Mr Chris Stearn – Head of House – Groom Boarding
The values of hard work, giving back to others and the importance of family are the driving factors in Chris Stearn’s teaching career.
The new Toowoomba Grammar School Head of Groom House was raised in England. His father was a Woodwork teacher and his mother a primary school teacher spealising in textiles.
“I never thought I’d be a teacher,” stated Mr Stearn with a smile.
“It didn’t appeal to me after watching my parents; it was the last career on my list but when I finished high school and all my friends went to university in the city, I realized that wasn’t what I wanted to do either.
“I was more like my parents than I realized. I wanted to look after people, look after children and once I accepted that, my life suddenly became much happier.”
Chris fondly remembers spending hours of an afternoon after school helping his Dad make wooden toys to sell at craft fairs together on a weekend. That experience instilled in him a very good work ethic and great social skills. His decision to follow in his parents’ footsteps as a teacher, coupled with his desire to achieve at the highest level, and step outside his comfort zone in doing so, has led to rich and rewarding life experiences that he can share with his students.
As part of his geography studies during university, Chris spent months working at Rothera, in Antarctica, Namibia and even at Broken Hill.
An avid cricketer, he has also been on cricket tours to Calcutta, Barbados and Cape Town and during his teaching and coaching career in England he conducted regular school excursions to Morocco, Jordan and Iceland.
He said his academic success as a young man was driven by his love of cricket. Chris went to Bedford School in Years 11 and 12 to play cricket, which opened doors for him to attend Oxford University where he worked hard because of the opportunity to play First Class cricket. Scoring 50 in the annual Oxford versus Cambridge Varsity Match at Lords’ is certainly reward for such efforts.
“I learnt a lot about life through cricket. The elation of making the top team, the devastation of missing selections or being dropped,” said Chris.
“It’s made me a better person – you learn to either give up or work harder and I choose to work harder.
“That’s something I can share, and relate with, the students I teach in both a sport and academic context.”
After Oxford University, Chris completed his Masters at Cambridge University before returning to Oxford for his PhD. His first role was a Geography teacher in 2006, coincidentally at Bedford School under the guidance of his former Geography teacher, Mr Richard Walker, who remains a mentor today. His boarding experience also commenced at Bedford School as a Resident Deputy Boarding House Master.
Chris has also taught and worked in boarding at King Edwards, Birmingham and Cranleigh School. He has coached Cricket, Hockey and Rugby and has been a boarding master for both all boys and all girls which helps him relate to the struggles that adolescents face, as he’s experienced both sides.
“I realised very early on that anything can happen in boarding, and you have to have the calmness and clarity of thought to deal with any situation,” Chris said.
“You’re dealing with kids, you can’t predict anything, you never know what to expect and often in times of crisis the boarders will pull together and are wonderful and reliable.”
With a desire for change a few years ago, Chris’ wife Catherine suggested they move to New Zealand or Australia as they both had connections there. Chris had played for the Gold Coast Dolphins Cricket Club during his ‘gap year’ when he was 18 years old. He returned to Australia for his 30th birthday to watch The Ashes, proposing to Catherine in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens during the visit.
So, on January 1 2020, the couple and their two young sons, Teddy and Hugo (now 8 and 5 years old respectively) arrived in Ballarat to teach at Clarendon College.
“This was a huge learning curve for me,” recalled Chris.
“Not only did I have to learn about the Australian education system, but COVID hit, so I was thrown into online learning too!”
Although he enjoyed his time at Clarendon, his desire to return to a position as a pastoral leader came to the fore and it was with much excitement that he has made the move to Toowoomba Grammar School.
“It’s a holistic education at TGS and the boys are given the opportunity to be celebrated as individuals and excel in any area that they are passionate about,” said Chris.
“I’m all about helping boys become better human beings. It doesn’t matter where they go or what they do after school as long as they’re good citizens and can tackle the challenges of life after school. That’s what a real educator provides.”
Latest News
Student's Script to the Stage
Toowoomba Grammar Acting Academy (TiGAA) performers are excited to take to the Empire Theatre stage to present a play written by one of our very own students. There are not many schools that can boast an entire production of this calibre being created solely by the students, and TGS is thrilled to support our talented young men and provide them with this opportunity. Greek Mythology for Millennials has been a three-year project by Year 12 student, Gabriel Donaldson. The work was shortlisted in…
Future Film Stars at TGS
Toowoomba Grammar School could have the next Stephen Spielberg in its midst, with Year 11 student, Ben Rosenberg reconised at a National Film Festival for the second consecutive year. Ben won '2021 Best Director' at the Nextwave Youth Film Awards which were held in Coffs Harbour last week. The award was for his film ‘Time Macheen’ which also won the 'Best Film' for the 15-17 years category. Toowoomba Grammar School also won the Best School Spirit Award (1 of only 3 schools awarded), for their…
Super Swimmers Bring Back National Medal Haul
Toowoomba Grammar School swimming club is celebrating after a very successful National Age Championship representation in Adelaide from April 12-19. Three swimmers brought home five medals between them, ranking them among the best in the country in their respective age divisions. Mackenzie Grimes won silver in the 13 years girls 50m backstroke and silver in the 13 years girls 100m backstroke. She was also selected to represent Queensland in the 4 x 50m mixed medley relay. Sienna Deurloo won a…
The Gift of Music
The Gift of Music Janelle Fletcher with past and current studentsYou can feel the pride and passion exude from Janelle Fletcher as she reflects on her thirty-year career as a Music Tutor at Toowoomba Grammar School. “It’s a long time to stay in any job,” she admitted. “But working with the boys, seeing how important it is to have music in their lives and to develop not only as musicians but as people, that’s what’s kept me here.” Janelle believes staff in an all-boys’ school have a real…
TGS Athletes Have World Championships in Sight
TGS Athletes Have World Championships in SightToowoomba Grammar School athletes will have eight representatives at the Australian Track and Field Championships from 26 March – 3 April after the boys excelled at the State Titles. TGS brought home seven medals from States, with four current students and three Old Boys enjoying podium places at the titles which were held from March 3-6. Old Boy (2019-20), Jai Gordon continued to impress, qualifying for the Australian U20 team in both the 100m and…
Historic 1st XI Cricket Match
Historic 1st XI Cricket Match Toowoomba Grammar School is celebrating an impressive milestone against Brisbane Grammar School on Saturday, 12 March with our 1st XI cricket team playing their 750th match! This is a huge achievement for any sporting organisation, particularly considering this is counted on GPS games – so there are roughly only seven games each year; it’s taken a long time to reach this weekend’s historic occasion. It will presumably be another 37-40 years before they play the…
New Uniforms for our 1st Teams
New Uniforms for our 1st TeamsToowoomba Grammar School is excited to launch our fresh, new uniforms for the 1st squads as the first GPS School to partner with internationally recognised sporting company, New Balance. This is the first stage in an extensive re-design and standardisation of all the School’s sports and activities uniforms which will be gradually rolled out over the next two years. These bold new 1sts uniforms have been designed specifically to honour the tradition of the Blue and…
Mr Brad Allen – Head of House – Mackintosh Boarding
Mr Brad Allen – Head of House – Mackintosh BoardingMr Brad Allen & familyThe new Head of House, Mackintosh Boarding, Mr Brad Allen has a strong rural background and loves the sense of community that comes with boarding in a regional city. “My experience as a boarder helps me excel in the role of Head of House because I know what the boys are experiencing – I’ve lived it,” stated Brad. “I understand how challenging it is to be away from home and the sacrifices that families make for the boys…
Mr Eugene Massi – Head of House – Taylor Boarding
Mr Eugene Massi – Head of House – Taylor BoardingMr Eugene Massi & FamilyTo develop men of good character is the main aim of Toowoomba Grammar School’s new Head of Taylor Boarding House, Mr Eugene Massi. “The unique environment of Boarding provides an opportunity unlike any other. It allows for boys to connect with each other, develop meaningful and long-lasting relationships and allows them to develop and grow as individuals,” said Eugene. Eugene is grateful for his positive role-models in…
