Townsville Grammar School Pre-Prep to Year 6

WELCOME

BONUS INTRA MELIOR EXI – ENTER GOOD, EXIT BETTER

A Grammar Education is an experience where students are inspired to strive for their personal best, and in doing so, develop knowledge, character, and a love for discovery. Townsville Grammar School is a place where young people, irrespective of their abilities, can enjoy the full Grammar experience – a balanced offering of exceptional academic instruction, extensive co-curricular opportunities, community service, leadership and School spirit.

The School motto, Bonus Intra Melior Exi - come in good and go out better - is the guiding philosophy in our approach to the academic, sporting, cultural and character development of all young Grammarians.

Since its establishment in 1888, Townsville Grammar School has grown with the community, delivering an exceptional education in a values-based environment. The School has expanded in line with the city’s growth, offering Pre-Prep to Year 12 across three campuses at Annandale, North Shore and North Ward.

Our Grammar approach to teaching and learning starts in the Junior School, where students in Pre-Prep and Prep begin to learn the ways and culture of our community. Our Junior School students visit the North Ward Campus wherever possible to participate in major events and assemblies, in line with our ‘one school’ ethos.

Our Junior School campuses are led by our Head of Junior School, and each has a Head of Campus. Our Director of Curriculum and Head of Teaching & Learning work across the Junior School to ensure consistency in academic delivery.

You are very welcome to visit us at our three Townsville Grammar School campuses and learn more about our School community. We look forward to meeting you.

Timothy Kelly PRINCIPAL

A GRAMMAR EDUCATION

JUNIOR SCHOOL

A Grammar education in the Junior School context is an experience designed to open young minds to discovery and learning, as well as providing a rich environment for personal development.

Children as young as four years of age can begin their learning journey at Townsville Grammar School and start receiving the benefits of a Grammar education.

Townsville Grammar School offers Pre-Prep to Year 12 across three Campuses:

ANNANDALE CAMPUS PRE-PREP - YEAR 6

NORTH SHORE CAMPUS PRE-PREP - YEAR 6

NORTH WARD CAMPUS YEARS 7 – 12 / DAY + BOARDING

Townsville Grammar School has an enduring reputation as the academic leader in North Queensland, delivering consistently strong outcomes, with a teaching and learning approach that begins in the Junior School. This exceptional education is supported by an extensive co-curricular offering, as well as community service and leadership programs across all three campuses.

• Leading NAPLAN outcomes for both primary and secondary schools in the North Queensland region

• Listed in the top 20 schools in Queensland for NAPLAN results (averaged 2018-2023)

• Specialist teachers in music, performing arts, languages, physical education, library

• More than 30 co-curricular programs and clubs in Junior School

• Positive Education pastoral care program that focuses on individual character strengths

• Pre-Prep to Prep transition program

• Year 6 to Year 7 transition program

A Grammar education strives to develop young people with character, with a service mindset, with manners and respect for self and others.

The Grammar approach to teaching and learning begins in the Junior School, with a consistency of academic instruction, an overall culture of learning, and high standards for behaviour which ensures maximum teaching time.

AN EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION

THE JOY OF LEARNING & DISCOVERY

The Grammar approach to teaching and learning begins in the Junior School.

In the Junior School, teachers seek to foster a broad love of learning and discovery with a particular focus on literacy and numeracy. Students also have weekly lessons with specialist teachers in STEM, music and performing arts, physical education, library and languages (French).

High standards for respectful behaviour translates into maximised learning in the classroom. Students are encouraged and supported every day to strive for their personal best, which is an important attitude for life beyond school.

Our teaching and learning culture is based on the following:

• A carefully appointed professional teaching team, led by the Head of Junior School and Heads of Campus, guided by the School’s Director of Curriculum and supported by the Head of Teaching & Learning.

• Specialist teachers and tutors.

• Optimised class sizes.

• High behaviour expectations of students, ensuring maximum teaching time.

• A long-standing culture where students are encouraged to strive for personal best.

• A values-based school environment developing young people of character.

• A strong Pastoral Care Program supported by the School’s Health & Wellbeing team.

• A balanced offering of an exceptional education, extensive co-curricular opportunities, community service and leadership development.

• A partnership with parents and families to enhance learning and the overall student experience.

PERSONAL BEST

SETTING THE FOUNDATIONS

With an enduring reputation for delivering an exceptional education, Townsville Grammar School’s Junior School experience is focused on setting the foundations for academic and personal development.

The Grammar approach to teaching and learning begins in the Junior School, where students are supported in their journey of discovery and in their personal development.

Striving for personal best encapsulates the Grammar experience, and this means something different to each child, regardless of ability. From Pre-Prep, students are encouraged and supported to always strive for personal best, and it is the development of this mindset that serves them well for life in secondary school and beyond.

With a Prep-Year 12 School culture, students in the Junior Schools begin their Grammar journey with programs offered across the year levels, from pastoral care through to leadership and service programs.

The Junior School has two main transition programs, from Pre-Prep to Prep and Year 6 to Year 7, ensuring students are ready to embark on the next stage of their learning journey.

Townsville Grammar School’s Junior School experience is focused on setting the foundations for academic and personal development.

Through community service and leadership opportunities, students develop responsibility and respect for both themselves, others and their environment.

MELIOR EXI

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Every student at Townsville Grammar School has the opportunity to explore leadership within themselves and to develop a service-leadership mindset, helping them to become contributing and respectful members of society.

As students progress through Junior School, opportunities for personal development, leadership and community service increase through camps, tours, community activities and leadership programs.

MELIOR EXI – YEAR 6 LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

The Melior Exi Program is named after the School’s motto – Bonus Intra Melior Exi (enter good, exit better). It is a unique learning experience for students in Year 6 designed to build self-esteem, confidence and community mindedness.

This year-long program has four components: Physical Activity, Community Service, Skill Development and Presentation. Students participate in physical challenges, undertake community-based activities, and develop a new skill in an area of personal interest (mentored). At the conclusion of the year-long program, students present their newly acquired skill to their peers. The Melior Exi program promotes courage, responsibility, leadership, compassion and communication.

EARLYACT

The EarlyAct Club is the Junior School version of the Senior School’s Interact Board, requiring students to lead community service activities across the Annandale and North Shore campuses.

JUNIOR SCHOOL LEADERSHIP ETHOS

The School seeks to develop in students an early awareness of serviceleadership. The School provides ongoing opportunities for students to develop their personal leadership skills over the course of their Junior School journey. The School’s leadership philosophy is that all students have leadership responsibilities, regardless of the badge they may wear.

Junior School leaders at both campuses join with Senior School leaders to represent the School at various community and formal School events throughout the year.

PASTORAL CARE

A POSITIVE EDUCATION

Pastoral Care at Townsville Grammar School involves the delivery of the Positive Education Program, as well as providing opportunities for leadership and service, camps, tours, and transition programs for key year levels.

The Positive Education program underpins the framework of the School’s pastoral care and wellbeing approach. Positive Education aims to produce well-rounded and resilient individuals who are equipped with the capability to thrive and contribute to society in a satisfying and meaningful way. The Positive Education program seeks to achieve this through the development of personal character strengths and respectful relationships.

THE PASTORAL CARE TEAM AT THE JUNIOR SCHOOL:

• Head of Junior School

• Heads of Campus – Annandale and North Shore

• Junior School Counsellor

• Education Support

• Class Teachers

• Defence School Mentor

Although one of our fundamental responsibilities is to develop the intellectual abilities of our students, this alone is not enough. The formation of character must occur alongside academic development.

LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES:

• Year level camps

• Junior School Sports Tour

• Melior Exi Program (Year 6)

• EarlyAct Club

• Pre-Prep to Prep Transition Program

• Year 5 Leadership Program

• Year 6 to Year 7 Transition Program

The learning environment offered by the School provides an atmosphere where each student can:

• Strive for personal best in their academic learnings, co-curricular activities, and social and emotional development

• Achieve balanced personal growth through participation in a range of activities

• Feel supported, included and valued as individuals

• Take well-considered risks and raise expectations of themselves

• Develop resilience in the face of challenges

• Actively enrich our community through learning, culture and service

JUNIOR SCHOOL SPORT

BUILDING STRENGTH OF CHARACTER

Townsville Grammar School’s sport and physical education focus begins in the Junior School with weekly specialist lessons and co-curricular opportunities in a wide range of club sport, block sport and school-based programs.

Led by the Junior School Sportsmaster, the Sport & Physical Activity Program is extensive and inclusive, with students of all abilities encouraged to engage for both health and personal development. Students engage in physical education as part of their curriculum and can also participate in a wide range of cocurricular sports and activities.

Townsville Grammar School sport has an underpinning Code of Behaviour for all students from Prep to Year 12:

• To train with commitment

• To play fairly

• To embrace defeat graciously

• To accept victory humbly

Participation and competition in sport helps to build a strong sporting culture where both personal achievements and team performances are valued and recognised. This reflects the School’s focus on character development through responsibility, teamwork, personal decisions, participation and performance.

The annual Junior School Sports Tour provides students with the opportunity to play for TGS in rugby and netball against others schools. In doing so, students develop their teamwork skills and sportsmanship, school spirit and resilience. They also have a fantastic time together as a touring group.

The Junior School campuses regularly welcome visiting sports professionals and external programs to provide students with extended opportunities to learn and to be inspired.

Sport and physical activity is vitally important for the personal development and wellbeing of young people to lead healthy, balanced lives.

Involvement in the Arts fosters creativity, develops self-esteem and encourages the respect of teamwork, punctuality and personal responsibility.

JUNIOR SCHOOL ARTS

THE JOY OF CREATIVITY

Townsville Grammar School has a proud reputation for excellence in the Arts, and students in the Junior School are offered a range of opportunities to explore and develop their creativity.

From Prep to Year 6, students engage in weekly specialist lessons in music, dance and drama. Students are also able to participate in an extensive co-curricular program including music ensembles (instrumental and vocal), visual arts clubs and dance troupes.

MUSIC

The Music Program aims to develop foundational musical skills and literacy, as well as a life-long passion for the Arts. Highlights include:

• Students from Prep to Year 6 participate in choir

• Students from Year 3 take part in the Strings Program

• Private tuition in a variety of instruments including piano and guitar is also available

• Ensembles perform in Junior School Soirees and campus events, and participate in major TGS events, such as the annual Grammar Music Showcase held at the North Ward Campus

The Townsville Grammar School Music Program is led by the School’s Director of Performing Arts and is delivered across both Junior School campuses by the Music Co-ordinator, and supported by specialist teachers and tutors who visit each campus.

DANCE & DRAMA

Specialist lessons and co-curricular opportunities are delivered across both campuses including drama club and dance troupes. Students can also undertake private dance tuition through the School.

Students have many opportunities throughout the year to perform and present their artistic creations at Junior School concerts, assemblies, art shows and local Eisteddfods.

The Junior School production gives students an opportunity to audition for, and be involved, in combined year-level performance. This continues into the secondary setting, with an alternating annual Middle School and Senior School production.

PREP

SETTING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR LEARNING

The Prep program sets the foundation for the Grammar approach to teaching and learning.

TOWNSVILLE GRAMMAR SCHOOL’S PREP PROGRAM OFFERS:

• Early childhood trained teachers

• Full-time teacher aides in each Prep classroom

• Optimised class sizes

• Specialist teachers for music, performing arts, library, physical education and languages (French)

• Inspiring learning environments linked to student curiosity and interests

• IT-enabled Prep classrooms

• Dedicated Prep playgrounds

• Music Program

• Swimming Program

• Personal development of character strengths through the P-12 School Pastoral Care program, Positive Education

• Transition to Year 1 Program (Semester 2 focused)

• Upper School Buddy Program

The learning experience is maximised both inside and outside of the classroom through the use of colour, texture and the creation of themed spaces to ensure children feel comfortable and inspired by their environment.

Prep teachers are committed to a culture of genuine care and support where connections and relationships with parents and families are vital.

Our Prep precincts are learning spaces designed to inspire imagination, creativity, curiosity, investigation, and ultimately, a great love for discovery and learning.

PRE-PREP

DESIGNED FOR FOUR-YEAR OLDS

The Pre-Prep program is the first possible entry point to accessing a Grammar education, and the beginning of a great love for discovery and learning, with a program designed especially for four-year olds.

Delivered at the Early Education Centres at the Annandale and North Shore Campuses, the Pre-Prep program provides a wonderful foundation year for children, preparing them to transition confidently into Prep.

The Pre-Prep program is led by the Director of Early Education and delivered by a team of university-qualified teachers and diploma-level educators who are passionate about educating children in this age group.

The Pre-Prep program is designed as a transition year, where children are introduced to ‘big school’ with visits to the library, use of the Junior School facilities, and involvement in events and celebrations. This gradual building of familiarity with the Junior School teachers and campus paves the way for a confident transition into the Prep year.

Children enrolled in Pre-Prep are considered our youngest Grammarians. They wear the Grammar uniform and learn to follow the School’s way of life as they begin to experience a Grammar education.

At the conclusion of the Pre-Prep year, children attend their graduation ceremony at the North Ward Campus – a wonderful celebration of their completion of Pre-Prep and their readiness to begin their formal schooling journey.

The Early Education experience at Townsville Grammar School focuses on capturing students’ imagination and instilling a great sense of wonder for discovery.

OUR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

JUNIOR SCHOOL CAMPUSES

The learning environment at each of the Junior School campuses offers consistency in the delivery of the academic program, co-curricular offerings, and leadership and service opportunities.

Townsville Grammar School’s ‘one school’ ethos ensures overall consistency with the educational program and student experience. Students at the Junior School campuses have opportunities to engage with the students at the North Ward Campus for various School events, co-curricular activities and assemblies throughout the year.

TOWNSVILLE GRAMMAR SCHOOL

ANNANDALE CAMPUS

BRAZIER DRIVE, ANNANDALE QLD 4814

(61) 7 4412 4800

CRICOS: 00564G | TGS.QLD.EDU.AU

NORTH SHORE CAMPUS

NORTH SHORE BLVD, BURDELL QLD 4817

(61) 7 4412 6600

ANNANDALE CAMPUS (EST 1997) & NORTH SHORE CAMPUS (EST 2015)

Our Junior School’s campuses feature:

• Optimised class sizes

• Leading NAPLAN results in North Queensland

• Specialist teachers for STEM, music, French, sport, library, drama and dance

• IT-enabled classrooms

• Music Program, including Year 3 Strings

• Learn to Swim and extended swimming program

• Extensive co-curricular offerings

• Playgrounds, green spaces, netball/basketball court (AN), 400m track (AN), basketball court (NS), handball courts

• P-12 Pastoral Care Program - Positive Education

• Dedicated Prep Precinct

• On-site Early Education Centre (Pre-Prep)

• OSHC and Vacation Care on-site

• TGS bus service

• TGS Parents Network and parent engagement events and opportunities

SCHOOL HOUSE EST 1888

School House, established in 1888, was the original classroom and boarding dormitory built on the North Ward Campus heritage site. Originally a boys’ school, the School became co-educational in 1893, becoming the first co-educational, non-denominational secondary school on mainland Australia.

School House was partially destroyed in 1903 by Cyclone Leonta and was re-built to a different design in 1903-1904. Until 1940, all lessons, with the exception of science, were conducted on the lower level of the building, while the upper level was used as a dormitory for boarders.

From 1940 to 2011 the building was used for multiple purposes until it was closed for a significant restoration.

SCHOOL HOUSE RESTORATION

Following a significant restoration program, School House re-opened in 2022. Restored to its former glory, this iconic heritage-listed building has resumed its place in the heart of the North Ward Campus, and serves as a wonderful venue for use by the School and the wider community, with function and meeting rooms available and a School Museum.

School House is on the Townsville City Council’s Heritage Trail and was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 2002. School House stands as testament to the School’s history, capturing its story for past, present and future Grammarians.