THE BLUE AND GOLD - Friday, 4 August 2023

Change to the Mobile Phone Rules in Queensland State Schools

On 6 July, Education Minister Grace Grace announced mobile phones and certain wearable electronic devices like smartwatches will be banned at all Queensland state schools during school hours – including break times - from Term 1, 2024. 

Toowoomba Grammar School already bans mobile telephones in the classroom and has clear guidelines for the boys and staff to follow. However, in light of this recent announcement, especially regarding smart watches, we will be reviewing our policies for 2024 to ensure they are aligned with Education Queensland. Our current guidelines in the Senior School Student Handbook state that the following expectations are in place for mobile phone and technology use:

• Should parents wish for boys to bring a mobile phone to school, it is to be secured in the boy’s locker on arrival.
• The phone is permitted to be used only after 3:10pm.
• Urgent messages to boys and to parents can be directed to Student Services for distribution.
• Boarders have no need for mobile phones at school and are expected to keep these secure in the Boarding House.
• Laptops are not permitted to be used before school or during breaks, unless in the library. Boys wishing to use technology for work are permitted to do so in the library.

As mobile telephone usage for teenagers is a significant topic, I include below articles that you might find interesting or helpful.

SPECIAL REPORT: Mobile Phone Separation Anxiety | Toowoomba Grammar School (schooltv.me)

The Case for Phone-Free Schools - by Jon Haidt (substack.com)

If you are struggling with your son’s use of his mobile phone or technology in general, we encourage you to review the parent controls that are available to you on your home Wi-Fi, devices and telephones. The e-Safety commissioner offers advice to parents on this through their website: Parental controls | How to keep your child safe (esafety.gov.au).

Please be aware that if your son’s online activity breaches our Behaviour Management Policy, the School may issue consequences in line with the policy. Policies & Procedures - Toowoomba Grammar School (twgs.qld.edu.au)

Further to the discussion regarding technology use, I remind all families that school supplied laptops are to be used for schoolwork and not for gaming. We have software on each boy's laptop that monitors his use and access to any dangerous or inappropriate content. However, there are always new websites created that are not appropriate for our teens. If you do discover that your son is able to access inappropriate content on his laptop, please contact our IT Helpdesk at ithelpdesk@twgs.qld.edu.au.

Recent Guest Speakers

Adair Donaldson

Mr Adair Donaldson addressed our Year 10 students in Week 2 regarding the legal dangers of mobile telephone use. His powerful address highlighted to the boys just where and how their use of social media can land them in trouble with the law. Adair is the creator of the acclaimed preventative law resource Putting Youth in the Picture, and the more recent Fall Out resource. Adair will be presenting to our Year 12 students in Term 4 to work with them on the legal consequences of alcohol abuse, sexual assault, consent, illicit drugs, violence, social media and the illegal use of technology prior to completing their journey at TGS.

Tomorrow Man

During Week 2, a group of educators from Tomorrow Man presented small group workshops to our Year 12 students. The initial feedback from students stated this was one of the most significant workshops they had done in relation to developing positive masculinities. Whilst men in my generation and older have favoured stoicism and “keeping it all together” in the past, Tomorrow Man aims to encourage our boys to show a positive range of emotions to support their wellbeing.

Paul Dillon

Mr Paul Dillon presented to all boys in Years 10, 11 and 12 during Week 1 of the term. Paul is the founder of Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia (DARTA) and aims to provide education and training expertise as well as high quality research assistance about a wide range of alcohol and other drug issues. Paul is passionate about ensuring the community has access to accurate and up-to-date information about alcohol and other drugs and provided our boys with a range of appropriate strategies for helping their friends if affected by alcohol or other drugs.

Brainstorm Productions

This award-winning show was viewed by our Year 11 students in Week 3. It shines a light on issues such as cyber-bullying, harassment, image-based abuse and coercive control. It provides practical strategies for emotion regulation, assertiveness, conflict resolution, resilience, help-seeking and breaking the cycle of violence.

During the show, two energetic performers explored how negative patterns of behaviours can develop through modelling from peers, family, social media and video games. They demonstrated the role of the fight or flight response and how this energy can be channelled into positive pursuits.

Year 12 References

Parents of Year 12 boys will have received an email from me at the end of last term regarding school references. Should any of these students require a reference for university, work or accommodation application, they must email their Head of House by the end of this week, requesting a reference.

Year 10 Subject Selection

Over the last month the Careers Department have been conducting the Year 10 Career Plan interviews. This has been an informative and rewarding experience for the boys, their parents and all staff involved. A reminder that Year 11 Subject Selection needs to be submitted to the boys’ Head of House by 4 August and finally to Dr Young’s office by 8 August. Instructions for this process have been given to all Year 10 students. If there are any questions about this process or subject selection, please contact the Careers Department.

Year 12 QTAC Application

The Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre (QTAC) is now open for our Year 12 students, and most will start this application process during our Careers classes. We are hosting an information evening for Year 12 parents and students on Tuesday, 8 August at 5:30pm. An invitation has been sent to all parents and we hope to see you there.

It is important that boys are aware of additional entry requirements and/or early closing dates for some courses. QTAC will email students requesting additional information, if required, once the application has been lodged. The boys are reminded to check their personal email accounts including their junk mail for correspondence from QTAC that will need to be actioned. Interstate applications are also now open for Queensland students.

University scholarships are beginning to open, and I encourage all boys considering university to check individual university websites for information. Early entry applications to some universities are also available and information about these can be found on the TGS Careers Website .

If you would like further information or assistance with anything related to tertiary applications or pathway planning, please don’t hesitate to email me at a.richters@twgs.qld.edu.au . It is certainly an exciting time for our Year 12 students and we look forward to seeing you at the Tertiary Information Evening on Tuesday 8 August.

Kind regards

Anthea Richters
Head of Careers

Grammar Downlands Day is one of the biggest events on the Toowoomba social calendar, behind only the Carnival of Flowers. The event dates back to 1931, with the introduction of the 1st XV match, the highly sought after O'Callaghan Cup in 1950.

Hundreds of Old Boys from both schools return to cheer on their respective teams. There's history, tradition and friendly rivalry unlike any other occasion in Toowoomba, with over 6,000 people usually attending the feature game - the O'Callaghan Cup.

This year, Grammar Downlands day will be held at TGS on Saturday, 19 August and we are excited to launch a new webpage to assist families and visitors with information.

You can find relevant information about the day as it's released, along with the history and statistics of this popular event here https://bit.ly/3OD9WxZ

We look forward to sharing this exciting day with our TGS community. Go the Blue and Gold!

As a community dedicated to the growth and well-being of our teenage boys, it is essential to address the complexities of emotions we experience during adolescence. Among these emotions, anger stands out as a powerful and intense feeling that can influence their behaviour, relationships and overall wellbeing. Untreated anger can lead to a myriad of problems and challenges for our young boys. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the dangers of untreated anger, ways to support healthy anger management, common cognitive distortions teenagers use to justify anger, and the valuable support our parents, teachers and sometimes school counsellors can offer through Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

Anger is a strong emotion that can lead to problems:

Unaddressed and unmanaged anger can have significant consequences for our teenage boys, impacting various aspects of their lives. Some of the dangers of untreated anger include:

Strained Relationships: Frequent outbursts of anger can strain relationships with family, friends, and peers. It may lead to feelings of isolation and social withdrawal.

Academic Decline: Intense anger can significantly impact a teenager's academic performance, leading to a decline in concentration, increased absences, school refusal and feelings of resentment; ultimately resulting in decreased motivation to excel in school.

Emotional and Physical Health Issues: Chronic anger can take a toll on emotional and physical wellbeing, leading to increased stress levels, weakened immune systems and other health problems.

Impulse Control and Risky Behaviour: Unmanaged anger can impair impulse control, leading to impulsive and potentially harmful actions or risky behaviour, such traffic accidents and substance abuse.

Ways to Support Healthy Anger Management:

As a supportive School community, we can play an integral role in helping our teenage boys understand and manage their anger in healthy ways, such as:

Model Healthy Anger Management: As adults and role models, it is essential to demonstrate healthy anger management techniques by practicing assertive communication and resolving conflicts constructively.

Using "I" Statements: Instead of blaming or accusing, use "I" statements to express feelings and concerns. For example, "I felt hurt when you cancelled our plans without notice" rather than "You always ruin our plans by cancelling at the last minute!"

Active Listening: When conflicts arise, actively listen to the other person's perspective without interrupting or becoming defensive. For instance, saying, "I hear what you're saying, and I understand why you feel that way" can help deescalate a situation.

Taking a Time-Out: If emotions are running high, it's okay to take a brief time-out to calm down before continuing the discussion. You can say, "I need some time to cool off. Let's talk about this later when we both feel calmer."

Apologising and Accepting Responsibility: If you have made a mistake or contributed to the conflict, be willing to apologise and take responsibility. For instance, "I'm sorry for raising my voice. I should have expressed my feelings more calmly."

Avoiding Name-Calling and Insults: Refrain from using hurtful language or insults during disagreements. Instead, focus on the specific issue at hand.

Problem-Solving Together: Collaborate on finding solutions that work for both parties involved. For example, "We need to talk. Let's find a way that addresses both our needs and concerns."

Role modelling healthy anger management techniques, such as using "I" statements, active listening, and collaborative problem-solving, can create a supportive environment for teenagers to learn from. While these strategies may seem simple, implementing them under pressure with heightened emotions can be challenging. Practicing these techniques beforehand, perhaps in front of a mirror or with your partner, can help us, as adults, build the confidence and consistency needed to effectively model positive anger management for teenagers. As a father of four young children under seven years old, with the fifth baby due in December, I'm practicing daily.

Common Cognitive Distortions that Justify Anger:

Teenagers, like adults, may use cognitive distortions to justify their anger. These distortions are thought patterns that can lead to irrational beliefs or unhelpful thinking. Some common cognitive distortions among teenagers include:

Personalisation: Blaming adults for their frustrations and difficulties can further exacerbate their feelings of powerlessness and anger towards authority figures. Blaming themselves for things that are beyond their control, leading to heightened anger.

Catastrophising: Exaggerating the significance of a situation, making it appear worse than it is, and consequently fuelling anger.

Mind Reading: Assuming they know what others are thinking, often leading to misinterpretation and increased anger.

All-or-Nothing Thinking: Viewing situations in extreme terms, such as "everything is terrible," leading to frustration and anger.

Overgeneralisation: Making sweeping negative conclusions based on a single event, contributing to feelings of anger and hopelessness.

The Role of the School Counsellor and Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT):

At Toowoomba Grammar School, we are fortunate to offer school counselling to help address emotional challenges, including anger management. We usually offer support through Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), as an evidence-based therapeutic approach that helps students work through their difficulties with anger.

CBT involves:

Identifying Triggers: CBT helps teenage boys recognise specific triggers that lead to anger, enabling them to develop appropriate responses.

Challenging Cognitive Distortions: Through CBT, students learn to challenge and reframe negative thought patterns that contribute to anger, fostering healthier thinking.

Developing Coping Strategies: Our School counsellor guides students in developing effective coping strategies to manage anger, such as relaxation techniques and problem-solving skills.

Role-Playing and Social Skills Training: CBT sessions may involve role-playing scenarios to practice assertive communication and conflict resolution, enhancing interpersonal skills.

Doing nothing, distraction and breathing

While active strategies such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and stress management techniques can be effective in reducing anger, there are also some simple yet helpful techniques that we can use to help our teenage boys cope with anger:

Doing nothing: Sometimes, taking a moment to pause and do nothing can be beneficial when you feel overwhelmed by anger. This technique is often referred to as "taking a time-out." It involves stepping away from the situation or stimulus that triggered your anger and giving yourself some space to calm down. During this time, try to focus on your breathing or engage in a neutral or calming activity until you feel more composed.

Distraction: Engaging in activities that divert your attention away from anger can help reduce its intensity. It could be anything that captures your interest or brings you joy, such as listening to music, reading a book, going for a walk, or participating in a hobby. By redirecting your attention to something positive or neutral, you allow yourself to shift away from the anger-triggering thoughts or situations.

Breathing exercises: Deep breathing exercises are a well-known and effective technique for managing anger and promoting relaxation. By focusing on slow, deep breaths, you activate the body's relaxation response and help regulate your emotions. One simple technique is diaphragmatic breathing, where you breathe in deeply through your nose, allowing your abdomen to rise and then breathe out slowly through your mouth. Repeat this several times until you start to feel a sense of calm.

Accessing School Counselling Services:

As School counsellors we provide individual counselling sessions tailored to the specific needs of each student. These confidential sessions allow teenage boys to discuss their struggles with anger and explore the best ways to cope with their emotions in a safe and supportive environment.

Understanding and nurturing our teenage boys' relationship with anger is paramount to their emotional growth and well-being. By recognising the dangers of untreated anger and offering support through open communication, emotional intelligence, mindfulness techniques and physical outlets, we can empower our young boys to manage their anger constructively. Moreover, the role of our parents, teachers, school counsellor and Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) cannot be overstated, as these resources provide invaluable assistance in addressing anger-related difficulties.

As a community, let us come together to foster an environment where emotional well-being thrives, enabling our teenage boys to grow into emotionally resilient and well-adjusted young men. If you believe your teenage boy could benefit from the support of our School counsellor or CBT sessions, please do not hesitate to reach out. Together, we can make a difference in their lives and ensure their emotional growth and success.

Lyle Gothmann
TGS Counsellor

Telephone: (07) 46872 627

Email: L.Gothmann@twgs.qld.edu.au

Bibliography:

Durlak, J. A., Weissberg, R. P., Dymnicki, A. B., Taylor, R. D., & Schellinger, K. B. (2011). The impact of enhancing students' social and emotional learning: A meta-analysis of school-based universal interventions. Child development, 82(1), 405-432.

Eisenberg, N., Cumberland, A., & Spinrad, T. L. (1998). Parental socialization of emotion. Psychological Inquiry, 9(4), 241-273.

Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. Bantam Books.

Hart, C. H., Newell, L. D., & Olsen, S. F. (2003). Parenting skills and social-communicative competence in childhood. New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development, 100, 53-69.

Raver, C. C., Garner, P. W., & Smith-Donald, R. (2007). The roles of emotion regulation and emotion knowledge for children's academic readiness: Are the links causal? In R. C.

I am currently reading A Court of Wings and Fury - a fantasy novel recommended by my daughter (The sequel to A Court of Thorns and Roses), a series she is reading - and over the break I read To Kill a Mockingbird which is a classic novel. Both had me glued to the book, turning page after page until I was done a short time later. Very different genres, very different authors, yet both were highly engaging.

I think this is what led to me considering this question, and while there are many things that contribute to my love of reading, I attribute this to just one thing: books provide a visceral experience, in a way that movies and games do not.

I've watched many great movies, I've been moved by performances, I've wanted to know what happens next, but this is a very passive sort of engagement.

Video games (not the throwaway twitch experience of Fortnite, but those with a considered story - Bioshock, Knights of the Old Republic for example) let you control the narrative and the experience. While the storytelling can draw you in, and it is a unique method for engaging with a story, much of the experience is presented to you, so these genres still pale in comparison to the written word.

Turning the pages of a book, ingesting the words as they flow through your mind and imagination, takes the story beyond simply being words on a page. Being prompted by each new sentence with images and ideas that you can paint in your mind is an experience like no other. Even two people reading the same book can escape to their own version of that world. Seeing the world of the novel through the eyes and experiences of the protagonist, their thoughts and emotions laid bare alongside your own, dare you to become as emotionally invested in the events as they are. I have never loved, nor hated characters so much as those from books.

I, like so many others, cheered on Elizabeth Bennett as she broke the traditions of her period, and willed her and Mr Darcy to just get over themselves and realise they were meant to be. Alternately, the Joffrey Baratheon of the books makes his television counterpart seem like a sweet child - I hated him, waiting for justice page after page, then hated him more and more as it failed to come!

Books provide us with visceral, living encounters in a way that other forms of storytelling cannot - a unique experience that draws me, heart and soul, into their world. For that, I will always love books.

Dan Crook
Head of Library and Information Services

I had a conversation recently with a parent who very proudly shared that their son had earned a Cum Laude for high academic achievement at last week's Senior School assembly, “…he’s never received a Cum Laude before, he’s always worked hard but never quite scored high enough to receive one. It was lovely for him after all the effort he’s put in over the years.” It was wonderful to hear the equal measure of pride and joy in this parent's voice.

In recent weeks, both Junior and Senior Schools have held respective assemblies to acknowledge and celebrate academic achievement, endeavour and application to studies from Semester 1. The Junior School acknowledging academic endeavour and application, the Senior School academic achievement. My conversation with the parent noted above was not an isolated one; in fact, I have lost count of how many similar responses I have had with a range of families over the past fortnight. It was affirming to hear from families that their sons had clearly developed routines of applied effort towards their studies over time that have enabled them to achieve well. I feel this is a core message that we advocate for and celebrate in our Junior School setting well. Our assembly recognises the value of endeavour and application towards learning. Building routines of setting goals, working towards them with applied effort and valuing incremental progress along the way.

Schools are wonderful at promoting so many different aspects in the lives of students, we celebrate sporting and music endeavours, arts, character and a myriad of special interests that help shape our young people as they grow and develop. At our core, we are a place of education and learning. It was wonderful to celebrate the academic endeavours and application of our boys from Prep to Year 6, where their consistent approach across all subject areas was recognised by the Headmaster and their families.

We also celebrated exceptional writing from the Junior School Writers' Competition at this assembly. In Term 2, all students wrote a piece in a particular text type (narrative, persuasive, poetry, report) relevant to what their cohort was focusing on, which was judged in the first instance by their cohort teachers then finally by Mrs Bauer – Deputy Head of Junior School Teaching and Learning. Mrs Bauer shares in her article this week about the programs and approaches we use to develop specific writing skills with our students. We value writing tremendously, it is a core skill in our communication and to convey our thinking. The process of writing helps to clarify our thought processes and, done well, deepen our understanding. There is also the pleasure of writing in itself, to enjoy what we are writing about or delight an audience. We as readers have enjoyed the benefits of exceptional writing since our youngest moments when an adult was reading us an engaging story. Spelling, reading, writing, speaking and listening, they are all components of literacy learning that complement each other, and core to our development. I have been amazed at the power and potential impact of recent Artificial Intelligence (AI) software that has emerged this year with language, and I know there is still much to consider in how this is utilised in our schools, our workplaces and so on… I won’t weigh-in on the conversations here other than to say we are entering an exciting period of time that promises to have many more developments in the years ahead. I’m confident we will ultimately use AI to empower our learning, writing specifically, however the learning of core elements of writing should remain and be valued. Understanding the composition of writing and ‘the writing process’ in thinking and refining a thought will continue to be an important component of the learning process. In a Junior School setting we see the value of writing each day, and the discoveries of learning and communicating through writing are wonderful for students, which we celebrate.

Lastly, its been a busy period for our musicians and sportspeople, who are typically the same boys balancing many co-curricular activities in their lives. The instrumental Eisteddfod program over the past fortnight has been a wonderful showcase of musical talent. Mrs Dixon, Head of Junior School Music will share further in her article this week but I wanted to offer my immense congratulations to all boys and families involved. Learning an instrument, rehearsing and performing require great devotion of time and effort. I have no doubt they also find this pursuit rewarding, but the effort in all parts does not go unnoticed. So too for the sports program, Term 3 sports for GPS is well underway now and seasonal sport in Toowoomba for the Preps to Year 4 students moving into the final stages shortly. Chess too has been busy with weekly GPS competitions, it’s a full schedule indeed! My sincere best wishes to all students for their co-curricular endeavours for the weeks ahead. Our Preps too have passed an important milestone, 100 days in Prep. They celebrated in style dressing up in their best vintage attire, playing and celebrating as old souls but young at heart. Thank you Prep for keeping the energy and fun at high levels for all of us, we’ll try and keep up.

Warmest regards and appreciation,

Ken

Empowering Young Writers: The Big Write Program and VCOP at Toowoomba Grammar Junior School

At Toowoomba Grammar Junior School, we believe in nurturing effective communication skills and fostering a love for writing from an early age. Big Write - VCOP is a comprehensive program, that is aligned to our goal of empowering our boys to become confident, articulate, and imaginative writers.

The Big Write Program in the Junior School provides a supportive and stimulating environment for students to express their thoughts and ideas through writing. Through regular writing sessions, students are encouraged to explore various genres, from imaginative stories and persuasive essays to informative articles. By honing their writing skills, students develop the ability to communicate effectively, capturing their readers' attention and conveying their messages with clarity and precision.

At the heart of the Big Write Program lies the VCOP approach - Vocabulary, Connectives, Openers, and Punctuation. This comprehensive framework acts as a powerful toolkit for our young writers, equipping them with the tools to elevate their writing to new heights. With a rich vocabulary, an array of connectives, engaging openers, and accurate punctuation, our boys will craft compelling narratives and persuasive arguments, ensuring that their writing leaves a lasting impact on their audience.

We believe that every child has a unique voice, waiting to be unleashed through writing. The Big Write Program fosters a positive writing culture where creativity is celebrated, and self-expression is encouraged. Our dedicated team of teachers provide constructive feedback and individualised support to help each student grow as a writer. Through peer collaboration and sharing work, our students will also develop the invaluable skill of giving and receiving feedback, further enhancing their writing prowess.

The Big Write Program with VCOP marks a significant step in nurturing a generation of confident and skilled writers at Toowoomba Grammar School -Junior School. We are enthusiastic about the impact this program will continue have on our students' communication skills and their ability to express themselves with clarity and creativity.

Chantelle Bauer
Deputy Head of Junior School - Teaching and Learning

Theme: Read Grow Inspire

Dates: 19 – 25 August 2023

Book Week Parade
The Book Week Parade will be held Thursday, 24 August, allowing the boys to show off their costumes. The boys will parade around the synthetic grass in their class groups. Parents may stand on the veranda upstairs to watch the boys in the parade. The parade will commence at 8:30am.

Quizzes
Quizzes will occur every day during DEAR. The quizzes will be based on books and what is happening in the book world. Most of the questions will be current and reflect the book world from the last twelve months.

Mates Program
We are scheduled to have a Mates session on Thursday, 24 August. This will start at 2:30pm and will focus on reading.

Picnic Lunch
On Thursday, 24 August, the boys will share a picnic lunch with their friends. The boys are encouraged to bring their favourite 'picnic food', blankets, pillows and anything else to help them enjoy their picnic.

Authors
We have two authors visiting the school. Yvonne Mes will be working with Years 4 to 6, and Lucia Masciullo will be working with Years Prep to 3. Yvonne Mes is an author and illustrator who writes stories for children with curious minds. Last year she worked with our younger students and this year, she will be working with the older boys in the art room on a workshop called “Meet Sidney Nolan”. Lucia is an award-winning illustrator specialising in children’s books. Born in Italy, she moved to Australia in 2007. Lucia has been sharing her passion for drawing and creating illustrations with thousands of children and she regularly presents talks and workshops to students and aspiring illustrators.

Clubs and Ensemble Rehearsals
All clubs and rehearsals are cancelled on Thursday, 24 August.

Michelle Worthington
Teacher-Librarian

Instrumental Concert
On Thursday, 20 July we held an Instrumental Concert in the Senior School Hall. Congratulations to all boys who were involved. Please see below some photos from the evening.

Toowoomba Eisteddfod
Congratulations to all instrumental ensembles performing in the Toowoomba Eisteddfod. Thank you to parents and music tutors for ensuring the boys are prepared for these performances. Results from the eisteddfod will be published in the next newsletter.

Musicians’ Concert – save the date
The Term 3 Musicians’ Concert will be held on Thursday, 30 August, commencing at 2:10pm in the Junior School Assembly Hall. A letter and nomination form will be emailed to all families in Week 5.

Kellie Dixon
Head of Junior School Music

Athletics
The Range Zone athletics carnival will be held on Monday, 7 August, at O’Quinn St Oval. We wish all boys involved the best of luck.

Mini Meets
The boys enjoyed the start to the mini-meet season, finding The Glennie School girls to be tough competition. It is enjoyable to see the interaction between the students of both schools.

Cross Country
Recently, three Junior School boys competed at the State Cross Country Championships. Tom Oliphant, Connor Talbot and Henry Reeves should be congratulated on their fine performances and be very proud of their efforts, finishing in great positions. Henry was fifth and will now represent Queensland at the National titles in Canberra. Well done, Henry.

SEQ Football
A Year 5 and a Year 6 team will represent TGS on Thursday, 10 August in the SEQ Football championships. They will play school teams from around the Darling Downs, with winners progressing to the next round in Brisbane. We wish our boys all the best for this great opportunity.

PE Homework
All boys have been participating in racquet-based skills in PE recently. Try playing some badminton with your son. I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised with his ability and enjoy the time playing together.

Brendan Doherty
Sportsmaster

On Friday, 21 July the Senior School assembly hall was lit up with the sights and sound of our instrumental music ensembles as they capped off their preparations for Part 2 of the Toowoomba Eisteddfod.

The audience was given an advance screening of the eisteddfod sets from the Big Band, Wind Orchestra, String Orchestra, Chamber Strings, Concert/Show Band, RnB Band, RnB Too, Contemporary Woodwind Ensemble, Middle Years Jazz, and String Trio and Quartet.

If the concert was anything to go by then our ensembles are set for success at the Eisteddfod and plenty of amazing music will be played.

Thank you to those of you who came to the show. We are grateful for your continued support. See you at the Eisteddfod!

All the best to our musicians competing in the Toowoomba eisteddfod this week.

Stay tuned for the next newsletter, where we will give a full list of our eisteddfod results. Boys are involved in solos, duets, small ensembles and large groups. There will be plenty of great music. Good luck boys!

Over the weekend, TGS Army Cadet Unit sent five eager young cadets to participate in the 11^th Battalion Leadership and Instructor Course - Corporal. This course equips the cadets with essential skills as they begin to develop as Junior Leaders within the Australian Army Cadets.

Leadership skills are essential in building trust within a team and forming strong connections. These young cadets are now on their way to becoming the leaders of tomorrow and will be presented with their new badges of rank shortly.

Working collaboratively with the Corporal Promotion Course, was the experiential Lance Corporal Course. TGS Army Cadet Unit sent eight cadets with all participants now eligible to be promoted to Lance Corporal. This course equips the cadets with the basics of team management and the duties associated with working with others.

Well done to everyone involved, we are so proud of all your achievements and look forward to presenting you with your new Rank.

The GPS rugby season is well underway, with two home games complete, and two successful post-match functions held. Congratulations to all of our boys playing this season – they have started so well!

We now have two away games at BBC and Churchie, then return home on 19 August for Grammar Downlands Day where we will compete for the O’Callaghan Cup.

Rugby Supporters' Group Membership

Supporters' Group membership is still available, but only by purchasing at the post-match function following our home games. For those who purchased bumper stickers through the Parent Lounge, these are available to collect from the Supporters' Group tent or at the post-match function on home games. Otherwise, our Head of Rugby, Mr David Enfantie will have a bundle in his office for collection.

Post-match Functions

Our next post-match function will be following Grammar Downlands at the Royal Hotel, instead of The Pavilion. Members of the Supporters' Group are welcome to attend. A tab will be on the bar for a set period. Feel free to make a booking for dinner!

Merchandise

We will have the TGS Supporters' shirts and caps available for purchase at Grammar Downlands Day, so come and visit us in the Supporters' Group tent to buy your gear! We will also be selling tickets in the raffle to win a firepit, thanks to The Rusty Pot.

Photos

The Supporters' Group has engaged a photographer to capture our home games for the remainder of the season. These will be available shortly – links will be provided through our social media pages. Thanks to Matt Ryan from MRP Images for providing this service for our families!

Signage

We have new signage around the school, and for those who have attended a home game, you will have noticed our new sponsor banners being displayed alongside the scoreboard on Old Boys' Memorial Oval. The Supporters' Group has also purchased new bunting for along each field. A big thank you to our members and ground staff who assist in setting up the fields for our game days – it is much appreciated!

Sponsors

We wish to acknowledge the generosity of our Rugby Program sponsors. Our sponsors help make it possible to assist the school in delivering the Rugby Program for our boys! Please support our sponsors who support us!

Major Sponsor – Optimise Health

Exhibition Sponsor – Black Truck & Ag & Black RAM

Game Day Sponsors – Chris Buckley Plumbing & Civil, GTH Group, The Rusty Pot, Toowoomba Orthodontists

Blue & Gold Sponsors – A1 Fire & Safety, Equipped Civil & Earthmoving, Hogans Family Jewellers, LDC, Peak Performance Sports Physiotherapy, Ray White Rural Pittsworth, THL Finance Partners, Webster Cavanagh Marsden

If you have any questions regarding the Supporters' Group, please contact one of the executive – Trent Raymond, Ben McNamee, Melissa Buckley or Margaret Lindemann.

Kind regards

Margaret Lindemann

The Year of the 3s Reunion weekend is almost here. Have you secured your tickets?

Don't miss out on this highly anticipated event - catch up with old friends at the many events, enjoy a tour of the School and cheer on our boys playing in Grammar Downlands.

We look forward to welcoming you back to TGS.

Interested members of the TGS community are invited to the Art Show AGM.

Committee positions and volunteer roles will be discussed. This is an integral part of the Toowoomba Grammar School fundraising and social calendar and we value input from new members. Please come along and learn more about the very popular Grammar Art Show.

Date: Wednesday, 9 August

Time: 12:30pm

Venue: The Pavilion

All welcome!

Toowoomba Grammar School is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people at the School and is dedicated to protecting them from harm. At TGS, we have zero tolerance for child abuse. Our child protection responsibilities are of the utmost importance to the School and, as such, the School is committed to providing the necessary resources to ensure compliance with all relevant child protection laws and regulations and to maintain a safe and supportive School environment for all children and young people.

As part of our commitment to child protection, safety and wellbeing, Toowoomba Grammar School has appointed a number of Child Protection Contact Officers as honest, mature, ethical and experienced members of the School community who can handle sensitive issues relating to child protection and safety. Our Child Protection Contact Officers are available to report any concerns or answer any questions that you may have with respect to the School's Child Protection Program.

The Child Protection Contact Officers are:

John Kinniburgh – Headmaster
John Anderson – Deputy Headmaster
Mark Oliphant – Head of Senior School
Ken Raven – Head of Junior School
Nick Byron - Director of Boarding
Lyle Gothmann - School Counsellor

Read more about the School's Child Protection Policy and Child and Risk Management Strategy on the TGS website: Policies & Procedures - Toowoomba Grammar School (twgs.qld.edu.au)

A reminder to all our families about our excellent resource for parents: SchoolTV

This resource covers a range of topics presented by experts in their field including Cybersafety, Mental Health, Wellbeing, School Survival and Positive Parenting.

SchoolTV is regularly updated with new articles and videos and provides insightful information and handy tips for parents.

Click here to check it out

You can also access SchoolTV via 'Links' at the very bottom of our TGS app.

We are excited to be part of AgQuip at Gunnedah from Tuesday, 22 to Thursday, 24 August.

Come and meet some of our staff and learn about the opportunities Toowoomba Grammar School can offer your son as we help him develop into a man of good character.

Join us at the Pig and Tinderbox, Tamworth from 4pm to 6pm for refreshments and a chat.

Please register your interest for this event here to assist with catering https://bit.ly/3KWDFkU

We look forward to catching up with current, past and prospective families and TGS Old Boys.

TGS on Tour continues in Term 3 and we are excited to be coming to a town near you.

This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy refreshment and an informal chat with current, past and prospective families and Old Boys.

If you know someone who is considering boarding for their son, please invite them along to meet our key staff and learn more about TGS.

Please see dates below. Register your attendance here https://bit.ly/442ersn. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Is your son currently in Prep or due to start in 2024 or 2025?

We are excited to invite him to Toowoomba Grammar School's Prep Come and Play on Saturday, 5 August from 9:00am to 10:30am.

Come and meet our warm and nurturing Prep teachers, along with key staff from TGS, explore our beautiful facilities and enjoy a sneak peek at how the years ahead could look for your little boy as we help to ignite his love of learning.

Register here https://bit.ly/40iZgZ9

Have a sneak peek here https://youtu.be/6iRh27mgScU

We encourage you to invite family or friends who are considering a TGS education for their son to attend our Grammar Boy for a Day on Friday, 11 August for Year 7 students and Tuesday, 15 August for Prep to Year 6 students.

Come and meet key staff, tour our beautiful campus and their son can join his relevant year level and be a Grammar Boy for a Day experiencing the wonderful academic, sporting and cultural opportunities available.

Limited places available - register now http://bit.ly/3wPPDFy. We look forward to seeing you soon.

A lack of motivation and too many distractions are some of the biggest challenges that teenagers face when it comes to study. How do we change their mindset, help them focus and use their study time effectively?
Here's some tips from TGS Director of Studies, Dr Alison Young to assist frustrated parents. https://bit.ly/3Ql3nCn

A Toowoomba Grammar School educator is assisting researchers worldwide with research projects to help refine teaching practices and develop better learning outcomes, and it's having a direct and positive impact on TGS students. Discover how here https://lnkd.in/eRqX59rt