Thank you again for a wonderful finish to Term 3 with so many students and families enjoying the House tabloid carnival and Junior School Colour Run. Both events on the final day were tremendously successful and a lovely moment to share together as a community. Congratulations to Student Representative Committee (SRC) for their first community event. They ‘pitched’ the Colour Run proposal to the JSSG for sponsorship then worked through a detailed event planning process to bring this occasion to fruition. Thank you all for supporting the SRC with this initiative.
Looking ahead to Term 4, we return straight into our regular routines from the start with our core focus on learning programs right up until the final week of term. The concluding week is filled with numerous events and activities for everyone to enjoy together which I have provided a brief overview of these below. A more detailed overview of the term for individual cohorts and specific groups (Music, Sport, etc.) is available via the TGS App, School calendar and Parent Lounge. Correspondence for activities/events is emailed to families directly and included in the Parent Lounge. Fortnightly looking ahead information is also included in The Blue and Gold newsletter editions in the Junior School section.
More specific information for each of these events and occasions will be provided by the relevant staff member or department in the weeks leading up to each occasion. There are many more activities, occasions and co-curricular happenings with specific groups and cohorts, please visit the TGS App or Parent Lounge to access the complete calendar for your family.
Staff updates
We welcome back Ms Tiff Holzheimer to her Year 6 class after Long Service Leave in Term 3. Ms Holzheimer is looking forward to this special term for Year 6 with all the end-of-year occasions and helping them prepare for the transition into Senior School.
Over the September break two of our class teachers, Miss Krahenbring and Miss Hensley, both had their respective weddings with family and friends. Miss Krahenbring will return as Mrs Megan McAntee. Miss Hensley will return as Mrs Hensley for Term 4. For school communication purposes their school email will remain with their maiden names for 2025.
From the Deputy Head of Junior School (Teaching and Learning)
Junior School Public Speaking Competition
We are excited to announce the launch of our annual Junior School Public Speaking Competition. This much-loved event provides boys from Prep to Year 6 with a wonderful opportunity to develop confidence, clarity and creativity in their spoken communication.
Each year level has been assigned age-appropriate topics, which will be used consistently each year to help build familiarity and progression. Students are encouraged to prepare their speeches both at school and at home, with the support of notes, cue cards, props and classroom technology such as interactive white boards.
Speech lengths vary by year level:
- Prep to Year 3: approximately 1 minute
- Years 4 and 5: 1 to 2 minutes
- Year 6: 2 to 3 minutes
Students will be assessed primarily on their presentation skills (manner), with consideration also given to the content (matter) of their speeches.
To celebrate their efforts:
- first place in each class will receive a trophy at assembly
- second and third place will be awarded medallions
- highly commended certificates may also be presented
In Year 6, the top three speakers from across the cohort will compete for the prestigious Year 6 trophy for Public Speaking, a major Speech Day award judged by the Head and Deputy Head of the Junior School. We look forward to seeing our boys shine as they share their skills with confidence and pride. The competition will run from Weeks 2 to 4 during Term 4.
From the Deputy Head of Junior School (Students)
School Creed
As we embrace the excitement and ceremony that comes with the final term of the year, this is also a wonderful opportunity to encourage all our boys to exemplify the School Creed throughout Term 4. As a student of Toowoomba Grammar School, our boys will be:
- Honest
- Respectful
- Kind
- Courageous
- And always Give My Best Effort
I look forward to continuing to recognise and celebrate our boys’ positive interactions and behaviour choices throughout this term.
Junior School Drop-off/Pick-up Zones
In the interests of safety and smooth operation for Junior School drop-off/pick-up times (8:00am – 8:45am, and 2:30pm – 5:00pm), we will continue to utilise the Herries Street loop pick up zones for our Junior School students.
A reminder of the Herries street loop operations:
- Duty teachers will congregate Junior School students further down the lawn area towards the Herries Street loop entrance, outside of the boarding houses to encourage more families to utilise the collection bays in that area.
- We ask parents stopping in bays to please remain with your car. The students will be walked out to the area for you. Please use bays on the Mills Oval side of the Herries Street loop if you wish to park and walk in, utilising the crossing for safety.
- Using family name labels will also assist with the speed of calling students to your car. If you don’t have a name label, please contact our Junior School Reception and they will make one for you and send it home with your son.
If parents are required to collect or dop-off their son during the day, this can be done via the Aquatic Centre car park. Co-curricular collection after 5:00pm can also be done via the Aquatic Centre carpark. Many thanks for your support as we continue to utilise the Herries Street loop.
Uniform and Hair
We value all boys presenting themselves well, being proud of their School and wearing our uniform correctly. Blues uniform in Term 4 consists of shorts with shirts tucked in and navy blue socks. Boys are permitted to wear the TGS jacket with their Blues uniform (Monday – Wednesday) if the weather is cool. Blazer uniform is worn each Thursday unless directed by school communication if the weather is forecast to be higher temperatures. When in Blazer uniform, boys are required to have their white shirt buttoned to the collar with ties secured neatly. In keeping with presenting ourselves well, school shoes are to be kept in good order and polished, hats similarly maintained, free of holes and named.
Haircuts are conservative in style, neatly shaped around the back of the neck, off the collar and ears, blended and fringe above the eyebrows. The School recognises that some students may request exemption from these expectations based on their cultural and faith backgrounds.
Attendance
The School expects that students will attend school every day the program is offered. Acceptable absences from school are medical, family reasons and co-curricular representation, which need to be submitted using Parent Lounge. For early departures, late arrivals or dropping off any items, please ensure you visit Junior School Reception.
We ask that parents are aware if applying for leave from school for their son for periods longer than 3 days, outside of the reasons above, this requires approval from Head of Junior School. If this process is not followed, his absence may be recorded as “unapproved” leave. Whilst we try to be understanding of any requests for leave outside of those listed, we are bound by the Education General Provisions Act and may not be able to approve a student’s leave.
Communication Avenues for Families
A reminder of the range of avenues families can access to communicate with staff at School. Depending on the scenario, the following options provide some guidance to support you.
Student Diary
All boys are provided with a student diary and the expectation is that it is brought to and from school each day. It is ideal for brief messages and reminders for each day. We encourage this for all age groups, Prep to Year 6.
Teachers check student diaries daily. Particularly for students in Prep to Year 3, it is a helpful reference point for teachers to remind boys what activities they have on at the end of the day or pick-up arrangements. Teachers can also write short responses or clarifications in diaries.
Junior School Reception – Email or Telephone
This is best for real-time responses, passing on information/updates on arrangements, clarifying details, asking where or who is the best point of contact for a query.
Junior School reception is attended by a staff member throughout the day and can provide quick responses and/or relay information in a timely way. If arrangements for your son after school or during the day change, using the Junior School reception staff will relay the information to the relevant staff member and your son.
Emails to Staff Directly
Emails are useful for sharing more detailed information, seeking further clarification, organising future meetings or arrangements for your son. Teachers will typically check emails daily during the week, but depending on class schedules may not check emails during the day but will endeavour to provide a response or acknowledgement within 24 hours.
In-person Quick Catch-ups or Meetings Before or After School
For sharing short explanations of details that are particularly pertinent to that day.
These are often helpful for families with children in the early years particularly. If there is helpful information for the teacher to be aware of before the start of the day or at the end of the day, this is welcomed but please be mindful that our teachers may only be available for a few minutes as they are likely to be getting ready for the day ahead or attending to after-school matters (meetings, co-curricular or other responsibilities). If a longer conversation is required, this can certainly be arranged with a scheduled meeting.
Other Key Points of Contact
Ken Raven
Head of Junior School
