Cultivating Humanity in Boys’ Education
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 conference keynote presentations and workshops focused on the holistic development of boys and the responsibility of boys’ schools to cultivate humanity, not merely academic achievement.
Toowoomba Grammar School was represented by Headmaster, Dr John Kinniburgh; Head of Senior School and Acting Deputy Headmaster, Mr Mark Oliphant and Head of Teacher Development, Mr Luke Rawle. The delegates also played an active part in the conference, presenting a workshop exploring the structures and professional learning used to align teaching practices to how boys learn and to position character as teachable, observable and aspirational. This included an outline of Toowoomba Grammar School’s journey in implementing strategic initiatives across teaching and learning, character development and wellbeing. Mr Rawle explored how principles from the cognitive science have informed improvements in teaching practice through intentional changes to professional learning, classroom design, schoolwide routines to align teaching with how boys learn. Mr Oliphant presented the School’s character education model, highlighting the structural reforms to embed dedicated wellbeing learning, the use of external partners to gather student voice and data, staffing structures to support delivery and the development of a bespoke taught wellbeing curriculum aligned to the School’s core purpose: educating boys and developing their good character for life.
A particular highlight of the conference was the keynote presentation by Mr Tom Bennett – No More Lost Boys. As a leading British educator, author and behaviour specialist, Mr Bennett used the motif of Peter Pan to acutely highlight many of the societal issues surrounding boys and concluded that without purpose, direction and meaning, many boys are simply drifting in society. Tom argued that boys are not broken, they are simply unanchored and currently face heightened challenges through the lure of a “Digital Neverland”. The important message for boys’ schools was that character is built, not found. Boys learn from their environment, through role models and discovering what boundaries exist, what is celebrated, valued and insisted upon.
These ideas were further emphasised by the closing keynote by Mr Andrew Lee, distinguished by his international career in law, who provided the perspective of a parent on boys’ education. His evocative presentation highlighted that the incredible success that he has enjoyed throughout his career, including postgraduate study at Harvard and Standford and subsequent international legal career, has been shaped most by his failures. He expressed that he hopes his son fails a lot, so that he can learn and grow from these experiences. Mr Lee, however, expressed that some failures should not be faced alone because they are not a reflection of effort or commitment. As such, he emphasised the importance of boys’ schools in cultivating compassion through service, to help instil a shared sense of purpose and humanity amongst students, teachers and parents.
Overall, the conference provided a valuable experience for our staff to both learn and contribute to the opportunities for collaboration, networking and sharing of best practice amongst a coalition of boys’ schools who are seeking to both build character and cultivate humanity in boys.
Latest Blog
We Knew Them Before They Were Stars
Our boys at Toowoomba Grammar School are fortunate that Performing Arts is as popular as sport and academics, thanks to our culture of respect and inclusivity. Boys are supported and encouraged to immerse themselves in music, drama and art and are not afraid to chase their dreams in these fields. The success of our performing arts students dates back decades, with our Old Boys performing all around the world in theatre, music, film and photography and are accomplished and well recognised in…
Country Roads Take Me Home
Toowoomba Grammar School boarding provides the ideal living environment for our boys while they develop the values that will define their character. Throughout the course of this year, I have been privileged to visit many of the towns and properties that our TGS boarders call home. When walking around those towns wearing a shirt with a TGS crest, it doesn’t take long to meet an Old Boy or to be asked about one of the boarders currently at the School. Our boarding staff pride themselves on…
TGS Corfe House - A Home for Young Boarders
In Toowoomba Grammar School’s Boarding Program, Years 5 to 7 students reside at Corfe House – a nurturing environment providing close pastoral support and guidance to the School’s youngest boarders. The skills, relationships and perspectives that boys develop here set them up for the rest of their boarding and school journey. Toowoomba Grammar School understands the challenges for young students transitioning into boarding. Leading the way in creating a ‘home away from home’ is the Corfe House…
TGS Mates Program - Character Building Education
Current research into character education has shown that educators should not be focusing solely on preparing students for their Year 12 final exams but should be supporting them to become humans who exhibit good character and virtues to contribute to creating a healthier society (The Jubilee Centre, 2022). The Jubilee Centre, which is attached to the University of Birmingham in the UK, maintains that good character is the foundation for improved attainment, better behaviour, increased…
Our TGS Old Boys' Wall of Achievement
The next time you visit the School grounds, pause for a moment at the Toowoomba Grammar School Old Boys' Wall of Achievement. This concept was the initiative of the then Deputy Headmaster, Mr Roger Buttenshaw, and was supported by the Board of Trustees, Headmasters Mr Hugh Rose and Mr Peter Hauser, and the TGSOBA - Toowoomba Grammar School Old Boys' Association. The opening of the Wall of Achievement took place in 2003. Thousands of TGS Old Boys have gone on to lead productive and valuable…
A Musical Reflection
As Director of Performing Arts, there is perhaps no bigger undertaking than a School musical. It requires an enormous effort from a huge team of teachers and students, and to get all these moving parts heading in the same direction is certainly no mean feat. The 2023 co-production of Footloose was my first time involved in a Toowoomba Grammar School and Fairholme College musical, and I found it to be a very rewarding, though exhausting, experience. The process began in Term 3, 2022, as my…
TGS Success in GPS Sport
In 2023, Toowoomba Grammar School witnessed a remarkable resurgence in several of our sports programs, marking a year of triumph and growth. Although an elusive GPS premiership did not fall our way, a number of our 1st teams competed to the final whistle in Round 9 of their respective competitions, vying for their premierships. The achievements of our boys on the field and court were nothing short of exceptional, reflecting the commitment, dedication and character development that participation…
An Exceptional Learning Experience
As a member of the Junior School Leadership Team at Toowoomba Grammar School, my role involves ensuring that the Junior School’s Teaching and Learning programs are designed, implemented and managed effectively. This role is grounded in the vision, mission, and values of TGS and is crucial in supporting the Head of Junior School and the Director of Studies in providing an exceptional learning experience for our boys. At TGS Junior School, we prioritise the use of explicit teaching to ensure that…
An Inclusive Education
Toowoomba Grammar School is proud to introduce the newest addition to our education team, Amanda Gibson. Amanda commenced in Term 4, 2023 in the pivotal role of Head of Diverse Learners and will bring new direction and focus to the position in alignment with our commitment to inclusive education, aligning seamlessly with our Strategic Plan 2022-2026 and the Inclusive Education Policy. “I am very excited about developing this role,” said Amanda. “I have a passion for fostering environments where…
