TGS BOARDERS' TELEGRAPH - Friday, 28 February 2025 - Toowoomba Grammar School

The highlight of the last two weeks has been the lunch last Saturday. Our special celebration of 150 years of the TGS boarding community saw more than 600 people from around the globe take part in our special luncheon - Across All Boarders. The event, proudly presented by Frasers Livestock Transport saw Old Boys, their loved ones and current families share their memories of the rich heritage of our boarding community. I was lucky enough to be out in Roma with a fantastic group of parents and Old Boys. The Old Boys ranged from those only three months or so out of uniform, to one of our ‘oldest’ Old Boys, Howard Jensen (1945-46) who told us all about a delightful story when the TGS Boarders celebrated the end of WWII by running to The Glennie School during the night and bellowing out a war cry. Lots of photos included in the gallery below.

The feedback from all of the boarding staff who visited the many venues where lunches were held has been overwhelmingly positive. This is reflected in our boarding houses, where our boarders are feeling supported in everything that they do. I have been really pleased to see some of the initiatives that different houses are undertaking. The wellbeing and academic support of our boarders is the foundation of our program. That our boarding staff are working with our boarders in setting up these initiatives reflects upon the culture that exists in our boarding community.

In the last few weeks I’ve been able to have a number of conversations with both parents and boarding staff about weekend communications. The reason for the communication has varied from simply extending leave, to more serious matters. As a reminder, the ‘MoD’ phone in your boarding house is always the first point of call. If you do you need to drop your son back a few hours after what is indicated on Reach, a phone call to the MoD will help them in tracking the boys and making accurate roll calls. Equally, if you are wanting to talk to someone about a more serious matter, either the Head of House, or Assistant Head of House will be on duty over the weekend, and they will be able to assist you.

Over the past few weeks I have also been able to initiate a tutoring program for those boarders who are undertaking senior Maths and Science subjects such as Maths Methods, Chemistry and Physics. Providing more academic support for our boarders is a priority for me this year. Our Year 11s and 12s are the first to benefit, but I will be continuing to improve our program so that there is support for all boarders in the key areas of literacy and numeracy.

Another event that occurred in our boarding program this week was the Year 11 Formal Dinner. We hosted our Year 11 boarding counterparts from The Glennie School and Fairholme College. The purpose of the evening was twofold. For all of the boarders to learn something of the etiquette required when attending their own formals, as well as the Year 11s having the chance to meet some potential partners for those formals. The evening started with all of the Year 11s feeling uncomfortable and awkward, however by the end of the night, once we had completed a practice session of ‘exiting a vehicle in a formal dress in style’ and ‘how to walk down the red carpet’ the ice was broken and our boarders returned to their boarding houses talking about how enjoyable the evening was. A special thank you must go to Mrs Tammy Wilson who was our chief consultant and shared her knowledge with us.

Finally, I wanted to share that as we completed the first rotation of the Dining Hall menu for Term 1, I took the opportunity to survey our boarders upon the menu and quality of meals that have been served in the Dining Hall so far this year. We had 167 respondents out of a possible 296 which is a significant number. It would be great to have every boarder respond to the survey at the conclusion of the Term. Overall, our boarders have felt that the meals in the Dining Hall have been better so far this year. There are areas to work on, particularly take-away lunches for GPS Sport and TAFE. I have shared the data with Chartwells and I will be meeting with them regarding our Term 2 menu soon.

In closing, I hope that all of our community are enjoying the year so far. The Women of Grammar lunch coming up in a few weeks will be marvellous and another wonderful celebration of 150 years of Toowoomba Grammar.

Nick Byron
Director of Boarding

Buy a Brick - Paving the Way

For 150 years, the history of TGS has been shaped by the boys who have walked its paths. Each one leaving behind their story, their memories and a piece of their heart. From the Foundation Stone laid in School House in 1877, to the bricks that have carried the names of our Old Boys through the years, the bricks of TGS stand as powerful reminders of the proud legacy that continues today.

Now, for a limited time, you have the opportunity to Buy a Brick and ensure your connection to the Blue and Gold lives on for generations to come. Your personalised, engraved brick will be set into the new Old Boys’ Deck – a landmark overlooking the iconic Old Boys’ Memorial Oval, creating a space for the entire School community to enjoy.

Details on How to Get Involved:

Bricks are available for $1,000 each.
You are welcome to purchase multiple bricks, each one engraved with first names and surnames, with the option to include years for both Old Boys and current students.
This donation is tax-deductible.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to leave your mark on the history of Toowoomba Grammar School.

Secure your brick to the Old Boys’ Deck today.

We invite all Old Boys, current and past families, staff, and supporters of TGS to join us in building this significant piece of history. The stories of the boys who walked these paths before you are captured in every brick. Now, it’s your turn to be part of something greater.

Thank you for your continued support of TGS. We look forward to seeing your name engraved alongside the many who have shaped our proud tradition.

First look at the TGS Bricks

The bricks, showing sample text of what they'll look like

We’re thrilled to share a first look at the engraved bricks for our Buy a Brick campaign and they look fantastic. These personalised bricks will be a part of the Old Boys’ Deck, honouring the legacy of our TGS community.

A huge thank you to everyone who has supported this campaign so far, we can't wait to see your names permanently etched into TGS history once all funds are raised to complete this project.

As we approach the midpoint of Term 1, the tune from this edition of the Boyce Bugle remains upbeat and encouraging. The first commendations of the academic year have begun to roll in, and we congratulate Eli and Finn G for their efforts in this regard. Also swinging into action are the various service opportunities available to the boys. Luke, Chris and Ben P have already completed an afternoon supporting the students of Toowoomba West Special School, with the same boys plus John T volunteering to participate within the Junior School Lunchtime Program. The Interact Club have started their 2025 program, and we are delighted that Emmanuel and Cam will represent Boyce as leaders within this forum.

Although he has suffered a serious knee injury, Josh maintains his sporting involvement through assisting with rugby data analysis. This is after an incredible effort to swim on one leg to bring the Opens freestyle relay team home at the House Swimming Carnival, beating Taylor House at the final touch. Our mid-table, third-placed finish overall is solid – representing an improvement from Interhouse Touch but still leaving lots of work to do if we are to retain the Headmaster’s Shield!

Plainly, there are a wide range of leadership and service opportunities for boys to engage in, and I encourage all to pursue these avenues as a key part of their character development. The eventual receipt of Colours awards will be a further just reward for their support. On a linked, but slightly separate, note, a nod to Mitch who maintains his involvement with the Cattle Show Team.

Turning to an academic front, the prospect of assignments and exams is beginning to loom. Whilst the Boyce boys are largely making the most of their Prep time, it is also worth re-advertising the extra support available outside of this. For instance, the Maths department run clinics every lunchtime and after school. These sessions are open to all students. Building on this, our Year 11 and 12 boys studying the Sciences have attended evening tutoring sessions held in the Library.

The Darling Downs junior club rugby season has kicked off, and Meg and I very much enjoyed watching the Boyce boys involved in the UniSQ vs Souths game last Friday. A special shout out to Nate, who has returned to fitness and played his first game of rugby in 18 months. It was especially pleasing to see the number of boys who either came out to watch their mates or hung around to cheer the older boys on once their games had finished. I had not anticipated needing a jacket in Australia in February. However, I will certainly be wrapping up for future fixtures! Crossing codes, Lachie D, Tom H and Lachlan W travelled to Charleville for the Adrian Vowles Cup, and Luke was selected to take part in the NRL Darling Downs gala day.

G150 in Gundi

The next round of the G150 celebrations saw boarding staff travel far and wide to join in with the Across All Boarders Lunch. Todd, Meg and I had great fun in Goondiwindi and the efforts of Belinda Dayas in organising and hosting such an event deserves real applause. It was a pleasure to spend the day in the company of TGS families past, present and future and the warmth in the room made for a special occasion. Whilst Meg and I are still yet to sight an emu or koala since our arrival in Australia, our kangaroo count did increase during the journey, and we look forward to exploring the regions and ruralities further.

Mr Brendan Doherty - Boyce House (Boarding) - Assistant Head of House

My name is Brendan Doherty. I have been the Assistant Head of Boyce House since January 2020. In that time, I have seen countless students grow and mature from shy, young boys into confident, world-ready, independent young men.

Despite everything that is thrown at them, such as separation from parents; living among a large group of boys; food that is not the same as mum makes; and all the daily challenges of living as a boarder, the boys of Boyce manage to take it in their stride and continue to shine.

I am fortunate to work as an Assistant Head of House in Boyce. I am involved in helping the Head of House (I have been extremely lucky to have previously worked under Michael Hall and now John Troxler) and thoroughly enjoy being part of the daily interactions in Boyce. We have consistently had a strong team of staff in Boyce, and we all get along very well. John runs the house very well but is always happy to hear the ideas of others. I try to take a lead on the service aspect of Boyce and have been very proud of the contributions Boyce boys have made in this field in the last few years.

After winning the House Shield last year, I am looking forward to a strong showing again in 2025. The boys are talented and committed and I think other houses will do very well to take us off our perch.

My greatest hope for 2025 is to see boys reach their potential in all they target. I hope they push themselves academically, in trades, culturally, in sport and in the care they have for their fellow Boyce brothers.

Go the Buffs!

Meet the new Buffalos!

Now that our 2025 joiners have had time to fully settle in, our ‘new’ Year 11 and 10 boys have kindly agreed to provide the below introduction to the Boyce community:

Matthew d P

My name is Matty and I’m originally from South Africa. I’ve lived in four different countries throughout my life: South Africa, England, UAE and Australia. My family lives in South Australia. In my first three weeks at TGS I have made lots of new friends and have become involved in lots of different activities. I play for the 10As cricket team as a wicket keeper batsman, I’ve joined Interact Club, and I’ve started playing club footy for UniSQ. I’ve really enjoyed boarding because you are always busy playing with your mates and getting to know them in a different way than you would otherwise. Plus, everyone likes footy which is so much better than in South Australia. I’m excited for what awaits me in the rest of my journey at Toowoomba Grammar.

James T

I am James, from Auckland and I have three siblings, Jae (25), Jaelin (21) and Tennesse (14). Life evolved slowly in Otara where I attended primary school with my brothers and sister. Rugby league consumed my weekends from the age of 6 until I was 15 years old along with some touch footy and tag. I began footy to follow in the footsteps of my father and mother who were both playing for the local club, the Otara Scorpions. I met many friends who helped me experience a team sport and allowed me to improve my skills in the game while cheering on my parents from the sidelines. Dad is actually my coach now that he has retired from playing adding another dynamic to our strong relationship. I attended Howick College in Grade 9 and moved to Tangaroa College for Grades 10 and 11 where the Polynesian culture ran extensively throughout the school. Several phone calls with Mr Gale and Mr Clapham at the end of 2024 cemented my decision to move to Australia and Toowoomba Grammar School. Thankfully, I have been placed into Boyce House where I have made friends quite quickly with my fellow New Zealand brother Austin and Walter from Badu Island.

So far, I have found the training sessions and change of code challenging but educational. It has been hard to adapt to the training techniques and scrummaging along with the fitness regime. I have appreciated meeting new people in the squad along with the boarding house and day school. My teachers are supportive, and I appreciate Digital Tech with Mr Schmierer where we are currently working on a RoboAnt. I am looking forward to learning new things, rugby camp and spending some time at home during the holidays.

Austin W

My name is Austin, I am the youngest of three and originally from New Zealand. I’ve since grown up in Rockhampton where I enjoyed playing football and basketball.

I’m looking forward to developing my basketball talents even further within TGS’ rigorous program and working on my academics with the support of teaching and learning staff. I miss my Rocky mates; my parents and I was a little homesick for a few days but I’m feeling positive about the opportunities in front of me. I’ve already made friends with James and Walter and feel at home in Boyce House.

Dewy T

I am Dewy and I have joined Boyce House in Year 11. I have lived in multiple places, including St George on a farm, Gympie on a farm, Launceston and Tenterfield - where I currently live. Tenterfield is a small touristy town in New South Wales, just 15 minutes from the Queensland border. Tourists come to Tenterfield to experience the difference in seasons which cannot be experienced in most of Australia. I have previously boarded in Dalby and in Launceston. Boyce is different because it is all boys which creates a different environment. I have started to make friends who are really helpful towards me and are very welcoming which has made my transition into Boyce House and the School much easier.

Cricket - Midseason Report

To celebrate the endeavours of our cricketers, in a new segment of the Bugle, Lawson has produced this report as a summary of the season thus far:

"Many boarders in Boyce House have donned the pads and been actively participating in GPS Cricket this term across the grades and teams, with many achieving great accomplishments. The first four rounds have been against the skilled opponents of Brisbane Boys College, The Southport School, Brisbane Grammar and Churchie.

Starting off in the first round against BBC in the 10Bs Nate smoked 70 off 45 with 6 fours and 4 sixes and bowled a tidy 1 wicket for 25 runs off 5 overs in his first ever game for Grammar. In the 11Bs Tom H took 3 wickets for 22 runs off 3.3 overs, and Tom P took 2 whilst only conceding 13 runs throughout his 8 overs with 4 maidens.

In our second round we played The Southport School where in the 8Ds Will M took the first 3 wickets for 11 runs off 2.5 overs. In the 11As Tom H hit 17 off 27 with 1 four and Tom P took 3 wickets for 9 runs off 6 overs.

In our third round we came up against Brisbane Grammar School. Well done to Tom H, who got an amazing 5 wicket haul for 24 runs off 8 overs in the 11As helping to bowl BGS out for 176, which Grammar successfully chased down in the 39^th over.

Finally, in our most recent round we played Churchie, where Will D scored 28 off 42 not out – leading the 9Bs to victory on Old Boys. Tom P also took 2 wickets for 14 runs off 6 overs in the 11As On Barbour Oval.

Well done to all these boys and everyone else who has not been named for their achievements throughout this season, and we wish good luck to everyone for the last couple of rounds ahead."

Signing Off

Looking ahead to the second half of Term 1, the invite for the Boyce House Family Evening on Saturday, 22 March has been circulated. It would be wonderful to see our boarding families there for an informal opportunity to re-connect and say hello. If you experience any problems with the registration process, please do let me know.

With camps and work experience forming the focus of Week 10, we are also asking for those flying home at the conclusion of term to communicate their plans via Reach as soon as is practicable.

John Troxler
Head of Boarding House - Boyce

A note from Henry White - Head of House

Welcome back to another edition of Corfe Courier, Corfe’s very own publication in the larger Boarders’ Telegraph.

And just like that, another fortnight has flown by and we’ve somehow crossed the halfway point for Term 1! Where did the time go?

As we speak, our boys are in flow and getting stuck in, having now settled into new routines and boarding life. Our attention now shifts towards the Year 7 cohort’s first formal assessment period in Senior School, and the rest of the excitement (and trepidation) that we see in the back-end of this term… aka Camp Week.

While the boys have settled well, I do wish to inform parents that wobbles across Weeks 5 to 8 are expected and very natural. At this point in the term, the onset of mid-term fatigue is real, and the boys often find themselves grappling with new emotions and homesickness as they transition between the excitement that comes with “new room, new mates, new team” to “how long until holidays, Sir?”

As such, never hesitate to reach out with any concerns or to highlight concerns about your son. We’re here to help.

Thanks for reading.

Important Requests and Reminders

As outlined in a few earlier emails, please take note of the following:

End of Term Leave

While still a while off, it’s important that parents begin planning their end-of-term leave for Term 1, and start-of-term arrangements for Term 2. As such, I welcome Reach ‘Holiday Leave’ requests as soon as possible as this will help us to plan. Please take note of the following dates:

Year 7 Camp Week: Monday, 31 March to Thursday, 3 April
- Year 6 boarders will remain at school as per the regular schedule
- Any planned early departures from camp must be communicated to me and Jodi Blades (Head of Year 7) as soon as possible.
Corfe House Family ‘Meet and Greet’: Thursday, 3 April at 4:00pm
- Official invite to come
Term 1 Holidays Commence: Thursday, 3 April at 3:10pm
- Parents are free to collect their sons from this time.
Term 1 Boarders Travel Day: Friday, 4 April by 3:10pm
- Any boarding families unable to collect their sons on Thursday, 3 April can collect their sons by Friday, 4 April at 3:10pm.
- Please note that any Corfe boarders remaining on Thursday, 3 April will reside in Mackintosh House that evening.
Term 2 Commencement: All boarders return by 6:00pm on Tuesday, 22 April

Early Departures and Transport Arrangements

As requested, should you require an early departure or support arranging airport transport, please reach out to Kate Wormwell (Assistant to the Director of Boarding), and include Jodi Blades and myself in this communication.

Work Hard and Play Hard

Across the last two weeks, it’s been pleasing to see so many of the boys seeking balance in their routines. This term, 100% of Corfe boarders are engaged in co-curricular sport, and on top of this we have three boys involved in the Cadets program, three debaters, four boys in the Mountain Biking Club, and one boy championing Corfe in the TGS Show Cattle Team.

On top of this, the boys have been working hard in classes and making the most of their time in Prep.

What’s more, Corfe’s uptake to house activities like Wet‘n’Wild has pushed each trip to hit capacity! It’s been great to see the boys taking part and keeping busy as they work and play hard equally.

I hope you enjoy the following shots of the lads playing at Wet‘n’Wild and working hard at prep in Corfe House.

Archer H – Show Cattle Team

I’m thrilled to congratulate Archer H – Corfe’s lone cattleman in the TGS Show Cattle Team – for his success in the Young Judges Competition at the Clifton Show.

Archer came third in his age group and did a tremendous job representing himself, the boarding house, and the TGS community.

Well done, mate!

Corfies of the Week

While I regrettably missed the opportunity to spruik this initiative in last fortnight’s Corfe Courier, I’m pleased to announce the following four fellows for their selfless contributions to Corfe House across the first 4 weeks of Term 1.

For context, each week Corfe staff make a decision on which boarder has stood out amongst his peers for his contributions supporting others and “being the best bloke”. I look forward to announcing the winners for Weeks 5 to 7 in my next publication.

Week 1 – Jerome

As one of the four Corfe House returners in 2025, Jerome made quick work of getting stuck in and supporting other boys with our laundry routines. Jerome selflessly adopted the role (without prompting) ensuring that new boys were supported.

Week 2 – Mason

As our youngest boarder, Mason experienced a great deal of homesickness in his first week. In a miraculous turnaround in Week 2, Mason was acknowledged by both staff and other boys for his commitment to supporting others, providing a shoulder to lean on to any fellow feeling the wobbles in Week 2.

Week 3 – Nick

In Week 3, Nick was acknowledged by his peers for always being on the lookout for mates in need. He selflessly invited other boys into his circle, reached out to boys who looked isolated or flat, and did the extras to support his peers.

Week 4 – Mal

In Week 4, Mal worked tirelessly to promote the smooth running of the house. His diligence was acknowledged by both his peers and the staff, and his commitment to house chores (none of which were assigned to him) was admirable. A personal anecdote – when running the Saturday night shift, I was alarmed to hear the clanking of dishes in the kitchenette at around 10:00pm after lights out. I was surprised to see Mal cleaning the dishes and asked him why he was out of bed. His response was: “I’m sorry I’m up, Sir, I just couldn’t sleep thinking you’d have to clean these by yourself”. Safe to say, the dishes were not Mal’s, nor mine, but he took the initiative to support the boys (and staff!) around him.

Erin Wakefield - Corfe's Academic Boarding Resident

As per my introduction to Ms Fletcher (Corfe’s Housemother) in last fortnight’s Corfe Courier, in each edition, I will introduce another member of Corfe’s team of staff. Today, I’m pleased to introduce Erin Wakefield, Corfe’s Academic Boarding Resident.

Ms Wakefield

Growing up, I have spent a lot of time in Toowoomba through my family’s connection to thoroughbred racing, which makes beginning my career at Toowoomba Grammar School incredibly exciting. Horses have always been a part of my life, with both sides of my family involved in the racing industry.

I recently graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Health, Sport, and Physical Education, graduating with Honours. Throughout my university experience, I had the opportunity to complete my practicum at esteemed schools, including Brisbane Girls Grammar, Anglican Church Grammar School, and Nudgee College. At Nudgee, I completed a twelve-week practicum where I experienced working in a boarding house for the first time – under the guidance of my supervising teacher. After I completed my prac, I continued to work at Nudgee, as both a boarding supervisor in their junior and senior dorms, and as a rugby and cricket coach.

I am absolutely thrilled to begin my teaching journey at Toowoomba Grammar School, and in Corfe House, where I can pursue my passion for both education and boarding in a school with such a strong boarding culture.

Signing Off

Thank you for reading!

As always, I invite parents to make contact should they have any questions or concerns.

Henry White
Head of Boarding House - Corfe

Getting into the Grind

It does not seem that long ago that Jon Hall, Peter Nicholls and I welcomed new and returning young men back into Groom House. However, the end of this week marks the halfway point of the term. Over the coming weeks assignments will become due, teachers will be focused on completing the teaching of content, revision lessons will be complete and exam timetables will be released. The young men in Groom will begin to feel the pressure that comes with wanting to do well.

To this point in the term, I must congratulate the vast majority of boys in Groom for the manner in which they attend to their studies during Prep. The boys who have shown the organisation and commitment to working diligently each evening will, I am sure, reap the benefits of their consistent work when their time to complete assessment comes around.

In Groom, we often refer to ‘getting in the grind’ when challenges are presented to the boys. Be it academic challenges, adversity on the sporting field, difficult moments with friends, or health challenges. It is at these times, when life is not easy, that those with grit, those who are “willing to grind’’, grow their resilience. Woodrow Wilson—American President through the WWI was quoted as saying: “The difference between a strong man and a weak one is that the former does not give up after defeat”.

On this note, I congratulate Jackson H and Fraser J on staying in the grind over the first month of the GPS cricket season. Through theirs and the teams hard work, the First XI recorded their first win of the season with a comfortable victory over Churchie. Fraser J was involved in a 140-run partnership to set up the innings and Jackson H took 3 crucial wickets.

Social News

The Across All Boarders Lunch celebrating G150 was held last Saturday. Jon Hall, Nick Byron and I had the pleasure of attending the lunch hosted by Susan and Brad Cameron in Roma.

My thanks to the both of them for their efforts. Two moments from the afternoon stood out to me; the first was listening to TGS Old Boy Howard Jensen who attended Grammar through WWII. He told the story that on the day peace was declared in 1945, the young men of Grammar snuck out of the dorms and went up to Glennie in their pyjamas and performed a war cry in celebration—an extraordinary tale indeed. At 96 years old, Howard was the life of our event.

The second highlight was the overwhelming sense of community and warm welcome the TGS families offered to Jon, Nick and myself.

From the Groom House Boarding Captain

My name’s Edward and I am the 2025 Groom Boarding House Captain from Kilcoy. The Groom Boarding Vice-Captain is Braith N from Roma. We are both delighted to be given the privilege to lead Groom this year and excited for the year ahead of us.

Groom House has had a great start to the year, winning the inter-house swimming carnival. Whilst there was some standout, individual performances, all the boys showed great commitment to the house and participation across the grades was excellent. It was also great to see everyone supporting and getting around the swimmers. The swimming carnival victory puts Groom into second place in the Headmaster’s Shield rankings ahead of cross country at the end of Term 1.

With the cross country carnival looming, the Groom boarders have started preparation with weekly house runs, as we look to build on our successes in the swimming pool and make a run for the Headmaster’s Shield.

Within the boarding house, Braith and I hope to increase inclusivity and connection across the grades, and we look forward to seeing all boys getting involved and trying new things. To start the year, Groom has had a number of new boys and it’s great to see they’ve all settled in quickly and are getting involved in School and boarding life. I would like to thank the young men of Groom and the way that they have helped our new boarders settle in.

Overall, it has been an excellent start to the year. To all in Groom House, both within the boarding house and at the day-school, I’m excited for the year ahead and look forward to building on a strong start.

Ed W
Groom House - Boarding Captain

Signing Off

Finally, I would encourage everyone to attend the Groom Family Night this evening on the Pavilion Lawn.

Marianne and I very much look forward to meeting as many families as we can. Safe travels to all those that may be coming from afar.

Luke Paffey
Head of Boarding House – Groom

Mackintosh House Boys: A Busy and Balanced Term Ahead

Our Mackintosh House Boys are making the most of their time together and here at TGS, they are highly involved and dedicated to their passions. From club rugby, cadets, tennis, GPS Swimming, Toowoomba basketball, GPS Cricket, and GPS Volleyball to Toowoomba District Rugby League, our boys are actively participating in a wide range of co-curricular sports and activities.

With almost every boy in the house engaged in some form of co-curricular activity, it's clear that our students are making the most of their opportunities. As we enter the beginning of the assessment season in the classroom, we are committed to helping our boys find the right balance between their sports, schoolwork, sleep and play.

We are encouraging our boys to be hardworking and honest with themselves during this busy time, while also being kind and supportive to others. As everyone gets busier, it's important to maintain a sense of camaraderie, kindness and mutual respect.

Our Mackintosh House Values are Be Kind, Be Honest and Be Hardworking and we talk with these three key values regularly. Whenever we have a House Meeting where the Day and Boarding House Combine, we also open our House Meeting with the House Pledge.

Mackintosh House - The Pledge

If you're thankful, show it.

If you appreciate someone, tell them.

If you're wrong, learn from it.

If you learn something, teach others.

If you're confused, ask questions.

If you're stuck, ask for help.

If you make a mistake, own it.

If you trip, get up.

If someone needs help, help them.

If you see wrong, take a stance.

We are Mackintosh! Ubuntu!

We end the pledge with Ubuntu. Ubuntu is an African philosophy that emphasises the interconnectedness of all people, often summarized as "I am because we are." It highlights that students are who they are as a result of the support for each other in the house. Living Ubuntu, we encourage students to contribute positively to each other, the house and the School valuing empathy, cooperation, and the wellbeing of others.

We want to continue the supportive and a hardworking habit in Mackintosh as we work through the term and hopefully win the Interhouse Cross Country and return to the top of the pack in the race for the Headmasters Shield.

End of Term Organisation

It will be here before we know it. This Term will end with Activities Week beginning Monday, 31 March and conclude on Thursday, 3 April 2025, at 3:10pm.

The weekend prior to Activities Week is busy. It is important to note that Friday, 28 March is the Toowoomba Show Public Holiday and the day of the Official Opening of the TGS P&F Art Show, that runs all weekend.

The boys will also play their final round of the GPS Cricket and Volleyball Season with matches against Ipswich Grammar School both in Toowoomba and Ipswich on Saturday, 29 March 2025.

I would encourage those who are booking flights for boarders to travel home to look for the communications from Student Service and if you have any questions about end of term travel and airport transfer services, please get in touch.

Across all Boarders Lunch in Pallamallawa – Grammar 150

Old Boys, past parents, current parents, staff and current students gather at the Pally Pub. We have a wonderful host in Rachel McLennan who with the help of Natalie Wolfenden Woods organized a fantastic afternoon. I really enjoyed the opportunity to get back to Northern New South Wales.

House Mothers Supper

Mrs Kym Stewart, Mackintosh House Mother, has started having a special House Mother Supper on Sunday night. This has quickly become a hit with the boys. Mrs Stewart started with a chilli con carne in Week 2 with the Year 8 and 9 boys, curried sausages with the Year 11s, and some butter chicken with Year 10s last Sunday. The Year 12s will enjoy their supper with Mrs Stewart this Sunday night. We wait to hear what is on the menu!

During Sunday afternoon, boys will regularly ask if it is our turn, whether it is us again yet, and whether there will be leftovers. The plan is for Mrs Stewart to continue these suppers and catch-up with a year group each week. There are always a few boys hanging around the level one common room at about 8pm on a Sunday night, even if it isn't their turn.

Mackintosh House Events

Mackintosh House Family Night
Location: School House Lawn
Date: Saturday, 22 March 2025
RSVP via TryBooking

AEIOU – Be Awesome for Autism

Sunday, 23 March 2025

The Mackintosh House Boys had AEIOU Toowoomba Centre Manager Richel Booth came to Toowoomba Grammar School to present to our Mackintosh House Boys, both Day and Boarding.

We have been working hard to promote the event and encourage our boys to fundraise for a good cause. Hopefully you can attend, we encourage parents and families to register, run and contribute to the day at AEIOU Foundation: Toowoomba Fun Run 2025. When you do register you can join the Team Mackintosh House 2025 fundraising group.

The AEIOU Foundation raises vital funds for the implementation of early intervention programs for children with autism aged 2 to 6 in the Toowoomba and Darling Downs region. Based in Friend Street, Harristown, their therapy and care changes the lives of local children and their families. Mackintosh House is proud to continue their support of the AEIOU Foundation.

Brad Allen
Head of Boarding House - Mackintosh

Welcome to Midway

The past week has given us all a bit of time to breathe, following a pretty intense Week 3 that featured a Year 12 formal dinner, Mother and Son Dinner and the Stephens House Family Evening. Week 4 wrapped up with the Across All Boarders lunch events that were hosted in several regional towns across Queensland and New South Wales (and Darwin - thank you Frank and Belinda!) to celebrate the role of boarder families across the years. This is a part of the G150 events that are occurring throughout the year. The Year 11 boys are already excited about what lies in store for them as graduates of the G151 - we will have to just wait and see!

With Mardi Sands at the Taroom Across All Boarders Luncheon

This week sees Mr Wilson pen a few words as he commences his third year in the post of Assistant Head of House. I know I have said this all before, and it risk of you smelling a bit of ‘bromance’ in the air, I can’t emphasise sufficiently the roll that Peter undertakes. I think he has the perfect attitude and approach to his role in the House, the boys see a lot of him – considering that he is not a ‘live-in’ member of staff (as is the case for most Assistants) and his good humour, professionalism and positive engagement help, in a huge way, to create the vibe that I think goes a long way to ensuring that the boys feel comfortable in the house, yet, at the same time, they also feel that they are being held to account for their actions and interactions.

As the middle of the term approaches, unfortunately many of the boys are still waiting to experience a winning feeling on the cricket field or volleyball court. However, in the long-established traditions of Stephens House, this is nothing new and our swimming performance has helped our newest members of the house adjust that bar of expectation. The Stephens House Swimming Carnival performance was going so well until the wheels came off. Whilst the arrival of Lachy R (a sporting gift if ever I saw one) saw us accrue plenty of points early on, the introduction of points-scoring novelty (some may say ‘fun’) and relay events saw our boys fall down the ladder more quickly than my football team of choice (that is a throwaway reference for two of our Stephens House fathers)! Eventually, we came in fifth. Better luck next year and thank you to everyone who participated and entered into the spirit of the day. On the back of the swim carnival, Stephens slipped on the Honour Board - ‘real time’ scoring has seen us drop into fifth place in the race to the Headmaster’s Shield. It is early days and not a sprint but a marathon. I will find an appropriately inspirational Ted Lasso quote to rally the troops ahead of the next event.

Mother and Son Dinner

Once more, one of our blue riband events of the boarding calendar was hosted by Gips and, once more, the Year 12 event did not disappoint. It is always good to bring the day house and the boarding house together and this is something that both Sully (Paul Sullivan) and I are pretty passionate about, and committed to. With our boarders making up one third of our whole-School population, it is only natural that they forge close friendships with day boys.

By this point in their TGS education, when they are headed down the home straight, it is a wonderful opportunity to listen to the different – and similar – roles that mothers fulfil. Gratitude is one of the cornerstones of the house creed, and whilst respect, trust and integrity are our other pillars, this evening was about a chance to show gratitude. The boys made speeches that were authentic and heartfelt. Working with the boys, listening to them read their speeches to each other in the boarding house is a great reminder of why we do this job. It is about building, developing and establishing character and this wonderful event is always a privilege to attend.

In addition to Mr Sullivan, Mr Tranberg attended along with Mr Andrew Fogarty, the Head of Science and one of the Year 12 PCG teachers. Regrettably, Ms Khyl Domrow – another PCG teacher - could not attend. Photographs taken beneath the lights are attached below – it really is an evening to look forwards to, without making you want to wish time fly past too quickly. We need to build in more ‘occasions’ for the boys to cherish and hold onto. In a fast-changing society, good values remain good values, and good manners remain an expectation. That said, if we fail to expose the boys to events such as these we are doing them a dis-service.

A huge thanks to Gips for hosting the evening and, if you are in town, I would recommend their ‘new’ cellar door, wine bar and tasting experience. Cool décor, funky furniture and something a bit different for Toowoomba.

The Year 12 Formal Dinner

Revisiting a topic just raised, manners, values and fostering a sense of occasion in our boys, the Year 12 boys also enjoyed a Formal Dinner in the Jacaranda Room. Featuring knives and forks, but alas, no glass – the boys enjoyed a three-course meal and talks from Mr Byron and Mr Troxler. The focus of Mr Troxler’s talk was ‘fusing cultural capacity with legacy’ and this built on work that was undertaken by all of the boys, in all of the boarding houses, during Year 11. Mr Troxler created a ‘cultural iceberg’ and challenged the boys to address the issues that were revealed as being furthest below the water. House touch, watching the first teams and other easy wins were seen as being above the water, whereas supporting debating, attending musical evenings and remaining in House until the end of the School term were seen as big victories for building capacity and strengthening legacy through the whole School. I am hoping that the boys are able to take a lead – especially those in Years 11 and 12 – and ensure that Stephens House talks the talk and walks the walk. I am hoping that the iceberg – soon to be created into a visual cue to be displayed in the house – will serve as a bit of a talking point and inspiration as we move forward.

Settling In

The new boys continue to grow into the House and it has been good to see boys in Years 8 and 9 embrace new opportunities.

The Stephens/Groom bike storage facility (stairwell) is bursting at the seams. Alex K and Josh P are both committed to the Mountain Biking Club and they headed off to Jubilee Park this Sunday just gone. Toowoomba is incredibly blessed with some of the best trails in the state – particularly for downhill riding. It is good to see boys embrace the local outdoors and grasp the opportunities on offer. If anyone else would like to bring a bike back to school for Term 2, please let me know.

Logan M (Year 11) is a regular at a gym in town, and again, his preferred mode of transport – the bike. One apology, Quinn B is our final new boarder – and my apologies for not including his pen-portrait last issue. Quinn has joined us from Byron Bay/Bangalow and is finding life at TGS somewhat different from life at his old school. That said, these are challenges to be embraced and Quinn is going fine, describing lessons as ‘interesting’ and omitting to mention which lesson/teacher is his favourite. It is obviously Year 9 English with Mr Kefford because the class has been watching The Purge in an attempt to get the idea of scary stories across! I managed to get a spontaneous (not…) photo of our newbies earlier in the week after roll call one morning!

Phil Kefford
Head of Boarding House - Stephens

A Word from Mr Peter Wilson - Assistant Head of House

Mr Peter Wilson, Assistant Head of House - Stephens

It’s great to be back for another year as the Assistant Head of Boarding in Stephens House. The energy and excitement of a new school year are well and truly here, and the house is already buzzing with activity.

We’ve hit the ground running with some exciting improvements—brand new carpet has given the house a fresh and bright feel, and with air conditioning on the way, the boys will soon have an even more comfortable space to call home.

It’s been fantastic to welcome a great group of new boys into the boarding house. Each of them brings their own unique experiences and personalities, adding to the strong sense of community that makes Stephens House special. They’ve settled in well, and it’s clear they’re already making their mark.

The boys are diving back into their routines, balancing schoolwork with a wide range of co-curricular activities that keep them engaged and busy. Whether on the sports field, in the music rooms, or involved in other pursuits, their enthusiasm is inspiring to see. Personally, I’m loving my time in the boarding world of Stephens House. I truly believe there’s no better place to be, and it’s a privilege to be part of such a close-knit and supportive environment.

With such a strong start to the year, I can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store for us.

Taylor House News: A Term of Talent, Service and Achievement

As we navigate through the bustling midpoint of the term, it is remarkable to observe how the foundational elements that require "zero talent" significantly elevate the collective spirit and performance of Taylor House. Embracing simple yet profound practices such as punctuality, effort and enthusiasm, our boys are not only excelling academically but are also reinforcing a culture of mutual support and joy within our community.

Cultivating a Mindset of Service and Simplicity

At Taylor House, we firmly believe that it’s the simple things in life that bring the greatest joy. This belief drives our commitment to practices that require zero talent but yield immense rewards. Whether it’s maintaining positive energy, being on time, or offering a helping hand, these simple acts of discipline and care enrich our daily experiences and strengthen our bonds.

Service to others is not just a practice but a way of life. Our senior boys exemplify this ethos, consistently stepping forward to mentor and assist their younger peers. This spirit of giving back is crucial, ensuring that every member of Taylor House feels valued and supported. Such a culture not only keeps our house tightly knit but also fosters an environment where everyone thrives together.

Academic Rigor and Support

As the academic pressure mounts, our boys have shown commendable diligence in their studies, particularly in challenging subjects. Recognising the hurdles some face, our senior students have been instrumental in providing peer tutoring, which has proven to be invaluable. Their efforts are enhancing understanding and boosting confidence among those struggling with complex concepts.

In light of the upcoming exams in Weeks 8 and 9, I encourage each student to connect with their teachers, seek clarity on difficult topics and utilise the resources available to them. Achieving academic excellence is a priority, but it is the balanced approach to education that remains our focus.

Sports, Wellness and Beyond

Post-class hours buzz with energy as boys engage in various sports and activities, returning with stories of small victories and memorable moments—like the miraculous cricket ball that swung 6 inches to hit the stumps or the triumphant volleyball spike by our 4 foot 9 inch Year 8 students. These stories not only highlight their physical attributes but also the joy and camaraderie sports bring to their lives.

Recognising the exhaustive schedule our boys endure, we continue to stress the importance of a good night’s sleep. Rest is not a luxury but a necessity that allows for mental and physical recovery, ensuring our students remain sharp and energised.

Rugby Highlights and Anticipations

This term has also been exciting for our rugby enthusiasts. Although Innes N and Paddy S did not secure the Vowles Cup in Charleville, their performance was spirited and it provided solid preparation for the season ahead. Meanwhile, the Darling Downs Club Rugby Competition has commenced, featuring our students Innes N, Jeremy M, George G and Heath S across various age groups. Their participation not only demonstrates their athletic skills but also enhances the house's spirit of solidarity and support.

Looking Forward

The term’s end is fast approaching, and with it comes Activities Week. Students will engage in a variety of outings including camps, work experiences, leadership camps and educational visits to universities and TAFE. Details will soon be emailed, so please stay alert for information on packing lists and schedules.

Moreover, as the term concludes, we will enjoy the Art Show and the eagerly awaited Read My Lips competition. Additionally, our House Cross Country event will vie for the Headmaster's Shield, necessitating full participation from our boys.

In closing, I invite parents to finalise and communicate their travel plans for the end of the term as early as possible to facilitate smooth transitions for all.

Here at Taylor House, every day is an opportunity to grow, give and celebrate. Let’s continue to support each other and strive for excellence in every endeavour.

Eugene Massi
Head of Boarding House - Taylor

TGS BOARDERS' TELEGRAPH - Friday, 28 February 2025