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
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…
