“This week, our School has come together in meaningful ways to reflect, learn and act.”Mr Scott Gale, Indigenous Education Coordinator
As a School community, we are proud to stand together in recognition of National Reconciliation Week (NRW).
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 struggles and strengths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, we also look forward to unity, and the promise of a future shaped by mutual understanding.
National Reconciliation Week Assembly
Our School Assembly was a moment of celebration, respect and leadership.
Led by Year 12 First Nations students, Kainen Beezley and Tallen Robinson, the assembly focussed on the theme 'Bridging Now to Next' and what it means for our School and our nation.
A highlight of the assembly was a video, where students and staff shared their perspectives on reconciliation. Through honest and thoughtful responses, this encourages all of us to think deeply about how we can be part of the journey forward.
We are also incredibly proud to announce that Kainen Beezley will be honoured as the Yalari Captain for 2025. Kainen’s leadership and voice are vital to ensuring that our School continues to grow as a place of inclusion, respect and cultural understanding. At today’s Assembly he was recognised not only for his individual achievements, but his commitment to reconciliation in our School and beyond.
Whole School Reflection Activity
Next week, all students and staff will participate in a School-wide reflection, taking time to consider:
- What reconciliation means to each of us
- What our School is currently doing to support reconciliation
- What actions we can take each day to create lasting change.
This activity reinforces the idea that reconciliation is not just a one-week event, but something we commit to as individuals and as a community, every day.
In the words of this year’s NRW theme, ‘Bridging Now to Next’ is about carrying the lessons of the past as we move forward, stronger and more united. Reconciliation is not always easy, and the journey has not always been straight. But each step we take, as a School and as a nation, helps bridge the space between where we’ve been and where we are going.
Custom-designed jerseys
Toowoomba Grammar School is proud to announce that the First XV Rugby team will wear a special one-off competitive uniform featuring Indigenous artwork during their trial games on Saturday, 7 June 2025. This unique occasion coincides with National Reconciliation Week and reflects our commitment to recognising and celebrating First Nations culture within our School community.
These custom-designed jerseys will be worn exclusively for this trial match, symbolising a meaningful gesture of respect and unity. The inclusion of First Nations artwork in our sporting uniforms marks another important milestone, particularly for the 51 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who are valued members of the TGS community.
The design on the jersey's centres around the Toowoomba Grammar School campus as a place of learning and storytelling. The flowing lines radiating from the centre represent the individual journeys our students and staff take to and from their home communities, a powerful symbol of connection, identity and shared purpose.
This week, we reflect and most importantly, we move forward together.
Latest Blog
Get Involved in Everything
As Senior Prefect at Toowoomba Grammar School, I have had the opportunity to witness the benefits of being an all-rounder firsthand. With the various activities and programs the School offers, the ability to be involved in as many things as possible is not only enjoyable but brings about numerous benefits that extend far beyond the school years. Ranging from sports to drama and debating, participating in anything the School has to offer is an excellent way to make friends and build networks of…
The Importance of Knowledge
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
Regardless of your history with the school, you are all equally welcome here and should feel comfortable in knowing that we value every family and their son’s contribution to our School. Toowoomba Grammar School was built by the community, for the community and it is a School that I am immensely proud of. In 2025 we will celebrate our sesquicentenary or Grammar 150 and your sons will play a vital role in those celebrations. Our pedagogy is modelled on explicit instruction which has its roots in…
Boarding Families - Surviving Homesickness
Homesickness can be brutal for both the child and their parents. As a parent it can feel like your heart is being ripped out in some cases daily. It is extremely hard hearing how sad your boy may sound on the phone, and then you are left reeling for 24hrs until the next call, you are often left worried that they are feeling like this ALL DAY. Rest assured only vary rare cases are that bad, they usually improve as they settle in, and it is temporary. The reality is that most boys tend to save…
Helpful Tips 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…
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…
Building the Boarding Experience - at Home
Family connections is a vital aspect of our Toowoomba Grammar School boarding program that we hold close to our heart. Our Heads of House regularly make the effort to visit our boarding families so they have a better understanding of our boarders' lives, the challenges and experiences, and staff always enjoy the warmth and hospitality provided by families. Head of Corfe House, Henry White and his wife, Samantha recently spent a weekend with the Acton family on Dalgonally Station near Julia…
