At Toowoomba Grammar School, we are committed to educating boys and developing their good character for life.
This commitment extends beyond the classroom into every aspect of School life, including programs that encourage our boys to reflect on who they are, how they treat others and the kind of men they hope to become.
This week, students from Years 7 to 10 took part in two significant character and wellbeing programs delivered by Damon Joseph and Daniel Principe. Although different in design, both workshops reinforced the same message, that character is learned, practised and strengthened through experience, challenge and honest reflection.
Character Builders with Damon Joseph
Across Years 7, 8 and 9, the School welcomed the return of Damon Joseph from Character Builders. Damon’s workshops focus on authenticity, courage and self‑awareness. He encourages boys to embrace who they truly are, even when it feels uncomfortable.
“For me, it’s about helping people to be genuinely who they are, unapologetically,” Damon said. “It takes practice, the same as any sport or academic pursuit.”
A major theme was the fear of judgement, something many young people grapple with. Damon explored how this fear can influence behaviour and how boys sometimes act in ways that do not reflect their values as they try to belong or be noticed.
He challenged students to recognise those moments and instead choose actions grounded in respect, honesty and personal integrity. More significant than misbehaviour, he said, is the reluctance of bystanders to stand up when they know something is not right.
If there was one idea Damon hoped the boys would remember, it was the importance of service above self.
“When you are not sure how to act, think of others first,” he said. “Do what is right for everyone involved. That’s how you find yourself.”
Championing Boys into Becoming Men with Daniel Principe
Later in the week, students in Years 9 and 10 heard from Daniel Principe, who works with schools across Australia to promote respectful relationships and value‑based decision‑making. Daniel spoke openly about the complexities of the modern world. He noted that while the fundamentals of being a good human do not change, the influences surrounding young people are louder and more confusing than ever.
“With the internet and social media, the scope of what is possible both positive and negative, has never been broader,” he said.
Drawing on his own experiences at an all‑boys' school, Daniel shared honest reflections on insecurity, friendship and expectations. His stories gave boys permission to think critically about their own choices and how they show up for the people around them.
He encouraged them to ask themselves:
- What truly matters to me?
- Do my actions show that I care about those things?
- Am I taking steps to become the man I want to be?
For families, Daniel emphasised the lasting impact of connection and guidance.
“These boys want belonging,” he said. “If we do not show them they matter, they will look for that affirmation elsewhere.”
Growing Good Men
These sessions reflect the School’s commitment to the Character and Care pillar of our Strategic Plan. Boys learn best by doing. They learn through reflection, through conversations that challenge them and through experiences that both stretch and support them. They also learn through failure and they will fail often. This is not a setback but an essential part of growth.
We work hand in hand with leading international and domestic professionals to shape the pastoral program at Toowoomba Grammar School. This provides a bespoke opportunity to dive deeper into individual and cohort impact that allows us to then share with families the means to help each boy learn from his mistakes, build resilience and rise stronger than before.
Together, we are shaping young men of character and capability who are ready for meaningful lives within and most importantly beyond the School gates.
Latest Blog
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…
Get Involved in Everything
As Senior Prefect at Toowoomba Grammar School, I have had the opportunity to witness the benefits of being an all-rounder firsthand. With the various activities and programs the School offers, the ability to be involved in as many things as possible is not only enjoyable but brings about numerous benefits that extend far beyond the school years. Ranging from sports to drama and debating, participating in anything the School has to offer is an excellent way to make friends and build networks of…
The Importance of Knowledge
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always enjoyed traveling great distances. As a child growing up in rural New South Wales, this was inevitable. The region was speckled with towns, some more vibrant than others, and diverse landscapes where hillside ruins whispered tales of bygone eras. Over time, these landscapes and towns transformed into familiar scenes, with even minor changes in the community and environment growing more noticeable during each visit. Education parallels this journey, as…
Senior TGS Students' Advice for Starting Senior School
Starting at a new school can be a time of mixed feelings – very exciting, but also quite daunting and challenging. Here are some tips from some Year 7 Grammar boys who started Senior School in 2023. Get involved in different sports and activities Toowoomba Grammar School provides many sports and activities that any student can participate in. As a current Year 7 student, I highly recommend trying out as many different sports and activities as you can. Throughout my first year in high school, I…
Transition to Senior School at TGS
Starting at a new school can be a time of mixed feelings – very exciting, but also quite daunting and challenging. Irrespective of whether your son is joining us from the TGS Junior School, or if they are just starting at Toowoomba Grammar School, this is the start of a long and special journey. Your son will have a lot to digest with a new, possibly larger campus to navigate, different teachers and lessons, making new friends, where to go and what to do at morning tea and lunch. There can be a…
