Foundation of the School

Toowoomba Grammar School was founded in 1875 as a consequence of the Queensland Colonial Government’s Grammar Schools’ Act of 1860 (as were the other grammar schools of the State - some of whom were among the first schools in Queensland’s secondary educational system) by the subscriptions (in conjunction with a government subsidy) and the efforts of local citizens of vision. These were the graziers and farming families of the Darling Downs, and the professional and business people of Toowoomba. The original School building was completed in 1876, and the first boys attended on February 1, 1877.

School Motto
“FIDELIS IN OMNIBUS”
(Faithful In All Things)

This enduring School Motto is attributed to Headmaster C C Corfe, who obtained permission from the Board of Trustees, in June 1895, to have a copperplate letterhead struck. Prior to this, Headmaster W A J Boyd had had, on 28 April 1888, an earlier version approved.

The Original 1875 Building

The original school building was begun in 1875 and completed in 1876. It was designed by Willoughby Powell in Domestic Gothic style. The ground floor was most recently remodelled in 2001 and contains the administrative offices, including the main reception area and the Headmaster’s Office. The first and second floors contain Mackintosh House. This House is named after Mr John Mackintosh, the first Headmaster of the School. Mr Mackintosh was tragically killed by a fall from his horse on 12 April 1879.
The Old Hall was the original classroom and later the Assembly Hall and it is still one of the important rooms in the School as it displays so much of the School’s history. It was restored in 1974 by a Restoration Committee.

School Badge

The School Badge had its origins in April 1888 when Headmaster W A J Boyd had a pointed shield without chevrons approved by the Board of Trustees. Boyd’s successor, Headmaster C C Corfe, was the architect of today’s version which was originally printed as a letterhead in 1895 and which incorporated the current School Motto.

Honour Boards, Trophies and Historical Artefacts

 The Old Hall. This hall was known in the early days of the School as “the Big School Room”, as it was where all lessons took place. Later it served, among other things, as the Assembly Hall and then the library. Today, apart from still serving as a meeting place and as a function centre, it is the repository for much of the School’s history which incorporates the various perpetual trophy cabinets and the Honour Boards. The School’s Honour Boards. These include the School’s Senior Prefects, the Duces, the winners of Open University Scholarships, the Rhodes Scholars, Captains of Sports and Honorary Life Members of the Old Boys’ Association etc. Many of these Honour Boards were donated to the School in memory of Old Boys.

The First World War Honour Boards. These great bronze Honour Boards record the names of those many Toowoomba Grammar School Old Boy volunteers who fought in the Great War 1914-18, along with the names of those who paid the supreme sacrifice. Also recorded are the Honours and Decorations won by our Old Boys during that conflict.
The Second World War Honour Boards list the names of all those Old Boys and staff members who fought in this War. Many of the names on these two boards have stars beside them. These stars designate those Old Boys who were killed in this conflict.
The Vietnam War Honour Board lists the names of those Old Boys and staff members who either volunteered, or were conscripted, to serve the Australian Armed Services in Vietnam.

“Still Playing the Game” - official School History

In 1997 the Board of Trustees commissioned a long serving member of staff, John K Winn, to write a history of the School. This book, titled “Still Playing the Game - a History of Toowoomba Grammar School 1875-2000”, was launched during the School’s 125th Year celebrations which were held in August 2000. Copies of this comprehensive work are available for purchase from the School’s Accounts Office.

The School Grounds

The school grounds are possibly the best in the State - almost in the centre of the city and with so many playing fields in proportion to the School's population. The present school grounds were part of the original  Queen's Park and for some time after that it became a Mounted Police paddock. Then those farsighted and wise men, who founded Toowoomba Grammar School back in 1875, secured this glorious square of land (21 hectares) for us, and our Trustees have developed it steadily since then. In addition to the Barbour Memorial Oval, there is the Old Boys' Memorial Oval which is a memorial to the Toowoomba Grammar School Old Boys who died in the wars. This oval is our principal rugby and athletics field. The oval near the Herries Street entrance to the drive is called Mills Oval in memory of a late Headmaster who had so much to do with the development of the grounds. The ovals on Mackenzie Street are named to commemorate a great Old Boy of our School, HR ("Copper") Kent, and Trustees' Oval, in recognition of the contribution made by the Trustees who have been members of the Board. The Parents and Friends' Oval on the corner of Margaret and Mackenzie Streets is named in recognition of the support that this organisation gives to the School. The tennis courts' site on the Margaret Street frontage was, during the 1939-45 War, the location of an Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS) camp.

The School Museum and Old Boys' Building

The School Museum is located in the 1924 building "The Old Chem Lab" (more recently, the Cadet Q Store). The refurbishment of this building and the construction of the adjacent archival storage facility was financed by the Toowoomba Grammar School Old Boys' Association. Collectively known as the Old Boys' Building, it was officially opened by the Headmaster and President of the Old Boys' Association on May 31st 2009.

The School Museum with its historic artefacts on display is an outstanding resource. The preservation and display of the historical documents of the School and its memorabilia have been in accordance with advice from specialist personnel from the Queensland Museum. As such, the display and collection is of State significance.

The School Museum is open to the general public on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Guests are advised to telephone the School in advance of their visit.