This week I asked Mr Farrell if he might write a piece for the Groom Gazette about the culture of Groom House which has been created by our current Year 12s. He writes with such passion about this that it must be our lead article, and I will follow with the essential, functional news.
Groom Boarding – Leadership and Legacy
As we enter the latter stages of Term 3, and as our Year 12s prepare for the final stages of their journey at TGS, it is only fitting that we reflect on the concept of legacy. Our Year 12s have left an indelible legacy on the culture of Groom Boarding House. It is a legacy to be proud of, and the leadership journey has been marked with success, failure and countless learning opportunities.
The Cambridge Dictionary defines legacy as “something that is a part of your history or that remains from an earlier time”. Nobel Peace Prize Winner Albert Schweitzer was quoted as saying “The three most important ways to lead people is by example… by example… by example". It is perhaps this quote that best defines the role our senior Year 12 leaders have played in the House and the example they have set for our younger boys, which has laid the platform for years to come.
Our senior boys have focused heavily on doing the little things right, setting the example in a range of areas and by doing so, encouraging the rest of the House to follow suit. In our many discussions over the years, both in pastoral care group sessions and in the boarding house, our current crop of seniors have understood the importance of setting a good example, and the long-lasting impact this can have on the culture of the House. Wearing the uniform well, treating others with respect, modelling routines, performing their daily senior duties with efficiency and enthusiasm – it is these small things that have all contributed to the culture of the House in 2023 and our Year 12s have certainly played their part in this regard.
Legendary Basketball coach, John Wooden says that “Being a role model is the most powerful form of educating". Our seniors have, for the most part, worked very hard at role modelling the behaviours required to successfully co-exist in our boarding community. The younger boys often comment that they would feel comfortable approaching any of our senior boys for a chat, and this reflects the respect and affection they have for our senior cohort. Having said this, it must be noted that I have used the term ‘for the most part’. Our seniors are not perfect and have made mistakes (as we all do). When this has occurred, they have put their hand up and owned their errors. This is again a crucial part of leadership and legacy – own your mistakes, learn from them and come out the other side a better version of yourself. Our House culture will benefit from this approach and younger boys will be willing to put their hands up and own their mistakes as they have observed this behaviour in action with our senior cohort.
As our Year 12s prepare for the final stages of their journey, the House staff reflect on the positive impact these boys have had. The baton is about to be passed on to our current Year 11s and we look forward to seeing these young men lead the House in 2024. As part of this process, the Year 11s have commenced taking on senior duty responsibilities and the House is very thankful for their efforts. It is clear to see that the example set by our current Year 12s has provided the road map on how to lead in this regard and the Year 11s have started very well indeed. It is not about our Year 11s being replicas of the Year 12s, but learning from their example, respecting the significance of these roles in driving House culture and then bringing their own leadership style and character strengths to the role. As American author and motivational speaker, Tony Robbins so aptly observed “Success leaves clues”. Our Year 12s have certainly left enough clues and our Year 11s will no doubt make full use of these ‘clues’ and apply these to their leadership journey over the next 12 months.
Last week, the prospective Year 11 House leaders were provided with an opportunity to host a House forum discussion with representatives from each year level. The Year 11s had prepared some questions and topics for discussion, and it was pleasing to see the high level of engagement and interaction between the boys. As House staff we are very encouraged by these types of interactions and thank the Year 11s for their commitment to these initial leadership opportunities.
As the House transitions in Term 4 from being led by the current Year 12 seniors to the 2024 seniors, we thank the Year 12s for their immense contribution to Groom this year. Their legacy is clear to see and we look forward to the Year 11s as they add their unique value to the leadership in 2024.
“Create your legacy and pass the baton," (Billie Jean King) – we thank the current Year 12s for the legacy they are creating for the rest of the House to follow, and we look forward to the Year 11s taking up this leadership baton in 2024.
Jono Farrell
Groom Assistant Head of House
Week 8 and 9 News
We are clearly nearing the end of a long term; there are sniffles and coughs galore, and we have been repeatedly encouraging boys to take care with their hygiene routines in order to slow any spread. For this reason, boarders 'central prep' was even cancelled in favour of working in houses this week.
There are a lot of tired boys but it is wonderful to see the vigour with which most boys are approaching their assessment tasks and everything that they do for the School and the Boarding community. Boys' commitment has been highlighted on a number of Saturdays throughout this term; on more than one occasion Mr Callow has been on duty and there have been extended times when there are no boys in the House. This is because they have all been out playing sport or supporting their friends. We normally encourage the last few boys out of the House during the 1st XV fixture but over the last few weeks this has sometimes not been necessary as the House has already been naturally cleared! This has been wonderful to see and clearly due to the nature of the supportive community that has developed. It is also great to hear the chatter after everyone has played a fixture - it is clear that boys are keen to applaud their housemates' successes yet also show true friendship and support after reports of losses. This extends far beyond the elation and then deflation after the last two weeks of 1st XV results; the boys' interest ranges from the 1st XV and 1st V to the U13 and U14D results if there is a Groom boy playing, and even to the successes and failures of Charlie Chen or Alex Reddacliff on the chess board or in the pool respectively.
French Exchange - These last ten days have also seen the arrival of William Morris, a young man on French exchange from New Caledonia, hosted by Ed Webster. It is always great to have new faces and voices in the community and William has been welcomed by the boys who have certainly been interested in hearing what life is like at school on a tropical Pacific island.... I have just volunteered to help staff the away leg of this exchange! William enjoyed a weekend away with the Webster family last weekend - a weekend in Kilcoy is a very different experience to life on a Pacific island.
Notices
Holiday Leave - Please could you add holiday leave into REACH, or approve that added by the boys, if you haven't done so already. I have been prompting the boys for a little while now, and will chase with vigour in the final week of term. Remember: Boys should return by 5:00pm on Tuesday, 2 October - The House/School does not open on Monday due to it being the King's Birthday public holiday.
Alarm Clocks in Term 4 - Could we please ensure that boys invest in an alarm clock for their cubicle if they will need to be woken up early. There have been times this term when too many boys been asking to keep their phone overnight as an alarm clock and we have therefore tightened up on this rule for the wellbeing of the boys. Midweek, Mr Hall starts duty at 6:00am so if boys are in A-team training squads and require technology for their gym apps then they can be distributed by him. On weekends, if boys need to leave early for fixtures, before a MoD is on duty, then they are allowed to leave their phone charging in the entrance foyer but not in their cubicle - the temptations of this are far too great to be healthy.
Lost property / naming clothes - When you collect your son(s) at the end of term there will be a significant amount of unnamed lost property in the House common room. Please claim any you believe is yours, and please ensure that it is then named. There seems to be an increasing amount of unnamed clothing which is going through the laundry system, only to be claimed by a boy and put back into the wash unnamed. This then means that boys think their clothing is being 'lost by the laundry department' and some are trying to skip this system in favour of washing clothes themselves in the House machines. This is not efficient use of their time and does not provide as good a service.
House Dinner - Due to COVID, our annual House dinner has not happened for a year or two. This will be returning at the start of next term. We had discussed holding this event in Term 3 but a number of senior boys have suggested that holding this in Week 2 of the final term would be a nice part of their final weeks at TGS. In a wonderful initiative, realising this value and significance of these events, Mr Byron has sourced funding for this from the boarding budgets. We will head into Toowoomba for the evening with a number of Groom House staff for a formal meal to celebrate Groom House in 2023, the contribution that the current Year 12s have made to boarding, and to celebrate their impending departure and full handover to the current Year 11 group. There will be more information on this shortly, including a Parent Portal permission message.
Man of the Week - I am sorry that these were not published in my last report at the end of week 7, so I have four to report here:
Week 6 - Roy Bredhauer - exceptional efforts with assistance in clearing the front of House when asked.
Week 7 - Jonah Allen - Leading the House by positive example in his quiet yet determined and positive manner.
Week 8 - Joe Pringle - An excellent positive response to some discussions with staff over the past few weeks.
Week 9 - George Griffiths - George has led the House and the rugby club impressively this year and term.
I am sorry if I don't see you in the final few days of term as you collect your boys and their belongings. As always, please do not hesitate to make contact; no snippet of information is too small or insignificant if it helps us to look after your young men. I hope you have a great holiday and look forward to the boys' return at the start of October.
Chris Stearn
Groom Boarding Head of House
