightly on Thursday afternoons alternating with assemblies. The MATES sessions will keep the core philosophy of forming friendships and mentoring connections across cohorts, getting to know the names of boys, their interests and supporting them to get the most out of the TGS experience. Each session will have a focus topic, last week was ‘How to play games well’, where Year 6 leaders introduced a range of games and activities, then debriefed what made those games work well and how we can resolve issues if they develop in a game. These are valuable experiences to help boys develop the tools and language to help them play with others well. Older boys sharing their knowledge and experience with younger boys, but also the value of the older boys reflecting on their own experiences through teaching helps develop their own character too. The first MATES session was wonderful, a credit to the Housemasters and Captains. The program will continue to develop throughout the term with boys getting to know each other through activities and games whilst also learning about character development through conversations.

Term 2 is a fabulous term, certainly action packed in the first few weeks with Eisteddfod but we keep the daily routines of learning steady throughout. As always, if you have any questions or would like further clarification, please feel comfortable making contact with either myself, Mrs Chantelle Bauer – Deputy Head of Junior School Teaching and Learning, Mr Mike Sharpe – Deputy Head of Junior School or your child's classroom teacher. My sincerest best wishes for the term ahead.

Warms regards and appreciation,

Ken Raven
Head of Junior School

As parents, we all want our children to have the best possible education, and one of the most effective ways for teachers to provide this is through differentiation. Differentiation means tailoring instruction to meet the unique needs and interests of each student, and it can take many forms.

First, let's define differentiation. Differentiation is a teaching approach that recognises that students have different strengths, interests, and learning styles. By adjusting instruction to meet these differences, teachers can help all boys achieve their full potential. In a differentiated classroom, students are given tasks and assignments that are challenging but achievable, and they are supported in their learning with the right level of scaffolding and feedback.

Now let's talk about why differentiation is so important. The reality is that every student learns differently, and it's not fair to expect all students to learn in the same way or at the same pace. When teachers differentiate, they are acknowledging that each student is unique and valuable, and they are working to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed. Moreover, when students feel that their needs are being met, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated, which leads to better learning outcomes.

So how can teachers differentiate in practice? One way is by differentiating content. This means providing students with different materials or resources based on their level of understanding or interest. For example, within our PLD (Promoting Literacy Development) program here at the Junior School, we use regular cycles of diagnostic testing to screen our students so they can be grouped into targeted teaching groups for spelling.

Teachers can also differentiate by adjusting the learning environment. This means creating a classroom that is supportive and welcoming for all students. For example, our teachers provide opportunities for students to work in small groups or pairs, as well as offering flexible seating arrangements. By creating a positive and inclusive learning environment, teachers can help all our boys feel valued and supported.

Chantelle Bauer
Deputy Head of Junior School - Teaching and Learning

Blue Care Concert
On Thursday, 20 April, Tribe and Tribe Junior visited Blue Care to present a concert. This was such a positive experience for the boys, and the feedback from all involved was extremely positive. This concert provided our choirs with a fabulous performance opportunity in preparation for the upcoming Toowoomba Eisteddfod. The concert also featured solos from Harry Constable (viola), Liam Galappaththi (alto saxophone), Suhaan Chowdhury (violin) and Ruhan Bulchandani (cello). Thank you to the Probus Club for organising our visit, and to Mr Raven and Mrs Miller for accompanying us on this excursion.

Choral Showcase Concert

Our annual Choral Showcase Concert will occur next Friday, 28 April in the Senior School Assembly Hall, commencing at 6:30pm. Tribe and Tribe Junior will be performing at the event, along with choirs and soloists from the Senior School. All families are welcome to attend.

Toowoomba Eisteddfod
All boys from Prep to Year 6 have been busy preparing for the Eisteddfod in their weekly Voiceworks rehearsals. It is most important that all boys are in attendance for the relevant performances. Please find Eisteddfod times listed below for each year level. A letter with the below information has also been emailed to all parents.

Musicians’ Concert Term 2

The Term 2 Musicians’ Concert will be held on Thursday, 18 May. If your son is receiving private singing or instrumental lessons, I encourage him to consider nominating for this performance opportunity. Please discuss this with your son’s music tutor.

Singers’ Trophy

The Junior School Singers’ Trophy will be held on Thursday, 8 June at 6.00pm in Old Hall. This adjudicated competition has been held annually since 1997 and is open to all boys from Years 2 to 6, with trophies awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places. Nominations are now open for Singers’ Trophy and due to the office by Tuesday, 30 May. A letter and nomination form has been emailed to parents.

Kellie Dixon
Head of Junior School Music

Readers' Cup is a school-based reading competition for boys in Years 4 to 6. It is a competition that rewards students who enjoy and are good at reading. Just as students who are good at sport receive rewards, good readers should receive prizes, medals and trophies for competing in reading.

Individual challenge: each boy reads all five books and then competes with other boys from their year level to answer quiz questions from the books. Each year level will have a champion reader. Boys are placed from 1^st to 4^th in this competition.

When the boys have finished a Readers' Cup book, they sit for a quiz and if they get 70%, they are awarded a badge that entitles them to a hot chocolate and chocolate. The boys love doing the Readers’ Cup quizzes. There is a real sense of achievement when they are awarded their badge for doing well on a quiz.

Boys can still participate in the Readers’ Cup and not compete in the individual competition. Boys may read a Readers’ Cup book for their year level and do a quiz. I would encourage all boys to read at least one Readers’ Cup book and to do a quiz.

The top four boys in the Year 6 competition will represent our school at the Regional Readers' Cup organised by the Qld Branch of the Children's Book Council of Australia. It is a state-wide competition for young readers. Teams of four students read a set of books and then compete with other teams all over the Darling Downs to answer quiz questions from the books. Winners from regional competitions then compete in a state final.

Michelle Worthington
Teacher-Librarian

I hope you were able to spend some relaxing time with family and friends over the break.

We are very excited for the start of Term 2 sport. With ‘too much sport is never enough’ as our motto, we are certainly living up to that this term! We have GPS Football, Tennis and Cross Country and Club Football and Rugby kicking off early in Term 1.

GPS Football and Tennis
There has been a hive of activity surrounding this term’s GPS sports, football and tennis. The boys are excited about the term and have been training well in the lead up. We wish all boys involved the best of luck. Please see information in the Sports, The Arts and Activities section of the TGS App for details of all matches.

Club Football and Club Rugby
Club Football and Rugby kicked off their seasons last weekend. Football boys are playing at various venues around Toowoomba, and rugby boys are made the trek to what is always a fantastic carnival in Goondiwindi.

Club Football information can be found on the TGS App and also the squadi app.

Club Rugby information can be found on the TGS App.

Wishing all boys involved in sport, the very best for a fantastic season ahead.

Cross Country
Boys continue to work hard in preparation for Cross Country carnivals. GPS pre-meet information has been distributed and can be found on Parent Lounge.

We wish all boys involved in the Range Zone Trials next Friday, a fast run. Good luck.

Sport Homework
Throw a tennis ball (or similar) with your son in the backyard or park. The skill of overarm throwing translates to many sports so it is heavily encouraged. It is also a good chance to have a chat with your boy.

Brendan Doherty
Sportsmaster

On the Monday, 24 April 2023 the Toowoomba Grammar School Army Cadet Unit proudly commemorated the 108th ANZAC Day.

This year, TGS remembered those brave Old Boys who enlisted, fought, and died in the battles of WWII, Vietnam, Korea and Afghanistan. Lieutenant Colonel Uli Polatos, Commanding Officer, 7th signal Regiment (Electronic Warfare) was our guest speaker and spoke of the continuous legacy left behind by those very brave young men. TGS ACU would like to extend our gratitude to Lt. Col. Polatos for attending our Service.

Thank you also to our Cadets and their parents for attending our Service and being so supportive of our history.

On Tuesday morning, TGS Army Cadets attended the moving Toowoomba midday ANZAC March. The cadets took the time to reflect on those who have admirably served in the Australian Defence Forces in all conflicts here and overseas.

Joining with the other dedicated youth of Toowoomba, the combined Toowoomba Defence Force Cadets marched proudly down Margaret Street to stand vigil at Mothers' Memorial, a tradition that has been followed since its inception in 1923.

This year's guest speaker was Year 12 student, Sam Freer who spoke beautifully of the lasting legacy and immortalisation of Australia's first General and TGS Old Boy Harry Chauvel. Congratulations to Sam on your inspiring speech.

We now turn our attention to the upcoming Recruit Bivouac and Army Open Days. TGS Army Cadets Challenge Yourself.

On a cold and somber April morning in 1927 a contingent of boys from Toowoomba Grammar School mounted Mothers' Memorial, then located in the middle of Margaret Street, to commemorate the thousands of young Toowoomba boys who had died in the fierce fighting of World War I. The Toowoomba Grammar School Honour Guard proudly continues this legacy today.

Throughout the years this vigil has extend to three vigils with the TGS Honour Guard mounting the vigil at the Dawn Service, Wreath Laying and Mid-morning services. The boys and girls of the Honour Guard represented TGS with immense pride on Tuesday and the community's gratitude was clear to see.

Congratulations to all the members of the Honour Guard.

TGS Football season has commenced

Week 1 Term 2 is one of the most difficult weeks to get a school sport up and away before your first fixture of the season. Thank you to all boys and parents that came in on “Super Monday” to assist in finding the right team for the boys. Numbers were lower than expected so we will adjust our strategy for next year.

Representative selections commence

TSSS Trials for the Junior and Senior school boys have now taken place and we are delighted to see a number of boys selected to represent the Toowoomba District team as they progress towards Darling Downs selections.

TSSS 10-12 Years selected boys are Ben Browett, Harry Dow, Alex Duncan, Liam Galappaththi, Darcy Haywood, Henry Reeves and Noah Richardson. These boys will play at Stanthorpe on Monday, 8 May and Tuesday, 9 May where they will hope to be selected for the Darling Downs team who are playing in the State Carnival in Cairns from the 3-6 August.

TSSS 13-16 Years selected boys are Kagan Cumming, Jack Haddow, Tdonson Hammond and Ben Miller.

TSSS 17-19 Years selected boys are Ben Anderson, Jacob Austin, Yoseph Bou-Samra, Taku Doherty, Luke Parish, Zac Pherous, Aaron Picker, Kai Richardson, Riley Schutz, William Searle and Clancy Wright. These boys will play at Harristown on Tuesday, 2 May where they will hope to be selected for the Darling Downs team who are playing in the State Carnival in Brisbane from 20-23 July.

TGS team selections

Boys are selected into teams based on their technical ability; their attitude and performance at training; their attitude and behaviour whilst at School. Boys new to the School may take some time to find their right level and we have instructed all coaches to promote players who are showing the ability to perform at a higher level.

Many boys at the School are motivated to play for fun and friendship and a whole raft of boys may have never played community football at all. If a boy has hardly played football in their formative years, then it is extremely rare for them to be technically adept when they first start to play. The relationship between the ball, the ground and the foot takes time to evolve and requires thousands of hours of practice to master. Mastering the ball on the chest, head and thigh requires a high degree of balance, technique and coordination supplemented by practice, practice, practice. Being fit and committed does not make you an elite footballer but it does give you a great foundation to master all the other aspects of playing and playing at a higher level. Boys new to the School have time to catch up but may need to accept that they need to put in some hours of practice before they get there.

Catering for all standards

The School caters for performance players as well as players still exploring the game. Experience has shown that after the first round of fixtures, we see a correction in where boys have been graded and any errors in selection are quickly rectified. If a boy gets moved up or moved down, please know that we will do this to maximise their experience so they play at their performance level. This week we dealt with boys and parents who were disappointed with the team they have been selected to play in. Our guidance to them has been to work hard, improve your technique, improve your strength and fitness (Wednesday lunchtime in the gym). Boys can become a better player by improving their first touch, improving their decision making on the ball and much more. Football more than any other ball sport is a technical game requiring individuals to master the fundamentals and to apply them on the field of play. Players who make it to the 1^st team starting XI are all unique but equally bring similar traits to the game. These players are capable of anticipating the game, they are capable of displaying incredible control of the ball with all parts of the body; they have an outstanding first touch and can use their body to protect the ball from the opposition. Most important of all however is their ability to maintain possession or combine with a team mate to create or prevent goal scoring chances that win games.

Round 1 – Gregory Terrace at home

Saturday, 22 April saw the School host the first round of the 2023 season with the visit of the highly fancied Gregory Terrace. Our teams had grown by three senior teams this year meaning we have had to utilise fields off site for the first time in two years. This week, our Year 7s played at St Joseph’s College in Toowoomba and I would like to extend my thanks to them for providing us with a warm welcome.

We were gifted with a glorious autumn day and our fields were in outstanding condition following the extensive work of our magnificent grounds staff. The sight of busy fields across the campus on a home fixture in the sun is something that builds great memories for boys and families alike.

Notable performances occurred across all age categories with stand out performances registered by 11Bs who won 4-1, 11Ds who won 2-0, 10Cs who came out on top with a 4-2 win, 11As held on to win 1-0, the mighty 4^th team won 2-0 and our 10Bs were also winners at 4-1.

Other performances of note were the 8As, 10As and 10Ds who were held to a draws in closely contested and hard fought matches.

The most incredible result of the day however goes to the 7E team that participated in an incredibly high scoring game which finished 10-17 in favour of the visitors.

TGS 1st team coach – Mr Mike Mulvey

The School is very fortunate to hold the services of former Brisbane Roar 1^st Team Coach, Mr Mike Mulvey (A League Champion and a former head coach at the Queensland Academy of Sport). Now in his third season here, Mr Mulvey has built a strong work ethic amongst players in the emerging football program with an expectation that boys will become men of strong character both on and off the field. Players are selected on their ability as an individual as well as their capacity to be a part of a winning mindset. Mr Mulvey believes that players must operate with integrity which requires boys to have excellent communication skills and a commitment to the team and each other. Poor academic performance and behaviours are not tolerated and boys who cross the line are stood down from Football activities.

The 1^st XI v GT

The highlight of any young man’s football journey at Grammar is to represent the School at the highest level. In football, a lucky few each year are chosen where we see around 20 boys representing the School and the whole football program in their role as a 1^st team player. Selection to the 1^st XI is the culmination of a long football journey which brings great pride for players and equally great pressure. Some boys are built for the finest stages and rise to the occasion with ease whilst others take time to feel comfortable and at home in the 1^st team shirt.

Pre-season this year provided seven fixtures meaning we were much closer to being game ready for a big opener against GT. Team selections for the opening game of a season is one that vindicates a boy’s hard work and self-worth to a squad. The emotion of selection and the pride that goes with it is something that sits well with boys and their families and is a vindication of the sacrifices families have made along the journey. Boys who just miss out are primed to reset and fight back so they take their chance when it eventually comes. Fighting back is part of a rich lesson in adult life. How boys and their families react to adversity prepares all for the eventual transition for life beyond school.

TGS - Gregory Terrace 3-all draw

Both teams entered the game with much anticipation, and it was obvious from the onset that both teams were well organised and equally well prepared. TGS had set themselves up with three at the back, such was the confidence Mike Mulvey has shown in his players ability to deal with any threat presented. TGS was out of the blocks quickly where they showed courage and confidence on the ball as they zipped combinations of passes together across the field of play. An onslaught of early pressure saw TGS on the front foot resulting in a tap in from Richard Dean to give TGS the lead. The supporting crowd erupted with joy and the boys celebrated ecstatically as the pressure cooker of pre-season preparations exploded with joy. GT froze under noise and before they could find a heater to melt the ice, they found themselves 2 – 0 down following a breathtaking finish from the edge of the box by Jaydahn Hearn. TGS was in dreamworld and the contrast to the start of last year’s campaign could not be more profound. Gradually, the game settled, and nerves calmed and eventually GT found their rhythm and started to show their quality. TGS became complacent and lost their shape and they allowed GT too much space in the midfield. Gradually GT found their rhythm and it wasn’t too long before they found a first and then second goal to bring the scores back to 2-2. A half time analysis delivered by Mike Mulvey steadied the ship. Mike asked the boys to be more disciplined and to hold their shape. He asked for more intensity and to not let GT gain the upper hand. The second half was better; nobody gained an advantage and two evenly match sides played out a good mannered and even contest. The final five minutes provided further excitement as GT gained a penalty. GT celebrations were cut short though, when TGS scored immediately from the kickoff with a superb finish by Riley Shutz to make the final score 3-3.

Our statistics for round 1 will record seven wins, four draws and 19 losses; however, results aside, we maintain our joy at being able to provide boys with a wonderful GPS experience in Football.

BILL TURNER CUP

Toowoomba Grammar School was proud to host the Bill Turner Cup yesterday (Thursday, 27 February).

The competition comprised teams from St Joesph's College, Centenary Heights State High School, Mary Mackillop, Highlands Christian College, Lowood, Sophia Lockyer, Harristown State School, Toowoomba State High School and St Mary's College.

The boys were group winners and will now play CentenaryHighSchool on the 10th May in the District Semifinals.

The TGS Age Championships were recently contested and there were some excellent matches played. Congratulations to the following boys on their results:

Year 7 winner - James Statton

Year 7 Runner up - Will Ward

Year 8 Winner - Charlie Rafter

Year 8 Runner up - Angus Kues-sales

Year 10 Winner - Charles Pimm

Year 10 Runner up - Ryan Sullivan

Year 11 Winner - Dallas Baker

Year 11 Runner up - Henry Paton

Open Winner - Tom Dwyer

Open Runner Up - Dallas Baker

The Year 9 final is still to be completed and will see Henry Maunder face off against Hugh Mansfield.

The boys have been preparing for the tennis season with the 1sts squad and A squad camps over Easter. The 1sts had three quality trial games and salvaged two draws and a win in preparation for the season.

The opening round against GT provided very tough competition. Congratulations to the Open 4ths, 10B, 9D, 8A, and 8B teams on their success. Special mention to the Open 2nds, 10A, 8B, and 7A teams on their matches that were extremely close results.

The 1st IV played well to create opportunities in their encounter but couldn’t quite win the deciding sets of their matches, losing three of the five deciding sets. In a very good display, GT secured the win 6 rubbers to 2.

Good luck in the following rounds boys.

2023 Queensland Representative School Sport (QRSS) - Volleyball Championships

Hosted at Nissan Arena, Nathan this year, the annual QRSS competition pits the top school aged athletes from all over Queensland against each other over four days of volleyball competition. For 2023, the U19 and U15 Darling Downs teams were represented by 11 Toowoomba Grammar School athletes (L-R) Rory Webster, Elliott Simon, Ned Sullivan, Joe Mayers, Ed Rogan, Finn Moriarty, Kurt Seckler, Chayton Wong, Will Smith, Beau Fowler and Angus Clews, with the U15 team coached by TGS staff member, Mr Eric Smith. The boys represented the School and region with pride, consistently putting their best foot forward for their team.

This event marks the final schoolboys volleyball competition for our Year 12 students, Joe Mayers, Ed Rogan, Beau Fowler and Angus Clews. Whilst they move on to other activities now, we sincerely hope that they continue to play volleyball beyond school and bring their particular flare to whichever team they represent.

Well done to all boys and Mr Smith!

Goondiwindi Junior Carnival

The Downs Junior Rugby Competition got underway on Saturday with the traditional Goondiwindi Carnival. TGS entered teams in the U6, U7, U8, U9, U10, and U11. All TGS players represented the Blue and Gold jersey superbly. Thank you to the team coaches for having our teams well prepared for the season and a big thank you to the 1^st XV players who made the trip out and assisted our junior teams. Best of luck for the remainder of the season.

Thank you to all players, parents and coaches who attended the GPS Cricket Presentation Awards last Wednesday evening. While we gathered to celebrate those players to had memorable seasons, all players should be proud of the way they conducted themselves throughout the season.

Thank you for all of your support and I hope you have an enjoyable Term 2.

2023 GPS Cricket Team of the Year

Our boarders have been revelling in their return to TGS for Term 2. It is always wonderful to witness the boys greeting each other like they have been apart for years rather than two weeks!

It is traditional for the Easter holidays to conclude with a family sleep-over for the boarders who have already committed to next year. It was wonderful to host this group that made full use of the opportunity to visit and begin their boarding journey at TGS. I give my thanks to the families who travelled so far to be with us. I also thank Lisa Baker, a current Corfe mother, and Kym Wright our BPSG President for joining the Q&A panel. They were very ably assisted by some our Boarding Prefects and alongside our Heads of House, they all gave valuable insight into the life of a boarder at Toowoomba Grammar School. Our Boarding Prefects did share that a highlight of their first year of boarding is having a weekend out on leave with a dayboy and for those dayboy parents reading this, I encourage your son to invite a boarder into you home for a weekend if you haven’t done so already this year.

The first Tuesday night of the term featured a special presentation to boarders that is part of our ‘life skills’ program. Delivered by Ms Rhiannon Stone, a Sports Nutritionist who has worked with many of Toowoomba’s top athletes, the presentation was about how a healthy diet can positively impact a boarder's wellbeing. Rhiannon used practical examples from our dining hall menu to illustrate to our boarders the choices they can be making to achieve their nutritional needs, whether that is increasing muscle mass for sport or to simply eat to ensure they stay healthy, alert and focused throughout the school day. Importantly, Rhiannon shared some information regarding the use of supplements by adolescents. There were some intuitive questions from the boys, and I will be working closely with our Sports and Activities Department to develop a policy regarding supplements and their use in our boarding houses.

Looking ahead to Term 2, I am excited to once again be venturing out into our community to visit families as part of the TGS on Tour program. Our Heads of House will also be joining me on some of these trips and I am looking forward to strengthening those relationships that underpin our program.

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.

TGS is on Tour again in Term 2 and we're coming to a town near you!

We'd love to catch up with your family, and please invite friends or anyone who may be considering sending their son to TGS, we'd love to meet them too!

If you can make it to any of our coming events, please register here https://bit.ly/3KWDFkU

Toowoomba Grammar School is proud to present the latest in our Raising Good Men Seminars - The Teenage Brain.

Experienced psychologist, Susan Long will discuss how the brain changes during adolescence and how parents can apply this understanding to their teenager's thought process and decision making.

This free event will be held at Toowoomba Grammar School in the Jacaranda Room at The Pavilion on Wednesday, 10 May from 6:30pm. Due to restricted numbers, please reserve your seat here.

We warmly invite you, your family and friends to join us for this unique experience - Headmaster's Invitational Morning on Thursday, 11 May.

Come and meet key TGS staff, take a tour of our beautiful facilities and discover the opportunities Toowoomba Grammar School can offer your son as our specialised staff help him to develop into a man of good character, who is resilient and ready for the challenges of life.

Please register here if you can join us https://bit.ly/3OeUQMI

We are excited to open our beautiful campus to you family, friends and the wider community on Saturday, 20 May.

Enjoy various activities, take a tour of our outstanding facilities, see the workings of some of our classes and cheer on our football and tennis teams in action.

We look forward to seeing you.

We warmly invite all of the ladies in our TGS community to attend the P&F Ladies' Evening. This event is open to both Junior School and Senior School ladies.

You can book online here, select 'Events and Activities', in the group menu select 'Parents and Friends', in the event menu select 'P&F Ladies Evening 2023'.

We hope you can join us.

Please tell your family and friends about our Term 2 Grammar Boy for a Day on Friday, 26 May for Year 7 students and Tuesday, 30 May for Prep to Year 6 students.

Come and meet key staff, tour our beautiful campus and your son can join his relevant year level and be a Grammar Boy for a Day experiencing the wonderful academic, sporting and cultural opportunities available.

Everyone is welcome to attend. Limited places available - register now http://bit.ly/3wPPDFy

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.

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)

We are very excited to have Toowoomba Grammar School feature in the latest edition of The Australian Farmer.

You can read our article here