TGS Puts Boys’ Online Safety First with Global EdTech Honour

This year, Toowoomba Grammar School was honoured at the Global EdTech Awards, becoming the only Australian school to receive recognition in this category of the prestigious international program. While the category - Best Network Manager - may not often make headlines, it celebrates the quiet achievers who empower learning, protect students and enable innovation.

Arthur C. Clarke once said, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” If that’s true, then network managers are the magicians of modern education: weaving invisible threads through classrooms, enabling ideas to take flight and ensuring that every digital interaction is safe, purposeful and empowering.

And the Winner Is…

Toowoomba Grammar School (Ron Robinson), Queensland, Australia

In announcing the winner, Dr Oterman praised TGS’s nomination for its strategic innovation, technical excellence and most importantly, its unwavering commitment to student wellbeing and community engagement.

TGS’s approach to technology goes far beyond tools and trends. It’s about intentional integration -empowering educators, protecting students and creating a secure, transparent environment where learning can flourish. The School’s model, now recognised internationally across more than 20 countries, is built on a foundation of child protection and eSafety, setting a new benchmark for educational technology leadership.

From Legacy to Leadership

This award marks the culmination of a three-year transformation - a shift from reactive IT support to a proactive, visionary force. Under Ron Robinson’s leadership, the School has reimagined its digital environment to be robust, secure and purpose-driven. It’s not just about technology; it’s about creating a space where students and educators can dream, innovate and thrive.

Technology with Purpose: Putting Boys’ Safety First

At TGS, student safety is non-negotiable. Every digital decision is made with the wellbeing of our boys at the centre. From cyber safety education to secure network design, our systems are built to protect, empower and prepare students for life beyond school: helping them become independent, balanced and resilient young men. This is in line with our purpose of educating boys and developing their good character for life.

Regional Leadership and Community Impact

This award also recognises TGS’s role as a regional leader, offering a platform for local schools to engage in vendor showcases, security roundtables and strategic forums. By breaking down barriers to knowledge and fostering collaboration, TGS is helping build a stronger, safer digital future for all schools in our region. In Term 1 of this year our School hosted at MITIE (Managing ICT In Education) Inc Conference: ICT Strategy and Leadership with a number of interstate speakers including our own Headmaster, Dr John Kinniburgh.

A Quiet Celebration

Upon receiving confirmation of the win on Friday, 19 September, I reflected not on personal accolades, but on the journey of a team. I feel technology has never been my goal; it’s about intention, purpose and application.

Looking Ahead: Vision, Courage and Heart

While awards are wonderful, they are not the destination. The real reward lies in the systems we build, the lives we impact and the futures we shape. At TGS, we continue to ask: "What’s next?" And we answer with action - through consistent cyber safety practices, strategic planning and a commitment to purpose-driven innovation.

We encourage our boys to align what they do with what they believe, to listen to voices braver than their own and to embrace technology not as a distraction, but as a window to transformation.