Every day unfolds with endless possibilities in the Junior School.

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 seeds of leadership in the Junior School is not just desirable but imperative.

The journey of leadership begins with self-discovery. Self-confidence is necessary for leaders to take risks and accomplish their goals. By encouraging young children to take on roles, whether it is leading a classroom activity, participating in group projects, or even reporting the daily weather, the teachers foster a sense of self-assurance and belief in their abilities. Through positive reinforcement and constructive feedback, children learn to trust in their capacity to lead, which in turn leads to an increase in confidence and self-esteem that will serve them well throughout their lives. When children see their peers taking on leadership roles, it inspires them to do the same. Positive role models can encourage other children to step up and become leaders themselves.

Good leadership relies on good communication. The boys are encouraged to speak with good intentions, honesty and kindness to inspire trust in others. They have extensive opportunities in the classroom to express their thoughts, articulate their ideas and listen attentively to others by engaging in collaborative endeavours, such as group discussions, peer mentoring and team-based activities. The Public Speaking Competition is an example of where our Prep to Year 6 boys develop essential communication skills. Providing opportunities to collaborate and delegate tasks in a team setting is an essential skill that they can develop through leadership roles.

Year 3 and 4 students learning new skills in a team setting during their camp at Currimundi on the Sunshine Coast

In the Junior School, we provide a nurturing environment where the boys can learn to set goals, make decisions and take ownership of their responsibilities. In their final year in the Junior School, the Year 6 boys have a certain amount of responsibility placed upon them. Whether they have an “official” leadership position or are simply the oldest cohort, the boys need to understand the importance of their roles as student leaders. They have a responsibility to younger boys as role models and buddies. The younger boys often look up to the older boys with awe and admiration. They closely watch and copy the behaviour of the older boys who have various leadership roles, such as class monitors, peer mentors, House Captains or monitors. Through such responsibilities, the boys learn the impact of their actions.

Outdoor Education Week (OEW) addresses the importance of empowering the boys and the contribution leadership skills make towards improved student outcomes, health and wellbeing. The OEW program is designed to develop the boys’ ability to interact effectively with others and increase their opportunity for leadership within the context of outdoor activities. When boys can master a skill or overcome a challenge, they believe in themselves more, especially if they perceive the task as difficult. For example, the Year 5 boys paddle in kayaks up the Tallebudgera Creek. When you see them being able to navigate around bends while paddling upstream, they are often beaming with pride. Leaders often face challenges and obstacles that require creative problem-solving. By engaging in leadership roles, children learn to think critically and find solutions to various problems.

“Leadership is not just about leading; it is about serving others with empathy and compassion.”
— Mr Mike Sharpe, former Deputy Head of Junior School

In all year levels, the boys learn to celebrate diversity, embrace differences and extend a helping hand to those in need. Through acts of kindness, collaboration and peer support, they cultivate a culture of inclusivity and belonging. The boys take active roles in their School community and develop positive skills in the process. This is demonstrated by the various charity events the boys hold within the School and the visits to aged care facilities where they perform music concerts. Encouraging leadership skills empowers children to become agents of positive change in their communities.

The importance of developing leadership skills from Prep to Year 6 cannot be overstated. By nurturing the seeds of leadership through confidence-building, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, responsibility, empathy and preparation for the future, we empower the boys to become compassionate, capable and resilient leaders of tomorrow. Leadership skills taught in all year levels provide the boys at the Junior School with a strong foundation for success in various areas of life. We prepare the boys for future success in academia, careers and community engagement. From effective communication and problem-solving to teamwork and resilience, the experiences gained at Toowoomba Grammar School lay the groundwork for a lifetime of achievement and fulfilment.


Latest Blog

Sports & Activities
/
Thursday, 05 June 2025

Pioneering Excellence: Launching TGS's Athletic Development Program

Our Athletic Development Program represents a paradigm shift in how schools nurture sporting talent—combining cutting-edge technology, evidence-based practices and a whole-person philosophy that prepares young men for success beyond the scoreboard.

Read More
Character & Wellbeing
/
Thursday, 29 May 2025

Reflecting on the Past, Walking Forward Together

This week is an important time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to reflect on how we can each contribute to achieving reconciliation. The theme for NRW 2025, 'Bridging Now to Next,' calls on us to honour the past, acknowledge the present and actively build a better future. It reminds us that reconciliation is not a destination, it is a journey guided by reflection, respect and a shared commitment to walking together. As we look back on the…

Read More
Blog Thursday, 22 May 2025

A Bright Start to our Rising and Leading Series

More than 150 members of the Toowoomba and Darling Downs community joined us to hear from leading demographer and data commentator Simon Kuestenmacher, whose presentation sparked fresh thinking about the decade ahead.

Read More
Grammar 150
/
Thursday, 15 May 2025

Women of Grammar Luncheon

A Tribute to the Heart of the School Originally scheduled for International Women's Day but rescheduled (thanks, Cyclone Alfred!) to the eve of Mother's Day, the timing felt serendipitous. It was a day to honour the women—past and present—whose quiet strength, tireless support and enduring love have shaped the School's legacy and the lives of its boys for 150 years. The marquee was beautifully appointed for a day of merriment

Read More
Old Boys
/
Thursday, 08 May 2025

Lachlan Stuart's Marathon Feat

Mr Stuart will return to TGS again for the event held on Wednesday, 28 May to support the Year 12's significant fundraising G150 Gift Run event. The boys are running 1500km in a relay format to honour a 1968 TGS Interact Club fundraising project that will help upgrade the original School gates on Herries Street, along with raising funds for the Nerve Connection Foundation.

Read More
Old Boys
/
Thursday, 01 May 2025

Remembering Private Colin Stirling, a TGS Old Boy (1899-1900)

This was the headline that screamed out on the pages of the Toowoomba Chronicle and Darling Downs General Advertiser on Thursday, 15 August 1901. With ANZAC Day just last Friday, this week we continue to honour many of our Old Boys who gave the ultimate sacrifice including Private Colin Stirling, a TGS Old Boy (1899-1900) and our first former student lost in the Boer War. The story began with: “News was received on Tuesday afternoon that in an engagement at Kopjesfontein, on the 6th instant,…

Read More
Community Engagement
/
Thursday, 24 Apr 2025

Honouring Tradition: Toowoomba Grammar School and ANZAC Day

This year marks 98 years since TGS and the 13 Army Cadet Unit (Toowoomba Collective Unit) first participated in ANZAC Services in Toowoomba. The School's commitment to these services is a testament to its deep-rooted military traditions and the enduring spirit of remembrance. Mounties out the front of School House in 1908. A Legacy of Service Toowoomba Grammar School's military traditions date back to its early days. The School's Cadet Unit, formed in 1892, has been a cornerstone of its…

Read More
Character & Wellbeing
/
Thursday, 03 Apr 2025

Outdoor Pursuits and Activities Week - Developing Good Character Beyond the Classroom

We offer a range of enrichment activities for our boys, but the last week of Term 1 is a very special opportunity for all of our Senior School students. It's Outdoor Pursuits and Activities Week, which provides age-appropriate physical challenges in a safe, well-supervised environment. Activities on the various camps may include ropes courses, rock climbing, bodyboarding, surfing, mountain biking and canoeing. The aim is to foster a love of the outdoors and an appreciation of the environment.…

Read More
People
/
Thursday, 27 Mar 2025

Stories behind key TGS staff helping shape our students

It was my great privilege to join TGS as Head of House - Boyce Boarding in 2024. The opportunity to lead these young men of character on their TGS journey carries great weight but is also enormously exciting. Embarking upon this project alongside my wife Meg as Boyce Boarding House Manager strengthens the team further. I am hopeful that we will demonstrate to the boys how positive relationships can foster a warm and supportive environment. I know that many of our boys are familiar with strong…

Read More