On Wednesday, the whole school gathered for the Year 12 Awards Presentation Assembly. This event celebrates the achievements of our Seniors and I was proud to see our Year 12 boarders recognised. The rain meant that tunnel of boys to the School House lawn was a wet, yet poignant, celebration of the conclusion of timetabled lessons for our Year 12s. I would like to acknowledge all of the boarders, particularly our Year 11s who took part in a new event in the dining hall at lunchtime. The event was initiated by Stuart Officer and Alistair McKay and builds upon the symbolism of the Prefects Induction Assembly where the incoming Senior Prefects take the seats of the outgoing trio. I was pleased to witness the Year 11s moving across the dining hall to take their place at the ‘senior’ table and thank the Year 12s for their leadership of the boarding community this year.
The aforementioned Prefects Induction Assembly is a tradition that reaches back into the early history of the School. It is always a special occasion and I congratulate Emmanuel Geu, Brody McInnerney and Edward Webster on this achievement. Further to this, I give my congratulations to Gilbert Tighe, our 2025 Senior Prefect and Rupeni Baravilala, our 2025 Senior Boarding Prefect. In another ‘addition to tradition’ this assembly also recognised the changing of the guard for our House Captains. I congratulate all of our boarding captains on their appointments for 2025 and I look forward to working with these young men throughout the next 12 months.
The boarding program for Term 4 is well underway and I am pleased to report that our weekend activities program is off to a good start. We will once again feature the usual sessions in the gym and the pool. These will be supplemented by some local trips as well as a bigger end of year journey to theme parks on the Gold Coast. Some of our senior boys will also have the opportunity to undertake their boat and jet ski licence qualification as well.
Planning for Grammar 150 is well underway and I have been working with our BPSG to ensure that our 2025 parent events are on suitable dates, as much as possible. In closing, I do want to recommend that parents start considering the end of year travel. As a reminder, all boys should be at School until the conclusion of the House Touch Carnival on Thursday, 28 November.
Nick Byron Director of Boarding
Boarding Back Then
A slice of boarding life in 2014.
A peek into what TGS Boarding was like just ten years ago. Interesting to note the mention of pride in their Houses, partly forged through their involvement in the competition for the Headmaster's Shield. That sense of pride and competitiveness remains just as strong a decade later.
After two shortened weeks, Term 4 is certainly up and running for Boyce House. On the theme of running, the highlight of the term’s opening has been our Mountain Mile house service event. The mile relay format of the event, proposed by Mr Doherty, is exceptionally popular on the Japanese running circuit where an ekiden can often last for several days depending on the distance being covered. Aside from offering an opportunity to have a run around with your mates on a Saturday morning, the Mountain Mile also gave us the chance to raise money for a good cause. If you would like to donate in support of St Vincent de Paul, the bank details below should allow you to do so. Any and all donations are hugely appreciated:
Account Name: SVDP St Thomas More’s BSB: 064-786 Account Number: 100026937 Reference: Student Name
The Boyce bakery has also been in full swing with several birthdays seeing Meg producing brownies at an astounding rate! At the time of writing, we have celebrated Hamish (18), Mitch (15), Chris (16), Charlie (18) and Ben H (16). There has also been a flood of Commendations with Nate (French), Lachlan W (Maths), Alex (History) and Charlie (Japanese) all starting Term 4 with positive recognition from their teachers. This is particularly pleasing after I shared with the boys upon their return that we had accrued the highest number of academic misdemeanours across the senior houses for Term 3. I am hopeful that in the absence of a sporting focus for many boys this term, academic performance is something which we can continue to build upon.
In this vein, congratulations to the following award winners who have been recognised for their diligence:
Pro Summa Diligentia:
Dom
Elijah
Sam P
Chris P
Pro Diligentia:
Stirling
Tom H
Henry
Nate
Hugo
Assemblies during Term 4 include further room for applause. For instance, Keahn’s achievements within the basketball program have been recognised with Honour Colours. Additionally, Full Colours were awarded to Samuel and Elijah and Half Colours to Emmanuel for their accomplishments within this area too. For rugby, Arch C, Myles and Rhymen all received Full Colours in recognition of their efforts this season.
This has been followed by the Prefects' Induction and House Leaders' Announcement Assembly, where Archie B and Hugh were introduced formally to the School community as Boyce House Captain and Vice Captainrespectively. Additionally, Emmanuel took the Prefect Oath as part of the 2025 student leadership cohort.
This event began the farewell process for our Year 12s. On Tuesday of this week, we wished our 2024 Seniors good luck and presented them with tokens of their time in Boyce House before they began the final preparations for their external exams. A final visit to the Burrito Bar last Wednesday was a wonderful way to informally celebrate this group. I continue to be amazed by the capacity the boys hold for chicken wings!
Many of the conversations in house continue to be around holiday activities. From fishing trips to farm work, it certainly seems the boys made the most of their September break. Please do continue to send through any photos you have of the boys enjoying their vacation. I would also like to mention two boys who spent the first part of their holiday supporting the Sony Camp. Cam and Rory’s dedication to such a worthwhile initiative does great credit to them and I would encourage those who will be eligible next year to get involved with this service project.
Boyce House has also been strongly represented during the recent Percentile Cup High School Campdraft. Over three days of competition, the TGS team, including Arch C, Cooper C and Edwin, placed second out of 36 schools. A special mention to Arch, who placed third from all riders during the second competition round. Campdraft is very new to me. As ever, our students have been our best teachers in their explanations of what sounds like a rigorous test of discipline and horsemanship.
Looking ahead, the transition for our Corfe Year 7 boarders will begin on Sunday, 20 October with introductions to our 2025 Seniors over a BBQ and friendly game of touch. These relationships will continue to be strengthened over the next few weeks. As a reminder, Mr Byron has communicated with Year 12 parents regarding the production of family brands for display in boarding houses. We already have our 2024 Seniors plaque and I look forward to hanging this alongside any new brands we may have.
Until the next Boyce Bugle article, I will continue to keep everyone updated on house happenings via WhatsApp. If you have not yet managed to join the Boyce House Updates group, please use this link to do so.
Corfe House
Corfe Courier
A word from Henry White, Head of House
We’re back! It’s amazing to think that we’re now three weeks into the final term of 2024 and beginning to plan the final stages of the academic year. It’s been brilliant having the boys back on deck – they’ve returned with newfound energy and a positive mindset that matches the brighter weather and longer days. I’ve enjoyed listening to the boys’ stories about holiday adventures – the vast majority of which have included fishing and valuable time spent with family and friends. However, most importantly, it’s been lovely to see the boys reconnect with one another. It seems that the holiday that’s just passed, perhaps more than any other holiday this year, was an opportunity for the boys to reflect on the tight-knit community they’ve created in Corfe. Many returned with a genuine interest in each other’s news and stories and an authentic happiness to reconnect with one another. I think the photo below spells it out nicely – they missed their mates and were happy to be back.
An Update on New Initiatives
Weekday Routines
It’s been a busy few weeks since our return and we’ve implemented some positive changes to ensure that our boys are supported and kept busy throughout Term 4. Due to limited organised GPS commitments in Term 4, Corfe boys often find it challenging to stay on track as we close out the year. Restlessness can seep in and when bottled with fatigue, can make for a challenging term. As such, we’re pleased to confirm that we have adopted a new weekday afternoon routine, having successfully piloted this plan in the final weeks of Term 3.
The changes mean that boys will engage with an earlier prep session allowing for more energy and focus, which has opened time for organised evening activities and an optional second prep for those boys who require more time and support.
At a glance, and for your reference, the boys’ weekday schedule is as follows. Please take note, evening phone time is now slightly different to previous terms.
3:10 – Return to Corfe
3:40 – First Prep [Mandatory]
4:40 – Free time [Boys are encouraged to go outside, play touch footy, hang out]
5:30 – Return to Corfe for House Assembly
5:50 – Dinner
6:20 – Showers
6:40 – Phone time
7:15 – Activities Hour
Monday: Second Prep or Quiet Free Time
Tuesday: Second Prep of “Biscuit Club”
Wednesday: Second Prep or Whole House Activity
Thursday: Second Prep or Quiet Free Time
8:15 – Bed Prep
8:30 – Half Lights
8:45 – Full Lights
Positive Behaviour Stages
Throughout the course of the year, we’ve been so impressed by some of the good behaviour we’ve witnessed from our boarders. Whilst not all Corfe boarders have always ‘got it right’, we felt it necessary to engage with a new plan for managing behaviour that celebrates the good stuff, rather than just addressing the bad.
In Week 1, I asked all boys to complete a brief survey outlining what they believe good and bad behaviour looks like in Corfe. They were also asked what they believe should warrant penalty, reward, as well as the types of rewards on offer.
Their responses were insightful and encouraging. By including student voice in the way that we approach and manage behaviour, we’ve guaranteed a commitment from the boys to continue striving to do their best.
The 'stages' are split across four categories - red, orange, blue and green. I encourage you to chat with your son about which stage they are currently located and what they could be doing to move up into green.
Biscuit Club
As a new initiative for Term 4, each Tuesday evening during our scheduled ‘Activities Hour’ (7:15pm to 8:15pm), Corfe Boarders will be escorted to the Dent Library for an hour of guided reading. Upon arrival, boys will be directed to the shelves with the guided support of the librarians to help them borrow.
The goal is to promote healthy reading habits for the boys and to provide a quiet space for them to borrow and enjoy a new book. The title goes without explanation, there are plenty of biscuits on hand for the boys to enjoy should they be reading quietly.
So far, so good! The boys’ reports on Biscuit Club across Weeks 2 and 3 were positive!
Legacy
At the commencement of Term 4, I introduced Corfe boarders to the theme: Legacy.
As such a transient period in a boarders’ larger experience, Corfe House serves a significant, yet brief blip on a much larger radar. Due to this transience, I encouraged the boys to think about their legacy in this house; I asked each of our Year 7s soon to depart Corfe House – “how do you want to be remembered?”.
We also unpacked short-term memory and that the memories they carry on from their time in Corfe will mostly be from Term 4 – the final dinners, the final night in, the final House movie, the final Grand Central trip. As such, they have a very important opportunity to make a mark on their time here, to leave a positive legacy and take away special memories to hold onto.
As part of this legacy, we also outlined the Contribution to Corfe Award, given to the boarder who has contributed most positively to our boarding community. This is a very prestigious award for an allrounder who is consistently kind, courageous, shows integrity, and gives everything and everyone, a fair go.
My boarding team and I look forward to picking the right candidate for the award in 2024 and awarding this to them at out final formal dinner in Week 8.
Pro Diligentia and Pro Summa Diligentia Awards
I’m very proud of the following Corfe boarders who have received Pro Diligentia awards for their sustained effort across their academic classes. I also wish to especially acknowledge Will Marshall who has received a Pro Summa Diligentia Award for outstanding effort and engagement.
Pro-Diligentia:
Hamish Baker
Will Bassingthwaighte
Mitch McMahon
Sid Moloney
Matthew Salter
Pro Summa Diligentia:
Will Marshall
Well done, gentlemen!
Matt Denny Street Parade
On Friday, 4 October, Corfe boarders were treated to a special occasion thanks to Mr Byron’s generous support. Mr Byron kindly escorted Corfe boarders to Allora to cheer on TGS Old Boy (2011-13) and Olympic Bronze Medallist Matt Denny at his hometown street parade.
What a moment to remember!
Year 7 Transition Program
To all Year 7 parents – it’s true – your son will conclude the 2024 Academic Year in their senior house!
On Sunday, 20 October (Week 3), we’re excited to initiate the official Corfe House Year 7 Transition Program, providing a smooth segue into senior boarding to promote positive relationships between Year 7 boarders and their senior boarding houses, assuaging any anxieties that Corfe boarders might have about moving up, or down the hill.
Starting with informal introductions and team-building activities each Sunday evening, the program fosters early relationships between new boarders and senior leaders. Subsequent weeks focus on familiarising Year 7s with their future environment, routines and expectations, while continuing to build connections. The final phase involves a structured move and formal welcome, reducing anxieties and ensuring readiness for the new academic year. This comprehensive approach helps ease the transition, promotes community bonding and prepares both students and staff for the upcoming changes.
The current crop of Corfe Year 7s will begin to move their belongings on Wednesday, 20 and Thursday, 21 November (Week 8), before officially moving out and spending their first night as a senior boarder on Friday, 22 November. All Year 7s will then see out the final week in their senior houses. All current Year 6 boarders will remain in Corfe and assist in the 2025 Year 7 Boarding Orientation sleepover scheduled for Sunday, 24 November.
Groom House
Groom Gazette
From the Head of House, Mr Stearn
Groom Year 12
It has been a wonderful start to the Term in Groom House. The boys have returned to School with an impressive focus and the community seems to be running smoothly. It is times like these that staff feel their hard work is all worth it; when it is clear that boys are developing and maturing and clearly behave in a manner which shows that they are considering the needs of others. It makes Groom House a wonderful place to work, not only because we can see the fruits of our labours, but because it is an enjoyable place to spend our time.
Despite the house being a place of academic productivity it has also been a place of reflection, excitement and sadness as the Year 12 boys begin the exam season and will therefore soon leave TGS. By the time of publication, many of the Year 12 boys will have departed the boarding house - some for good as they have no exams and some just for a mental refresher before returning for their exams. The house is therefore in a state of excited anticipation as it begins its annual transition.
There have been some wonderful events recently to celebrate these boys and this transition; the new 2025 Leaders Assembly, our final Year 12 House Assembly and then the Year 12 Final Assembly on Wednesday. It was wonderful to see a number of our boys on stage.
2025 Leadership
The 2025 Leadership Assembly was a wonderful new event, in which the 2024 House leaders officially handed over to Ed Webster and Braith Neven in front of a packed Assembly Hall of boys and parents. Ed and Braith have already shown why peers and staff selected them as house leaders for 2025, leading the house with confidence and maturity. They have set an excellent example for the rest of their year group over these past few weeks with the manner in which they have begun to manage the house. I look forward to seeing all of the new house leaders making their mark on the house over the coming terms.
House Captain: Edward Webster
House Vice Captain: Braith Neven
House Prefects: Tallen Robinson, James Fitzgerald, Roy Bredhauer.
These Year 11 boys have proven to be an impressive group of young men and I am certain that there will be more promotions from within the ranks over the coming months given the manner in which they are leading.
Awards
At this week's assemblies there have been a number of awards presented to Groom House boys.
Will McDonald was awarded the Armstrong Auto Group/DISCO – Vocational Award. Mrs Rathie tells me that, "The award is given to a Year 12 student each year that has shown outstanding results and commitment to their vocational journey throughout Years 11 and 12. Will was given great feedback from his employer during his work experience, where they didn’t hesitate in offering Will a school-based apprenticeship. His employer commented that Will’s welding skills and work ethic were as good or even better than some of his tradesmen."
Cormac Murphyreceived the award for Groom Boarding House Senior of the Year at the final house assembly. As I discussed with all of the boys, this was a difficult award to choose such has been the impressive way in which all of the Year 12 boys have led the house over the past 12 months. Cormac received this for his modest yet always positive outlook on all that he does. His enthusiasm for representing TGS is infectious and I will always reflect fondly on his Saturday evening tales of his try scoring feats.
We also had two boys receiving TGS Cadets awards at these assemblies:
Will Watson received Cadets half colours
Charlie Chen received ADF Long Tan Award for showing impressive commitment to the Cadets program and selection criteria is based on Leadership, Teamwork, Values, Problem Solving, Resourcefulness, Communication and Community Involvement. According to the ADF website, "The award recognises students who demonstrate leadership and teamwork within both the School and the broader community and who display strong values, such as doing one’s best, respect for others and “mateship” - values considered integral to both the ADF and Australian society. This is an extremely well-earned award recognising Charlie's determination in all that he does, especially given that I am certain that he will down play this accolade, if asked, with characteristic modesty.
Charlie Chen
Year 12 Farewell Dinner
Not an official function, but a favourite of staff and boys is the Year 12 final house dinner which happened on Tuesday evening this week. The boys requested a visit to the Hogs Breath in Toowoomba. It is always nice to get the boys into a more casual setting but this one is always lovely with Mr Hall recalling his memories of the boys over their time at TGS and the boys reflecting on their best (and worst) memories of Groom Boarding House. The boys entertained with their memories of staff; Mr McDonald, My Siebenhausen, Mr Hall as Head of House and Mr Farrell.
We have three swimmers in Groom who have performed impressively in recent competitions. Unfortunately Josh Maher is still recovering from injury, but Alex and Lachlan continue to reap the rewards of the rigorous training schedules.
Alex Reddacliff - In the recent Queensland Open Water Championships on the Sunshine Coast Alex won Gold in the 18 years 5km race. Well done Alex!
Alex Reddacliff
Lachlan Fraser - At the Darwin Country Nationals, Lachlan won three bronze medals and had 10 PBs for a total of 25 seconds saved. He also made the finals in 6 events; which puts him into a group of the top 10 regional swimmers in Australia. He also competed in the 4x400 and 4x800 Open Water relays.
Groom Boys at swimming - Eddie Beverland (Day) Lachlan Fraser and James Fagan (Day)
Queensland Reds Rugby
Keegan Cook has recently been selected for the Queensland Reds U16 squad. He is currently training in Brisbane on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and has been selected to play in Perth this coming weekend.
Keegan Cook
New Groom House Leadership team 2025
The Groom leaders for 2025 have been recently announced after voting by both the staff and students. Our house captain is Edward Webster, Vice Captain is Braith Neven. Our Prefects are Roy Bredhauer, James Fitzgerald and Tallen Robinson.
It is a great privilege and honour to have the opportunity to lead Groom in 2025 after the exceptional leadership shown by Campbell Gourley, Xavier Austin and the other Year 12s in 2024. We thank them for what they have done for house throughout their time here. Groom has a history of great leaders and next year we with the assistance of the entire Year 12 Groom cohort we hope to build on what has been achieved before us.
Next year we will aim to maintain the high standards already shown, improve connections between younger and older boys and defend our House of Origin Trophy.
Mackintosh House
Mackintosh Mail
Term 4 and Leadership
It is hard to believe that we are finishing Week 3 of Term 4. After a couple of short weeks, we are now entrenched in the academics, activities and rituals that come as the year heads towards its end. In the past two weeks we have attended several important assemblies and events. These have included our Leaders and Prefects Induction Assembly, the Cadets March Out Parade and Awards, Year 12 Awards Assembly and our Mackintosh House Final Year 12 House Meeting.
It is at this time of year that we continue to say farewell to our Year 12 boys as during the week Year 12 have attended their final lessons. It is also the time when we see our new 2025 leaders begin to take up their roles and begin to lead the School in their respective roles.
In Mackintosh Boarding House this year we were blessed to have excellent seniors and leaders. Their influence has helped to develop the next excellent set of leaders and seniors for 2025. In a busy term ahead, I wish all leaders well. One important task this term will be to ensure that we welcome out Year 7 Corfe/Mackintosh Boarders into the Senior House.
Mackintosh House Boarding Leadership Positions - 2025
On Monday night, I truly enjoyed the company of our departing Year 12 boys as we enjoyed a steak dinner. We enjoyed some reflections and good times as we ate if from of the boarder’s brand form those that have departed before. As part of their departing ritual, the 2024 boys will soon be hanging their plaques on the wall.
Mackintosh House farewelled all the Year 12 Mckintosh House boys, day and boarding on Tuesday, 15 October. In a moving final house meeting the Year 11 boys spoke about each Year 12 individually and presented them with their TGS seniors mug. House Captain Harry McMillan was presented his captain mug and Fraser Coleborn was presented with the Senior of the Year Tankard. The Year 12 boys were tunnelled out of the GMSC by the rest of the Mackintosh House boys with the TGS war cry sounding loudly.
W J Renwick – 1st XV Best and Fairest Player: Tom Bailey
Rugby Colours: Tom Bailey - Honour Colours, Aza Toki-Mautairi – Full Colours
Cadets
CadetsColours: Herschel Naris - Half Colours
Pro-Diligentia Awards
Congratulations to the boys who have recently been awarded diligence awards. As a reward for their excellent efforts, the boys enjoy a morning tea with the Headmaster and other school leaders. These awards recognise the continued commitment to improvement and excellence in the classroom.
Well done to the award recipients below.
Clancy Kane – Year 8
Joe Brown – Year 9
Hayden Ferriday – Year 9
Jock Kirkby – Year 9
Herbert Roger – Year 9
Bodhi Boehme – Year 10
Rhys Johnston – Year 10
Kainen Beezley – Year 11
Thomas Bailey – Year 12
Lachlan Hawkins – Year 12
Success and Shout Outs to Mackintosh Boys
Rhys Johnston represented QLD Under 15 at the National Schoolboys Carnival, performing and playing well, which included 63* against Western Australia.
Josh Smart, Archie Smart and Clancy Kane all performed exceptionally well, representing TGS in the High Schools Camp draft. The Pittsworth competition saw the TGS team come second in the Percentile Cup Overall Aggregate out of 36 schools.
Herschel Naris revived the Parents and Friends Award for Service to Cadets 2024.
This coming weekend, Al Ferguson and Fraser Brown have been selected to play for the All-Nations Northern Territory Rugby term in the Pacific Youth Rugby Festival at the Logan Rugby Club, Brisbane. We wish the boy's good luck.
The winds of change are blowing through the House as we embark on the final term of the year. As we reflect on the year that was, I would like to kick things off by thanking Stuart Officer and Lachlan (Lachy) Finlay as our House Captain and Vice Captain for 2024. Stuart has been House Captain and Senior Boarder Prefect this year. I cannot imagine the workload of a senior student in 2024, but, add to this the demands associated with being a member of the School Executive and I can only begin to express my respect and admiration for his efforts. In the House, Lachy Finlay has been an able deputy. Lachy brings a quiet authority, a sense of humour and a listening ear to his role of House Vice Captain. Speaking for Mr Wilson and Mr Tranberg and all of the staff who undertake work as Boarding Supervisors, I would like to thank Lachy and Stuart and wish them well for their first steps in the big, wide world.
Senior Boarder Prefect for 2024, Stuart Officer
Stepping up and into an executive role of his own is our 2025 House Captain, Gilbert Tighe. Further, Gilbert has been selected as the TGS Senior Prefect for 2025 and in the House, he will be supported by James Higgins – congratulations to both. Gilbert brings a quiet humility and sense of duty to a role that may be even more demanding than Stuart’s this year. With Grammar celebrating it’s 150th anniversary in 2025, we are sure to see Gilbert here, there and everywhere next year.
Senior Prefect for 2025, Gilbert Tighe
To all of the senior boys leaving the house this week, to return only for exams, graduation and formal, I would like to thank them for their time here and I hope that they have enjoyed our House as much as I have enjoyed having them in the House. They leave a House that is blessed with an outstanding culture, some fine young men and a general vibe that is positive and a little bit irreverent.
In another thank you and it will be extended in a later article, Megan Officer will be standing aside from her role as the House Parent Representative. I know that she has completed this role for the last few years - throughout (and before) my time here at TGS. The liaison between the house, parents and the school is a role that happens in the background and every time I bang on about a happy House, it is, I feel, a consequence of the work undertaken by Megan, out of sight. Thank you, Megan.
We celebrate, as a House, the wonderful achievements this last weekend of Hamish Finlay. Representing the Darling Downs, he secured a gold medal at the State Championships in his 1500m event. The Downs team was the largest, by number, in the state and his achievements – which also included a bronze medal in his T35 class are a wonderful testimony to his hard work, resilience and determination.
Hamish Finlay with his gold and bronze medals
Stephens House Dinner
The boys scrubbed up well for their House dinner at Burke and Wills
On the final evening of Term 3, the House community – boys and their families – descended upon Burke and Wills in town to enjoy our first (of a new format) House Dinner. Firstly, I want to thank everyone who attended and therefore delayed their departure for home. The longest term just got a day longer! We enjoyed an evening of chat, socialising and fine food. The highlight, for me, was the speech given by Clancy Sinnamon, a graduate from the House in 2016, in the early years of Mr Tranberg (well, possibly the middle years.) Clancy spoke of his time in the House and also, at length, of his time since leaving the House. In so doing, we heard him weave together a narrative that has taken him across the world, build a brand and a business and a drink with the late great Shane 'Warnie' Warne.
Clancy Sinnamon was the guest speaker at this year's House Dinner
We were all so lucky to hear him and I hope every boy who attended took something from Clancy’s speech. I am no advance planner; however I am already a little bit nervous for whoever stands behind the podium next year. The bar has been set high, any suggestions on who you may think could be able to raise it are welcome.
In the first week of the Term 3 holiday, I decided to take the Isuzu D-Max for a test drive. The destination was Moree for a round of golf and Pally for an overnight stay, breakfast, farm-visit and a legendary 'Moon Burger'.
Last term I enjoyed hosting several Stephens House community/family events, so this was another great chance to get out on the road and meet people in their own communities.
To such a degree, I am planning to head south in the direction of Inverell, via Texas in the next holidays. Mid-January, back from the UK and Europe, refreshed. Please let me know if you are keen for a visit.
It was great to have a game of golf on the green, green grass of Moree. Joined by Brett and Darcy Brazel, Lachy Muggleton and Henry Maunder, we had a good hit out and the boys prevailed on the last hole.
This was followed by dinner at the Pally pub where I was joined by the Tighe family, plus the Brazel, Muggleton and the Maunder families. Breakfast the following day was with the Maunder family before a farm tour with Gilbert Tighe and the 'Moon Burger' lunch rounded off a great couple of days.
Thank you to everyone that came out and made me feel incredibly welcome. I have said this before, but it is a real honour and privilege to spend some time in the boys' home environment and see the work they undertake on their properties.
Farewell BBQ for Year 12 Boys
Tall Tales Abound
On Monday evening, Kate and I welcomed the Year 12 boys to our place for a steak night. Joining us were Mr Wilson and Mr Tranberg, appropriate because of the huge role that they play in shaping the identity of the House and giving the boys all of their energy whenever they get the chance. Energy is important in driving the culture of the House.
We gathered around the fire basket and told a few good stories – mostly featuring Alen Vargese. It was my chance to thank these boys for the journey that I have been on with them. It was great to hear about the exciting plans that these young men have for their future. Cattle station experiences, apprenticeships, university in the city and fishing.
The Year 12 boys are now in the process of exiting the building, however their contributions and memories will remain. The hallways and dorms that they have walked over these last few years are the richer for them having been here. Importantly, they have shaped and defined the culture that we have in the House and it is the responsibility of those that follow to build and maintain these standards. We wish them good luck in their external examinations and in whatever adventures lie ahead for them after they pull out onto Herries Street as our latest set of Toowoomba Grammar School Old Boys. All of the boys know that they are welcome back at any time.
With Term 4 now in full swing, it’s wonderful to see our boys immersing themselves both in their studies and Term 4 sports. Classes have wasted no time engaging the boys in their assessment tasks and it’s encouraging to witness the effort being put into evening prep sessions. The dedication and commitment are clear and it sets a positive tone for the rest of the term.
Last week, we proudly handed over the reins to our new crop of school prefects and house leaders. A huge congratulations to Rupeni Baravilala, our new Boarding Prefect and Taylor House Captain, alongside Harry Barwick as House Vice Captain and Tom Croft and Carter Isaac as House Prefects. These boys have already shown great promise and I know they are looking forward to leading Taylor House with integrity and enthusiasm in 2025.
Taylor House leaders for 2025
This week, we say goodbye to our Year 12 boys, a moment filled with mixed emotions. They have been a wonderful source of support, leadership and guidance for Taylor House and while we will certainly miss their presence, we are excited to see them begin writing the next chapter of their lives. We wish them all the very best in their future endeavours and thank them for their lasting contributions to our house.
Senior Prefect Alistair McKay
A special congratulations to Lewis Anderson, who received the first commendation of the term in History. He has worked hard and is thoroughly deserving of this recognition. I encourage all the boys to follow Lewis’ example and put their best foot forward in the coming weeks.
In the spirit of celebration, I also want to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of our Pro Suma and Pro Diligentia award recipients: Archie Cass, Alistair McKay, Rupeni Baravilala, James Petersen, Henry Gladman, Darcy Harth, William McKay, Kingston Menzies and Harry Rogers. Their continued pursuit of excellence sets a high standard for all in Taylor House.
Headmaster's Pro Summa Diligentia award recipients for Term 3.
Looking ahead, we are excited to watch our Corfe boys transition into their senior house at the end of the term. This is a time filled with excitement, trepidation and adventure for both the new arrivals and the existing members of Taylor House. Our boys are looking forward to welcoming the Year 7s and helping guide them as they settle in, develop new friendships and learn the values and traditions of our house, all while continuing to grow and develop themselves.
As always, we will continue to keep you updated on the successes and events of Taylor House through our weekly House mini-meetings. Thank you for your ongoing support and we look forward to a productive and rewarding remainder of Term 4.
