Our Old Boys have such diverse career paths; we are so proud of the good young men they become and how they make meaningful contributions to their communities. Stuart St Vincent Welch describes himself as an average student who had no idea what he wanted to do after school. But drawing on the TGS values of hard work, respect and resilience he is now working as a Sound Engineer for Barking Owl in New York City, rubbing shoulders with some of the world’s most renowned musicians and actors. He kindly took some time from his busy schedule for a quick Q&A…
- What is your favourite memory from your time at school - I do think the friends you make at school are your lifelong mates even if you’re too young to realise it at the time.
- How did your time at TGS help you with your career - I really had no idea what I wanted to do after school or what my career would look like. I did a broad range of classes that really didn't steer me towards any particular career path, but gave me a grounding in a variety of subjects and skills. I did learn guitar at TGS and I am still as bad as I was at School.
- How did you become interested in this work and what led to your employment with Barking Owl - I've always loved music and film and I come from a musical family with a strong love of music. Though I didn't really acknowledge it at the time, it was obviously instrumental in forming my interest and skills in this area.
- What’s some of the highlights of your career - I’m still very much on the smaller end of the American industry but in 2022 I completed the sound design and mix for the Pepsi Superbowl trailer with Dr Dre, Snoop and Kendrick Lamar. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ2MbmrxVzg.
I have recorded dialogue for feature films such as A Quiet Place 2, DC Super Pets, Under the Skin and Disney’s Jungle Cruise. I've had a song placed on the official Sing 2 soundtrack, as well as mixing Flume's first official documentary. I also get to work alongside notable composers such as Grammy and Oscar-winner Atticus Ross, who works for Barking Owl.
- Did you ever dream you would have these connections or opportunities
- I’m not sure I ever expected to end up in NYC, it's a long way from Toowoomba. I’m lucky that my career has taken me to London and to New York City and each time you just climb a tiny bit further up the ladder. It has a lot to do with luck, the ability to hang in there when the going gets tough and trying to be the last person standing in a really competitive industry. I believe that coming from a small town like Toowoomba does give you the drive to get out there and see the world more so than if you were brought up in a bigger city with everything on your doorstep.
- What’s some of the values that you learnt at TGS that have helped shape you and helped in your life - I enjoyed the social and sport elements of School and staff always encouraged us to get involved in, and experience, a range of activities. Even though I didn’t engage in the Drama or Music programs, I do remember some of the School performances and I believe they opened my eyes to those different aspects of the Arts.
- What’s your advice to current TGS students - I do think working out what you want to do after school is important but there are multiple pathways to success and what you want to achieve. My parents had some unnecessary stress about me finishing school and having no idea what I wanted to do. I would really suggest just trying to work towards getting into university for anything. Even though I didn't get the grades for university and went to the School of Audio Engineering (SAE), I lived on the UQ campus and loved the college lifestyle and the people I met.
College life is a lot of fun!! As cliché as it sounds, you’ll look back on those memories as some of the best years of your life. My advice is to sit down with the Careers Advisor early and have an honest conversation about what you want to achieve after school. If anyone needs advice on how to get into this industry, please don’t hesitate to reach out and ask.
When you’re at School it seems big and overwhelming, but it really is just such a small blip in your life so try and enjoy it. Seeing the world when you are younger really is a lifechanging experience.
Latest Blog
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
