Current research into character education has shown that educators should not be focusing solely on preparing students for their Year 12 final exams but should be supporting them to become humans who exhibit good character and virtues to contribute to creating a healthier society (The Jubilee Centre, 2022). The Jubilee Centre, which is attached to the University of Birmingham in the UK, maintains that good character is the foundation for improved attainment, better behaviour, increased employability and, most importantly, flourishing societies. Furthermore, Clarke, McLellan and Harold (2023) and Morris (2015) contend that students need to develop a strong sense of self to achieve academically and develop critical and reflective thinking whilst developing a conscience that allows them to engage in the wider community after school. According to Spratt (2015), schools are uniquely positioned to explicitly nurture the character skills and dispositions needed to become individuals who flourish, contribute to society, and lead meaningful lives.

In the Junior School, the staff recognise that we are fundamental in building the foundation of this very important process. Given this understanding, the Junior School has introduced a fortnightly vertical House meeting, which we have named Mates. Mates aims to enhance the current Pastoral Care program by providing students with opportunities to participate in activities that assist them in developing the skills to be independent, well-balanced and successful in life, as well as to respond well to challenges and achieve lifelong wellbeing.

Each term, there is a topic or theme chosen through consulting research and surveying students and staff. This topic allows boys to practice skills that will develop their character. In Term 2, the boys participated in activities that honed their ability to acknowledge and follow the rules of a game. For Term 3, the boys are building their resilience in a variety of ways, from attempting tasks they may not be able to finish and playing games that rely on luck, not skill. During the sessions, our oldest Junior School boys assist and lead our younger students in completing the tasks with a sense of responsibility and pride. Following the practical experience, the boys have a House discussion led by their Head of House, sharing ideas for ways they may complete the task next time and issues they noticed during the task.

The boys have engaged in these lessons with great humility and respect. The older boys have identified their need to communicate effectively and be aware of all boys’ skill levels when working together as a House. Moving forward, the boys will be engaging in topics like conflict resolution, teamwork and positivity during challenging times, as well as discussing the history and traditions of our School and the importance of upholding them. Throughout the sessions, boys are encouraged to show integrity in all that they do by doing things because it is right and not because they are seeking rewards.

We believe that developing the character of our boys will allow them to develop the integral skills required at key times during their education and life (Ganeson and Ehrich 2013).

  • Mrs Jessica Galbraith, Teacher - Junior School
Junior School students participate in a Mates Program activity

Latest Blog

Community Engagement
/
Friday, 09 Feb 2024

Past Mothers, Present Supporters

Any Old Boy will tell you the Blue and Gold is part of their blood. They love the history, the traditions, the memories, and the lifelong friends they made during their time at Toowoomba Grammar School. Well, it seems the same can be said for many TGS mums. The Past Mothers’ Group was formed in 1979 by Mrs Mary Campbell who contacted as many past mothers as she could and invited them to meet at her home where the Past Mothers’ Group was officially formed with the intention of retaining links…

Read More
Community Engagement
/
Friday, 09 Feb 2024

The TGS Interact Club - the Reward for Work Well Done

The Interact Club successfully raised over $10,000 last year for charities and services on a local, statewide and international scale through the hard work and commitment of its members. With these funds, the Interact Club has donated Backpack Blankets to Toowoomba's homeless, helped AEIOU's efforts in supporting children with autism, contributed to the "Are You Bogged Mate?" campaign for rural mental health and raised funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. As well as many other individual…

Read More
Character & Wellbeing
/
Thursday, 01 Feb 2024

A Question of Character

In an age bursting with technological innovations and an overwhelming abundance of information, the present era appears to be characterised by a swift and unrelenting pace of change. Our society, young and old alike, finds itself constantly bombarded with provocative and sensationalist narratives. The media floods our consciousness with constant streams of global dilemmas, highlighting the flaws of our leaders, uncovering corporate or political scandals, and bringing conflicts and tragedies…

Read More
Boarding
/
Thursday, 25 Jan 2024

Coping with Homesickness

Homesickness can be brutal for both your son and for 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 24 hours 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 and in most cases it’s temporary and things usually improve as your son settles in. The reality is that…

Read More
People
/
Friday, 19 Jan 2024

Introducing Gabe Robbie, the new Head of Curriculum

I am excited to be joining the staff here at Toowoomba Grammar School in the role of Head of Curriculum. I grew up in a small coastal town in NSW and attended the University of Sydney to complete my undergraduate degree. Please don’t hold my NSW origin against me (Go Blues!). Teaching, and education, has always been a passion of mine and ever since I was in high school, the plan was to be a teacher. I graduated from the University of Sydney with a double degree in Education and Arts, majoring…

Read More
Old Boys
/
Thursday, 11 Jan 2024

What Old Boys Have Contributed to TGS Over Time

The Old Boys’ Association has played an integral role in the history and tradition of Toowoomba Grammar School. It was formed on December 29, 1888, when 25 Toowoomba Grammar School Old Boys met at Long’s Imperial Hotel to create a new society. The Toowoomba Grammar School Old Boys’ Association rules were drawn up, and office-bearers elected. The inaugural president was Mr Joesph Vincent Herbert Esq. (TGS 1877-80) From there, the TGSOBA has grown significantly, ensuring that the Blue and Gold…

Read More
Sports & Activities
/
Thursday, 11 Jan 2024

TGS Strength and Conditioning Program

Toowoomba Grammar School has a unique approach to athlete development that focuses on providing students with the skills, tools and mindset required to succeed in sports and life. At TGS, the long-term athlete development (LTAD) philosophy is ingrained in every aspect of the School's approach to sport and fitness. The LTAD philosophy emphasises the importance of age-appropriate training and skill development over a long period of time. This approach recognises that athlete development is a…

Read More
The Arts
/
Tuesday, 19 Dec 2023

We Knew Them Before They Were Stars

Our boys at Toowoomba Grammar School are fortunate that Performing Arts is as popular as sport and academics, thanks to our culture of respect and inclusivity. Boys are supported and encouraged to immerse themselves in music, drama and art and are not afraid to chase their dreams in these fields. The success of our performing arts students dates back decades, with our Old Boys performing all around the world in theatre, music, film and photography and are accomplished and well recognised in…

Read More
Boarding
/
Tuesday, 19 Dec 2023

Country Roads Take Me Home

Toowoomba Grammar School boarding provides the ideal living environment for our boys while they develop the values that will define their character. Throughout the course of this year, I have been privileged to visit many of the towns and properties that our TGS boarders call home. When walking around those towns wearing a shirt with a TGS crest, it doesn’t take long to meet an Old Boy or to be asked about one of the boarders currently at the School. Our boarding staff pride themselves on…

Read More