“It’s the opportunities that Narrabri doesn’t offer. It’s around the friendships they’re going to build for life”— Mrs Melanie Elms
A Boarding Mum’s Journey from Edgeroi, New South Wales to TGS.
Heartfelt moments bookend the boarding years
“It feels very surreal. I'm proud, but it is very surreal.” Those were the words of Mrs Melanie Elms from 'Taringa' near Edgeroi, New South Wales, as she reflected on the moment her youngest son Sam finished his time at Toowoomba Grammar School. An end to walking up to Taylor House returning a boarder to TGS forever and it comes just 12 months after her eldest son, James, graduated.
For the Elms family, the decision to send their boys to boarding school was not taken lightly. They toured schools in New South Wales and Brisbane, including her husband Jason's old School but it was Toowoomba Grammar School that felt right - the grounds, the environment, the country boys from regional communities.
“We loved the fact that the boys were all very like-minded. They were regional, they had connections already and it felt like a really good bouncing board to college, to Sydney, to greater life.” she said.
Tears of Trepidation
Yet even the right decision comes with heartache. “I will never forget the pit in my stomach,” Mrs Elms recalls. “We were all crying. We left James, got in the car and all started crying because it felt very strange.”
Sending a 12 or 13-year-old boy to boarding school is often described as a “necessary evil.” Harsh words, perhaps, but they capture the unnatural feeling of parting with your child. Even the second time, with Sam, the tears came again. Birthdays missed, family events skipped - sacrifices that sting, even as the boys grew more comfortable and happy in their boarding house.
Learning Independence
Boarding life demanded independence. “The boys go off to school without having to be independent at all. They have to learn to navigate friendships, personalities, routines. Boarding is their home, without the comforts of mum's cooking. It’s a big ask for a 12-year-old boy.”
And yet, those challenges became opportunities. The boys learned responsibility, resilience and maturity earlier than many of their peers. “In the long run, that’s a great thing,” Mrs Elms reflects. “You just have to keep reminding yourself of that when they’re little, because they’re very little.”
Opportunity and Sacrifice
For regional families, boarding is an investment in education and opportunity.
The Elms family knew the cost - financial, emotional and practical. “There are holiday considerations, work-life balance at home, sacrifices that come with that decision. But you just make it happen because your kids are the most important thing.”
Finding Community
Boarding is not just about the boys. It’s about the parents too. “Our family friends are our closest kids’ friends now. As a boarding mum, you spend so much time with their families and vice versa. We’ve become very close, very good friends.”
Even after graduation, the bonds endure. Boarding parents organise reunions, catch-ups and celebrations. “We almost create our own old boys’ reunions because we’ve all become so close. The kids will stay connected, but as parents we want to as well.”
The Legacy of Character
Toowoomba Grammar School’s focus on character is a legacy borne out in every cohort. “Our kids are incredibly grounded. They don’t take life for granted. They go home, they work on the farm, they contribute. They love it. They’re appreciative of the opportunity they're given.”
From tiny Year 7 boys to confident young men, the transformation is profound. “We recreated a photo from Year 7 and I thought, you are beautiful humans, amazing young men. As parents, you just can’t be prouder.”
Tears of Joy
Boarding life begins with tears of trepidation, but it ends with tears of joy. Joy at the friendships formed, the independence gained, the character built. Joy at the men they have become.
For the Elms family, the journey from Edgeroi, NSW to Toowoomba Grammar School was one of sacrifice and opportunity, of surreal beginnings and proud endings. Boarding may be difficult to be away from your child in these formative years but its legacy is one of resilience, community and character - for Melanie and Jason Elms they felt very strongly it was the right pathway for their sons for life beyond the farm, beyond the region and into the wider world.
Their youngest daughter is still at Fairholme College, so whilst boarding isn't over for their family, it's the end of a chapter for them here at TGS and the moment is indeed bittersweet.
Latest Blog
Managing Conflict with Pre-Teens and Teenagers
Understanding the developmental challenges of our boys, particularly in managing emotional resilience and independence, helps parents navigate these moments more effectively. Conflict is a natural and inevitable part of adolescence, and for parents of preteens and teenagers at Toowoomba Grammar School, managing these moments effectively is key to nurturing their emotional growth and maintaining a healthy relationship.
Elevating Early Years Mathematics: Insights from a Global Teaching Fellowship
As a primary school teacher with ten years of classroom experience, I’ve had the opportunity to teach across year levels from Prep to Year 3. Throughout my teaching journey, I’ve developed a strong passion for ensuring that every student feels a sense of success in the classroom and equally, that every teacher feels confident and equipped to deliver high-quality lessons. Over time, I’ve become increasingly interested in how we can bring greater consistency and clarity to the way we teach…
Innovation at TGS: Preparing Boys for a Future of Possibilities
This commitment is reflected in how, for generations, our Old Boys have maintained strong connections with the School and their region, demonstrating a dedication to making a meaningful difference in the world. Having students who are able to think critically and evolve with technology will prepare them better for the workforce. Honouring the Past, Preparing for the Future The Grammar 150 celebrations this year offer a special opportunity to reflect on the significant contributions of our…
Remembering CMDR Rowley Alan Waddell-Wood
Rowley was born in Moree, NSW on 30 July 1932 and moved to a property on the Darling Downs at an early age. He attended Esk State School followed by two years at Toowoomba Grammar School (1946-47). After completing his schooling, he worked on the family property and then as a Trainee Executive at Coles in Brisbane. Always fascinated by flying and the Fleet Air Arm, Rowley signed up for a short service engagement in March 1954, aged 22. After completing basic training at HMAS Cerberus, he was…
75 Years of Rivalry and Respect
This year’s match holds special meaning, as it marks 75 years since the very first O’Callaghan Cup clash in 1950. Among those who remember the early days is Malcolm Powell, a proud TGS Old Boy (1948-52) who played fullback for the First XV in 1951. Malcolm, now in his nineties, still vividly recalls the thrill of those early games. “I watched the first Cup from the sidelines, I was in the Thirds that year,” Malcolm recalls. The fiercest of rivals but the greatest of friends “Downlands won that…
Our Sesquicentenary
The day was filled with reflection, celebration and a deep sense of connection to the generations who have shaped the School’s legacy. From the opening of a time capsule sealed in 1975, to a Sesquicentenary Assembly that honoured our roots and looked to the future, the occasion was a powerful reminder of what it means to be part of the TGS community. And of course there was cake! A Message Across Time: Opening the 1975 Time Capsule
Better Together - 2025 IBSC Conference
With its global network of over 300 member schools spanning more than 20 countries, the IBSC advocates for educational opportunities that focus on the holistic development of young men. This year, the IBSC Annual Conference was hosted by Belmont Hill School in Boston, United States, where teachers, school leaders and experts in boys' education gathered under the inspiring theme of "Better Together". Toowoomba Grammar School was proudly represented by Mr Luke Rawle, Ms Abby Varley and Mr Henry…
Reliving the Past, Shaping the Future
Mr Nicholas Hess has been a coach for both rugby and tennis and a boarding supervisor after he finished Year 12 His connection to the School runs deep, from the friendships he formed as a student to his dedication now as a Boarding House Assistant and long-standing member of the Old Boys’ Association (OBA). TGS has had a lasting impact on his life, and he has been only too willing to give back to the place that he loves so much. “There’s something special about being part of the Blue and Gold,”…
Never Give Up
Six years ago, after experiencing ongoing muscle weakness, he was given a life-changing diagnosis - Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy 2i (LGMD2i). Basically, Matt’s body doesn’t produce the chemical substance, Ribitol which is crucial for muscle function. He was told there is no treatment or cure, that he would be wheelchair bound in five to ten years and require oxygen, with the likelihood of an early death. But Matt would not accept that fate. Instead, he took up the fight – not just for…
