TGS BOARDERS' TELEGRAPH - Friday, 21 November 2025

Here it is, the final Boyce Bugle of 2025. With the end very much in sight, I would like to begin with a reflection on the health of our coffee table in the Level 1 Common Room. A loyal servant which has facilitated countless gatherings, yarns and spillages. Unfortunately, the table is potentially approaching the end of its working life. A wobbly leg detached, re-attached and detached again sees this trusty piece of furniture limping through to the end of term. That said, the table is still usable, it is dependable and it remains committed to serving the House. Therefore, this humble plank of wood which is now on 3 legs provides the ideal analogy for the potential condition of some of our boys. Assessments completed and sporting seasons long since finished, more than a few have one eye on home and the opportunity to rest and reconnect with family and friends. The message, therefore, is simple, ‘keep on keeping on.’

I have been impressed by the boys’ response to a poor outcome when our Diligence scores were released earlier in the term. Stone dead last was the verdict, with the boys in maroon facing some difficult questions about managing their classroom conduct and academic commitments. Still, we have regathered and leapt the last few assignment hurdles of the year in relative comfort. Our detention count has drastically fallen and there is a steely focus on improvement with the aim of mounting a decent challenge to the ‘Miracle of Groom.’

Like the table, looking forward to a comfortable retirement in the Mackintosh skip bin, Summer presents the chance for something different away from school. However, until this arrives, I encourage the boys to keep ‘it’ together and go back to their core: Hard Work, Humility and House First.

P.S. If anyone has a spare coffee table, please let me know.

To contemplate 2025 in a wider sense, I am very proud of the contributions, interactions and friendships the young men of Boyce have achieved over the course of this year. I am firmly convinced that we have an excellent cohort of gentlemen to call upon, who consistently display both their pride in their House and the School. At this point, a sincere thank you to the Boyce House staff. Without their ongoing commitment to our students, the successes of the boys would be infinitely more challenging and I count myself very lucky to be able to rely on their professionalism and deep sense of care for the boys of Boyce. I will be encouraging the boys to make their appreciation known before they depart. A firm handshake, delivered with eye contact and a meaningful ‘thank you’ goes further than they will realise as recognition for the support they have received during good times and bad.

The boys will have their own individual highlights of the year and I am sure they will share these with you. However, I have two memories of 2025 which I will carry with me. Firstly, Mrs Bazley’s ‘Wall of Achievement,’ or the ‘Pool Room,’ has given such a positive profile for the successes which our boys have enjoyed across the year. The visibility this has provided for achievements across all areas of school life has given boys a spring in their step as they proudly tap photos of them or their mates on their way in the door. Secondly, the reinvigoration of exchange programs with schools across the globe has opened the eyes of many to potential opportunities and the impact which both John H and Thushaan made in their respective stints with us will far outlast their time in the halls of Boyce. I am conscious that reducing the year to these best bits risks ignoring the plethora of other notable events and milestones we have marked.

From the roaring success of the Boyce House Formal Dinner to the efforts of our Year 11s to ensure the smooth transition of the Corfies, there is something to celebrate wherever we look. Beneath the headlines are also the steady and quiet goings on, whether it be Sam L’s commitment to practising the piano every afternoon or Tom H’s grit and determination behind the scenes in his quest to play for the First XV. It would be impossible within this newsletter to cover every angle and aspect of how the year has unfolded when faced with such a remarkable body of young men. Safe to say, they have made the most of the year and can be very satisfied with a job well-done.

Onto the detail within recent weeks. We have celebrated the birthdays of Mac (15) and Will M (14) and the work of Eric in English and Ben H in Workshop has received Commendations. Our 2025 Corfe Residents: Nate, Matt and Henry have all been awarded a Head of House Commendation for their efforts in this program. I know the Corfies have appreciated their presence and their time spent with the juniors will pay dividends as move into next year. At the time of writing, the move up the hill is yet to occur, but boys are primed and ready to help the Year 7s settle and get up to speed with the rhythms and routines of their senior house.

Luke will touch further on this during his introduction below. However, to assist this ‘bedding-in’ process whilst bringing us all back together after the Summer Break, please note that Term 1, Week 1 will be a boarding in weekend (Friday, 30 January – Sunday, 1 February) for Boyce boarders. Our Year 12 students will be organising and running a series of activities across the weekend and I look forward to seeing the results of this.

Meg and I enjoyed welcoming her parents to Toowoomba last weekend and our Summer will be filled with further visits from family and friends. I do hope that the end of the year provides opportunity to rest and recharge and I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year when it arrives. Thank you again for all of your support of Boyce House during 2025.

The last words go to our 2026 leaders, who have kindly provided their introductions:

My name is Christopher Piccini. I am Vice-House Captain for Boyce boarding and a Senior School Prefect for 2026.
I joined Toowoomba Grammar as a boarder in Corfe house in Year 7. Coming from a property just outside Tenterfield, with a school of only 100 kids, it was a very significant change, joining a year level of over 160 boys.

Looking back on my time as a boarder in Boyce House, I have greatly benefited from all the support and guidance provided by both the teachers and my peers. I still have fond memories of the Seniors of the house during my time as a younger student, helping every student feel that they belong in the house, something I endeavour to continue during my tenure in the role.

A funny story from my time in the house and a highlight is the atmosphere during House of Origin and State of Origin. From tensions between Boyce and Taylor on the oval, to the Common Room, where it is NSW vs QLD, it really is a great time of the year, with some funny stories for the next day as well. Personally, the main reason I came to TGS was for the opportunities, something that is unique to the school, where the atmosphere in the House and School promotes you to succeed.

I am Luke Burrow and I have been at TGS since 2021, joining in Year 7. I am from a farm just north of Toobeah. The things I enjoy most about being in Boyce House include touch on P&F oval of an afternoon, talking to the junior boys and chats with Toddy and the boys. It is a true credit to all staff in the House who guide the boys throughout the year, allowing there to be so many enjoyable parts of Boyce life.

Some highlights of the year include the return of the ping-pong table, cooking pizzas with the other Year 11s and Mr Troxler and the game of touch where we beat the Year 12s in their last ever game. During my year as Boyce House Captain, I really hope to create plenty more memories in addition to the good times I’ve already had so far. So, to ensure that the whole House is included in these good times, we’ve bookmarked the first week back of 2026 as our ‘in-house weekend’ where all boys will be asked to stay in boarding for the weekend.

Friday night will see Seniors running activities for the boys and enjoying the beginning of the weekend. Saturday will obviously involve sport for some but also a chance for those non-sporting boys to get around their mates and spend some time in the sun, with activities later in the night. Sunday will continue with activities and bonding exercises until the weekend comes to an end. Whilst boys are at cricket, volleyball and other sport over Saturday and possibly Sunday, we understand that they obviously won’t be available to attend both places at once. However, they won’t miss out on anything as we have accounted for their absences. This weekend will prove a great bonding time for the House as we head into the New Year, welcoming new boarders and I can’t wait to get amongst it with my mates. I hope everyone has a safe holiday, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.