“When boys feel connected, they thrive. When boys feel understood, they open up. When boys feel supported, they grow into men who can support others.”— Mr Michael Hall, Head of Pastoral Care
Adolescent boys today are growing up in a world louder, faster and more demanding than ever before.
Social media influencers, hyper‑masculine stereotypes and the pressure to “perform” academically, socially and emotionally can distort a young man’s sense of self long before he has the tools to understand what he’s feeling.
Toowoomba Grammar School (TGS) has recognised this challenge and responded with intention. Through a bespoke Pastoral Care model and a powerful partnership with Tomorrow Man and other leading professionals, the School is reshaping how boys understand identity, connection and what it truly means to grow into healthy young men.
This is not just wellbeing work. It’s identity work. And the results are speaking for themselves.
The Modern World Is Shaping Boys: But Not Always for the Better
Today’s adolescent boys are navigating:
- Over‑masculated social norms that reward toughness but discourage vulnerability.
- Social media influencers who promote unrealistic lifestyles and narrow definitions of success.
- Digital comparison culture, where boys measure themselves against curated images and online personas.
These forces can leave boys feeling confused about who they are and who they’re supposed to be. Tomorrow Man’s workshops at TGS help boys unpack these pressures, challenge outdated stereotypes and explore what healthy masculinity looks like in 2025, not 1955.
What Boys Really Think: Listening Before Leading
One of the most powerful aspects of the TGS–Tomorrow Man partnership is that it gives boys space to speak honestly. When boys are invited to share what’s actually going on beneath the surface, the insights are profound and often surprising.
This shift toward open dialogue is reflected in the data. In 2024, only 23% of TGS students felt they had a staff member they could trust when facing challenges. After one year of targeted wellbeing and character development work, that number rose to 77%.
That is not a small improvement. That is a cultural shift.
A Bespoke Pastoral Care Model That Works
TGS’s Pastoral Care Program - anchored in the philosophy "Give it, Live it, Love it" - has been intentionally aligned with Tomorrow Man’s approach to identity formation. The result is a wellbeing framework that is:
- Relational, not transactional
- Proactive, not reactive
- Character‑focused, not compliance‑focused
Staff have been trained to build genuine connections with boys, creating an environment where students feel seen, supported and understood. This is not about “fixing problems” - it’s about building resilience, belonging and self‑awareness before problems escalate.
And the data shows the impact.
The Results: A Stronger Sense of Identity, Belonging and Wellbeing
Across every major wellbeing indicator, TGS students have shown dramatic improvement from 2024 to 2025:
Academic and Study‑Related Challenges
- 51% of students reported challenges in 2025
- Down from 81% in 2024
- 8% lower than the state average
Mental Health and Wellbeing Issues
- 20% of students reported concerns in 2025
- Down from 57% in 2024
- 19% lower than the state average
Physical Health Issues
- 11% of students reported issues in 2025
- Down from 47% in 2024
- 10% lower than the state average
Bullying Concerns
- 9% of students expressed concern in 2025
- Down from 23% in 2024
- 1% lower than the state average
These improvements are not accidental. They are the direct result of a school community investing deeply in connection, character and the emotional literacy of boys.
Why This Matters
TGS is not just teaching boys how to succeed academically. It is teaching them how to navigate the complexities of modern masculinity with confidence, empathy and authenticity.
The partnership with Tomorrow Man is helping boys rewrite the script - moving away from outdated expectations and toward a healthier, more grounded sense of identity.
A School That Lives Its Virtues and Creed
The transformation happening at Toowoomba Grammar School is a testament to the dedication of its staff and the strength of its wellbeing vision.
TGS Pastoral Care – Give it, Live it, Love it. It’s
more than a motto. It’s a movement. And it’s changing the lives of boys, one honest conversation
at a time.
Latest Blog
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That spirit of curiosity and courage would carry him through a life of service, media innovation and deep care for others. William Vaughan Hinton OAM Vaughan's career began as a cadet reporter at the Toowoomba Chronicle in 1948, followed by work at ABC Radio. This early start launched a lifelong vocation in public service media, built on his belief that stories could shape understanding, challenge assumptions and bring people closer to one another. After completing national service with the…
