From the Headmaster
It is my pleasure to welcome all boys and families back to the start of Term 3. It is my hope that all our families have had a good break and feel refreshed. Holidays are a time of renewal and provide a chance to disconnect from the regular routine of the term. It's always invigorating to return to School with fresh perspectives and eagerness to embrace the challenges and opportunities this new term presents. The start of a new term brings promise, hopes and aspiration and I wish all members of the School community the very best in this regard.
It's remarkable to think that we've already crossed the halfway point of the year, and preparations are well underway for various year-end events. This term holds special significance for our Year 12 students, who are approaching the final stretch of their academic journey. Our collective support is with our senior students, and we wish them well as they concentrate on the remaining assessments and mock exams scheduled later this term.
During the break, numerous School-related activities took place, involving both students and staff. Among these were several training camps for basketball, rugby and chess. These camps were followed by fixtures that offered our students the chance to participate in final trial matches before the onset of the GPS season.
As the new season approaches, we extend our best wishes to all our students participating in our co-curricular program. Last Saturday saw us travel away to Brisbane State High School with various other fixtures held at Ipswich Grammar School’s playing fields. There were many excellent performances and it was pleasing to see our First Basketball teams come away victorious. Whilst our First Chess and Rugby teams were unsuccessful, they fought hard and are keen to bounce back this weekend when we host the Ipswich Grammar School community. Best wishes to all teams and competitors this weekend.
Community Expectations at Sport and Activities
As we approach our first home game, I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the high standards of conduct we uphold in accordance with the School's policies and the GPS. It is understandable that we all want the best for our children, but we must remember that games are for enjoyment and not driven solely by an appetite for success. While success is desirable, it is equally important to appreciate and value the process of learning that occurs when we are unsuccessful. Even at the highest levels of professional sport, mistakes are made. We are a school that values growth, learning and sportsmanship at all times.
Additionally, we extend our gratitude to our coaches, volunteers and referees, whose support is essential for these games to occur. I also encourage parents to conduct themselves with respect and consideration toward one another. Your ongoing support in fostering a positive and respectful environment for all is greatly appreciated. Together we can ensure that our community remains united and supportive, both on and off the field.
International Boys’ Schools Coalition Conference – Harrow School, UK
"Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in, except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy."
These powerful words come from one of Winston Churchill’s most famous speeches, delivered on October 29, 1941, at Harrow School in London. This speech, renowned for the phrase "never give in," emphasises perseverance and resilience and stands as one of Churchill’s most memorable and inspiring addresses.
During the break, I had the privilege of attending the 2024 International Boys’ Schools Coalition Annual Conference, hosted by Harrow School - a place I know well from my time at Wellington College. It was a privilege to listen to extraordinary keynote addresses in Harrow’s famous Speech Room, where Churchill once delivered his iconic speech.
Harrow School, with its over 450 years of history, is iconically British and remains one of the world’s leading boys’ schools. Joining me were Luke Rawle (Head of Teacher Development) and Henry White (Head of Corfe House). We all enjoyed connecting with other educational leaders from boys’ schools worldwide. It was wonderful to network, engage in discussions, socialise, reconnect, and discuss all things related to boys' education.
The IBSC, an international coalition of boys’ schools established in 1994, began as a forum to discuss the pressures on single-sex boys’ schools to move to coeducation. The first discussion was held at Belmont Hill in Boston, which will also be the venue for next year’s event.
The themes of this year’s conference were Tradition, Leadership and Innovation.
Tradition - British schools' rich history and traditions were palpable at Harrow. The conference reinforced that tradition, when upheld well, can forge strong bonds within our schools through positive rituals, rites of passage, nostalgia and shared experiences. The importance of balancing the preservation of valuable traditions with contemporary challenges was underscored. While traditions offer stability and continuity, they must evolve to stay relevant.
Leadership - The best leaders in our schools serve others, a key theme at the conference. Boys experience many leadership opportunities through classroom examples, co-curricular activities, and positions of responsibility. The conference emphasised the need for leaders who contribute positively and generously to society, especially against the backdrop of the UK’s general election. Plenaries and workshops highlighted leadership education, focusing on guiding, motivating and challenging students to reach their full potential with integrity and empathy.
Innovation - Tradition must evolve, and leaders must innovate. Since the IBSC conference in New Zealand last year, AI and machine learning have risen, continuing to influence education. Our boys and we must remain agile in the face of significant change amidst political and societal unrest in some regions. It was inspiring to see educators from diverse backgrounds embracing new technologies and methodologies to enhance teaching practices. Sessions on innovation provided practical insights into integrating new approaches to foster creativity and critical thinking in students. The conference highlighted that innovation is about re-thinking and improving pedagogical approaches, not just adopting the latest tools.
The plenaries were exceptional, featuring presentations from:
- Jaz Ampaw-Farr on Teachers as Everyday Heroes.
- Ben Fogle on preparing our boys to lead lives of exploration.
- Paul Brunson on relationships and contemporary notions of love and partnerships.
- Ben Walden on leadership through Shakespeare’s Henry V.
- Nigel Owens on Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in Boys’ Schools—an extraordinary presentation.
It was a privilege to attend this year’s conference, which offered invaluable insights into tradition, leadership and innovation in boys' education.
Luke Rawle and Henry White
It was a pleasure to attend this event with Luke Rawle and Henry White, both of whom are actively involved in the IBSC’s Action Research Program. Since 2005, the IBSC Action Research Program has promoted collaboration among educators in member schools worldwide. Each year research teams complete projects and report their findings at the IBSC Annual Conference. Over 545 researchers have participated in the program. Projects over the last year have focused on the theme Balanced Boys: Promoting Healthy Masculinity Beyond the Classroom. Luke Rawle is one of the Team advisors and a central figure who leads the research work of those individuals undertaking the projects. Henry White is also commencing his action research project, which investigates how effectively a wellness-based curriculum impacts self-disclosure amongst Year 7 boarders in Corfe. We are delighted to have Luke and Henry so actively involved in the IBSC.
Old Boys Reunion - London
Whilst in the UK for the conference, I was delighted to be able to host an Old Boys reunion at the Bloomsbury Hotel in Central London. This event provided a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with our alumni community.
The gathering was a heartwarming occasion, attended by Old Boys from diverse ages and backgrounds. It was truly inspiring to witness the strong bonds and connections that have endured over the years, transcending the time they spent at Grammar together. Their shared experiences and memories of the School, their Houses and the teachers who left a lasting impact on them were the centrepiece of many conversations.
What resonated with me the most was their unwavering interest in the current happenings at TGS. Although their time as students has passed, their connection to the School and their peers remains as strong as ever, sustained by the friendships they forged during their time here.
In my address to the current students at the beginning of term assembly, I emphasised the value of these friendships, saying, "Enjoy your time while you are here. The friendships you make will be long-lasting and perhaps in years to come, you too will attend an event to reconnect with the School or with your mates."
The enthusiasm expressed by our alumni for more such reunions is a testament to the importance of these events. They not only serve as a platform for rekindling old friendships but also reinforce the lifelong connection to our beloved School.
Dr John Kinniburgh
Headmaster
