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 knowing each individual boarder in their House, replicating how each boy is known and valued as an individual in their own hometown.
The demographics of Toowoomba are similar in this regard and provide the School with two unique characteristics. Firstly, as one of the smaller GPS schools, the numbers of dayboys do not overwhelm our boarders, with boarders enrolled at a ratio of nearly one to three in the Senior School. Secondly, most of our teaching staff hail from country areas, which means that our staff know our boarders and truly appreciate their background.
Our TGS campus does a good job of replicating the open spaces of our boarders’ homes, with six ovals for our boys to enjoy. Indeed, facilities such as our aquatic centre, indoor sports centre, weights room and performing arts spaces complement the green expanse of the ovals, giving the boys a great place to engage in all those activities that they love doing, from playing touch and cricket to swimming and shooting some hoops. The drama studios and music rooms allow our boarders to express themselves creatively, providing a different outlet for their energies.
Looking beyond the campus and the outstanding facilities we have, much can be said about the town of Toowoomba itself. As a regional city, the country values which our School creed personifies exist in the everyday interactions of our boarders with the wider community. Whether it is on a trip down to Grand Central or working alongside local tradesmen as part of a School-based apprenticeship, our boarders remain grounded and always give their best. As a hub for agribusiness, Toowoomba has attracted residents from all over regional Australia and the business interests of many of our boarding parents are entwined with those companies in Toowoomba. This results in connections across the city for our boarders and their families, which provides for an incredibly supportive community.
As the School that was built by the community, for the community, Toowoomba Grammar School is at the heart of Toowoomba. Our values mirror those of the city, and we are proud of the connections we have to regional Australia.
- Mr Nick Byron, Director of Boarding
Latest Blog
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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…
The Transition to Year 7 - from a Parent and Staff Member's Perspective
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Boarding Families - Surviving Homesickness
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Name absolutely everything! Socks, undies, phone chargers, water bottles, caps. EVERYTHING!! Make sure you name items with Boy’s name & House number; most parents will put their senior house number if printing the tags so they don’t have to rename items when they move the following year (Corfe House doesn’t have a house number). Some boys find a double bed doona is a better option than single doona as it hangs down the sides of the bed a little more to keep them warmer in winter. An…
Parenting Styles: Parties and the Holidays
As the holiday season approaches, parents and caregivers find themselves immersed in the joy and bustle of festivities. Amidst the celebrations, it’s essential to pause and reflect on the pivotal role our parenting styles play in shaping our children’s attitudes and behaviours, especially concerning alcohol and other drug use. As a father of four young people with my fifth child coming into our family on 8 December 2023, I’m particularly mindful of my parenting style and my role as School…
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A New Season for Coach Kabe
Highly respected Head of Basketball and 1st V Coach, Kabe Ciccolini is embarking on a new and inspiring chapter. This season, he takes up the role of Assistant Head of Corfe House, guiding our youngest boarders with a warmth and passion that is uniquely his own. Kabe’s decision to transition into the role of Assistant Head of Corfe House reflects his unwavering commitment to mentorship and leadership. For him, this move signifies a positive step in his career. “It’s an opportunity to further…
