From the Headmaster | Thank You for Your Support During Tropical Cyclone Alfred
Dear TGS Families
I would like to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to our staff, students, parents and the wider TGS community for your support and adaptability in response to the expected impact of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
While the timing and severity of the weather did not unfold as initially anticipated, I deeply appreciate the way our staff responded with care, professionalism and efficiency. Their proactive planning and dedication ensured that our students remained safe and that school operations could resume smoothly.
To our parents and students, I acknowledge that the unexpected disruptions will have had an impact on your routines, learning and activities. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility during this time. We appreciate the efforts of our boarding families who, where it was safe to do so, made arrangements for students to return home for the brief closure.
Above all, safety remains our highest priority. While some minor repair work will be required on campus, I am pleased to report that the School sustained no significant damage. We will continue to monitor conditions and communicate any necessary adjustments to our operations.
We are also mindful of the wider impact that Tropical Cyclone Alfred has had on GPS schools in Brisbane, Ipswich, and the Gold Coast, where severe weather conditions caused disruptions and damage. Our thoughts are with those school communities as they manage their own recovery efforts, and we extend our support as they work to restore normal operations.
Once again, thank you. It is in times like these that the strength and spirit of the TGS community truly shine.
Kind regards Dr John Kinniburgh Headmaster
P-12 News
From the Deputy Headmaster
Cultivating Leadership Excellence
As we settle into the 2025 academic year, leadership continues to flourish throughout Toowoomba Grammar School. From our youngest Junior School monitors to our Senior Prefects, students across all year levels are embracing opportunities to develop and demonstrate leadership qualities that will serve them well beyond their school years.
Our Senior Prefect team, led by Gilbert Tighe, has made an impressive start to the year. Prior to term commencement, Gilbert coordinated a strategic planning retreat with the elected Prefects to establish their vision for 2025. Working alongside Senior Dayboy Prefect Hedley Donges and Senior Boarder Prefect Rupeni Baravilala, they've developed clear objectives centered on fostering support, inclusion, active participation and community connection for every student at TGS.
The commitment shown by these young men to mentor their younger peers exemplifies the servant leadership principles we hold dear at Toowoomba Grammar School. This ethos extends to our various leadership groups, including House Captains, Academic Leaders, Spirit, Service and Social Coordinators, all of whom have enthusiastically embraced their responsibilities.
Recent assemblies have provided opportunities to recognise leaders across diverse domains - from sporting captains to academic mentors, performing arts representatives to cadet officers. Each of these students embodies our School's unwavering commitment to excellence and service.
Particularly noteworthy is our Interact Club, which continues to be a shining example of service-oriented leadership. The 2025 Executive, comprising President Ben Walker, Co Vice-Presidents Hamish McCollum and Rory Black, Secretary Hedley Donges, Treasurer Olly Dunk and Sergeant-At-Arms Archer Onley, has already initiated several impactful community service projects. Their ongoing support for Sara, our sponsor child at the School of St Jude in Tanzania, alongside local outreach initiatives, perfectly captures Rotary's guiding principle of "Service Above Self."
Safeguarding Our Students
As we progress through Term 1, I would like to reaffirm our absolute commitment to child protection. Toowoomba Grammar School maintains a zero-tolerance stance toward any form of child abuse and we remain vigilant in our efforts to ensure every student's safety and wellbeing.
Harm to a child encompasses any significant detrimental effect on their physical, psychological, or emotional wellbeing, whether through abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Our comprehensive child protection framework is supported by designated Child Protection Officers who are readily available to address concerns.
We encourage all community members to report any inappropriate behavior directly to the Head of Senior or Junior School, Director of Boarding, School Counsellor, myself as Deputy Headmaster, the Headmaster, or the Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Parents are particularly encouraged to reach out to our Child Protection Officers with any questions or concerns.
Our commitment to student safety is reinforced through age-appropriate awareness programs delivered to students at each year level. Comprehensive information is also accessible via our website, student and staff handbooks, and regular communications through newsletters and staff meetings.
Digital Citizenship and Online Safety
In our continuing efforts to promote holistic wellbeing, we recently welcomed Susan McLean, Australia's foremost cyber-safety expert, to engage with students from Years 5 through 12. Her presentations provided valuable insights and practical strategies for navigating the digital landscape safely and responsibly.
Cyber Security expert Susan McLean spoke to our boys, staff and parents on her visit to Toowoomba.
Susan also presented to our teaching staff in a combined presentation with Fairholme College staff. Susan followed this with a parent session open to both schools. In today's interconnected world, equipping our students with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions online is as crucial as ever. Ms McLean's expertise has further strengthened our community's understanding of digital citizenship.
As we look ahead to the remainder of Term 1 and beyond, let us continue to uphold the values of leadership, service and compassion that define the Toowoomba Grammar School experience. Together, we will inspire excellence and make meaningful contributions both within our School community and in the wider world.
John Anderson Deputy Headmaster
Health Centre News
Year 10 School Immunisation Program
The School will have OzCare on site on Monday, 24 March for the Year 10 School Immunisation Program. You would have received a letter from the Health Centre outlining all of the information regarding this program as well as the link for consent if you would like to have your son participate in this. Further information around what immunisation will be administered can be found here.
Please be aware, that OzCare WILL NOT vaccinate any child that they do not have a consent form for, so if you would like for your son to participate in this program you will need to provide consent prior to Monday, 24 March.
School Camps
The time for camp for our Year 7, 8, 9 and 11 boys is fast approaching. If you son requires any medication on camp, you will need to complete a 'Consent for Medication Administration' form which needs to be returned to the Health Centre. All medication for camp, including prescription, over the counter, herbal supplements etc MUST be clearly labelled with a chemist or practitioners label that contains your son's name, name of the medication and dosage instructions and it must not be expired. All medication once labelled can be handed in to the Health Centre please.
Concussions
Rugby Australia and AIS have changed their concussion management guidelines and now have extended the return to play timeframe from 19 days to 21 days. The School has adopted these changes as well for all concussions. Please reach out to the Health Centre if you would like some more information.
As always, the Health Centre nursing staff are here to help.
Stacey Smith Health Centre Coordinator
TGS Barbershop - the one stop shop for your boy's hair
Mr Alick Gaske, along with Mr Matthew Harrison, can assure you of a cut that is within the School's guidelines
Convenient and cost-friendly cuts at our TGS Barbershop
Organising to get your son's haircut no longer needs to be a headache with the TGS Barbershop offering a range of styles and cuts on campus in a convenient location under the Centenary Dining Hall.
Student Officer, Mr Matthew Harrison, aka The Marshal and his offsider Mr Alick Gaske have their tools at the ready to cut your boy's hair, it's cost-friendly and guarantees that it's within the guidelines of the School's haircut policy.
We'll share more of Mr Alick Gaske's story soon but suffice to say this fully qualified barber and South West Queensland Thunder Football player is delighted with the conversation and connections the job offers him.
Alick said the biggest reward is returning customers and there is a huge degree of satisfaction in giving someone a good haircut. “I love them walking out with a smile on their face and telling me that they’ll be back.”
“Gone are the days of just a ‘short back and sides cut.’ Some of the boys want something a little bit nicer or a little bit fancier for whatever reason. It’s about finding that happy medium and making them happy.”
Some history of the TGS Barbershop Chair
This is not the first time that TGS has been home to a barbershop. Our original barber, Len Giltrow OAM, provided cuts for boarders only, operating first out of the “Dog Box” before relocating to a small room in the Senior School Assembly Hall until 1967. Phil Neidler took over until 1968, and there were several other barbers until the late 1980s when the service ceased, and the beautiful leather barber’s chair was put into storage.
Fast forward to 2022 – “Marshal” had wanted to be a barber for several years and was halfway through his TAFE Certificate III in Barbering when some Year 12 boarders casually mentioned that he should use the old chair that was hidden under Stephens House.
Mr Harrison was shocked and ecstatic about the discovery! The group immediately went down and retrieved the chair from the dirt and darkness, and so began the inspiring rebirth of the TGS barber.
The TGS Old Boys’ Association generously and lovingly restored the chair with the help of Hagan’s Furniture and Darren Lloyd Upholstery. Meanwhile, Matt Harrison went to work converting an old storeroom underneath the Centenary Dining Hall into the funky Marshal Barbershop, complete with retro music and fabulous TGS memorabilia adorning the walls and shelves. The old chair is the centrepiece and Matt Harrison's pride and joy.
“It is a beautiful old chair, and I’m glad we could put it back in service,” said Matt. “I’m excited to be able to provide this service to the School community".
Buy a Brick Campaign
Don't miss your chance - the Buy a Brick campaign
For 150 years, the history of TGS has been shaped by the boys who have walked its paths. Each one leaving behind their story, their memories and a piece of their heart. From the Foundation Stone laid in School House in 1877, to the bricks that have carried the names of our Old Boys through the years, the bricks of TGS stand as powerful reminders of the proud legacy that continues today.
Now, for a limited time, you have the opportunity to Buy a Brick and ensure your connection to the Blue and Gold lives on for generations to come. Your personalised, engraved brick will be set into the new Old Boys’ Deck – a landmark overlooking the iconic Old Boys’ Memorial Oval, creating a space for the entire School community to enjoy.
Details on How to Get Involved:
Bricks are available for $1,000 each.
You are welcome to purchase multiple bricks, each one engraved with first names and surnames, with the option to include years for both Old Boys and current students.
This donation is tax-deductible.
There are only a limited number of bricks available, so don’t miss this rare opportunity to leave your mark on the history of Toowoomba Grammar School.
We invite all Old Boys, current and past families, staff, and supporters of TGS to join us in building this significant piece of history. The stories of the boys who walked these paths before you are captured in every brick. Now, it’s your turn to be part of something greater.
Thank you for your continued support of TGS. We look forward to seeing your name engraved alongside the many who have shaped our proud tradition.
Senior School
Prefect's Report
Hedley, Gilbert and Rupeni are having a brilliant start to 2025
As last year came to a close, the Prefects embarked on the annual Prefect Retreat to plan and finalise the roadmap for the upcoming year. Unlike previous years, this retreat had to be different due to many Prefects undertaking global trips during the final week of school. Some boys headed to Thredbo for a mountain biking tour, while others journeyed to Cambodia for a service tour to assist Raw Impact and the local communities in small villages. Consequently, the retreat was held on the School campus, utilising the amazing facilities offered by our School.
Throughout the week, countless ideas, initiatives and strategies for the year ahead were discussed at length, often leaving us with tired and sore bodies by the end of the night. As we approached the 150th anniversary of our prestigious School, we knew our plan had to be perfect. After deep and intense discussions, we structured our plan around our vision and what we aimed to achieve. Our vision being encouraging optimism and empowering young leaders for tomorrow and into the future. We will achieve this by building personal character in all students, upholding the highest standards through curricular, academic, and extra-curricular involvement, and creating an environment that promotes the values of the School Creed and a sense of School pride.
We then broke our vision down into five main pillars of focus: Standards, Unity and Equity, Culture and Traditions, Origins and Legacy. Any ideas, initiatives and strategies to be implemented throughout the year would fall under one or more of these essential pillars, forming the foundation of our plan.
As Prefects during such a momentous year, we decided to continue the mantra from the 2024 Prefects: "Two Colours, One School, Gold Standards." This mantra aligns perfectly with our core pillars, as our School embraces boys from diverse backgrounds and origins. We strive to unite and treat everyone with equity, upholding the high standards of our 150-year legacy of rich culture and traditions. Our goal is to leave an enduring legacy, ensuring that the School continues to thrive for another 150 years.
The Standards pillar emphasises maintaining the highest standards in academics, presentation and co-curricular activities. With numerous visitors expected throughout the year, we want all boys to represent 150 years with pride and be the best version of ourselves. By setting clear expectations and holding one another accountable we aim to create a more disciplined but professional School community.
The Unity and Equity pillar is a significant focus for the Prefects, as we recognise our diverse School community and aim to represent all. We encourage unity and equity among all cultures within Toowoomba Grammar School and across all grades from Prep to Year 12, encouraging stronger relationships with boys across all grades. Through programs like Big Mate Little Mate, we will aim to create a sense of community and support among all.
The Origins pillar was introduced by the boarders in the group, emphasising the importance of recognising students' backgrounds and understanding what it means to be a Toowoomba Grammarian. Events like Harmony Week will showcase the cultural diversity within our School, giving everyone a sense of appreciation of other backgrounds and where they have come from and where there striving to be.
Culture and Traditions is a highly regarded pillar among the group. Our school is rich in culture and traditions and we wish to acknowledge the contributions of Old Boys while continuing to uphold the school's heritage. As well as continuing to strengthen bonds between day boys and boarders holding events that bring us all together as one - such as the dayboy/ boarder weekend.
Lastly, the Legacy pillar, possibly the most crucial of them all. As the Prefects of 2025 we aspire to leave behind our own legacy and want to be fondly remembered as a powerful 2025 senior cohort and leaving our mark here at School during our last year proudly representing the School's 150 years of traditions.
Next term the Year 12 cohort will give back to the School by means of all Year 12s embarking on a 10 kilometre run in teams of ten. The aim will be to raise money to go towards the renovation of the wall at the Herries and Mary Street entrance to the School. This is going to be our way of leaving our mark in the history books and something our cohort can be proud of achieving. It will mean we end our schooling years knowing we gave our best efforts to make an improvement to the School and surrounds.
We have had a fast and action-packed start to 2025, but everyone has been giving their best effort and striving in the right direction. We look forward for what is to come and seeing what we as a School can achieve and accomplish this year.
Recently a few of our Year 11 students took up the opportunity to attend the Law and Justice Careers event held at the Toowoomba Courthouse. This was an excellent forum to meet with a variety of employers and professionals in the field including members of the DPP, local solicitors and barristers, the Queensland Police, members of the Forensic Science team and the Department of Justice. We heard from a panel of legal experts who all shared their career journey with us:
His Honour Judge Smith of the District Court of Queensland
His Honour Magistrate Howden, Coordinating Magistrate, Toowoomba Magistrates Court
Mr David Jones KC, Barrister, Queens Arms Chambers
Ms Kirstie Smith, Lecturer, UniSQ
It was a most informative evening and certainly gave the boys a clearer picture of the number of career avenues in Law and Justice.
Year 12 UCAT Tutorials
Last week TGS hosted the first of four UCAT Tutorials for Year 12 students who are currently preparing to sit the UCAT exam. With registrations now open for UCAT, it is important that our Year 12 students are well prepared. This is a community event and attracted 65 Year 12 students from across our region.
Year 10 Work Experience
The Careers team is currently working with the Year 10s to finalise work experience. Last week we welcomed back a guest speaker to highlight the importance of workplace health and safety. “Hawk” shared his experiences about his journey from devastation and despair from a workplace accident, back to living a full and productive life. His presentation highlighted the importance of controlling your attitude. We are very grateful to “Hawk” for sharing his story with us to teach the boys about attitude, safety and culture. Nearly all the Year 10 students are ready to participate in their work experience and we look forward to hearing their stories.
Bond Business School Year 12 Extension Program
Location: Bond Gold Coast Campus
Date: Friday, 11 April to Friday, 2 May 2025
Get a head start on your studies with the Bond Business School Year 12 Extension Program, which comprises fast-paced and fun two-day workshops designed to prepare you for university life.
Facilitated by our world-class academics, the Extension Program offers an enriching opportunity that supports the existing Year 12 curriculum across areas such as business and maths. Faced with real-world situations, participants will hone their skills, problem solve and work collaboratively with their peers. The Extension Program is free of charge to students.
Top performing students from the days will be awarded a part-fee scholarships exclusive to the Year 12 Extension Program.
Maths Stream: Friday, 11 April and Saturday, 12 April
Business Stream: Monday, 14 April and Tuesday, 15 April, Thursday, 1 May and Friday, 2 May, 2025.
During Activities Week we will be hosting ‘Beyond the Blue & Gold - Future Directions’ which will give our Year 12 students the opportunity to engage with employers across a range of industries. This year we have extended the Careers and Jobs Fair and have over 20 exhibitors joining us. Our goal is to provide the students with a wide variety of options to explore the different careers and jobs on offer. These include Allied Health, Financial Planning, Law, Agricultural Technology, Manufacturing, Queensland Police Recruiting, Gap year providers, Defence Force Recruiting, Engineering and Design to mention a few.
We have also planned six separate university visits, industry tours or skills workshops, to Bond University and Griffith Gold Coast, the Creative Arts, professional sporting bodies, TAFE and local businesses, to showcase the many options available after school. Each tour will have a different focus either trade, creative, sporting, practical or professional. This opportunity is a great way to explore first-hand what different industries and universities have to offer.
Anthea Richters Head of Department - Careers
Junior School
From the Head of Junior School
My sincere thanks to the community for supporting the recent guidance around Tropical Cyclone Alfred. We adjusted the Year 5 camp earlier in the week to ensure the students were home safely, and the shutdown period of Thursday 6 March and Friday 7 March was done smoothly. We were happy to welcome everyone back to campus today.
Last week six Junior School class teachers participated in a professional development course on Explicit Instruction approaches to teaching and learning. Mrs Chantelle Bauer, Deputy Head of Junior School - Teaching and Learning shares more information in her Blue and Gold article. All teaching staff have now attended courses to further develop their understanding and implementation of explicit instruction techniques and approaches.
The value for clear learning intentions, frequently checking for understanding and revisiting content taught through daily review practices to consolidate understanding. There are specific programs we are implementing as a Junior School to support the explicit instruction approach; Promoting Literacy Development has been in place now for a number of years and showing great results. We are now beginning to implement similar program approaches through the Explicit Maths Program beginning with Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 classes, but further extended through daily review practices across all cohorts.
Last week we started our Outdoor Education program commencing with the Year 5 to Tallebudgera earlier in the week. Camps form an important part of both the curriculum and personal developmental aspects for students. Our boys experience the range of age-appropriate experiences and destinations designed to gradually grow their confidence and skills for personal management and interpersonal development.
Our camp experiences are at the following locations:
Our Prep and Year 1 students spent the day off-campus at Peacehaven Park together with their peers from Fairholme College.
Year 2 – have a two-day experience on-campus with a range of activities build teamwork and personal development, staying overnight in the Junior School Library.
Years 3 and 4 – travel together to Currimundi on the Sunshine Coast, spending two nights and three days away from home. This camp is held in Term 3 this year.
Year 5 – travelled to Tallebudgera on the Gold Coast last week, spending time away from home and participating in activities focusing on leadership skills.
Year 6 – will travel to Canberra later this term for a week. This follows their Humanities unit studied at school on Government.
Each camp is age-appropriately tailored to provide an exciting experience while growing their personal developments skills, stretching their comfort zones and building confidence in their capabilities.
For Preps and Year 1s, it’s their first or early experiences travelling away together. They work on activities and games to build relationships with their peers, follow instructions and work together. Plus it's wonderful fun too!
Year 2, their overnight at School is perhaps the first time many of them have stayed a night away from home. It’s a big step. School is a very familiar space and no better place to stay than the Junior School Library where the boys enjoy setting up their beds and cubby houses in amongst the forest of books. During the day, there are many activities to grow their teamwork skills and confidence with activities that are a little challenging at first. On the second day parents join the fun, which is a lovely feature of this camp. The boys really enjoy having their parents with them to work on activities together and our parents enjoy that milestone moment also.
Year 3 and 4 Camp, the groups takes their first big trip away from home to Currimundi on the Sunshine Coast. It’s a beach camp with lots of water activities designed to grow their self-management skills and support for each other. The activities include body boarding, beach games, canoeing, rock climbing and teamwork challenges. The boys stay in cabins where they are responsible for remembering a six-digit code into their rooms, which is a great memory skill stretch for them to practice.
Year 5 camp travels to Tallebudgera. It’s a similar camp structure to the Year 3 and 4 experience but a bit more of a stretch with the activities to further develop their self-management skills, teamwork and confidence. The activities include canoeing, high ropes, team challenges and water sports games. The boys also learn about the local Indigenous culture and how the environment has supported Indigenous communities for generations, our groups really enjoyed these sessions and exploring through the mangrove areas.
Camps have tremendous value for personal development. The themes that run through all the camp experiences include personal development – being able to manage their time and own belongings in order to be ready, working together to achieve goals or build friendships and to grow in confidence as they accomplish things on their own away from home. Each age group has their own developmental milestone and in our Junior School setting that begins with staying local and gradually works through regional experiences before travelling further away interstate. My sincere thanks to all the teachers involved in the camp preparations and families for your support - they are wonderful experiences for the boys.
In the week ahead I’d like to recognise the efforts of all teachers and students in their preparations towards NAPLAN (National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy). Whilst it will be our Year 3 and 5 students sitting the assessments, we fully recognise it is a cumulative effort - from all teachers, teacher aides, parents and peers that develop our literacy and numeracy knowledge and skills over time. We wish our boys a smooth preparation, maintaining regular routines and their best efforts for each of these assessments scheduled across the next two weeks.
Saturday was International Women’s Day - a day to celebrate and recognise the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women across the globe. This year’s theme focused on the need to Accelerate Action emphasising the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality both in personal and professional spheres. As a Junior School we will be honouring these messages with our classes at an age-appropriate level and celebrating the value for the women in our boys lives and the female leaders in our community beginning with our own School setting.
Ken Raven Head of Junior School
From the Deputy Head of Junior School - Teaching and Learning
As part of our ongoing commitment to delivering a knowledge-rich curriculum through an explicit instruction model, our Junior School staff, alongside Senior School teaching staff, engaged in professional development with Toni Hatten-Roberts from CogLearn last week. This initiative included teachers observing each other and being observed while delivering daily reviews, enhancing their teaching practices.
Daily Reviews are designed to develop automaticity by consolidating core concepts and skills, moving student knowledge from working memory to long-term memory. These sessions, lasting between 10-15 minutes, are fast-paced and allow for quick recall of previously taught concepts and skills, as well as the introduction of new ones. Typically, these reviews are conducted with the whole class using various delivery methods such as interactive whiteboards, response boards, flash cards, echo responses, charts, mnemonics and other visible responses.
Our Prep and Year 1 teachers were also able to observe Toni deliver a Maths lesson to our Year 1 class from the Explicit Mathematics Program (EMP) currently being implemented across our Prep and Year 1 cohorts. The EMP provides teachers and schools with everything needed to run high quality, rigorous, and evidence-informed mathematics program. This program features the six qualities of a world class mathematics program:
systematically sequenced
based on human cognitive architecture, inclusive of daily review
explicitly taught with dynamic instructional routines
responsive
low variance.
Looking ahead, our teachers will focus on incorporating opportunities for students to recite, recall and apply previously learned concepts and skills during their daily reviews. Recitation involves students using the correct language and repeating information with the teacher or as an echo, which aids learning and allows for correction and repetition. Recall involves students answering questions or filling in gaps about previously covered information. Finally, students will demonstrate their understanding by applying their knowledge and skills to different contexts.
We appreciate your continued support in our efforts to provide the best educational experience for your children.
Chantelle Bauer Deputy Head of Junior School – Teaching and Learning
Junior School Music News
Music Leadership Positions
Congratulations to our Captain of Music and Ensemble Leaders for 2025.
Captain of Music – Zackaidyn Fleming
String Ensemble – Cameron Mander
Tribe – Oscar Dunk
Concert Band – Thenul Ratnayake
Chamber Winds – Aarav Desai
Jazz Band – John Miller
Percussion Ensemble – Swayam Prajapati
Voiceworks – Asala Dissanayake
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, 15 May to Sunday, 18 May. Our Voiceworks performances will occur on Sunday, 18 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 (Tuesday, 22 April) to ensure we are prepared for our eisteddfod performances. We are extremely fortunate to have Mr Paul Holly visit the School to work with our choirs. Mr Holley is an exceptional musician and in high demand across Australia as a choral conductor and clinician. These extra rehearsals are in addition to all regular scheduled rehearsals. Please see the rehearsal times listed below. A note with all details will be sent to relevant parents.
Ensemble Rehearsals
All ensembles will continue rehearsing up until the last day of this term, Thursday, 3 April. All rehearsals will recommence in Week 1 next term, from Wednesday, 23 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
Junior School Sport News
Swimming
Twenty TGS boys were selected to represent the Range Zone at the Darling Downs championships on 5 March. Boys who met the qualifying time and placed in the top 5 will be selected to represent Darling Downs at the State Championships.
Well done to the swimming boys - you make us proud!
Cross Country
A reminder for boys to keep their cross country training going. The Inter-House carnival will be held on the last day of Term 1. More information and maps of the courses will be sent home shortly.
Club Football and Club Rugby
Pre-season training will commence for all club football and club rugby boys on 14 and 21 March. Sessions will be held from 3:30pm-4:30pm and will include confidence in contact training for rugby boys. Please make sure to mark these dates in your calendar.
Further details will be sent home shortly.
Acknowledgment of success
We love to celebrate our boys’ sporting achievements. If your son has had some success in sport, please email b.doherty@twgs.qld.edu.au so that we can highlight his achievements to his peers.
Brendan Doherty Junior School Sports Coordinator
Sport and Activities
TGS Football
Pre-season Training commences
Pre-season training has commenced for all Senior School players with training scheduled for 5:00pm on a Tuesday and Thursday in Term 1. Numbers at training have been encouraging and we look forward to reviewing the pre-season experiment at the end of the season.
Toowoomba Tri-series
Rounds 1 and 2 of the Toowoomba Tri-series have now taken place with both the U15s and Opens recording good wins across the four games. These two teams are striving for selection into either the First Team squad or the Bill Turner Cup U15 Squad. The final two rounds will be played on Tuesday, 11 and Tuesday, 18 March.
Term 1 Futsal (Wednesday evening – UniSQ)
The School has entered an U13, U15 and Open team into the competition and all boys are enjoying the experience against the region's school-based teams. The final two rounds occur on Wednesday, 12 and Wednesday, 19 March.
AFA South West Queensland FUTSAL Titles
Four Teams participated in the AFA South West Queensland Futsal Titles on the Monday, 3 and Tuesday, 4 March. The U14 and U15 Boys progressed to the Finals of the competition and have now qualified for the Champion of Champions Trophy.
This year we saw the return of the Junior School to the Championships with boys from Year 4 and Year 6 enjoying a great day out at the Tournament. Boys of 10 years of age played at the Glennie School and came fifth out of 14 Teams. Tom Spencer had a standout tournament and is one to watch over the coming years.
Darling Downs Football Trials
We sent a large contingent of players to the TSSS and DD Football trials in February and we are delighted to announce that the following boys have been selected.
DD 13-15 Boys
Eli McBurney, Goy Yous, Iskcon Gyawali, Nathaniel Miller, Jonah Moore and Ellord Panta.
These boys will travel to Cairns for the State Championships in Cairns over the period Sunday, 27 to Wednesday, 30 April.
DD 16 – 19 Boys
Rhys Bailey, Lachlan McErvale, Roan Bronkhurst and Charl Fredrick DuToit.
Blazer School Holiday clinics
During the Easter School Holidays, the Blazers School Holiday program will be held for boys seeking to becomes season ready. The Blazers Goalkeeper Camp and Blazers Skills Academy are held over two days on the Monday, 7 and Tuesday, 8 April. Registrations for this Holiday Clinic will be via the TGS Website.
The Southport School Cup (TSS Cup) 2025
Following on from the previous two years, TGS will utilise the TSS Cup to hone our pre-season skills with the First squad and the Bill Turner Cup squads travelling for this annual tournament. Dates for the TSS Cup are Monday, 14 to Thursday, 17 April. Boys will be identified and selected during Term 1 activities.
GPS Pre-Season Football Camp – Tuesday, 22 April 2025
All boys are invited to attend our important Pre-Season Football Training (1 day) Camp which will assist with our preparations for our Week 1 fixtures at Brisbane Boys College. This training camp will run from 9:00am – 3:00pm and will provide some important “just in time training” across all age groups and teams.
Parents and boys should be aware that Week 1 of Term 2, has two public holidays with Easter Monday falling on Monday, 21 April and the Anzac Day public holiday on Friday, 2 April - meaning we have limited time to be ready for our first fixtures.
GPS Fixtures
Round 1 - BBC v TGS – Away Saturday, 26 April
Round 2 - TGS v TSS – Home Saturday, 3 May
Round 3 - BGS v TGS – Away Saturday, 10 May
Round 4 - TGS v ACGS – Home Saturday, 17 May (Team Photographs)
Round 5 - Bye Round v Ambrose Tracey Home Saturday, 24 May
Round 6 - GT v TGS - Away Saturday, 31 May
Round 7 - TGS v BSHS – Home Saturday,7 June (2015 GPS Championship winning team reunion).
Round 8 - NC v TGS – Away Saturday, 14 June
Round 9 - TGS v IGS Home Friday, 20 June – Leave restrictions are in place until the boy’s return from their games in Brisbane.
Football Supporters Group 2025
Following the AGM on Wednesday, 19 February, we are delighted to announce that all positions have been filled on the Football Supporters Group Committee for 2025.
President – Mrs Cynthia Burge
Vice President - Mrs Pam Wells
Treasurer – Mrs Megan Batts
Secretary – Mrs Emma Brown
Funds have been approved to support the Football program with:
post-match functions for the Football community
assistance with Futsal tournaments
coaching for the Inverell Min world cup
assistance with the TSS cup.
This year’s committee are now charged with finding Match Day Sponsors as well as running the G150 Raceday Carnival at Clifford Park Toowoomba on Saturday, 18 October 2024.
Nigel Fanning Head of Football
TGS Army Cadets Update
TGS Army Cadets take on ‘Pineapple Man’ during Exercise Greenhorn
The inaugural 2025 TGS Army Cadet camp, Exercise Greenhorn, was an unforgettable experience filled with fun, challenges and teamwork. From the moment the cadets arrived, they dove into a whirlwind of hands-on activities designed to test both their physical and mental strength.
Over the weekend, the Recruit cadets learnt essential living in the field skills such as observation and movement, navigation at night and survival skills such as fire, water and shelter construction. One of the highlights was cooking meals on hexamine stoves, where the Recruits learned how to prepare their ration pack in a wilderness situation, honing valuable survival skills.
The Recruits also put their construction skills to the test by building shelters and practicing camouflage and concealment techniques, ensuring they could blend seamlessly into their environment when needed.
Equally challenging for our Second Year Cadets who spent Saturday navigating a 7.5 kilometre route across tough terrain putting their orienteering abilities to the test. Dodging cattle and solving riddles kept the excitement alive. Sunday began with a surprise simulation of a hostile takeover of Australia’s pineapple plantations, which added an exciting twist. I am happy to report the takeover failed and ‘Pineapple Man’ made his exit. The fruits of his labour left behind for some to sample.
To finish off the camp, cadets were transported back to TGS and thrown in the deep end to complete their Swim Test. Fully decked out in their fatigues, all the cadets were challenged to complete a 25 metre clothed swim of our School pool and tread water for two minutes.
At dismissal on Sunday, the cadets were tired, wet and covered in dirt, but on their faces, they all wore smiles. Despite the challenges, they all agreed—it was an amazing experience, one that they would never forget.
Exercise Greenhorn was a fantastic start to their journey as Army Cadets.
We welcomed 35 Past Mothers of Toowoomba Grammar School to our first event of the year, a beautiful High Tea in Old Hall last week. We enjoyed hearing about the new philanthropy role, the Grammar 150 planned celebrations and topics of relevance from the Headmaster. A visit through the School Museum was also a highlight of this special day.
The Past Mothers meet about four times per year for social functions, as a way to stay in touch with old friends from our son's school years, keep updated about TGS and raise funds for the School.
If you're currently a Year 12 Mum, we warmly invite you to join the Past Mother's Association please telephone School on (07) 4687 2500 or email tgs@twgs.qld.edu.au and if you know other past mums, please spread the word about our fabulous group. All Past Mothers are welcome to join, no matter when their son/s attended, or how long ago they graduated.
We hope to see some new faces at our next event in May, Luncheon in the Pavilion.
On Sunday, 23 March 2025 the AEIOU Foundation and Mackintosh House will hold its major fundraiser “Be Awesome for Autism” AEIOU Fun Run to be held at Toowoomba Grammar School starting at 8:00am.
The event is a Fun Run with various distances from 10 kilometres, 5 kilometres and 400 metres for younger children. Mackintosh House and TGS have an excellent history of raising much needed funds for the Foundation.
The AEIOU foundation raises vital funds for the implementation of early intervention programs provided to children with autism aged two to six years in the Toowoomba and Darling Downs region. Based in Friend Street, Harristown, the therapy and care changes the lives of local children and the lives of their families.
