When you look up mother in the dictionary it reads: female parent of a child.
When you look up boarder, it simply reads: a child who lives away from home.
So, put “boarder mother” together and we have: the female parent of a child who lives away from home – if only it were that simple.
My definition of boarding mother is: a strong, dedicated unbelievably great female parent of a child who has the wisdom to put her son’s educational needs, wellbeing and lifelong endeavours before her own. A woman who journeys with her son for every change in life, is there for every hallmark moment as well as everyday life moments, but sometimes from a distance.
A boarding mother teaches her son to be passionate about life by sending him to a school where he has unlimited opportunities. We have unconditional love for our sons, we teach them lifelong lessons and never stop caring.
We give undying, unending support. We trust out sons, we trust boarding staff. We are always there, whether physically or over the phone. Boarding mothers have incredible inner strength.
Perhaps the definition of a boarding mother should also read: a female who has the ability not to pass out from the fumes emitted when she opens her son’s suitcase after a term away at school.
Boarding mums are simply amazing. We know the sadness that comes with dropping our son’s to school and we also know the joy of having him back for holidays. We carry the load well, but it doesn’t mean the load isn’t heavy.
For me, being a boarding mother at TGS was always a lifelong dream and the past six years have been wonderful for Clancy. I will be ever so thankful to TGS for Clancy’s boarding journey. He has been blessed by warm and dedicated boarding staff and the experiences in boarding have given him lifelong skills that will enable him to cope beyond school. TGS boarding, in partnership with parents, produces outstanding young men. Men of good character, a wicked sense of humour and good grounding.
My first experience with TGS boarding was 11 years ago when I came to pick up my nephew, Sam. I was greeted by a tennis ball bouncing down the stairs of Stephens House, followed by a cry of “Howzat!” At that moment I knew I had picked the right school. It was a cold, rainy day the boys were ‘being boys’ and playing cricket up the hallway of the boarding house.
There was a polite boy who stopped and asked if I needed help and then a Head of House who genuinely cared but, didn’t sugar coat things and tell me my nephew was fine. He told me Sam had been struggling but he was getting better.
That’s what I wanted for Clancy. A boarding school that was going to be honest, straight to the point and caring and let boys be boys!
It hit home for me just a couple of weeks ago that this dream is now coming to an end. It was a Sunday afternoon and was raining lightly, as I got out of my car, I had a giggle at the boys running around in the rain playing touch footy, being boys! The music blaring was Crowded House’s “Don’t Dream it’s Over” - a sure sign my perfect dream is coming to an end.
I have loved every moment of being a boarding mother at TGS. Yes, there has been a few ups and downs, but it’s been a very positive experience and I have always felt well supported by parents. It’s been an honour and privilege to be President of the Boarding Parents Support group for the past five years. The School has always valued my opinions, whether they be my own or on behalf of the Boarder Parents’ Support Group.
All boarder mums have been through homesickness, the teary phone calls, the happy phone calls, the ups and downs of it all, and we are all watching our boys grow and flourish at this great School.
We are TGS Boarder Mums! We have our boys at one of the best boarding schools in the country and at Toowoomba Grammar School we produce outstanding fine young men. We are not a school with boarders, we are a boarding school. We really are lucky mums.
- Kym Wright,
Year 12 mum and President of TGS Boarder Parents’ Support Group (2018-23)
Latest Blog
Leap Before You Look
The boarding journey offers students a plethora of opportunities to step outside of their comfort zone and take advantage of new environments, relationships, and opportunities during their time at Toowoomba Grammar School. We often talk about “character education” – a theory that originated in the US and has been increasingly embraced by leading schools globally. It is encouraging all students to develop new approaches to their learning, including aspects of morals and ethics, thinking,…
Literacy at TGS: A research-informed approach
A recent Grattan Institute report has shared that one-third of Australian students are failing to learn to read proficiently, referring to the situation as a ‘preventable tragedy’. In addition, the report identifies evidence-based approaches utilising structured literacy programs with phonics and explicit instruction as the most effective methods of teaching literacy. At Toowoomba Grammar School, we implement a structured synthetic phonics approach to teaching spelling and reading that…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
