THE BLUE AND GOLD - Friday, 4 September 2026

Dear TGS Families,

This weekend, many families will come together to celebrate Father's Day. It is an opportunity not only to thank fathers, grandfathers and father figures for their love and support, but also to reflect on the important role they play in shaping the lives of young people.

One of the great privileges of working in a boys' school is seeing firsthand the influence that positive role models have on the lives of young people. This was evident at this morning's Junior School Father's Day Breakfast, where Mr Ken Raven spoke about the significant role fathers and father figures play in the lives of boys. It was also a pleasure to hear from Year 6 teacher Mr Alastair Bain, a father of two Old Boys, who shared his reflections on both fatherhood and teaching and the profound difference that fathers can make in the lives of their sons.

At Toowoomba Grammar School, we are fortunate that our boys are surrounded by outstanding role models. Teachers, coaches, boarding staff and support staff all contribute to the growth and development of our students. Through their care, example and encouragement, they help boys develop character, resilience, kindness and a sense of responsibility. The relationships formed during a boy's school years often leave a lasting impression and can influence the course of his life long after he leaves the School.

As I reflect on this theme, I am particularly mindful of two staff members who will conclude their service to TGS at the end of this year. Lance Treloar, who first joined the School as a Rugby Coach in 1998 before joining the Senior School teaching staff in 2001, has influenced generations of Grammar boys through his work in the classroom, in our boarding houses and on the sporting field. Similarly, Ken Raven, our Head of Junior School, has led with integrity, humility and care, ensuring that boys in our Junior School are known, supported and encouraged to flourish.

While their careers at TGS have taken different paths, both men have exemplified the profound difference that dedicated teachers and mentors can make in the lives of young people. Their contribution extends well beyond academic outcomes and achievements. Like so many staff who have served this School with distinction, they have helped shape the values, habits and character of the boys entrusted to their care.

Schools are at their best when they work in partnership with families, and we are fortunate to have so many parents and staff who share a commitment to helping young people grow into capable, compassionate and responsible men.

On behalf of the School community, I thank all fathers, grandfathers and father figures for the contribution they make to the lives of our boys. I also acknowledge the many staff who serve as mentors and role models every day. I hope you enjoy a wonderful Father's Day with your families and know that your influence is appreciated and valued.

Kind regards,

Dr John C Kinniburgh
Headmaster

Reflections on the importance of positive male role models and the part schools play in helping boys build healthy relationships and strong character.

In a world where boys are exposed to countless influences through social media, popular culture and online personalities, the importance of positive male role models has never been greater. Fathers, grandfathers, coaches, teachers, mentors and community leaders all play a critical role in shaping how young men view themselves, their relationships and their responsibilities to others.

Research consistently highlights that boys thrive when they have trusted adults who model integrity, empathy, respect and accountability. Positive male role models help boys develop confidence, resilience and emotional literacy while providing guidance through the challenges of adolescence. For many young men, these relationships create a foundation from which they can build character, navigate setbacks and develop a strong sense of identity.

At Toowoomba Grammar School, character development and wellbeing are viewed as essential components of a quality education. The School's pastoral approach recognises that while character can be taught, much of it is also "caught" through the daily examples set by the men and women who invest in the lives of students. The School's Care and Wellbeing framework places a strong emphasis on belonging, positive relationships and authentic connection, supported by evidence-based programs and student wellbeing data. The School's partnership with STEER Global Education provides valuable insight into how boys think, connect and navigate the world around them, enabling staff to proactively respond to student needs and strengthen each boy's sense of belonging.

A significant part of this work has involved engaging nationally respected speakers and organisations that challenge traditional stereotypes and encourage healthy expressions of masculinity. Programs delivered by Tomorrow Man have provided opportunities for boys to explore what positive masculinity looks like in today's society. Through open and honest conversations, students are encouraged to challenge harmful stereotypes, build emotional resilience, strengthen social connections and develop a healthy understanding of manhood based on authenticity, respect and accountability.

Similarly, youth advocate Daniel Principe has become a leading voice in championing boys and encouraging them to develop healthy relationships built on empathy, courage and respect. His message challenges young men to reject harmful cultural narratives and instead become positive contributors to their families, friendships and communities. By creating spaces for meaningful conversations, Principe empowers boys to explore their values and develop the confidence needed to stand up for what is right.

Students have also benefited from the work of Glenn Gerreyn, founder of the HopeFULL Institute and creator of the renowned Men of Honour program. Gerreyn's focus on hope, purpose, courage and personal responsibility encourages young people to develop a strong moral compass and recognise their ability to positively influence those around them. His message reinforces the importance of character, resilience and service to others as foundations for a meaningful life.

The impact of these initiatives is reflected in the School's pastoral outcomes. Recent STEER data from Semester 1 indicates measurable growth in student emotional wellbeing, alongside a reduction in the percentage of students reporting feelings of disconnection or a lack of belonging. Importantly, the School continues to perform consistently better than like-for-like school averages in this area. Furthermore, 71% of students participating in targeted action plans reported an improved sense of belonging and connection to school following intervention and support.

These outcomes do not occur by chance. They are the result of strong relationships, intentional mentoring and the dedicated efforts of staff who make student wellbeing a priority every day. Heads of House, Mentors and pastoral staff invest significant time in understanding the individual journeys of their students, ensuring boys are known, supported and challenged to become the best version of themselves.

Recently recognised nationally through an Excellence Award at the Australian Education Awards, Toowoomba Grammar School's pastoral program continues to demonstrate what is possible when schools prioritise connection, character and wellbeing alongside academic achievement.

As fathers celebrate milestones, mentors offer guidance and teachers walk alongside boys throughout their school journey, one truth remains clear: young men become better equipped to thrive when they have positive role models who consistently demonstrate respect, kindness, courage and integrity.

Through the combined efforts of families, staff and influential organisations such as Tomorrow Man, Daniel Principe and Glenn Gerreyn, Toowoomba Grammar School is helping develop a generation of young men who are emotionally aware, socially responsible and ready to contribute positively to their communities.

Michael Hall
Head of Pastoral Care

Tonight, the sounds of jazz, rock, rhythm and blues will fill the Armitage Centre at Toowoomba's Empire Theatre as our students take to the stage for the annual Big Band and R'n'B Band Extravaganza.

For the audience, it promises to be an entertaining evening of live music. For the students performing, however, it represents something much deeper.

Music has a unique ability to bring people together. In a school community, it creates opportunities for students of different ages, backgrounds and year levels to work towards a common goal. Rehearsal rooms become places where friendships are formed, confidence grows and young people begin to develop a stronger sense of belonging.

Importantly, research increasingly supports what music educators see happening in these spaces every day. Studies of young people participating in school and extracurricular music have identified connections between musical participation, positive youth development and school connectedness. Research into ensemble music-making has also highlighted the importance students place on the relationships they develop through music, alongside the musical skills themselves.

This matters because belonging matters.

The Australian Student Wellbeing Framework identifies connection, inclusion and positive relationships as important elements of a healthy school environment. When students feel that they are known, valued and part of their school community, we create stronger foundations for their wellbeing and learning.

Co-curricular music provides one particularly powerful way of building that connection.

At Toowoomba Grammar School, an ensemble asks boys to contribute to something larger than themselves. Success is not determined by any single musician. It relies on listening, trust, commitment, preparation and teamwork. Every player has a responsibility to the person beside him and every contribution matters.

There is something particularly important about this in the education of boys. Australian research into boys and music education has found that musical experiences can contribute to the development of identity, self-esteem and engagement. More recent research examining teenage boys at an Australian boys' school describes music as a powerful resource through which young men can explore who they are, what they value and who they might become.

That is a significant outcome.

Not every boy who joins a band will become a professional musician, nor should that be our measure of success. A boy who learns to perform confidently in front of an audience, persist when something is difficult, accept feedback, rely on others and have others rely on him is developing capabilities that extend well beyond music.

He is also finding another place within his School.

That is where co-curricular programs have the capacity to influence school culture. A strong school community should offer boys multiple ways to belong and multiple opportunities to contribute. For some boys that might be on a sporting field. For others it might be through leadership, service, academics or the arts. For many, it will be a combination of these things.

Music creates one of those communities within our community.

The Big Band Band Extravaganza is therefore one of the highlights of the Performing Arts calendar not simply because of the quality of the music, but because it showcases the community sitting behind every performance. On stage will be students from the Jazz Ensemble, R'n'B Too, Guitar Ensemble, Big Band and Rock Band, performing after countless hours of rehearsal, preparation and collaboration.

This year has also brought another exciting opportunity for our musicians, with R'n'B Too invited to perform at the Glennie Jazz Festival. The invitation is a wonderful acknowledgement of the ensemble's growth and the dedication of the students and staff involved. It also gives our boys the opportunity to perform alongside other young musicians and to see themselves as part of a musical community extending beyond the boundaries of our own School.

Research involving young musicians in regional Australia has similarly highlighted the importance of these opportunities. Connecting with other musicians and participating in larger musical communities can help young people overcome isolation, develop a sense of belonging and strengthen their musical aspirations.

This is why performances such as Friday night's Extravaganza matter.

They are certainly about music. They are about striving for excellence and sharing months of work with an audience. But they are also about connection, identity and belonging.

They are about a Year 7 boy rehearsing alongside a senior student he might otherwise never have met. They are about friendships formed through a shared love of music. They are about learning that individual preparation contributes to collective success. They are about students discovering another place where they are valued and another way they can contribute to the life of their School.

And ultimately, that is how culture is built.

Not through a single concert, ensemble or performance, but through hundreds of shared experiences in which boys discover that they belong, that their contribution matters and that they have something worthwhile to offer others.

Tonight, we will hear the result.

We look forward to welcoming families and friends for what promises to be another memorable celebration of music, community and the boys who bring both to life at Toowoomba Grammar School.

References

Barrett, M. S. and Bond, N. (2015). Connecting through music: The contribution of a music programme to fostering positive youth development. Research Studies in Music Education, 37(1), 37-54.

Education Council. (2018). Australian Student Wellbeing Framework. Education Services Australia.

Goopy, J. (2024). Teenage boys, musical identities, and music education: An Australian narrative inquiry. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/978100...

Hughes, M. (2023). Countering inequality: The role of music opportunities in promoting wellbeing and belonging for young Australian regional classical music students. Australian Journal of Music Education, 55(1), 36-47.

Ilari, B. and Cho, E. (2023). Musical participation and positive youth development in middle school. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 1056542.

Travis Dowling
Director of Performing Arts

Ties That Bind

Junior School boys welcomed their dads and special father figures for the annual Father's Day Breakfast, sharing a meal and presenting hand-decorated ties created especially for the occasion.

Filled with colour, creativity and plenty of smiles, the morning celebrated the important role fathers and father figures play in the lives of our boys.

Learning Through Service

Each Wednesday, Year 10 and 11 boys spend an afternoon at Toowoomba West Special School, supporting students in the classroom and building meaningful connections.

The experience fosters empathy, inclusion and a deeper understanding of the value of service.

A Celebration of Mothers and Sons

Groom House's annual Mother and Son Dinner provided an opportunity for senior boys and their mothers to reflect on the journey they have shared at TGS.

Filled with laughter, gratitude and heartfelt moments, the evening celebrated the support, sacrifice and connection that have shaped their school years.

A night of music and belonging

The Paul Morton Choral Festival brought together young singers from across the region, with our boys enjoying the chance to perform, connect and share their love of music. It's an experience that broadens horizons and strengthens the sense of community that sits at the heart of the arts.

Craftsmanship in the Making

Fourteen boarders are taking part in TGS's inaugural leatherwork course, learning the traditional skills of cutting, shaping and working leather by hand.

Held in the Design, Engineering and Technology Centre, the course is a reminder that patience, precision and craftsmanship remain as valuable as ever.

More Than a Rivalry

The 77th Toowoomba Grammar School-Downlands rugby fixture brought together generations of students, families, staff and Old Boys in a celebration of one of the region's great sporting traditions.

While the O'Callaghan Cup remains at TGS, the day was equally defined by courage, character and sportsmanship across every grade.

From seedling to sauce

Year 7 students have followed the journey from hydroponic basil seedlings to homemade pesto, served over freshly cooked pasta.

Along the way, they explored food production, sustainability and plant science, proving that sometimes the best lessons are the ones you can taste.

The Heart of Boarding

The annual Boarder Mothers' Luncheon celebrates the women whose support, sacrifice and trust help make a Toowoomba Grammar School education possible.

Bringing together mothers, sons and boarding families, the event was a reminder of the strong connections at the heart of our boarding community.

Something Buoyant Is Coming

Year 11 students Edward and Ben are constructing aluminium boats in the Agriculture and Industry Centre, developing hands-on skills in engineering, fabrication and project management.

While the maiden voyage is still some way off, the project is already teaching lessons that will last far beyond the launch.

Checkmate, Again

Toowoomba Grammar School's Junior and Senior Chess teams have once again claimed their respective titles, with the Senior team securing an extraordinary 32nd consecutive Toowoomba Secondary Chess Championship.

The achievement reflects decades of dedication, skill and sportsmanship from generations of Grammar chess players.

For a comprehensive list of our upcoming events, head to the TGS Events Calendar.

Support our boys, buy a ticket in our raffle: https://www.raffletix.com.au?ref=v5wp2

For the boys preparing for the Cambodia Service and Cultural Tour, every raffle ticket sold helps bring the experience one step closer. Funds raised contribute towards building supplies for community development projects, including homes and schools for families living in rural Cambodia.

Along the way, the boys are developing skills in communication, initiative and community engagement while working towards a cause bigger than themselves.

Toowoomba Grammar School is proud to host the Sony Foundation Children's Holiday Camp from 19 to 21 September 2026, marking our 20th year of involvement in this life-changing program.

The camp provides children with disability the opportunity to enjoy a fun, inclusive and memorable weekend, while offering parents and carers valuable respite. Throughout the camp, our Year 11 students serve as companions and carers for campers, supported by volunteer medical staff and teachers.

Over the past two decades, TGS has supported almost 700 children with disabilities through the program. It remains one of the School's most rewarding service initiatives, fostering compassion, inclusion and meaningful community connections.

While our volunteers generously donate their time, the camp relies on fundraising and community support to cover operating costs. We invite members of the TGS community to consider making a donation to help ensure the continued success of the 2026 camp.

Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible and can be made via the Toowoomba Grammar School Sony Foundation Camp Fundraiser.

Thank you for helping us continue this important tradition and support children with disabilities and their families.

Healthy Study Habits

In today's world, where distractions are abundant and the pressure to excel is high, guiding children to develop healthy study habits is more important than ever. As students aspire to achieve academic success, the cornerstone of that achievement lies not just in their intelligence or drive, but in the study habits they cultivate.

It's essential for students to recognise that good study habits aren't merely about spending extra hours hitting the books. It's more about quality over quantity and having a more balanced approach. Emphasising the value of a routine is essential. Consistent study times establish a sense of structure and discipline, turning studying into a natural part of their daily routine rather than a burdensome task.

Additionally, how students approach their study sessions is equally important. Taking regular breaks is a crucial part of this process in maintaining focus and preventing burnout.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes sufficient sleep, a balanced diet, and consistent physical activity are indispensable elements that will significantly impact your child's ability to study effectively. Fostering these healthy habits is one of the most valuable gifts we can offer children, paving the way for a lifetime of learning and achievement.

This Special Report will help you support your young person as they embark on studying for exams.

Here is the link to this topic http://twgs.qld.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-healthy-study-habits-au