THE BLUE AND GOLD - Friday, 30 May 2025 - Toowoomba Grammar School

Dear TGS Families,

This week at the Senior School Assembly I spoke with the boys about two powerful and defining moments in the life of our School - moments that both reflected the best of who we are and reminded us of the values we hold dear.

We began by reflecting on the extraordinary success of the Year 12 Gift Run, held the day before. In a tribute to a 1968 Interact Club fundraiser, our Year 12 cohort completed a 100-kilometre run in relay format, totalling a collective 1500km - a powerful example of teamwork and shared purpose. Adding to the significance of the event, one student, James Petersen, made the remarkable decision to run the entire 100 kilometres solo. Beginning at 4am and running into the early evening, James undertook the challenge in honour of his late grandfather, raising funds for Hope Horizon. I am also grateful to James for honouring Mrs Kinniburgh as well. It was an exceptional demonstration of character, courage and commitment. Seeing his family join him for part of the run, and witnessing the overwhelming support from his peers, staff and the broader TGS community, was both moving and inspiring.

Year 12 students at the start of the G150 Gift Run

James Petersen at the start of the G150 Gift Run

It reminded us that character is often shown not in grand gestures, but in quiet determination - the choice to keep going, to endure pain and push through doubt. And while James' achievement stands out, it was the collective spirit - of staff running alongside students, boys cheering one another on and the community standing shoulder-to-shoulder - that truly defined the day.

In that moment, we were living our School values:

Community – coming together in support, encouragement and shared purpose.
Commitment – to causes greater than ourselves, and to each other.
Character – demonstrated through resilience, humility and strength.

Later in the Assembly, we turned our focus to National Reconciliation Week, an opportunity to pause, reflect and reaffirm our shared responsibility in walking forward together as a nation. This year’s theme, Bridging Now to Next, urges all Australians to honour the past, stay grounded in the present and move into the future with unity and respect.

At Toowoomba Grammar School, this theme holds particular resonance in our 150th year. It invites us to reflect on the legacy of those who came before - and to consider how we, today, can contribute to a culture that values truth-telling, mutual respect and reconciliation. Our students are not just inheritors of tradition; they are participants in shaping what comes next.

We discussed with the boys that Reconciliation is not confined to a week, a poster, or a message - it is an ongoing practice. It lives in our willingness to listen, to learn and to act. Through assemblies, classroom discussions and personal reflection, we aim to deepen our students’ understanding of Australia’s shared history and foster a sense of responsibility for building a more just and inclusive future.

As I shared with the boys, we all have the freedom to choose our attitude in any circumstance — a message captured powerfully in a favourite quote from Viktor Frankl:

"Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the freedom to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances."

In recent weeks, we’ve seen some wavering in our School spirit - lapses in behaviour, moments of disengagement. But what we saw through the Gift Run and our reflections on Reconciliation Week was a timely reminder of the kind of community we are capable of being when we live our values fully and intentionally.

As we continue through this landmark 150th year, I encouraged the boys to consider what legacy they wish to leave. Not just in the milestones we celebrate, but in how we carry ourselves - every day, in every interaction, in the values we choose to live.

The boys concluded the Assembly with a preview of a musical piece from the upcoming School Musical with Fairholme College, Midnight: The Cinderella Musical. They performed "Being the King", a musical piece from the first act featuring the Prince and his father. The full performance will take place at the Empire Theatre on Thursday, 5 and Friday, 6 June. I encourage all families to attend and enjoy what promises to be a memorable and entertaining show. Tickets are available via the Empire Theatre Box Office or online.

Kind regards,
Dr John C Kinniburgh
Headmaster

At Toowoomba Grammar School, we are committed to fostering a culture of continuous learning and academic excellence. As part of this commitment, we would like to remind parents of the availability of results and feedback through Parent Lounge, and to reflect on the broader value of a knowledge-rich curriculum in supporting student success—not just during assessment periods, but throughout the entire learning journey.

Parent Lounge – Results and Feedback

It has been fantastic to see increased interaction with student results via Parent Lounge. Families are reminded that results and feedback are provided through Parent Lounge, directly linked to individual assessment tasks. This approach replaces the traditional semester-end summaries and allows students and parents to receive timely, task-specific insights while the learning is still fresh and actionable. Once logged into Parent Lounge, parents can click on Curricular Activities to view each of their son/s’ assessments tasks. Please note that for staff to provide meaningful, high-impact task feedback for a range of classes, this may be released three weeks following the individual assessment task.

By providing this information through Parent Lounge, both students and parents can see this improvement-focused feedback, helping boys close the gap between current performance and desired outcomes. Whether through annotated rubrics, written comments, or uploaded assessments, this feedback is designed to be personal, purposeful and future-focused.

The Value of a Knowledge-Rich Curriculum

At Toowoomba Grammar School, our curriculum is intentionally designed to be rigorous and knowledge-rich. Lessons are structured to build on foundational concepts, enabling students to develop increasingly complex skills and understanding over time. This approach not only prepares students for assessments but also equips them with the tools to think critically, solve problems and engage meaningfully with the world around them. Learning is not a sprint to the next exam—it is a continuous process of growth, curiosity and discovery. A strong base of knowledge in a range of curriculum areas is essential to think deeply and build connections.

Following this current period of assessment and examinations, there will be a period of new learning in preparation for next term. It is important that all boys remain active and engaged through to the end of term, to ensure that they position themselves for success in achieving their learning goals moving forward.

Gabe Robbie
Head of Curriculum

Every morning for the past week, I've had a conversation with a dead man. Just a short one, and he doesn't listen to me, but I take in what he has to say with consideration for the day. It's interesting how, given that he has been dead for over 1900 years, he still has things to say that are relevant, timely and worth consideration.

The man in question is Marcus Aurelius, and the conversation is reading Meditations, a book that I am coming to a second time; but the sentiment, that this was written so long ago and still read by so many today is an interesting one. Where, outside of the written word can we engage with the innermost thoughts of people long dead? Where can we hear their stories, their tragedies and their triumphs? While music and art also live in the space of long-term legacy, time capsules that we today can still use to engage with their creators. The written word give a powerful insight into the language, thoughts, emotions and feelings of those around us throughout history. Meditations was a Journal, written by an Emperor of the most powerful empire on earth at the time, it was private, never meant to be read by anyone else; yet here, today, anyone can access it, to read these private musings, to consider, to learn, to apply, as have so many others in the last 1900 years.

I find it interesting to apply the test of time to cultural creations like books, music, movies, the things that are so popular today or in the moment; and ask, will they outlive their creators; will they still speak to the people of the day when their creators are no longer with us and our culture has changed; will they still speak to the humanity within us to be relevant, timely and adored? Shakespeare's plays, for example.

Will we still listen to Taylor Swift in a hundred years time? Will we still read The Hunger Games?

Will people go to retro screenings of Star Wars? While I wait to see, I can continue to read and enjoy the works of my forebears, as so many have before, building a shared cultural capital, shared experience and hopefully new and interesting insights into these time-tested works.

Meanwhile, I will continue my morning chat with Marus Aurelius and ask myself, will Meditations still be read in another 2000 years? Who knows; only time will tell.

If you'd like to read some books that have stood the test of time here's a couple to consider:

The Iliad & The Odyssey (7th / 8th century BC) - Homer, died approx. 800 BC
Pride and Prejudice (1813) - Jane Austen, died 1817
Romeo and Juliet (1596) - WIlliam Shakespeare, died 1616
Frankenstein (1818) - Mary Shelley, died 1851
War of the Worlds (1898) - H. G. Wells, died 1946
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1870) - Jules Verne, died 1905
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1979) - Douglas Adams, died 2001
Dante's Inferno (1314) - Dante Alighieri, died 1321
Fahrenheit 451 (1953) - Ray Bradbury, died 2012
The Lord of the Rings (1954) - J. R. R Tolkien, died 1973
Meditations (170AD) - Marcus Aurelius, died 180AD

Daniel Crook
Head of Library and Information Services

I will begin by sharing highlights from Mrs Bauer, Deputy Head of Junior School (Teaching and Learning) and Ms Hall, Deputy Head of Junior School (Students). Their articles that follow offer valuable and helpful guidance around the upcoming semester reports on student progress and balancing the numerous school commitments many of our boys and families have.

The article from Mrs Bauer discusses school reports and provides a guide for understanding the learning progress information your son's teachers provide and how to best utilise that for conversations with your son or discussions with his teacher on how to support his learning. Ms Hall’s article discusses the value and importance of accessing the range of co-curricular offerings our boys have access to and how to best maintain family balance in managing their energy, time and learning at different stages of their development. I think our community value both topics – how we best support our boys learning and how we can support a range of co-curricular experiences with all the benefits each offer. This will likely look different for each family circumstance. If you are having those conversations at home and would appreciate some guidance or a different perspective from school, Mrs Bauer, Ms Hall, your son's class teacher or I may be able to assist. We work with many families and see daily the efforts of boys across all age groups and how they are navigating their learning and activities at different stages of a term. Please feel comfortable getting in touch if this is something you would appreciate a conversation around.

It’s been a busy yet smooth phase of the term with many happenings over the past few weeks that have been exciting for the Junior School community, while maintaining our regular learning routines in class also.

Just in the past few weeks the boys have all performed choral pieces at Eisteddfod, celebrated Mother's Day, worked into the new sporting seasons and held a number of social connection events with Fairholme College and The Glennie School.

Recently all boys in the Junior School participated in the Choral Eisteddfod either through their Voiceworks choir or co-curricular group Tribe/Tribe Junior. Mrs Dixon, Acting Head of Performing Arts will share more about the performance aspects in her section of the Blue and Gold, but I would like to share my gratitude for the collective efforts from the boys, families and staff, and the value of the experience boys have in preparing for performances and delivering performances. It’s wonderful for all students to have the experience of singing in a group. Our boys enjoy this experience weekly as part of their Voiceworks cohort choirs. The value of working together to perform a piece, the shaping of a sound, the entry and exit on and off stage with all the stage craft this involves and performing for an audience is wonderful. Providing avenues to develop this further through Tribe Junior (Years 1 to 3) and Tribe (Years 4 to 6) is excellent for boys who are enjoying singing and performing.

Sharing these experiences with our community both in school and more broadly is lovely also. These choral pieces make every occasion feel very special and provide the boys with a valuable sense of contribution to our School community. Thank you all for supporting the Arts, and in particular the recent Eisteddfod event.

In the past week, students in Prep, Year 1 and 2 enjoyed a special celebration of Under 8’s day with Fairholme College and The Glennie School. The experience celebrates and acknowledges the early years of childhood, the fun, play and discovery they see daily and the value young children have through their interactions with each other. We also value the important social connection the boys have with the girls of both schools, where many of our boys' sisters attend, and social connections we maintain through a variety of events through to Year 12. Social development has great importance for a young person, contributing to their overall educational experience alongside their peers. Recently also, the Year 5 cohort participated in a scavenger hunt afternoon activity hosted by The Glennie School. They had a fabulous time working through the clues in small groups from each school to find each of the stations and solve the puzzle. Today, our Year 6 cohort is hosting both schools again for a disco in our Junior School Hall. This occasion is always great fun filled with dance and games but also some conversation time while sharing some snacks together. Thank you for all involved in organising and running these events, they require a great deal of logistical effort but are tremendously valued by the students and families from each school.

Upcoming excursions for cohorts:

Year 5 will experience a Gold Rush Day bringing their Humanities unit to life.
Prep students are traveling to the Darling Downs Zoo.
Year 3 are heading to Amaroo for an environmental sustainability experience.
Year 4 are travelling to Brisbane exploring parliament and museum.

I will share more from these excursions in our next edition of the Blue and Gold.

With warm regards and thanks.

Ken Raven
Head of Junior School

Academic Reporting - Supporting Growth and Celebrating Progress

As we approach the end of the semester, it’s timely to reflect on the role of academic reporting within the Junior School at Toowoomba Grammar. Reporting is more than a summary of results—it’s a meaningful opportunity to understand your son’s learning journey, celebrate his achievements and identify areas where further support may be beneficial.

These reports are designed to provide a clear picture of your child’s progress. They highlight strengths, pinpoint areas for development and offer insights into how your son is engaging with the curriculum. We encourage you to take the time to acknowledge and celebrate his efforts—recognition of hard work and growth can significantly boost confidence, motivation and a love of learning.

Your involvement in this process is vital. By engaging with the report and discussing it with your son, you help reinforce the value of learning and the importance of striving for personal bests. We deeply value the partnership between home and school in supporting each boy’s academic and personal development.

Understanding the Report Card

At the beginning of Term 3, you will receive your son’s academic report. The Junior School uses a five-point scale to describe student achievement in each learning area:

Code Explanation

AP Applying – Demonstrates a thorough understanding and can transfer skills to new situations.
MC Making Connections – Shows clear understanding and is beginning to apply skills in new contexts.
WW Working With – Demonstrates expected understanding and applies skills in familiar situations.
EX Exploring – Shows partial understanding and uses skills with some support.
BA Becoming Aware – Beginning to grasp key concepts and apply basic skills.

Please note: Working With indicates that a student is performing at the expected level for their year group.

In addition to academic achievement, teachers report on each student’s approach to learning using a four-point scale for work ethic indicators:

Code Explanation

E Exceeding Teacher Expectations
M Meeting Teacher Expectations
O Occasionally Below Teacher Expectations
R Regularly Below Teacher Expectations

This section reflects your son’s effort, organisation, behaviour and respect across all learning areas. A general comment from the classroom teacher will also be included to provide further context.

Reports will be released during the school holidays, in line with the Senior School.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in your son’s education.

Warm regards,

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

The Importance of a Balanced and Holistic Approach to Education

As we guide our boys through their educational journey, it's essential to embrace a balanced and holistic approach. In the Junior School, we believe that education extends beyond academics, encompassing a wide range of experiences that contribute to the overall development of our boys.

Balancing Academics and Co-curricular Activities

Research shows that a holistic education, which addresses the emotional, social, ethical and academic needs of students, leads to better outcomes. While academic achievement is important, it's equally vital to provide children with opportunities to explore their interests and talents outside the classroom. Co-curricular activities such as sports, music, art and drama not only enhance creativity and physical health but also teach valuable life skills like teamwork, discipline and time management. Encouraging your child to participate in these activities can help them develop a well-rounded personality and discover their passions.

Managing Competing Priorities

In today's fast-paced world, children often face multiple demands on their time. Balancing schoolwork, co-curricular activities and family time can be challenging. As parents, it's important to help our children balance their commitments and manage their time effectively. Teaching them to set realistic goals and create a balanced schedule can reduce stress and prevent burnout. Remember, it's okay to say no to certain activities if it means maintaining a healthy balance.

The Importance of Rest and Consolidation

Amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, we must not overlook the importance of rest. Adequate sleep and downtime are essential for children's physical and mental well-being. Rest allows their bodies to recover and their minds to process and consolidate what they've learned. Studies have shown that sleep plays a critical role in consolidating learning, making new knowledge more permanent and easily accessible. Encourage your child to take breaks, get enough sleep and engage in relaxing activities. This not only improves their overall health but also enhances their ability to retain information and perform better academically.

Creating a Supportive Environment

A supportive and nurturing environment at home plays a significant role in your child's education. Show interest in their activities, celebrate their achievements and provide encouragement during challenging times. Open communication and a positive attitude towards learning can foster a love for education and motivate your child to strive for excellence.

Amanda Hall
Deputy Head of Junior School (Students)

Toowoomba Eisteddfod

Congratulations to all boys who performed in the recent Toowoomba Eisteddfod. I am very proud of all of our Voiceworks groups for their involvement and thank you to parents for supporting these performances. In addition to our choral involvement, we had a number of boys compete in piano, voice and speech and drama sections. Please find below results from the Junior School.

RESULT	ENSEMBLE	SECTION

2nd	Tribe	Primary School BOYS CHOIR
3rd	Tribe Junior	Primary School BOYS CHOIR
HC	Voiceworks 2/3	Primary School Years P - 4 - B Grade Junior Choir
HC	Tribe	Primary School SPIRITUAL SONG or GOSPEL CHOIR

RESULT	PERFORMER	SECTION

1st	Francis Fu	Year 3 PIANO SOLO
1st	Francis Fu	Year 4 & Under AUSTRALIAN COMPOSER PIANO SOLO
1st	Quentin Fu	All Age GRADED PIANO SOLO Preliminary Standard
1st	Riley Green	Year 4 VERSE SPEAKING SOLO
1st	Riley Green	Year 4 MONOLOGUE SOLO
1st	Orion Khatri	Year 4 & Under CONTEMPORARY COMMERCIAL VOCAL SOLO
1st	Savith Wijayaratne	Year 3 & Under VOCAL SOLO
2nd	Oscar Dunk	Year 6 VOCAL SOLO
2nd	Oscar Dunk	Year 5 -7 CONTEMPORARY COMMERCIAL VOCAL SOLO
2nd	Quentin Fu	Year 2 and under PIANO SOLO
2nd	Pranav Sapre	Year 4 & Under CONTEMPORARY COMMERCIAL VOCAL SOLO
3rd	Riley Green	Year 4 HUMOROUS SOLO
3rd	Savith Wijayaratne	Year 2 VERSE SPEAKING SOLO
3rd	Savith Wijayaratne	Year 2 CHARACTER POEM SOLO
HC	Oscar Dunk	Year 6 & Under MUSIC THEATRE PERFORMANCE SOLO
HC	Francis Fu	All Age GRADED PIANO SOLO Grade 3 Standard
HC	Ambrose Jackson	Year 4 & Under CONTEMPORARY COMMERCIAL VOCAL SOLO
HC	Orion Khatri	Year 6 & Under MUSIC THEATRE PERFORMANCE SOLO

Blue Care

Congratulations and thank you to all boys in Tribe and Tribe Junior for your performances at our Blue Care concert on Thursday, 15 May. The residents of Blue Care thoroughly enjoyed performances from both choirs, as well as a number of soloists.

Musicians’ Concert

On Thursday, 29 May we held our Term 2 Musicians’ Concert. Congratulations to the boys who performed and thank you to parents and friends who attended to support these performances.

Orchestra Rehearsals

Correspondence has been sent home regarding our Junior School Orchestra. Should your son be involved, it would be appreciated if you could please note the rehearsal times below and ensure he remembers his instrument and music for all rehearsals.

Monday, 2 June (Week 7), 1:10pm – 2:10pm
Monday, 9 June (Week 8), 1:10pm – 2:10pm
Monday, 16 June (Week 9), 1:10pm – 2:10pm

Singers’ Trophy

The Junior School Singers’ Trophy will be held on Thursday, 12 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. A letter and nomination form has been emailed home to all parents. Nominations are due by Tuesday, 3 June.

Kellie Dixon
Head of Junior School Music


Monday, 2 June	Term 2, Week 7
	Reconciliation Day
	Orchestra rehearsal, Junior School Hall, 1:10pm – 2:10pm
Tuesday, 3 June	Grammar Boy for a Day Prep - Year 6, Junior School, 8:45am - 2:45pm
	Junior School Supporters Group Meeting, Staffroom, 6:30pm
Wednesday, 4 June	Year 4 excursion to the Museum of Brisbane
	Year 2 to attend Year 8 Drama Performance, 12:00pm - 12:35pm
	Staff meeting, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Thursday, 5 June	Year 5 Excursion to Eureka Gold Mine
	Prep Excursion to Darling Downs Zoo
	Assembly, Junior School Hall, 2:30pm
Friday, 6 June	Prep Vision Screening
	Year 1 Visit to Year 8 Drama Performance, 9:45am
	Junior School Tennis Championship (Finals), TGS Tennis Courts, 1:40pm - 3:00pm
Saturday, 7 June	Football and Tennis vs BSHS, Home (Round 7)
	GPS Indigenous Round (Football & Tennis)
	GPS Rugby Trials, A teams
Monday, 9 June	Term 2, Week 8
	Darling Downs Trials, 10 - 12 Years Softball, 10 - 12 Years Tennis
	Southeast Queensland Junior School Football Gala Day, Highfields
	Orchestra rehearsal, Junior School Hall, 1:10pm – 2:10pm
Tuesday, 10 June	Junior School Pyjama Day
	Darling Downs Trials, 10 - 12 Years Touch Football
Wednesday, 11 June	Staff Meeting, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Thursday, 12 June	Blazer Dress Day, Junior School
	Year 3 Excursion to Amaroo - If Trees Could Talk program
	Mates, various locations, 2:30pm - 3:00pm
	Junior School Singers' Trophy, Old Hall, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Friday, 13 June	Photo day
	Track and Field Carnival pre-run event, 800metres (Under 9- Under 12), long jump under 5- under 8 Old Boys' Memorial Oval, 1:35pm - 3:00pm
Saturday, 14 June	Football and Tennis vs NC, away (Round 8)
	GPS Rugby Trials, A teams

Old Boys Event Series Celebrating 150 Years of TGS

Introducing the G150 Rising and Leading Series

To mark Toowoomba Grammar School’s 150th anniversary, we’re proud to launch the G150 Rising and Leading Series — a dynamic program of breakfasts, lunches and dinners designed to bring our community together to celebrate the past, reconnect in the present and look to the future.

In partnership with the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce and TSBE, this series is all about connection, inspiration and leadership.

Why “Rising and Leading”?

This series honours the people and values that have shaped TGS over the past 150 years — while inspiring the next generation of leaders. It’s about more than reflection; it’s about sparking conversations that shape the future of education, business and our region.

Event Recap: Regional Futures Breakfast

Dr John Kinniburgh, Mr Simon Kuestenmacher and Toowoomba Mayor Cr Geoff McDonald (TGS 1984-88)

Our first event, held on Wednesday, 21 May at the Armitage Centre, brought together over 150 community members for an energising and thought-provoking morning with leading demographer Simon Kuestenmacher.

“You are a job creation machine... Manufacturing and agriculture in your top five growth sectors? That’s a dream scenario for a regional community.”
— Simon Kuestenmacher

Simon explored Australia’s global position, Toowoomba’s youthful demographic advantage and the region’s rare economic strengths. He also challenged us to plan with purpose and prepare young people for meaningful, future-ready careers.

Simon Kuestenmacher is ranked among the top 10 data influencers globally

Read the full recap on our BLOG.

What This Means for TGS

Simon’s insights reinforce the vital role schools like TGS play in shaping regional futures. At TGS, we’re committed to preparing boys not just for academic success, but for leadership in a changing world — through critical thinking, global curiosity and strong pathways into key industries.

Upcoming Events

We’re excited to continue the conversation with two upcoming events:

Rising and Leading in Medical Research
Tuesday, 22 July
Rising and Leading in Sport
Friday, 15 August

Join Us

Be part of this milestone year as we celebrate 150 years of leadership, legacy and learning at Toowoomba Grammar School.

Jo Capp
Grammar 150 Project Manager

Upcoming TGS on Tour events

Past and present families, Old Boys and new families are welcome to meet our staff and hear more about what is happening at TGS.

Location	Date	Venue
Walgett	Thursday, 24 July 2025	Walgett Sports Club
Narrabri	Friday, 25 July to Saturday, 26 July 2025	Boarding Schools Expo
Hannaford	Saturday, 26 July 2025	Venue TBC
Bingara	Sunday, 27 July	Imperial Hotel
Adelaide	Wednesday, 30 July to Thursday, 31 July	ICPA Federal Conference

RSVP HERE

Ph: 07 4687 2500
International: +617 4687 2500
24 Margaret Street, Toowoomba, QLD, 4350 Australia

THE BLUE AND GOLD - Friday, 30 May 2025