Mark Oliphant has been the TGS Head of Senior School for the past six years, and also has three sons in the TGS Junior School, with his eldest making the transition to Year 7 next year. He has valuable insight into both roles – that of a nervous new parent, and that of a welcoming, key member of Senior School staff. This is his key message to new parents of TGS for 2024:
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 the learning sciences. Pastorally your sons will be supported by his Mentor and Head of House through the House system. It is also important to note that Year 7 is treated as a transition year and the boys in Year 7 are supported by Mrs Jodi Blades, Head of Year 7, Mr Henry White, Head of Corfe boarding house and Mr Evan Rees, Assistant Head of Year 7.
As a father of three boys, I am confident that TGS is preparing my sons for their futures beyond these gates. First and foremost, I want my boys to be of good character, to have a sense of self-worth and be assured that they are comfortable in who they are. I want them to learn how to be compassionate, show empathy and understand the fundamentals of respect and to be especially respectful of women. These sentiments are covered in our Strategic Plan and taught explicitly to the boys in the Senior School. Moreover, our diverse range of co-curricular programs also helps to give the boys the opportunity to learn what it means to be of character outside of the classroom.
We want our boys to be busy and engaged and want them to become connected to the School through their friends and the student leaders; many of whom will write to your sons prior to the beginning of next year. For some of our current Year 6s these interactions have already started, with older boys spending time in the Junior School at break times and helping with our reading program. Some interactions will occur through the co-curricular program and some will occur organically through the community. For example, my son Tom is a keen swimmer and through this activity has become friendly with one of our Year 12 Prefects. Ed, or Eddie as Tom affectionally calls him. Ed is a Stephens House boarder from St George. Now, not only is Ed a Prefect and a swimmer, but has been a wonderful contributor to our community. Some of the other “stuff” that Ed has done this year includes:
- House Captain
- Track and Field Captain
- Swim team
- Interact Club for service
- White ribbon committee
- Tennis team
- Volleyball team
- The Push Up Challenge charity
Knowing Ed and seeing the type of young man that he is, I am more thank ok with Tom looking to him as a role model and consider all of the other positive role models that our younger boys are exposed to. Growing into fine young men is not always straightforward, there will be bumps along the way, but we will all (parents and staff) stay true to our core purpose “Educating boys and developing their good character for life.”
- Mark Oliphant, Head of Senior School and father of Year 6 student, Tom
Latest Blog
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…
A New Season for Coach Kabe
Highly respected Head of Basketball and 1st V Coach, Kabe Ciccolini is embarking on a new and inspiring chapter. This season, he takes up the role of Assistant Head of Corfe House, guiding our youngest boarders with a warmth and passion that is uniquely his own. Kabe’s decision to transition into the role of Assistant Head of Corfe House reflects his unwavering commitment to mentorship and leadership. For him, this move signifies a positive step in his career. “It’s an opportunity to further…
