Survival Guide for New Boarding Parents
- 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 insulated metal water bottle is often a good investment especially if they are playing sport, as it can hold more water and keep it cold the whole day. It is recommended to have it engraved with the boy’s name & phone number as they can be expensive.
- Some boys find it more convenient to have an extra laundry bag. It is better to send three half-filled bags to the laundry a week than have all their underwear in the one bag and then must go without jocks and socks for a day if they are not organised or it goes missing.
- A watch is a good investment so they are on time, again worth having them engraved as boys often take them off for sport and they can fall out of bags.
- If you know that your son has been at an away game, remind them that they need to put their dirty clothes in the wash and clean their boots if they are muddy.
- Keep updated with information on the TGS App, read the newsletters and emails, follow the social media pages.
- There is so much information and so many dates to keep track of, using a family calendar app that your whole family can access may assist you all in keeping up to date with everything. There are many free and paid apps available (some suggestions of paid & free Apps are in the links to recommended apps/resources section).
What to Teach your Son Before he Commences Boarding...
- How to make his own bed, including fitted sheet, pillowcases and how to put on a doona cover.
- Make sure they turn their socks in the right way, unroll sleeves, empty pockets etc in readiness for laundry and they know if they don’t hang up their towel it will get smelly.
- Understanding the importance of good hygiene practices (washing hands, showering daily, brushing teeth, wearing deodorant & stinky shoes). When living in a communal environment they may have to be a little more diligent with these things as other boys may be less tolerant than what you are at home.
- Encourage them to have a plastic bag in their sports bag for dirty, BO smelling sports clothes for when they change into Blazer at away games. It will keep the rest of the items in their bag from smelling. Also, good to have a separate bag for muddy sports shoes so again everything in the bag does not end up muddy.
- Urge them to carry body wipes and deodorant if they do struggle with BO in their school bag & sports bag so they can wipe themselves down before adding more deodorant as it often accentuates the BO smell.
Keeping Connected
- Familiarise yourself with who to contact about what
- Join your Boarding House Parent WhatsApp group to keep up to date with things relevant to your individual House. This group is for parents only and will be monitored by the House Representative. This group is for general positive discussion directly regarding boarding in that individual house and the House Representatives will keep you updated with any important info, date reminders etc. This is not a group to have a “whinge” or raise concerns it is for information sharing purposes only.
- The TGS Boarding FB & Instagram Pages are a nice way to feel connected to what is happening.
- The Fortnightly Boarders Telegraph keeps you informed of all boarding related news.
- Parents are welcome to attend any of the BPSG meetings either in person or online via teams. Or if you have a matter, you would like raised at a meeting, please contact your BPSG House Representative.
Phones, particularly for new phone users
- Teach your sons how to use their phone, it can be quite overwhelming for them to work it out on their own.
- It is often best to let them use their phone at least a few weeks before they start boarding if they have never had one so they know how it works and the novelty may wear off a bit.
- Having a strong phone protective case and screen protector can often be a much more cost-effective and convenient option than replacing a dropped/smashed phone.
- It can be helpful to set some firm ground rules around what your expectations are around their phone use and make them aware of phone safety.
- Turn on the “Find My Phone” function on your son’s phone so if he loses it, you may be able to located where it is.
- There are apps available that you can install on your own phone enabling you to have control and monitor your son’s phone usage. From these apps you can set the restrictions on the content you would like them to access, how much screen time and what access to social media you would like them to have etc. (some suggestions of paid & free Apps are in the links to recommended apps/resources section).
- The SBS documentary “The Hunting” is rather confronting however is perhaps a good way to open a vital dialogue with you and your son around the consequences of inappropriate phone use. Recommend parents watch first before sharing with boys if you feel it necessary.
https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-series/the-hunting
- If you are not familiar with Toowoomba, a good place in town to get phone issues sorted is https://www.forbesbatteries.com.au/
Links to Recommended Resources
- Here is a review site on top parental control phone apps https://www.tomsguide.com/us/b...;
(Steph uses Apple Family Sharing on her IPhone and loves how user friendly it is)
- Here is a review site on top Family calendar apps: https://www.top10.com/family-organizer-apps
(Steph loves Cozi and was using the free version initially but has found the paid version is worth every cent).
- If you are new to teenage boys Maggie Dent’s book “From boys to Men” is a brilliant read or listen, it may help you understand your son better and help you navigate the teenage years.
- Tune in to TGS’s “Raising good Men Seminars”, School TV and the “Fireside Chat Series” on the TGS App and website – a range of diverse topics on offer with brilliant guest speakers.
Latest Blog
“Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”
Whether it was American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson, Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, or even UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s father who coined the phrase “watch your character, it becomes your destiny,” it was Dr Linda Evans who gave it real relevance to a theatre full of students, staff and families. After a decade and a half in charge of Toowoomba’s respected Fairholme College as Principal and some 22 years in total on staff, Dr Evans will leave the institution she has led and loved by…
Preparation for Boarding: Practical Tips and Tricks
In fact, I’ve coined the phrase “the clearer the runway, the smoother the landing” as a neat summary of this observation. A great deal of boarding experience can be initiated at home in the weeks and months leading up to your son’s departure, helping him prepare psychologically and logistically for his upcoming journey. At TGS, we acknowledge that the boarding journey for boys and families starts long before they enter the house in late January. In the mind of a new boarder and their family,…
Exploring the Role of Neuroscience in Supporting Teenage Boys
Recent insights from neuroscience reveal that the teenage brain undergoes significant changes, particularly in the frontal lobe, which is essential for decision-making, impulse control and emotional regulation. By leveraging this knowledge, we can create supportive environments that guide our boys through the complexities of their teenage years.The Prefrontal Cortex The prefrontal cortex, located in the frontal lobe, is one of the last areas of the brain to mature, significantly impacting…
Wellbeing and Character Development Program — Benefiting Students and Staff Alike
In 2024, the School re-established the Head of Pastoral Care position. The role will be pivotal in supporting all staff to foster a supportive and nurturing environment at Toowoomba Grammar School. Integral to the role’s success is the parallel expansion of the Wellbeing and Character Development (WCD) program to yield multifaceted benefits for both staff and students. For staff, the Head of Pastoral Care provides guidance, support and resources, aiding in their efforts to address students’…
Nurturing the Seeds of Leadership
Early exposure to leadership roles helps children develop character traits such as responsibility, empathy, resilience and integrity. As a School, we provide the opportunity for the cultivation of leadership skills in our young boys. From the formative years in Prep through to the adolescent years of Year 6, the importance of fostering leadership qualities cannot be overstated. In our modern world, where adaptability, resilience and initiative are regarded as quality attributes, nurturing the…
Pedal Power: The TGS Mountain Bike Club
What started with 12 boys now has 90, with many of the riders racing in the Schools Academy Gravity Enduro Series and other events. We also have a tour of 20 boys going to Thredbo in December this year, where they will tackle some of the most exciting trails in Australia. We thank the wonderful group of parents who support the club. They can often be found driving vehicles up and down the range on a Sunday morning to support the boys. We would not have been as successful as we are without…
Beyond the Blue and Gold
Our focus is to work with each individual student to assist in creating awareness of the world of work, helping students to articulate their interests and identifying what is important to them and their values. We assist the boys in developing the skills to explore the different careers out there. We connect them with employers and industry professionals and help them navigate towards the job or career they are interested in. We work hard to individualise each student’s unique School journey to…
Character and Wellbeing – The Grammar Way
Legacy of Leadership: The Impact of John Mackintosh at Toowoomba Grammar School Toowoomba Grammar School’s first Headmaster, John Mackintosh (1876–1879) led the School with the demeanour of a typical Victorian father figure. His leadership was steadfast and nurturing, with decisions that were definitive and meticulously aimed at creating an environment that was conducive to a boy’s character and learning outcomes. Mackintosh introduced recreational activities such as chess and draughts…
2024 IBSC Conference
It is part of our Strategic Plan's People Pillar which is "build a high-performing culture that supports the wellbeing and development of staff, who exemplify the TGS values and share our commitment to the growth of our boys". In fact, that focus was acknowledged in our receiving The Educator’s 2024 5-Star Employer of Choice award. The Award acknowledges excellence in providing professional development opportunities and nurturing a culture of inclusion and respect. So it was with great pleasure…