Conversations That Matter

Yet for today's parents, the task can feel more complex than ever. Technology shapes friendships and family life. Social media presents opportunities and challenges. Young people are growing up in a world that is changing faster than any generation before them.

At Toowoomba Grammar School, we believe educating boys is a partnership between school and home. While our role is to educate boys and develop their good character for life, some of the most important conversations about wellbeing, resilience and healthy relationships continue long after the school day has ended.

This August, we are inviting families and members of the wider community to join us for a special series of events featuring three respected speakers who are helping shape conversations about parenting, family life, resilience and mental wellbeing.

Award-winning author and journalist Madonna King will explore the realities of raising children in a digital world. Parenting educator Glen Gerreyn will share practical strategies for building stronger family relationships. TGS Old Boy Lachlan Stuart (TGS 2004-08) will return to premiere his documentary States of Mind, offering a remarkable perspective on resilience, perseverance and personal growth.

Each event offers something different. Together, they reflect a shared belief: when schools and families learn together, young people are better equipped to flourish.

Madonna King: Navigating Childhood in the Digital Age - Thursday, 6 August

Few parenting challenges are as universal, or as confronting, as the role technology now plays in childhood.

Award-winning journalist, author and parenting researcher Madonna King has spent years speaking with young people, educators, psychologists, researchers and families to better understand the realities of growing up in a digital world. Her work has helped shape conversations around screen use, social media, adolescence and family relationships.

At Toowoomba Grammar School, Madonna will share insights from her latest research and offer practical strategies for managing some of the issues many parents grapple with daily, including screen use, family connection, social media and the pressures facing young people.

Designed primarily for parents of children in Years 3 to 8, the session aims to provide practical tools families can immediately apply at home.

There will also be an opportunity for questions, discussion and book signings following the presentation.

As technology continues to evolve, few conversations are more important than helping children develop healthy habits, strong relationships and the confidence to navigate an increasingly connected world.

Glen Gerreyn: Building Better Families - Friday, 7 August

Most parents are doing their best to raise good young people in a world that often feels noisy, busy and increasingly complicated.

For more than two decades, Glen Gerreyn has worked with students, families, teachers and communities around the world, sharing messages centred on hope, purpose and character. He has spoken to more than a million people, authored five books and spent much of his career helping young people navigate the challenges of adolescence.

His free seminar at Toowoomba Grammar School is built around a simple question: what helps families thrive?

Drawing on positive psychology research and his own experience as a father of four, Glen will share practical strategies that parents can apply immediately. Topics include helping children discover purpose, encouraging confidence, teaching young people how to learn from failure and creating a home that serves as a refuge from the pressures of daily life.

At the heart of Glen's message is an idea both simple and powerful: parenting is not about the constant management of risk. It is about building relationships grounded in connection, trust and joy.

Following the presentation, guests are invited to stay for refreshments and conversation with other members of the community.

Lachlan Stuart: Resilience Beyond the Finish Line - Wednesday, 12 August

There is resilience, and then there is running 58 marathons in 58 consecutive days.

TGS Old Boy Lachlan Stuart (TGS 2004-08) returns to Toowoomba Grammar School to premiere States of Mind, a documentary chronicling one of the most remarkable physical and mental endurance challenges undertaken by an Australian athlete.

In 2025, Lachlan became the first person to complete the 50 United States Marathon Challenge during winter before continuing on to run in all eight Australian states and territories. Across 58 consecutive days, he covered 2,447 kilometres while raising more than $161,000 for mental health initiatives.

But States of Mind is not simply a story about running.

Directed by filmmaker Ben Turner, the documentary explores the mental and emotional realities behind extraordinary achievement. It examines self-doubt, setbacks, resilience, relationships and the personal growth that occurs when people push beyond what they believe is possible.

Today, Lachlan works as a life performance coach, keynote speaker and podcast host, helping individuals build resilience and perform under pressure both professionally and personally.

Following the screening, attendees will have the opportunity to take part in a live Q&A with Lachlan and unpack the lessons behind his journey, his documentary and his recently released memoir, States of Mind.

Different Perspectives, One Shared Goal

A good school does more than educate students. It helps families navigate the questions that matter most.

Whether the conversation is about screen use, family relationships, resilience or mental wellbeing, these are issues that affect every young person and every family in different ways.

Through this series, Toowoomba Grammar School is proud to connect our community with speakers whose research, experiences and insights can offer practical guidance and fresh perspective.

These events align closely with the School's commitment to developing boys of character and capability, while supporting the families who play such an important role in that journey.

Madonna King, Glen Gerreyn and Lachlan Stuart each bring a different perspective. Yet all three share a common purpose: helping young people navigate life with confidence, resilience and strong connections to the people around them.

We invite parents, carers and community members to join us across this special fortnight of events and be part of the conversation.

Because when schools and families work together, young people benefit most.

Register via the links below