»
To allow both School and House administration to occur.
»
To support and complement the Character and Wellbeing Curriculum in an informal but respectful and trusting environment.
»
To integrate leadership opportunities for boys.
»
To provide opportunities to recognise boys’ accomplishments.
»
To identify and monitor positive and negative changes in boys.
»
To assist boys in making transitions at different stages.
Headmaster’s Shield »
To provide increased opportunity for interaction among members of the TGS community.
»
To allow community members to bond through competitive activity.
»
To create opportunities for Mentors to support, encourage and further strengthen their relationships with the boys.
»
To foster House and School pride.
Community Programs »
To create opportunities to develop an awareness of, and empathy for, others.
»
To encourage active participation in Community Programs.
Organised Social Activities: »
To focus on developing confidence and socialisation skills with people of all ages and both sexes.
The Houses The overall administration of the Pastoral Care System is in the hands of the Head of Senior School and the eleven Heads of House (six Boarding, including Corfe House - Year 7 Boarding, and five Day). The School is divided into five Houses which operate under a vertical system; that is, each House has both dayboys and boarders from Years 7 to 12. The House system provides a unit for organisation, sporting and pastoral care purposes. Boys can obtain assistance and advice about any aspect of school life from their Head of House. Each House has a number of teachers called the House Mentors, who are each responsible for a Pastoral Care Group. Seniors assist in running the House and organising the House teams for the inter-House competition. Most importantly they are also charged with assisting the younger boys in the House. There are regular House meetings and Pastoral Care Group meetings.
The five Houses are Taylor (Black), Boyce (Maroon), Mackintosh (Red), Groom (Dark Green) and Stephens (Royal Blue). Each of these Houses has resulted from the amalgamation of a Boarding House and a Day House. Each House has a mixture of Year levels which allows the boys to stay with their Head of House for up to six years. Under this system, a boy feels a part of a family within the School.
Taylor House T aylor House was constructed in 1958 and was named in honour of the Hon. James Taylor, the first Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the School, from 1874 to 1882. Mr Taylor’s contribution to Toowoomba was noteworthy. In the first Colonial Parliament, he represented the Western Downs as a member of the Legislative Council. He was Mayor of Toowoomba in 1890. He was largely responsible for the founding of the Benevolent Society and the Hospital; he became the first President of the School of the Arts; he promoted the formation of the Darling Downs Agricultural Society; and he took an active part in the development of Clifford Park Racecourse. Prior to 1992, Taylor House was home to the Year 9 boarders; in 2004, Taylor House combined with Gibson House to form a combined House of dayboys and boarders. This combined House is now known simply as Taylor House.
Boyce House oyce House was constructed in 1968B 1969 and was named in honour of Dr Leslie Atherton Gerard Boyce, an Old Boy of the School and a former Chairman of the School’s Board of Trustees. Its four dormitories are named Woodward, Fortescue, Robertson and Clowes in honour of famous Old Boy soldiers. In 1911 Mr Boyce entered Toowoomba Grammar School as a State Scholar. In 1915 he enlisted in the First AIF and served in France. In 1917 he was wounded and was awarded the Military Cross for “conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of his platoon during an attack”. On returning to Toowoomba, he became Chief Executive Officer of the Toowoomba Foundry, remaining as a director until 1976. Prior to 1992, Boyce House was home to the Year 10 boarders; in 2004, Boyce House combined with Henderson House to form a combined House of dayboys and boarders. This combined House is now known simply as Boyce House. Senior School Handbook
Page 10
