“I love sharing my days with talented, thoughtful and down-to-earth young men who make me laugh and always show me kindness and respect.”Mrs Lynnette Yeabsley, Teacher of French - Senior School
I am honoured to be asked to write about my experience as a female teacher at TGS, having started here in 1988 teaching French, English and Social Studies.
My late husband was a teacher, and our four children are all teachers, which we encouraged them to do because it is the best job in the world.
It’s hard to believe I’ve been here for 36 years, working under four Headmasters: Mr Bill Dent, Mr Hugh Rose, Mr Peter Hauser and now Dr John Kinniburgh. I still drive into the School each day and smile, looking at the beautiful place it is — magnificent ovals, gracious trees and historically significant buildings. It is difficult to express the privilege I feel at being the longest-serving female teacher in the School’s 149-year history.
The real reason I have stayed here for so long is the boys. I do not teach many of them now but I have fond memories of many Old Boys.
I have witnessed enormous changes, not only to the School’s infrastructure (the W.M. Dent Library, Heenan block, Dr J.M. Blaikie Health Centre, The Pavilion, Junior School, Hugh Rose Centre, P.B. Hauser Aquatic Centre and Glen McCracken Sports Centre did not exist when I started) but also to the make-up of the teaching staff. In 1988, there was only one other full-time female teacher out of 60.
I aspired to take up a range of promotional roles, not to be the first female in these positions, but because they were things I really wanted to do. It was not straightforward to get promoted in an all-boys school. When I first applied for Housemaster in 1993, my application was rejected because “the School was not ready for a female Housemaster, and there would be Old Boys rolling over in their graves at the thought.”
However, I was persistent. In 1996, Headmaster Mr Hugh Rose appointed me Housemaster of Freshney House. I loved being a Housemaster. My assistant, Mr Craig Harris, and I made a formidable team and our House often won the Headmaster’s Shield.
To have become the first female Head of Department (2001–2014) was just as important to me as I have always promoted Languages as a subject.
When Headmaster Mr Peter Hauser in 2006 appointed me as the inaugural Director of Pastoral Care and the first female on the School Executive, that truly was a great honour.
I am humbled to have been a pioneer in these roles for women at TGS. What was important was not how I saw myself but rather that if other women saw that I could do these roles, so could they. There are now many ladies in these roles, having mastered and perfected them.
I consider that we have a good balance at TGS, as it is essential at an all-boys’ school to have strong male and female role models if we are to achieve our purpose and vision as a School of promoting the values of honesty, kindness, collaboration, respect and integrity.
Latest Blog
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While many boys appear settled and compliant while studying, research from organisations including the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), the University of Melbourne and UNESCO suggest boys are increasingly at risk of disengaging from learning over time, particularly in literacy, motivation and academic confidence. Importantly, this disengagement is not always visible through poor behaviour or disruption. More often, it appears quietly through reduced confidence, reluctance to…
Nurturing Curious Minds
Children are naturally curious about their world and always eager to explore. Harnessing that energy and enthusiasm is key for us in the Junior School. We want our boys to expand their knowledge base and approach learning with a passion that will set them up for the Senior School and beyond. First, let’s clarify some terms: extension and enrichment. Extension is curriculum-focused; it’s where a student’s knowledge, understanding and skills are advanced. Students feel a sense of “stretch” and…
Where it Began
Two of the three books that Louis has published are tucked into the Fantasy section in the W.M. Dent Library I really think my enthusiasm began in the younger grades, when an annual writing competition encouraged all boys to think creatively. This was where I was first truly introduced to writing fiction. These competitions planted a seed of creativity in my mind that would later grow. That seed first flourished in Years 5 and 6, when I wrote my first book with help from a friend called…
A Steady Rhythm, Exceptional Results
When Henry Geise first picked up the clarinet in Year 4, playing an instrument was compulsory at his primary school; he simply gave it a go. What followed has been shaped less by a single decision and more by years of steady commitment. Henry’s love of clarinet started when he was around eight years old He started on clarinet and bass guitar at the same time, and those two instruments have remained his favourites despite trying piano and picking up acoustic guitar more recently. “I would have…
2026 College Baudoux Visit
Early this term, we were delighted to host 24 students and two teachers for a week-long exchange, an experience made possible through the generosity of TGS families and our valued partnership with Fairholme College. What makes this exchange so special is the richness of the cultural experience. While 15 boys were immersed in daily life at TGS, the nine girls attended Fairholme College, allowing both schools to play an active role. Across the week, students participated in lessons, school…
Beyond Achievement: Cultivating Humanity in Boys’ Education
Mark Oliphant, Head of Senior School and Acting Deputy Headmaster and Luke Rawle, Head of Teacher Learning presenting in Adelaide The International Boys’ School Coalition Australasian Regional Conference was co-hosted by Prince Alfred College and St Peter’s College in Adelaide, South Australia between 3-5 May. The conference theme of Cultivating Humanity: A Compelling Responsibility in Boys’ Education drew over 150 educators from boys’ schools across Australia and New Zealand. Many of the…
Echoes of Home: Boarding is who we are
It's there in the early mornings before the day has properly begun, in the noise of boys lining up in the dining hall and in the easy banter that carries them back from sport in the afternoon. Just as often, it shows up in the quieter moments, the ones that tend to go unnoticed at the time but, slowly and steadily, shape who they become. There's also a shared understanding that doesn't need much explaining. What good rainfall means after a long dry spell, or how strong cattle prices on a Friday…
Fiji Rugby Tour 2026: Lessons in Adaptability and Gratitude
Set against the stunning backdrop of Fiji, the tour, held from 3 to 10 April 2026, blended high-level competition, cultural immersion and unexpected challenges. Two demanding matches against local opposition tested adaptability and resilience, while a late-season Severe Tropical Cyclone Vaianu forced significant changes to plans and schedules. Throughout the disruption, the boys’ behaviour was exemplary, drawing praise from hosts and reinforcing the values at the heart of the program. Based in…
Musicians First, Teachers Always
When the lights came up on & Juliet at the Empire Theatre, more than 6,700 audience members were treated to a bold, high‑energy production backed by an extraordinary team of professional musicians. Among them were two familiar faces from Toowoomba Grammar School: Ms Teresa Brix and Mr Mark Chalmers. For the TGS community, their involvement in one of the region’s largest theatrical productions is something to celebrate, not simply as a professional achievement, but as a powerful reminder of…
