The last two weeks have been very busy for the TGS Boarding Community. Firstly, Beef Week was an outstanding success. With a plethora of current parents, Old Boys and prospective parents coming to our stand and having a chat, it was a thoroughly enjoyable time. I was also very thankful to Year 9 boarder Mitchell Payne for lending a hand on the stall as well!
I learnt so much about the beef industry and I have developed a better understanding of what it takes to produce the quality beef that we do in Australia. In particular, I was amazed at the ‘AgTech’ in the industry. I spent a full afternoon in the ‘Tech Yards’ pavilion talking to all the different companies about their products. Many of these companies expressed an interest in connecting with our boarders, not only to talk about their products, but about how our boarders could take their careers in agriculture in a different direction. Our boarders have plenty of practical experience from their time on the farm and it is exciting to think of what some of our boys will be able to do when they combine that experience with some critical thinking and technology.
This week has been ‘big’ in a different way. National Boarding Week is a celebration of boarding and we are very lucky to have such a strong boarding community. As I said to the boys on the night of our formal dinner:
“There are many schools with boarding facilities and there are a few of those schools that have more boarders than TGS. However, there are very few that have a better ratio of boarders to day students. What this means is that all of you who wear the Blue and Gold of TGS are part of a privileged few. Boarders of TGS, you are lucky to be at a school like ours that has boarding in its heart and as a crucial part of its origin, its beginnings as a school.”
Following the Headmasters address, the main entertainment for the night was a panel discussion with five TGS Old Boys; David Crothers 1979-1982 (Dirranbandi), Jamie Marr, Mackintosh 1987-1991 (Jondaryan and Mungallala), Trent Raymond, Taylor 1989-1993 (Goondiwindi), David Coleman, Mackintosh 1986-1990 (Jandowae), Nick Hess, Taylor 1997-2001 (Maclagan). I am thankful to these Old Boys for giving up their time and coming into school to talk about their time as a boarder and how the experience has helped to develop their character for life.
Yesterday's key theme of the School Assembly was National Boarding Week and I was pleasantly surprised at how many boys put their hands up when Stuart Officer asked the day boys to raise their hand if they had a parent who had been a boarder. It reaffirms to me the connection and integration of day boys and boarders that makes boarding at Toowoomba Grammar so special.
In closing, I do want to ask that parents do start to consider their end of term transport arrangements. In doing so, parents should be aware that Friday, 14 June listed as the boarders travel day is the last round GPS Football and Tennis for Term 2. Players who are playing in the sports teams are expected to be available for these matches. Boarders will be able to stay in boarding houses on the Friday night if they are then unable to get transportation home until the Saturday.
If you have any questions, please contact me and I will do my best to support you.
Boyce House Boarders have continued to enjoy each other's company over the past couple of weeks. This was most evident in their efforts at the Wednesday night dinner in Week 4 which was the Boyce House duty week. This meant that our Boyce Boarders were able to select what they wanted for dinner on the night. The choice of the boys was crispy chicken burger, bacon, cheese, coleslaw and avocado on a brioche bun - fries on the side. For dessert it was Mars bar slice with ice cream. By all accounts this meal was well received by all boarders and the sing along as the ‘entertainment’ for the meal was a good laugh and bonding experience for all of the boarders at TGS.
On Sunday night, the announcement of the next Boyce Boarding Head of House was made. The boys received the news well and I took the time to explain that the interview process had been thorough and that as part of this process, Mr Troxler had met with Mr Brendan Doherty, Mr Todd Harris, Mrs Margot Black as well as Connor Walker and Cam Readon. For those who have not seen the announcement letter, it can be accessed HERE.
A highlight of this year's National Boarding Week was our Formal Dinner in the Assembly Hall. I know I enjoyed the event and it was a great opportunity for our boarders to spend some time together. I thank our Year 12 boarders who hosted Mr David Crothers one of the Old Boy guests who was part of the panel discussion.
With the current assessment block and the upcoming exams for all year groups, Boyce staff are ensuring that the boys are focusing and doing their best in preparing for exams. Reminders of the routines for prep are ringing through the corridors of Boyce House. I hope the endeavour of our boys will be evident in the results on report cards at the end of the term.
As always, if there are any questions you have about your son, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.
Kind Regards,
Nick Byron Acting Head of House and Director of Boarding
Corfe House
Corfe Courier
A few words from Henry White, Head of House
Dear Corfe Boarding Families of 2024,
Another fortnight down and, by the time you read this piece, we will have crossed the halfway point for Term 2. I’m thrilled to keep you updated on all the exciting happenings, stories and essential information from Corfe Boarding House. Thanks for tuning in.
First, a few updates and dates to be aware of
As outlined in my communication last week, it’s been an exciting National Boarding Week here in Corfe. We’ve spent time this week discussing culture within our boarding house and our larger boarding community. The boys are excitedly gearing up for their Boarder/Dayboy Sleepover this coming Friday, 17 May and the National Boarding Week Festival here at TGS on Sunday, 19 May.
Looking forward, on Sunday, 26 May, TGS Boarders will have the opportunity to attend an outing to Movie World. Please keep this in mind should you be planning leave and be sure to lock in a ticket via the Parent Lounge if you have not already done so.
Finally, Round 9 GPS fixtures have been shifted from Saturday, 15 June, to Friday, 14 June (previously designated boarder travel day) to accommodate for the commencement of the Winter School Holiday. As such, when lodging leave requests for End of Term Holiday leave, please keep in mind that your son will need to honour his Term 2 GPS Sporting commitments. I strongly recommend reaching out to your son’s coaches and TICs of sport to discuss these matters should you have any concerns.
Growing Up
Thank you to Stacey Smith, Head Nurse at the TGS Health Centre, who visited Corfe House in Week 4 to chat with the boys about puberty and growing up.
Stacey’s talk was very useful and covered all of those hard topics that boys often feel challenged asking questions about. She also set the record straight on plenty of FAQs – the importance of sleep, the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant, nutrition for healthy development, voice cracks and, of course, the physical and emotional changes associated with new hormones.
We also delved into a discussion about the development of the brain, particularly the prefrontal cortex, and addressed why a boy’s development through adolescence is often fraught with mistakes and risk-taking behaviour.
The Corfe boys’ questions were sensible and all in the session took a lot away from the chat.
Thank you again, Stacey.
Cowboy!
Congratulations to our very own stockman, Curtis Gray, who competed at the 2024 Willinga Park Campdraft in NSW on Saturday, 4 May.
Curtis competed on two horses, 'Two Acres' and 'Moore Kit Kats,' and placed 3rd overall!
On Saturday, 4 May, boys in Corfe were treated to the Campdraft’s live coverage. It was great to sit with the boys in the common room, listening to them cheer on their mate from a far. Well done, Curtis!
“A Few Good Men” – Labour Day Holiday
While the vast majority of Corfe’s community departed the boarding house for the Labour Day Long Weekend, eight residents stayed in and enjoyed both the peace and quiet and the associated perks and privileges of having so few boarders. The main highlights for those remaining boarders included a trip to Event Cinema, Grand Central to see Kong vs. Godzilla: The New Empire, coined that evening as “the best bad film you’ll ever watch.”
The evening wasn’t all just about recreation and did, of course, incorporate an educational element. Up until that evening, five of the eight boarders had never eaten gelato! Of course, the lesson thus included a practical component and an obligatory stopover at Gelatissimo to broaden the boys’ knowledge.
Thanks for the fun weekend, fellas!
BBQs Galore!
One of Corfe’s newest additions, 'Barry Blaze' the BBQ, has been warmly welcomed into our small community since his arrival in the final week of Term 1.
The boys have certainly enjoyed their new Friday morning routine, including a sleep-in and bacon and egg roll breakfast.
Moreover, our new Thursday night 'Family Feed' initiative has also been positively received. For context, each Thursday night, one of our 7 dorms will stay in Corfe for dinner with my wife Samantha and I, rather than attending the Dining Hall. I cook a barbecue and the boys get to relax and play games in our courtyard and my backyard. My aim here is to emulate a family dinner with a home-cooked meal, providing some of those creature comforts that the boys miss out on when living at boarding school.
Thank you to our Year 10 Resident ‘Big Brothers’ who have taken on the important role as sous-chef during these occasions.
The boys have loved the newly purchased equipment and games that we’ve included in our house repertoire in Term 2. It’s been refreshing to watch the boys team up and engage in new activities together during downtime when, previously, the call for ‘phone time’ was a persistent request. Keeping the boys active and away from screens is a very important aspect of our program, and it's brilliant to see the lads engage with one another through these new outlets.
The main highlights so far include Credit Card Monopoly, Giant Jenga, Pickleball and Spikeball. The boys have also made good use of the frisbees, vortexes and new collection of balls and racquets, and we eagerly await the new basketball hoop and billiard table recovering, both currently in the pipeline.
Friday Night Lights!
A huge congratulations to all of our Corfe Boarders who play Club Rugby for UniSQ. We have a strong UniSQ contingent this year and it’s been great to hear about the team’s success, each week going from strength to strength.
On Friday, 10 May, the rest of the boarding house were lucky enough to walk over to Clive Berghoffer Stadium and watch the boys compete in their Grand Final – with UniSQ claiming victory over the Bears 74-5.
Well done, boys! What a season, what a win!
Happy Mother's Day!
Happy Mother's Day to all of our Corfe mums.
I hope those of you with boys on leave on Sunday, 12 May enjoyed your son’s company on this special day, and those with boys in the boarding house received a heartfelt phone call.
On Sunday evening, we thanked our very own House Mother, Ms Fletcher, for all that she does for us and gifted her a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
Groom House
Groom Gazette
It has been a great couple of weeks in the green house. Academic work-rate for a number of the senior boys has begun to crank up as it seems to be 'assignment season’ and the Year 8 to Year 10 boys are beginning to enter this period too. It is encouraging to see that a number of boys are working beyond the end of the allocated prep time as they are committed to academic success. A friendly reminder for parents - if you could please try to help us with the bedtime routines by sticking to the 9:00pm and 9:30pm lights out times for juniors and seniors respectively. House staff have seen an increasing number of “I just need to speak to my mum” requests creeping in late at night, which can fragment these important routines.
Beef Week
I was away for much of last week in Rockhampton at Beef Australia 2024. It was wonderful to catch-up with a number of current Groom parents, as well as Old Boys and a few prospective parents and families. I also learnt about cattle and the support industries; it is incredible to see the rate at which technology in this sector is advancing. Outside of the classroom we have again seen a wide range of co-curricular activities occurring and we have begun our, now annual, charity drive.
Pastoral Care
In PCG, the boys have recently undertaken their second round of STEER tracking which is a new application to measure, track and improve the mental health of the boys. The data provided by this brief assessment will allow staff to improve our care for each individual boy.
National Boarding Week
At the time of writing we are in the midst of National Boarding Week. We have already had a wonderful dinner on Monday night. The Year 7 and Year 8 boys had a BBQ hosted by Corfe House and with guest speaker Hol Achiek, Boyce staff member, who spoke of resilience with reference to his experiences in Africa. The Year 9 to Year 12 boys had a formal dinner in the assembly hall with a number of Old Boys talking about their experiences in boarding in past years. It was wonderful to see such a large group of boys come together for such a celebration of the boarding community. It was also wonderful to see boys from all boarding houses present to the whole school community in assembly about the challenges and benefits of being a boarder. I am sure that this coming Sunday’s gathering of boarders from all of the Toowoomba boarding schools will be a similarly uplifting gathering.
Groom House (Day and Boarding) are again collecting basic household products for Darling Heights State Primary School migrant families. A number of TGS boys go to Darling Heights State Primary School to assist with homework and last year became aware that some Darling Heights families are struggling and need support. As an incentive, Mrs Manassero has vowed to fund a pizza party for the PCG group that provides the most donations.
Groom - AFL Champions!
Report by Braith Neven and Ed Webster
Last Wednesday, the TGS Opens AFL team competed at Highfields against a number of other schools in the region. The star-studded team consisted of a number of boys from the Groom boarding house, including Isiah Wuruki, Fraser Judd, Ed Webster, Braith Neven, James Lasker and Tallen Robinson. After beating Centenary Heights and Mary Mackillop in the group stages, TGS were into the final rounds where they met Concordia College in the semi-finals. They cruised past Concordia gaining well-needed experience for a blockbuster final against the favourites St Mary’s. The boys came out firing with Ed leading the charge in the rucks and Braith being his usual barn storming self, leading the tackle count for the competition, whilst James nailed plenty of behinds to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Other notable performances from experienced campaigners Fraser and Tallen helped to get the boys over the line, but Isiah was the standout earning himself the finals MVP where the underdogs, TGS, came out on top 46-6. This was especially impressive as a number of boys had never set foot on an AFL field and now have the bragging rights of holding a 100% win rate. The boys are now back to the training paddock preparing for the big show at the Gold Coast in July where they face teams from all over the state competing for the number one spot.
Braith Neven, Ed Webster, Isiah Wuruki, Tallen Robinson and James Lasker - Groom AFL Champions
Club Rugby
Many of the boys were unusually quiet when I asked them about Club Rugby finals night. After an extremely competitive season, many of our boys unfortunately fell at the final hurdle, with only Dan McDonald’s (Groom House) U13 USQ team victorious.
Results were as follows, with Groom House participants in brackets:
U13 Bears lost to USQ (Dan McDonald). Score 5-75. Despite the mammoth score line and the victory, Dan was disappointed not to find his name on the scoresheet.
U15 Bears (Declan, Tua) lost to Souths. Score 10-15.
U17 Bears (Issy) lost to Redbacks. Score 10-12.
Swimming
Congratulations to Alex Reddacliff and Joshua Maher on their swimming achievements in the pool; their dedication is exemplary, and their feats often go unnoticed.
Alex has provided me a list of his recent awards and I am astounded at number! Clearly this is a testament to Alex's dedication that is needed to win such accolades:
Regular awards:
Darling Downs Short Course Championships - Age Champion.
Darling Downs Short Course Distance Champion.
Darling Downs Records in the 100IM, 1500 and 800 Free.
Toowoomba Open Age Champion.
Toowoomba Open Distance Champion.
Toowoomba LC Championships Age Champion.
Toowoomba LC Championships Distance Champion.
Special/perpetual trophies:
K. McKinney Trophy: Open Male Champion for Darling Downs.
Unfortunately, as a relative newcomer, Josh won't be eligible for DD awards until next season, but he swam a 0.5 second PB in the 50 Fly at the nationals over the holidays which, in Alex’s words, is “massive."
Chris Stearn Groom Head of House (Boarding)
Mackintosh House
The Mackintosh Mail
Connections are Key - Learning from the Past
National Boarding Week Formal Dinner
The National Boarding Week Formal Dinner for Year 9 to Year 12 in the Assembly was a great occasion for all boarders, as they connected across the house, with staff and with Old Grammarians. The night included a three course meal with the Headmaster, boarding staff, special Old Boy guests and the boys. During the evening, both the Headmaster, Dr Kinniburgh, and the Director of Boarding, Mr Byron, took the opportunity to speak with the boys on what was, National Boarders Day. During the evening, boys also heard from Old Grammarians who shared their experiences, character development and the benefits of being a boarder at Toowoomba Grammar School.
We were lucky to have Old Boys, David Crothers 1979- 1982 (Dirranbandi), Jamie Marr, Mackintosh 1987- 1991 (Jondaryan & Mungallala), Trent Raymond, Taylor 1989-1993 (Goondiwindi), David Coleman 1986 – 1990 (Jandowae) and Nick Hess 1997-2001 (Maclagan) to share their thoughts with the boys. Some of the key takeaways and pearls of wisdom included:
"Don’t waste your time. Get involved as it will be over before you know it, and all you will want to do is head back to your school days."
"Listen to your Headmaster and follow his lead; he and the boarding staff working for you have your best interests at heart, even if you don’t realise it."
"The person who has the biggest impact on your experience in boarding looks back at you in the mirror when you clean your teeth in the morning."
"Get to know the guys you don’t know well, as well as the boys you don’t seem to have much in common with."
Mackintosh Catch-ups
I have enjoyed catching up with the boys in their year group cohorts over this past fortnight. These have catch-ups have been in the form of afternoon teas, cooking sessions and mentor meeting with a Tim Tam or two.
Talking with the boys as we work through this middle part of the term has been refreshing and rewarding. During the conversations I have had with boys recently, their insightfulness has been refreshing. In summary, the Year 8 Boys have been particularly interested in their sport, including club rugby, and enjoying the responsibility of independence that comes with being in a senior boarding house. Year 9 has been focused on how to ‘have a great time’ with each other. Year 9 boys are in the process of organising their ‘Boarder of Origin’ match against Boyce House as the 2024 State of Origin approaches. Year 11 boys are focused on how they can have influence and input in the coming year. The Year 11 boys are very aware that there will be the Year 12 cohort during the Grammar 150 Year.
It has been a busy few weeks as we focus on 'What makes boarding tick.'
A Note From Mr Lachmund - Assistant Head of Mackintosh Boarding House
Flipping It To You
Hello All
Yesterday, I taught a lesson that conveyed part of the explicit material associated with this term’s assessment item. There was immediate resistance. I’ve seen this type of resistance before; it happens a lot when the boys realise that the emphasis of the term is on the cusp of being flipped to them. In other words, gone are those lovely days when the boys can turn up to class and be as actively or passively involved as they wish. Instead, they are confronted with the reality of having to complete assessments… and they don’t like it. It’s a natural response. After all, they are teenage males whose wiring is engineered for the pursuit of pleasure, not hard academic slog and toil. But as said, this is their reality, and the work must be completed, although first will come a long period of heavy procrastination…
I say this because we are about to enter an incredibly busy period in the boarding houses of Toowoomba Grammar School. Term 2’s principal sports are well underway, assessment is drilling its way into the consciousness of every lad, many are waking early to attend crucial sessions in preparation for Term 3’s Rugby season, and of course there are the ongoing challenges of day-to-day life in boarding. Yet all this will be made a lot easier if the boys embrace their academic challenges, rather than shy away from them. To do this, weekly prep time should ideally be maximised (a lot of genuinely good work can be completed in ninety minutes), and if extra time needs to be taken, then take it. Sundays, too, can be used to stay ahead of the academic game, and I invite all members of Mackintosh House to spend an hour or two on any given Sunday with their assignment work to relieve the week-to-week pressure. It’s not magic, but it works like it. I witnessed this first-hand when my daughter was completing Year 11 and Year 12 at Fairholme College, several years ago – a classic case of short-term misery/long-term gratification, a simple equation I’ve spoken of before.
It will come. The work will be flipped to you. But don’t recoil from it, let’s face it, you knew it was coming... embrace it! Attack it like it’s something that needs vanquishing in a video game. And we all know how good you are at that.
All the best,
Clayton Lachmund
Commendations and Achievements - Mackintosh House
General TGS and Mackintosh House Confirmations
Azariah Toki-Mautairi: Making an effort in SIP Forensics (from Mr Boyce).
Christian Moore: Christian has maintained a consistently high work ethic, impeccable behaviour and commitment to Mathematics class (from Mr Schmierer).
Tex Cornford: Working well in class and showing leadership when in workshop (from Mr Dodd).
Cody Heathwood: Cody has exceeded expectations in Digital Technologies (from Mr Schmierer).
Joe Brown: For demonstrating mature behaviour in class and setting a good example for others in class (from Mrs Hede).
Stirling Gould: Stirling has shown exemplary leadership over the course of this academic year in Industrial Technology Skills (from Mr Wilson).
Club Rugby
I enjoyed the evening with a number of other TGS Boarding staff as the Club Rugby Grand Final last Friday evening, with time spent around the ground with Mr Kefforf, Mr Oliphant, Mr Dodd and Mr Hall to name a few. There were Mackintosh boys in almost all games. Needless to say, some ended the night happier than others when the winners crowned in each division. It was also great to catch-up with parents on the sidelines.
U13 USQ defeated Bears. Score 75-5.
U14 Bears defeated USQ. Score 35-5.
U15 Souths defeated Bears. Score 15-10
U17 Redbacks defeated Bears. Score 12-10
Looking ahead
Friday, 24 May – Mackintosh House Mother and Son Dinner (Year 12).
Thursday, 13 June – House Track and Field Carnival.
Thursday, 13 June – School holidays commence.
Friday, 14 June – GPS Football and Tennis Round - all players must be available.
Monday, 8 July - Boarders return for Term 3.
Friday, 2 August - Mackintosh Boarding Parents Social - TBC.
Sunday, 4 August - Year 12 Dads and Lads - Barefoot Bowls.
Wednesday, 11 September - Mackintosh House Formal Dinner for boarders and families.
You can take the boy out of the playgound, but you can't take the playground out of the boy! George and Archie at GPS XC
G’day as we enter the second half of the term. The treadmill that is the cycle of assessments goes into overdrive for the young fellas of Stephens House. Having become accustomed to four-day school weeks, our hearts go out to the boys as they complete a ‘normal’ school week. Obviously, they returned to a special afternoon tea on Monday, one that recognises the brave spirit of boys who can head to school for five days straight. Respect.
This Telegraph is a bit of take-over as Wilso’s Wise Words are the central feature to this edition.
A couple of things from me first. This week is the National Boarding Week and Monday evening saw us celebrate the occasion with a formal blazer-dress dinner in the Assembly Hall. This function was attended by Headmaster Dr Kinniburgh, along with a host of guests who participated in a panel discussion looking at the changing role of boarding in the 21st Century. The week is a reminder of the importance of boarding in this country and it is also an opportunity to look in the mirror and reflect upon where our own boarding house is presently.
As mentioned, we are into assessment season and that means we can all apply a little more effort in prep. We encourage the boys' to utilise the staff at their disposal; a wealth of experience that is accessible and on-tap means that tutors are not always necessary as a first port of call. We have a library that is open every afternoon and affords an incredible volume of resources. I do not expect everyone to be an academic in the House, but I do expect every boy in the House to give their best level of application to all they do. Respecting yourself and having gratitude for the opportunity for a TGS education is not to be taken for granted. To this end, celebrating the hard work and efforts of Stuart Officer (Pro Summa Diligentia) and Adrian Gray, Riley Gray, Ed Thomas, Xavier de Ceuster and Nathan Voss (Pro Diligentia) is essential, and they represent the pinnacle of effort that all boys must believe they can attain.
Will Brown – Modified Rugby Program
Will was one of 4 TGS boys who have supported the MRP
The second feature that I have is really special. Whilst a significant number of boys had attended, whether playing or watching, the Darling Downs rugby grand final evening at the Clive Bergdorfer Stadium last Friday, Will Brown headed to Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane where the Reds took on the Rebels in a Super Rugby fixture. This term, once again, Will has been involved with the Toowoomba/Highfields Modified Rugby Program, where he has been coaching and supporting the Ginger Cloud program as a volunteer. The MRP allows players to participate in a game that they evidently enjoy and it also allows families the opportunity to see their kids enjoying an activity that so many others simply take for granted. Service is a big part of the lives of so many Australians and I am mindful that we, as a boarding community, have not yet kicked off our own support of the Toowoomba Hospice, as per the plan. The Service representatives and I will be looking at this and we would like to offer Will a chance to participate and contribute in this space, having given a considerable amount of time and energy to these deserving young people. In an aside, following the game, Will started talking to an elder gentleman outside of the ground. This man (Keith McPhee) was a Stephens House boarder (1969/70) and enjoyed his chat with Will so much that he wrote to the school on Monday of this week, letting us know how much of an impression Will had left on him.
This is what he wrote, and Will’s response to me, when I shared the email with him, shows class, character and humility.
Keith:
"Outside of the rugby stadium in Brisbane on Friday night, I had a chat to one of your students.
Unfortunately we did not exchange names however he is a Year 11 lad from Stephens House (his parents are from Darwin) who was a coach for the modified rugby team from Toowoomba/Highfields.
It was great to chat about TGS as he sees it today and about future plans for the school that he is aware of. What impressed me the most was his confidence, his manners, the pride he had in TGS, his appearance and his respect for others. It is truly gratifying to see that TGS is instilling these traits in the students of today.
Regards,
Keith McPhee (1969-70)"
Will:
"Yeah right Sir, I didn’t think anything of it."
Furthermore, Will Brown and Rupeni Baravilala have written a piece about their evening at Suncorp.
Here goes:
Will Brown:
Friday night at Suncorp Stadium was undeniably one of the highlights of my life. The atmosphere was electric, and the halftime game with the kids added an extra layer of excitement. But what truly made the experience meaningful was witnessing the impact of the Modified Rugby Program on children with disabilities. Despite their challenges, they took to the field with boundless enthusiasm, showcasing the transformative power of sports inclusion. Seeing their joy and camaraderie was, without a doubt, the most rewarding aspect of anything related to the MRP.
Rupeni Baravilala:
MRP program has taught me a lot about caring for younger people while helping them to play rugby. One thing I love about MRP is the community that revolves around it. The players are nice, funny, excited and determined to play to their fullest. MRP has opened my eyes to another version of rugby I hadn’t seen before I joined. It has made me more aware about the sport and the people playing it. I am very thankful to have been offered the opportunity to mentor the players over Term 2.
From the Assistant Head of House, Mr Peter Wilson
In Wilso's absence, Mr Tranberg handed over the Stephens Boarders of the Month YETI tumblers to Riley and Stuart
As Term 1 concluded, we experienced some truly memorable moments during the Year 7, 8 and 9 camps, despite the daunting rain that seemed to predict the end of days. Personally, participating in the Year 8 camp, I shared with the students the unique challenge of managing daily activities — sleeping, waking and eating — under a relentless downpour. The spirit and tenacity displayed by the Stephens boys, no doubt influenced by their rural upbringings, were particularly commendable. Their resilience was a testament to their strong character, and it was heartening to see them face the elements with such determination.
Over the holidays, I cherished the opportunity to spend quality time with my family. We embarked on an adventurous climb up Tabletop Mountain, managing to reach halfway with my boys, ages 5, 9 and 11. This climb was not just a physical challenge but a bonding experience that we will remember fondly. Another highlight was our trip to Movie World, where we enjoyed thrilling rides and met various characters. The excitement and joy on my boys' faces as they experienced the attractions were priceless.
It’s also wonderful to welcome Campbell Newell back from his Rugby endeavours. The stories of his experiences braving the chilly weather have certainly captured our interest and provided great conversation starters among the boys. Also having Gabe here for the term was a delight; learning about Rugby School and their traditions really brought home the values we keep here at Toowoomba Grammar as we count down to the 150 year milestone. Gabe’s insights into Rugby School’s culture have been invaluable, enriching our own traditions and practices.
The public holidays have been great. Seeing the boys take up activities on days, such as the ANZAC morning service that had the boys up at 4:30am, has been inspiring. They show real pride in attending this occasion and demonstrate a deep respect for our fallen soldiers. The commitment and admiration they displayed during the service were remarkable, indicating the strong values instilled in them.
At present, the Stephens boys are in the midst of assessment. We continue to drive home the importance of prep time and using this time wisely. Our focus is on ensuring they understand the significance of disciplined study habits and time management. We are always available to them to help with their subjects, and if not, guide them to the right teacher or Stephens boarder who can assist them.
Sports Update
Jack Gobbert at GPS XC in Ipswich
Whilst having players from the house representing several of my Year 9 tennis teams, finding wins was tricky this weekend as Churchie appeared to be getting the better of us in both tennis and football. Brock Carpenter (Year 8) was a defender in the 13D team that lost 14 (or possibly 15) - 0 in a rather one-sided game, however, it felt like a lot of our boys were on the other side of a good flogging on either pitch or court. Not to worry, we will pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down and do it all again next week. I remain delighted to have Ed Thomas, George Tighe, Archie Cameron and Archer Finlay as Stephens Boarders in the Year 9 teams and Ed Beattie (downstairs in Groom) can qualify as an honourable mention for the House.
Outside of school, Blake Fielder recently returned from the Polo-X E Grade Championships, held at the Braidwood Polocrosse Club with the blankets for Best Horse and Rider and Runner-Up.
Well done Blake - two jackets, one horse.
In conclusion
Y9 Boys spectating at the cold and soggy GPS XC Championships in Ipswich
Just a couple of reminders – we are looking at maintaining our highest of standards for the boys and my desire is that Stephens Boys are a reflection of the House as much as they are a reflection of the wider school. Character, appearance and attitude is everything. Personal presentation is going to be blitzed in the second half of the term and in house, efforts in prep time are going to be brought into focus. Organisation, good manners and effort are all personal traits and characteristics that cost nothing. I want detentions to be avoided and a step-up in engagement in the classroom. Focus, commit, achieve.
Lastly, the National Festival of Boarding Dinner took place this week, and, I have manged to squeeze in a few photos of the boys from a very enjoyable supper on Monday of this week
As I write this week's Tribune, I'm reminded that we have reached the halfway point of the term and at its conclusion the halfway point of the year. With so many of our boys having set themselves goals for success, it is great to see them striving to achieve them; some thriving beyond their set expectations and some having to reassess and refocus. The journey is amazing to watch and I am proud to be witness to their efforts.
For our senior boys, in particular Year 11, they are well into their major assessment period and working diligently. For the rest of the House, the end of term exams are fast approaching and it is wonderful to report that boys are working beyond the allotted prep times, ensuring they are completing tasks to high standards and preparing themselves for the onslaught of the exam block. Work diligently, seek assistance and be proud of your efforts.
National Boarding Week commenced with a wonderful formal boarders dinner. Our boys were engaged in conversation with old boys reminiscing of "the good old days", guest speaker Mr Hol Achiek talking of the importance of resilience and his time in Africa, and a panel discussion highlighting the importance of boarding in the 21st Century, its direction and the role we play in it. A great night enjoyed by all.
There has been a number of wonderful achievements exhibited by our Taylor boys this term, and while I have acknowledged them in our weekly house meetings, I feel it important to highlight them in this communication:
Darling Downs Football Representative - Goy Yous
GPS Cross Country Representatives - Will McKay, Sam Spencer, James Petersen and Mitchell Neilsen
FUTSAL Champions - Mitchell Neilsen and Jacob Carney
Recent 'Man of the Week' Recipients - Patrick Hoare and Hugh Bunker
76 Positive Actions This Term - 'A Few Good Men'
From the Assistant Head of House - Mr Chris Dodd
Dear Taylor House Families,
On behalf of myself and my family I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Taylor House community for the walm welcome we have received over the past month. It has been very interesting to learn where all the boys come from. One that comes to mind is Sam Korpershoek Colville (Year 8) sharing that whilst he knows there are many big barra up on Groot Island, he is yet to catch sight of the pigs! There are many memories that we have shared in our short time here but one that has stayed with us is the smile on my daughter’s face when two senior boys, Mitchell Nielsen and Archie Cass, passed the soccer ball back and forth with her on a Friday afternoon out on the grass. These are the things that are cherished and special about being a part of the boarding community.
Well done also to the senior boys for displaying leadership in approaching their senior responsibilities within the house with diligence and care. They have been setting a clear example of how they should conduct and present themselves in the morning ready to start their day. Even though their alarms were set at various times (depending on their hair care routine) they managed to rouse the juniors up ready for morning roll call.
Speaking of early mornings, the 4:30am wake up for the Anzac Day ceremony proved to be a tough one, with some yawns and tired eyes being seen as we trundled down Margaret Street in the early morning darkness. However, the boys were respectful and remembered the reason why we were there by paying their respects to ANZACS past and present. A big fry-up afterwards soon had the boys snoozing back in their beds for a relaxing day off school.
Special mention must go to the boys that received awards for academic effort this term. Not only have they done themselves proud, they have also set the bar high for the rest of the boys in Taylor house for their academic expectations, in particular the juniors. These boys were duly rewarded for their efforts with monster burritos up at Eastville's Burrito Bar.
This term seems to be flying by and we are now at the midpoint of it all. In some ways it is metaphorically similar to being out at sea with no land in sight. Looking behind them they may see the joys of chocolate Easter eggs during the April holidays and glancing ahead see glimpses of winter holidays by a fire. However, after watching Finding Nemo on repeat with my three year old daughter, it is imperative that at this point in the term they ‘"just keep swimming!".
Diving into Leadership ... A moment with Harry Rogers.
Throughout this term Harry has undertaken a new leadership opportunity in Corfe House and I spent a few moments with Harry to find out how it's going.
Q: What excited you about this leadership opportunity?
A: I wanted to develop my skills and gain understanding of what it takes to lead others. To pass onto Corfe boys my experience of living in a senior house. Doing the leadership course has been really eye opening, but I'm loving it.
Q: What has been a highlight of your experience so far?
A: Meeting new boys, in particular, new Taylor boys. Learning about myself and different leadership styles. I now get how things in boarding operate and the many considerations that go into each decision.
Q: What are two things you've learned?
A: How to better interact with the boys and manage their differing personality types. And my patience has definitely improved.
Q: What advice do you have for future boys wanting to undertake this experience?
A: Take the time to get to know the Corfies. Look for opportunities to involve them in events with the senior houses. Above all, be kind and treat them with respect, our respect toward them will be given back to us in time.
Q: What advice are you giving the boys of Corfe as they are preparing to enter the senior houses later this year?
A: Get to know the older boys, say "hi" when you see them. Be respectful, this is super important. Your attitude and behaviour is observed; be a good man. Live the expectations of the house, this will set you up for success. Enjoy your time together, it's really short.
Taylor House Cookbook 'Fidelus - recipes from the heart'
Please send in your favoured family meals or deserts. We are gaining traction, and some wonderful recipes are making their way into my inbox.
Remember to include the story behind the recipe, ingredients, method and if possible, a photograph.
Reminders
Boys need an alarm clock, please purchase one.
Cricket Kits are to be taken home.
Storage room to be cleared - unclaimed items will be disposed of.
