Edition 13 10 August 2017

Pictured above, representatives from the Junior School Orchestra holding the first

place trophy from the Toowoomba Eisteddfod. L-R back row: Thomas Dixon, Mrs

Jayne Davidson (Music Teacher / Conductor) and Bede Davis, L-R front row: John

Ridgway and Gabriel Schubert. Congratulations to all members of our orchestra.

From the Head of Junior School Dear Parents

Over the past couple of weeks we have had quite a number of boys away from school due to illness. I thank parents who have made the necessary arrangements to keep their children at home to ensure winter coughs and colds are not spread to other students or staff.

Eisteddfod Success Boys and staff have been involved in the instrumental section of the Toowoomba Eisteddfod over the past two weeks, with our individual instrumentalists and various ensembles featuring prominently. The Junior School instrumental program is substantial and has depth, breadth and substance.

The diversity of success illustrates that playing a musical instrument is not just for a talented few students. Every boy in Year 2 plays a string instrument for the full year. This involves boys on violin, viola, ‘cello and double bass, with school instruments and school-based tuition. The Year 2 boys combine to form a beginner string orchestra, with these boys winning their section at the Eisteddfod. Approximately 45 boys are members of our Junior School orchestra and play at a far more advanced level. These boys also won their section at the Eisteddfod. It is nice to see the progression that occurs at our School and the positive and significant involvement in our instrumental program.

At the time of writing Junior School ensembles have achieved five first places, two second places and one third place, along with several highly commended awards. This is a remarkable achievement when you consider we are the only all–boys’ school competing in the Primary School sections at the Eisteddfod. Our full instrumental results are outlined in the music section of this newsletter.

Year 2 String Ensemble proudly holding their

first place trophy Brass Ensemble after they won first place at the Toowoomba Eisteddfod (L – R) Marcus Seckler,

Bede Davis, Xavier Lindemann, Sam Freer, Judd Rei, John Ridgway and Henry Paton

I congratulate the boys on their efforts and successes. The music staff who prepare and conduct our ensembles, consisting of Mrs Davidson, Mrs Dixon, Mrs Egerton, Ms Philp and Mrs Crook deserve high praise for their development of Junior School music.

Teaching Spelling One aspect of the Junior School’s academic program that is receiving particular attention is work around spelling. Recently, a small committee met to focus on a long term project to improve boys’ spelling results. We are aiming at improving boys’ capacity to spell accurately in context within their writing, not simply looking at mastery of a weekly spelling list.

Professor Beryl Exley from the School of Education and Professional Studies at Griffith University recently met with a team of Junior School staff to examine our approaches to the teaching of spelling. Professor Exley has been engaged to work with all Junior School teachers commencing next week and this will continue for an extended period of time on a long term project. I believe examining our current approaches and looking to improve the way spelling is taught to our students is both timely and important.

Online course for parenting boys ‘Parenting Ideas’ is one of the many organisations I subscribe to or follow. Parenting Ideas is Australian based, focusses on child development, and is aimed at helping parents successfully raise confident, happy and resilient children. The organisation is run by Michael Grose who is the author of 10 parenting books, including Spoonfed Generation, Thriving! and Why First Borns Rule the World and Last Borns Want to Change it. He writes articles for newspapers and magazines across Australia. Mr Grose has an education background and holds a Master of Educational Studies with research into what makes healthy families.

Parenting Ideas is currently offering an online course titled Parenting Boys – the must-do course for parents of boys. This course is provided via the organisation at a cost of $67. I will be undertaking this course both as a parent of two boys and out of interest as an aspect of my job.

The three-week course will address: The psychology of boys The development and physiology of boys from pre-school to teens Communicating with boys Boys and discipline Helping boys feel more confident Helping boys learn Helping boys be more organised Get boys reading Helping boys manage strong emotions Boys and respectful relationships Boys and digital technology Being the parent boys need.

I have provided the link to the website https://www.parentingideas.com.au/. You may wish to consider looking at this website and undertaking this course, the first of its type I have encountered.

Regards

Scott Campbell Head of Junior School

From the Deputy Head of Junior School

Nude Food Day Just a reminder that Nude Food Day occurs each Tuesday in the Junior School. The boys are encouraged to bring to school food that is not prepacked for morning tea and lunch. Peanut Allergy Toowoomba Grammar School, similarly to most schools in the Australia, has students with life-threatening allergies to nuts. Should these students ingest or come into contact with peanuts or food items containing peanuts or other types of nuts, the boys will suffer a severe allergic reaction that is potentially life-threatening. This includes a trace of nut residue on their skin via contact with packaging materials. I respectfully request that parents refrain from sending their sons to school with peanut butter / Nutella sandwiches or peanut or nut based food items including snack bars. Additionally, boys are not to share their food with each other at school. Co-curricular Clubs As you are aware, the Junior School Clubs run from 3.15pm to 4.15pm. It is important that if your son attends a club, that he is collected directly after the club has ended. Recently, there have been quite a few boys who have not been collected by parents until after 4.30pm. I would like to remind parents that cars are not to be parked in the Drop Off for a considerable length of time during pick up at the conclusion of the Co-curricular Clubs. Haircuts Recently I have noticed a few boys who require a haircut. “The school’s regulations concerning haircuts are as follows: the hair must not touch the collar, and must be neatly shaped at the back of the neck. The ears must not be obscured and side-levers must not extend past the middle of the ear. Extremes of hairstyles are not permitted (including very short haircuts). Boys are not permitted to dye or colour their hair. This is an excerpt from the Student Handbook. Plastic Free August Plastic is designed to last forever. The damage it is causing the oceans and our planet is mind boggling. By 2050 its estimated there will be more plastic than fish in the world's oceans. Most comes from land and was once in our hands. Refuse single-use plastic and together let’s keep our oceans clean. Using plastic is so convenient and has become a way of life for most of us. Have a quick think about it. How much single-use plastic do you use in a day or a week? Could you find alternative ways to pack school lunches, bring home your groceries and consume food? By taking small steps, we could drastically reduce the amount of plastic you use every year. School Banking Don’t forget that School Banking (Commonwealth Dollarmite Accounts) continues to operate with Dollarmite account deposits being dropped off at the office each Tuesday morning in the collection box. Students receive various rewards for deposit targets reached. Mike Sharpe Deputy Head of Junior School

From the Head of Teaching and Learning

Writing Every Junior School boy recently participated in the annual Writing Competition. I spoke to the boys, at Assembly, about how their engaging plots, colourful characters and vivid descriptions made the judges’ job very difficult. As I told the boys, there were many times the judges read out parts of the stories or persuasive pieces that they found particularly entertaining, engaging or humorous. Our teachers understand that the Writing Competition can be challenging for some boys and so they use a variety of strategies to help the boys achieve the ultimate goal of publishing a piece of writing. ‘Planning, planning, and planning’ is one of the tips given by professional writers when discussing ways to teach writing with teachers. Planning involves constructing “Mind Maps” or “Storyboards” where ideas are recorded visually through symbols, pictures and words. This technique enables the boys to brainstorm many ideas, rearrange ideas or discard ideas, and record ideas so they are not ‘lost’. It also enables them to collect descriptive words, phrases, similes which help to create vivid descriptions. By taking the time to plan effectively, our young writers can begin writing knowing that they have lots of information at their fingertips. This helps them write freely without having to worry about remembering their ideas or the basics such as spelling. Thinking creatively helps the boys to create new characters, develop imaginative plots and perhaps create an unexpected twist in the story! One strategy is the SCAMPER method. SCAMPER is an acronym for Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Minify/Magnify, Put to another use, Eliminate, and Replace. When applied to a fairy-tale, such as “The Little Pigs”, some hilarious new characters and creative innovations on the original story are developed. Writing is a complex process because it requires a number of skills to be used at once such as spelling, grammar, vocabulary, and creative and critical thinking. In the Junior School, we create an environment where the boys are supported and encouraged to enjoy the writing process. Certainly the enthusiasm with which the boys approach the annual Writing Competition shows that we inspire even the most reluctant writer to put pen to paper.

Jan Heffernan Head of Teaching and Learning

Sports News Track and Field Next Monday, we have 29 boys representing Toowoomba Grammar School at the Range Zone Track and Field Carnival at O’Quinn Street. Boys who gain selection in the Range Zone team will compete at the Darling Downs trials at the end of August. Good luck to our team. On the sports noticeboard there is a training schedule for track and field. Boys in Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 are encouraged to attend any of these sessions that are of interest to them. Please see me, Miss McLiesh or Mrs Clews if you have any questions about the training. Term 3 Sport Captains Recently, we had the Year 6 boys vote for Captains of Basketball and Rugby. Boys who play either of these two sports are asked to vote on a 3, 2, and 1 basis on who they think should be Captain. The coaches of these teams also have input into who they feel should be Captain and Vice-Captain. After these votes are tallied, the results and the teacher recommendations go to Mr Campbell. Congratulation to Walter, Matthew and Matt on your selection. Basketball Captain: Matthew Moore Rugby Captain: Walter Tinkler Track and Field Captain: Matthew Taylor Physical Education Next week is the last week of swimming for boys in Year 5 and Year 6. Over the second half of the term the boys will be playing small-sided games and doing fitness activities. SEQ Football Finals Congratulations to our Year 5 and Year 6 football teams which won the Darling Downs SEQ Football final last week. The two teams will now travel to Brisbane to play in the SEQ final on Friday 25 August. Thank you to Mr Sharpe and Mr Jeffries for taking the boys to the competition.

Year 5 winning team Year 6 winning team

Tennis Tomorrow, Mrs Wharton will take Angus Cameron, Walter Tinkler, Cole Tweedy and Chace Oates to the Darling Downs tennis final in the Brisbane School International Challenge in Toowoomba. The winner will advance to the State final in Brisbane in January. Good luck boys. David Anderson Sportsmaster

Junior School Sports Results Term 3, Week 3 GPS Basketball

Saturday 29 July, 2017 6A TGS V NC Score: 10 – 35 (loss) Player of the Match: Hussein Yusaf Tiffany Holzheimer (Coach)

5A TGS V NC Score: 9 – 47 (loss) Player of the Match: Dihan Yapa Michelle McCorkindale (Coach)

Club Rugby Saturday 29 July, 2017

Under 6 Gold / Blue TGS V Gundy Score: 9 – 11 (loss) Player of the Match: Tom Byatt and MJ Crane Amelia Grills (Coach)

Under 7 TGS V Gundy Score: 6 – 5 (win) Player of the Match: Brock Farrell Ellie McLiesh (Coach)

Under 8 TGS V Gundy Score: 7 – 9 (loss) Player of the Match: Toby Grills Scott Campbell (Coach)

Under 9 TGS V Gundy Score: 5 – 9 (loss) George Brown and Andrew Brown (Coach)

Under 10 TGS V Gundy Score: 3 – 6 (loss) Player of the Match: Zach Freer and Oliver Williams Alastair Bain and Andrew Brown (Coach)

GPS Rugby Saturday 29 July, 2017

Under 11A TGS V NC Score: 12 – 24 (loss) Player of the Match: Archer Black David Anderson, Chris Brameld and Brad Grimes (Coach)

Under 11B TGS V NC Score: 5 – 78 (loss) Player of the Match: Jim MacDonald Jamie Lee, Chris Brameld and Brad Grimes (Coaches)

Inter School Football GPS Basketball Friday 28 July, 2017

Senior A TGS V TACAPS Score: 3 – 1 (win) Player of the Match: Matthew Taylor Rob Jeffries (Coach)

Senior B TGS V Wilsonton Score: 2 – 0 (win) Player of the Match: Mayukh Kakar Liz Pratt (Coach)

Junior A TGS V TACAPS Score: 4 – 0 (win) Player of the Match: Harry Apel Pat Wysel (Coach)

Junior B1 TGS V Wilsonton Score: 4 – 0 (win) Player of the Match: Darcy Meagher Karin Wharton (Coach)

Junior B2 TGS V Cambooya Score: 3 – 3 (Draw) Mary Lou Fraser (Coach)

Junior School Sports Results Term 3, Week 4 GPS Basketball

Saturday 5 August, 2017 6A TGS V BYE

5A TGS V BYE

Club Rugby Saturday 5 August, 2017

Under 6 Gold TGS V BYE Under 6 Gold TGS V BYE

Under 7 TGS V USQ Score: 5 – 7 (loss) Player of the Match: Nate Pengelly Ellie McLiesh (Coach)

Under 8 TGS V USQ Score: 8 – 11 (loss) Player of the Match: Jock Duggan Scott Campbell (Coach)

Under 9 TGS V BYE

Under 10 TGS V USQ Score: 8 – 4 (win) Player of the Match: Hugo Searle and MacKenzie Buckley Alastair Bain and Andrew Brown (Coach)

GPS Rugby Saturday 5 August, 2017

Under 11A TGS V GT Score: 17 – 27 (loss) Player of the Match: Fergus Walker David Anderson, Chris Brameld and Brad Grimes (Coach)

Under 11B TGS V GT Score: 34 – 7(win) Player of the Match: Henry Marsden Jamie Lee, Chris Brameld and Brad Grimes (Coach)

Inter School Football GPS Basketball Friday 4 August, 2017

Senior A TGS V Toowoomba East Score: 1 – 3 (loss) Player of the Match: Matt Taylor Sue Fuss (Coach)

Senior B TGS V Toowoomba East Score: 3 – 0 (win) Player of the Match: Ritvik Karmakar Liz Pratt (Coach)

Junior A TGS V Toowoomba East Score: 5 – 0 (win) Player of the Match: Jackson Smiddy Pat Wysel (Coach)

Junior B1 TGS V Toowoomba East Score: 4 – 0 (win) Player of the Match: Brendon Vicary Rojas Karin Wharton (Coach)

Junior B2 TGS V TACAPS Score: 15 – 1 (win) Player of the Match: Charlie Barnes Mary Lou Fraser and Maddi Payne (Coach)

Music News GPS Music Day of Excellence Congratulations to all boys who attended the GPS Music Day of Excellence last Tuesday 1 August. There were 17 boys from the Junior School involved in the Choir and the Concert Band. Choir boys had the opportunity to work with Mr Brett Holland (BBC), while the Concert Band was conducted by our very own Mrs Jayne Davidson. Well done to Mrs Davidson for a fabulous performance by the Concert Band at the evening concert. Thank you also to Ms Janelle Fletcher who accompanied us on the bus and assisted the various groups throughout the day. All boys did an excellent job representing the school and performed exceptionally well during the day, as well as for their evening concert. Eisteddfod Congratulations to all boys who were involved in the recent Toowoomba Eisteddfod. Please find below our ensemble results. 1st - Orchestra 1st - Year 2 String Orchestra 1st - Brass Ensemble 1st - Percussion Ensemble (Percussion Section)

1st - Percussion Ensemble (Orff Section) 2nd - Jazz Band 2nd - Introductory Band 3rd - String Ensemble HC - Chamber Winds HC - Concert Band In addition to the above results we have received outstanding results in solo sections, as well as trios, duets and quartets. Congratulations to the boys and staff involved.

Two first place awards were won by the Percussion Ensemble at the Toowoomba Eisteddfod. (Back Row L – R) Judd Rei, Lawson Booth, William Anderson, Charlie

Allom and Jackson Smiddy. (Front Row L – R) Tom Knudson, Bede Davis, Sam Freer, Thomas Dixon, Oliver Clifford and Joshua Zahra

Musicians’ Concert Our next Musicians’ Concert is scheduled for Thursday 17 August. A letter with details was sent home this week. Nominations are due to the school no later than 11 August. Parents are welcome to attend the Musicians’ Concert which will commence at 2.10pm in the Junior School Hall.

Ensemble Rehearsals During Week 5 our instrumental ensembles all had a break from their regular rehearsals. Please note that all ensembles will rehearse as normal from Monday 14 August. If you have any questions, please contact the conductor of the ensemble. Kellie Dixon and Jayne Davidson Music Teachers

After School Care

What we have done this past fortnight Over the last fortnight we introduced the praise box and the boys have been putting entries in it for excellent work. We have had fun with box construction, gold mining and chalk art. We had a group discussion around what our roles and responsibilities are in the service and from this the boys made a poster to display in the room as a visual reminder. What we have planned for the next week Next week we have planned activities based on what the boys have said they are interested in. We will be doing some cooking, outdoor play and inside activities that include box construction, science investigations and creative art. I will be away for the next three weeks as I am undertaking professional experience as a student teacher, but Aidan will be coordinating and ensuring the boys are having a great time. What to do if your child is absent from After School Care Please remember parents if your son is going to be absent from the service or has gone home sick please call us on 0421 570 461 or notify the customer experience team. Service Fees and Times

Service Opening Hours Full Fee Out of Pocket Casual Booking

After Care 3:00pm - 6:00pm $27.79 $8.81 - $13.90 Add $5.00

Interested in After School Care with Camp Australia? Visit the website https://www.campaustralia.com.au or call our customer service team on 1300 105 343. Bonnie Ryan Coordinator

Junior School Supporters’ Group Parents and Friends’ Association and Junior School Supporters’ Group meeting dates: Term 3 7.00pm Tuesday 29 August Week 8A Parents and Friends’ Association Meeting, Pavilion On behalf of the Supporters’ Group committee I am delighted to advise that we have received approval for our 2017 projects for the Junior School totalling a $20,000 contribution for purchase of finishing touches, furniture and robotics for the Makerspace and also an honour board for the Captain of Music. Thank you to Scott Campbell for his vision with these projects and his enthusiastic support of the Committee. I would also like to thank the committee executive (Melissa Buckley, Robyn Dunn and Lyn Paton) and parent volunteers who have worked very hard to accumulate sufficient funds in what can at times appear a thankless task. To Wes, Adele and Regan, the executive of the P & F who met to approve the P & F contribution of $11,000 towards these projects, we are sincerely appreciative and could not do it without this extra funding boost. I am sure all of the boys will enjoy many productive lessons in the Makerspace and it is fantastic to see the Music Captain’s honour board coming to fruition. Rhonda Wilkie Junior School Supporters’ Group President

Assembly Awards

Term 3, Week 4 and 5

Prep G MJ Crane

Isaac Meacham Suhaan Chowdhury

Nate Gill

Prep M Ashton Fels

Devan Pokharel Eric Zhang

Dominic Alexander Max Lynam

Jaxson Parker

1S James Dwight Brock Farrell Tokota Mears

Henry Fitzgerald Arick Sengaroun Austin Windsor

1W Emmett Lourigan

Jace Maddock Harry Moore-Barnard

Phoenix Bird Lucas McDonald Smith

2M Henry Gordon Michael Kisiel

Zack Philp Jude Greenhalgh

Beau Hamilton Oliver Randle

3G William Gilshenan

Toby Grills Lachlan Haller Hunter French

Thommie McConville Aidan Witenden

3M Buddy Henderson

Charlie Payne Roan Bronkhurst

Finlay Waring

4B Tim Hillman

Charles Lachmund Harrison Russell Calan Anderson

Lewis Bird Hammond Briggs

4W Josh Hoepper

Will Ivory Mawson Mos

James Nicholls Lachlan Warry Oliver Williams

5L Dallas Baker Alex Chicalas

Tayt Qualischefski Jackson Smiddy

Oscar Burey Hugh Campbell

5W Charlie Allom

Hamish Johnson Harry Apel

Sam Lawrence Patrick Nolan

6H Pat Neilson

Cole Tweedy Khobi Klaebe James Riches

6J Archer Black

Yoseph Bou-Samra Matt Dunn

Hussein Yusaf Nicholas Brown Thomas Dixon

Judd Rei

6V Cameron Apel Charlie Randall Ryan Grimes Chace Oates

Mrs Cantle Henry Fitzgerald 1S Douglas Smith 4W

Harry Apel 5W Patrick Nolan 5W

House Points

Boyce 123 Stephens 105

Taylor 102 Groom 100

Mackintosh 93

Term 3 Week 6A

Monday 14 August National Science Week (12 August - 20 August)

Range Zone Track and Field Trials, 9-12 Years Old, O'Quinn Street. Times 7.40am - 3.10pm

Tuesday 15 August Casual Clothes Day (Year 6 Gift to School)

ICAS Mathematics Test

Wednesday 16 August 2M Waterwise visit by TRC, 2.00pm, 2M classroom

Staff Meeting, 3.15pm - 5.15pm

Thursday 17 August Blazer Uniform

Senior School production of 'Oliver'. Year 5 and 6 to attend matinee, approx 10.30am - 1.00pm.

Musicians' Concert (Prep - Year 6), 2.10pm

Friday 18 August

Saturday 19 August GPS Rugby and Basketball vs ACGS (Churchie), Venue: Away

Club Rugby V USQ, Venue: Home

Sunday 20 August

Term 3 Week 7B

Monday 21 August Junior School Book Week (Theme: Escape to Everywhere)

Homework - reading only (Prep - Year 6)

Westpac Rescue Helicopter visit, Prep and Year 1, Old Boys' Memorial Oval, 8.50am

Visiting Author Nadia Sunde

Visiting author Samantha Wheeler

Tuesday 22 August Visiting author Samantha Wheeler

Visiting Author Nadia Sunde

Wednesday 23 August Visiting Author Nadia Sunde

Visiting author Samantha Wheeler

No Sport, Doorways completed, 1.35pm - 3.00pm

Staff Meeting, 3.30pm - 5.00pm

Thursday 24 August Dress Up Day (No Blazer Uniform)

Book Week Day, Doorways Competition

Newsletter

Book Week Assembly 11.00am - 11.45am

Friday 25 August 5As and 6As SEQ Football, Brisbane

Saturday 26 August GPS Rugby and Basketball vs IGS, Venue: Home

Club Rugby Closing Dalby Carnival, Venue: Away

Sunday 27 August

Junior School Contact Details Office: 07 4687 2555 Email: gjadmin@twgs.qld.edu.au Web: www.twgs.qld.edu.au Fax: 07 4687 2590 After School Care: 0421 570 461 Corfe House: 07 4687 2660 Aquatic Centre Bookings: 07 4687 2631

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