“The support I received at TGS gave me the confidence to embrace opportunities, challenge myself and become the person I am today.”
A journey of opportunity and purpose
When Emmanuel Geu arrived in Australia from South Sudan in 2014, his family was seeking safety, stability and the chance to build a brighter future. Adjusting to a new country, culture and education system brought challenges, but it also opened the door to opportunities that would help shape the young man he is today.
Through the support of a bursary at Toowoomba Grammar School, Emmanuel was able to access an education that would become transformational. Boarding life was not easy at first. Living away from family, navigating a new environment and finding his place among his peers required resilience and courage. Yet it was within the School community that Emmanuel discovered a sense of belonging.
He immersed himself in every aspect of School life. Sport became a source of purpose, discipline and connection as he represented TGS in basketball, football, cross country, cricket and athletics. Along the way, he embraced new experiences, challenged himself and formed lifelong friendships.
The support Emmanuel received extended far beyond the classroom. Teachers, coaches and boarding staff became mentors, encouraging him through academic pressures, setbacks and injury. Their belief in him helped shape his confidence and strengthened his determination to make the most of every opportunity.
By Year 12, Emmanuel had emerged as one of the School’s most respected student leaders. As a School Prefect, he dedicated himself to mentoring younger Grammar Boys and fostering a strong sense of community. His outstanding character, humility and commitment to service saw him awarded the Headmaster’s Medal, one of the School’s most prestigious honours.
Reflecting on his time at Toowoomba Grammar School, Emmanuel credits the opportunities afforded to him through bursary support with helping him build a life grounded in resilience, gratitude and ambition.
For Emmanuel, a bursary was more than financial assistance. It was an opportunity to belong, to grow and to realise his potential. Through the generosity of donors, his story is one of many that demonstrates the life-changing impact of philanthropy.
Latest Blog
Study Skills Program
Just as teachers benefit from an understanding of the Learning Sciences in their lesson planning and preparation, so to do students when they are studying for major summative assessments. A survey of TGS students in Years 9 to 12 found that 70% of our boys felt that they knew how to study, with the biggest impediments to study being lack of motivation and too many distractions. The most highly preferred study technique was found to be rewriting notes. Cramming, rereading the text and rewriting…
Developing Teachers Worldwide
I recently had the pleasure of attending the 2023 International Boys’ Schools Coalition (IBSC) Annual Conference at Westlake Boys High School in Auckland, New Zealand, in my capacity as a Team Leader in the IBSC Action Research Program. Action research is a systematic inquiry conducted by teachers in their own classroom to better understand the impact that an aspect of their practice is having on their students. Each year, 40 teachers from IBSC member schools from around the world are accepted…
Developing a Sense of Belonging for our TGS Boarders
How do we adequately develop a teenager’s 'sense of belonging' in boarding? Head of Boyce House, Boarding, Mr Michael Hall has investigated how 'Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs' applies to boarding. It is a psychological theory that suggests human beings have a set of fundamental needs that must be fulfilled in a hierarchical order. The theory proposes that individuals must first satisfy their physiological needs before moving on to higher-level needs, such as the 'belongingness' that is so…
Kia Moemoeā – Dream Beyond Limits
A 12-year study has found that boys consistently perform better in an all boys’ school compared to boys in co-educational schools. This was one of several interesting topics presented at the recent International Boys’ Schools Coalition (IBSC) Conference in Auckland, New Zealand which I attended alongside three of my Toowoomba Grammar School colleagues – Mr Luke Rawle, Mr Dave Klan and Mrs Jessica Galbraith. We joined 600 leading educators from 15 countries around the world for the four-day…
Blue and Gold in the Blood
“I had such fond memories from the School and enjoyed all the opportunities available, particularly participating in sport and learning at such a high level; my sons were going to have the same great education,” said Chris adamantly. Chris was a boarder from Dalby and an “all-rounder” as a student. He was part of the 1st XV, a CUO in the Cadets, a member of the debating team, involved in drama (featuring in two plays during his time) and a good academic student. “I really enjoyed boarding,”…
The Benefits of Repeated Reading
An effective and evidence-based method that can significantly improve your child's reading abilities is repeated reading. Reading proficiency is a vital skill that sets the foundation for academic success and lifelong learning. Repeated reading, a simple yet powerful technique, has been proven to enhance reading fluency, comprehension, and overall confidence. Let's delve into why repeated reading is such a beneficial practice for your child. Research consistently supports the benefits of…
Print v Digital
I recently read an article by Petra Stock, entitled "Streaming Stories: Will Children’s Digital Book Platforms Upend Print", an interesting discussion comparing ebooks and print media and the ways they are being used during and post COVID. Which is better according to the article? Well, there is a clear winner; however, like many things, the answer can depend on the situation. I'd like to break elements of the article down, along with my own thoughts and compare the two. Social…
Striking a Balance
We understand that, as parents, we aspire to provide our children with the best education and opportunities for growth. Within the Junior School at Toowoomba Grammar School, we believe in fostering a love for learning while enabling your son to reach his full potential. In this article, we would like to emphasise the significance of automaticity and basic skill practice in extending your child's learning journey, while emphasising the importance of respecting their individual pace. Automaticity…
Developing Sportsmanship from Prep
Overwhelming pride in wearing the Blue and Gold is a familiar emotion for Toowoomba Grammar School students, as is abundantly evident in all our boys, from Prep to Year 12. This emotion and passion for the School is the essence of our TGS culture and defines what it means to be a TGS student. The launch of the 2022 - 2026 Strategic Plan creates an exciting opportunity for our co-curricular program, which links perfectly into the "character and wellbeing" pillar. The development of good…
