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 initiatives, the Interact Club remains committed to supporting the education of our sponsor student, Sara, at The School of St Jude in Tanzania, with the aim of breaking the cycle of poverty in her community through education. The club's actions can also be seen on a local level such as supporting the 2023 Domestic and Family Violence Remembrance Day march and candlelight vigil. Interact Club members learn that small actions and simple conversations about important issues can not only have an impact on themselves but also positively impact the lives of others, ultimately improving the community we live in.

Students are eligible to join Interact Club from Year 10, and with over 100 boys on the club's roll, service is clearly at the heart of Toowoomba Grammar School's ethos. Senior members of the club commit to providing service opportunities for the whole School through our House system, which ensures boys of all ages are given a voice to propose and modify initiatives. In 2023 alone, this has taken the form of The Push-Up Challenge, World's Greatest Shave and volunteering to help run the LifeFlight Gala Dinner, as well as hosting after-school activities in the Junior School.

At its core, the Interact Club holds the belief that community service is profoundly important in our development as young men. Through service, students are given a sense of purpose and empathy that broadens their horizons and perspectives. Rather than focusing solely on fundraising, the Interact Club encourages boys to donate their time by giving back to the community and focusing on the why.

Despite the challenges presented when balancing academic, co-curricular and personal commitments, boys are actively encouraged to pursue action in matters they believe are important. Whether it simply be a visit to a nursing home to have a conversation with an elderly resident or spreading awareness of a particular charity at a TGS home game, these seemingly inconsequential acts can bring about immense change. Members should be happy with the great work done so far and rest assured that the club will continue to be in good hands in the future. Polio vaccine inventor Jonas Salk said, "The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more." and the Interactors remain happy to help.

- by 2023 TGS Interact President, Sam Gladwin

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 initiatives, the Interact Club remains committed to supporting the education of our sponsor student, Sara, at The School of St Jude in Tanzania, with the aim of breaking the cycle of poverty in her community through education. The club's actions can also be seen on a local level such as supporting the 2023 Domestic and Family Violence Remembrance Day march and candlelight vigil. Interact Club members learn that small actions and simple conversations about important issues can not only have an impact on themselves but also positively impact the lives of others, ultimately improving the community we live in.

Students are eligible to join Interact Club from Year 10, and with over 100 boys on the club's roll, service is clearly at the heart of Toowoomba Grammar School's ethos. Senior members of the club commit to providing service opportunities for the whole School through our House system, which ensures boys of all ages are given a voice to propose and modify initiatives. In 2023 alone, this has taken the form of The Push-Up Challenge, World's Greatest Shave and volunteering to help run the LifeFlight Gala Dinner, as well as hosting after-school activities in the Junior School.

At its core, the Interact Club holds the belief that community service is profoundly important in our development as young men. Through service, students are given a sense of purpose and empathy that broadens their horizons and perspectives. Rather than focusing solely on fundraising, the Interact Club encourages boys to donate their time by giving back to the community and focusing on the why.

Despite the challenges presented when balancing academic, co-curricular and personal commitments, boys are actively encouraged to pursue action in matters they believe are important. Whether it simply be a visit to a nursing home to have a conversation with an elderly resident or spreading awareness of a particular charity at a TGS home game, these seemingly inconsequential acts can bring about immense change. Members should be happy with the great work done so far and rest assured that the club will continue to be in good hands in the future. Polio vaccine inventor Jonas Salk said, "The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more." and the Interactors remain happy to help.

- by 2023 TGS Interact President, Sam Gladwin


Latest Blog

Boarding
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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…

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Boarding
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Tuesday, 19 Dec 2023

TGS Corfe House - A Home for Young Boarders

In Toowoomba Grammar School’s Boarding Program, Years 5 to 7 students reside at Corfe House – a nurturing environment providing close pastoral support and guidance to the School’s youngest boarders. The skills, relationships and perspectives that boys develop here set them up for the rest of their boarding and school journey. Toowoomba Grammar School understands the challenges for young students transitioning into boarding. Leading the way in creating a ‘home away from home’ is the Corfe House…

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Junior School
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Tuesday, 19 Dec 2023

TGS Mates Program - Character Building Education

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…

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Old Boys
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Tuesday, 19 Dec 2023

Our TGS Old Boys' Wall of Achievement

The next time you visit the School grounds, pause for a moment at the Toowoomba Grammar School Old Boys' Wall of Achievement. This concept was the initiative of the then Deputy Headmaster, Mr Roger Buttenshaw, and was supported by the Board of Trustees, Headmasters Mr Hugh Rose and Mr Peter Hauser, and the TGSOBA - Toowoomba Grammar School Old Boys' Association. The opening of the Wall of Achievement took place in 2003. Thousands of TGS Old Boys have gone on to lead productive and valuable…

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The Arts
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Tuesday, 19 Dec 2023

A Musical Reflection

As Director of Performing Arts, there is perhaps no bigger undertaking than a School musical. It requires an enormous effort from a huge team of teachers and students, and to get all these moving parts heading in the same direction is certainly no mean feat. The 2023 co-production of Footloose was my first time involved in a Toowoomba Grammar School and Fairholme College musical, and I found it to be a very rewarding, though exhausting, experience. The process began in Term 3, 2022, as my…

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Sports & Activities
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Tuesday, 19 Dec 2023

TGS Success in GPS Sport

In 2023, Toowoomba Grammar School witnessed a remarkable resurgence in several of our sports programs, marking a year of triumph and growth. Although an elusive GPS premiership did not fall our way, a number of our 1st teams competed to the final whistle in Round 9 of their respective competitions, vying for their premierships. The achievements of our boys on the field and court were nothing short of exceptional, reflecting the commitment, dedication and character development that participation…

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Teaching & Learning
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Wednesday, 13 Dec 2023

An Exceptional Learning Experience

As a member of the Junior School Leadership Team at Toowoomba Grammar School, my role involves ensuring that the Junior School’s Teaching and Learning programs are designed, implemented and managed effectively. This role is grounded in the vision, mission, and values of TGS and is crucial in supporting the Head of Junior School and the Director of Studies in providing an exceptional learning experience for our boys. At TGS Junior School, we prioritise the use of explicit teaching to ensure that…

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Teaching & Learning
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Wednesday, 06 Dec 2023

An Inclusive Education

Toowoomba Grammar School is proud to introduce the newest addition to our education team, Amanda Gibson. Amanda commenced in Term 4, 2023 in the pivotal role of Head of Diverse Learners and will bring new direction and focus to the position in alignment with our commitment to inclusive education, aligning seamlessly with our Strategic Plan 2022-2026 and the Inclusive Education Policy. “I am very excited about developing this role,” said Amanda. “I have a passion for fostering environments where…

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Senior School
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Friday, 01 Dec 2023

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…

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