edition 17 25 october, 2018 - toowoomba grammar school
TRANSCRIPT
Edition 17 25 October, 2018
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The Junior School’s Musicians’ Cup was held on Thursday night last week in the
Junior School Hall. Twenty six talented students entered the competition. Henry Paton
(centre) was awarded first place with his piece on the trumpet, with Max Williamson
(right) being awarded second place also with a piece on the trumpet and Max Grills
(left) was awarded third place for his Viola solo. Congratulations boys!
From the Head of Junior School Dear Parents Musicians’ Cup was held on Thursday evening last week. This is an adjudicated instrumental competition for Junior School boys who are proficient musicians. A record number of boys entered this year’s event, with 26 individual performances on the evening. Without exception, every boy performed well with a diverse range of instruments being played across a broad repertoire. Boys’ schools have grown and matured over the past 30 years with it being completely acceptable in this day and age to play a musical instrument, while at the same time going hard and fast at sport, along with wearing formal school uniform to play chess. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and acknowledge all boys who entered the competition, along with their families, for valuing music as one of the many opportunities available at our School.
Musicians’ Cup competitors. Congratulations boys on your
performances. I thank our music teachers, Mrs Jayne Davidson and Mrs Kellie Dixon for running this competition and Mrs Natalie Otto, the School’s Director of Performance for being the Adjudicator. Finally, I congratulate the following prize recipients: First place Henry Paton (Trumpet) Second place Max Williamson (Trumpet) Third place Max Grills (Viola) Highly commended Samuel Lawrence (Flute) Highly commended Marcus Seckler (Trombone) Highly commended William Dwan (Trumpet) Highly commended Singyuan Xue (Piano) Junior School Supporters’ Group The Junior School Supporters’ Group Annual General Meeting (AGM) will occur on Monday 12 November. Further information is contained within this newsletter and nomination forms for next year’s positions were sent home today.
Six things to do with your son before he finishes primary school I recently received a copy of a book titled ‘50 things to do before you’re eleven and three quarters’ from Dr Sian Ford, mother of Alex Chicalas in Year 6. This book is published by the National Trust in the United Kingdom and contains some nice suggestions for children. I have adapted this somewhat for an Australian setting and encourage fathers and mothers to consider these options as ideal things to do with your son on weekends or holidays. You will notice that these suggestions have nothing to do with technology or a screen. I thank Sian Ford and her son Alex for providing me with this book to use as incentive for this article. 1. Plant it, grow it, eat it – quick growing vegetables or strawberries are ideal 2. Cook something together at home 3. Go camping 4. Build a sandcastle or dig holes in the sand at the beach 5. Go fishing together (a great opportunity to talk to your son) 6. Go on a bush walk together – there are some great short walks around Toowoomba Mayoral School Achievement Awards The annual Mayoral School Achievement Awards ceremony was held recently. These annual awards recognise children who have persevered in times of adversity in primary and secondary schools across the Darling Downs. Congratulations to Chayton Mears (4C) who was the Junior School recipient this year. Chayton experienced some significant medical issues earlier this year, resulting in major surgery. Despite this adversity, he has persevered with his school work and always remained positive and optimistic, being a fine role model for other students.
Chayton Mears with Mayor Paul Antonio after receiving
his Mayoral School Achievement Award.
Class placement of students Placing students in classes for the following year is a process in which we invest a great deal of time and care. During my time at the School, this has always been announced in the middle of Term 4 and prior to Orientation Day. In many schools, this information is typically held back from parents and children, being announced almost as school commences in the new year. Spending time sorting this out and announcing this in a timely manner treats boys and parents in a respectful manner, and alleviates anxieties that can often arise simply through the lack of knowledge about what is occurring.
This process has now been finalised and this information will be provided to parents and boys next week. I ask parents to trust the professional judgment of the teaching staff and more broadly of the School with regard to class placement as this is viewed very seriously and has taken some time. This is done in a careful manner ensuring classes are balanced both academically and socially and boys are matched with teachers and with one another. Once again, I look forward to this information being well received by our school community. Regards Scott Campbell Head of Junior School
From the Head of Teaching and Learning Assessment As the teachers prepare to write end of year reports, they ask the boys to complete a variety of tasks to ascertain levels of achievement and learning growth. The tests cover all areas of the curriculum and are given as part of the normal school program. The teachers prepare the boys for testing by giving in-class revision exercises and revision homework tasks. The teachers also talk about ways to develop effective study habits. Testing is part of our lives and these important life-long learning skills begin developing in the primary years. As parents, you can support your sons by talking about their studies, providing homework support and letting them know that you just want them to do their best. Jan Heffernan Head of Teaching and Learning
Charities Prepared to help others Legacy is a fine organisation, founded shortly after World War 1, devoted to the care of the families of fallen Service men and women. Each year, Legacy’s major fundraiser is the badge week, and the young men of Boyce in Years 7 – 12 assist with this each year, raising close to $2000 for this worthy cause. Mr Wallis, the Boyce Boarding Housemaster, visited the Prep boys to explain what Legacy does and to announce an exciting new initiative. Over the coming weeks, boys from our Prep class who display similar traits that Legacy volunteers do – respect for others, a willingness to help others, humility and hard work – will receive a Legacy badge. Hopefully, this small token will serve as both a reward for fine work done, and as a reminder to always look to help others and work as a team. Amelia Grills Charity Organiser
Junior School Marketing Featured below is some of our new marketing material. We are seeking support from parents who may be willing and able to display some of these DL fliers in their businesses or offices. If you are happy to assist with this matter can you please click or tap on the link to Mrs Karen Miller’s email address and reply? Mrs Miller will then provide you with some of these brochures. (Mrs Karen Miller, Head of Junior School’s Secretary [email protected])
Sports News Junior GPS Track and Field Championship Twenty-nine boys from the Junior School competed in the 2018 Junior GPS Track and Field Championship at QSAC yesterday. The bus departed at 7.00am with the boys and eight staff on board. We returned at 5.00pm. It was certainly a rewarding and tiring day with all members giving of their best in every event. Cricket Charlie Lachmund has been selected in the South-West Queensland Zone Darling Downs Under 12 cricket team that will contest the State Championship in Rockhampton in mid-December. He’s been working very hard on his game and is excited about playing against the State’s best. We congratulate him on his efforts and wish him all the best. Aquathlon The Darling Downs Aquathlon trials were held in Dalby today. The Aquathlon is an event that involves students running 1km, swimming 200m and then running another 1km. This trial is for students born 2007/2008. We had three boys representing the Junior School at this event. They were Brendan Vicary Rojas, Bailey Harm and Max Williamson. This is a sport that is growing in popularity and competitors need to be strong in swimming and running to be considered for this event. Queensland State Track and Field Championships Matthew Johnston and Bailey Harm travelled to Cairns last week to compete in the Queensland State Track and Field Championships. Matthew gave his best shot in the Multi/Combined Event and Bailey competed in the high jump event and was placed 8th in Queensland. Well done boys for achieving such a high standard. Mike Sharpe Acting Sportsmaster
Junior GPS Track and Field Championship
Music News Musicians’ Cup Our annual Junior School Musicians’ Cup was be held in the Junior School Hall last Thursday. We had 26 performances on the evening, all of which were polished and of an extremely high standard. Congratulations to all of the boys involved for their preparation for this event. Thank you to all of the instrumental tutors for preparing the boys, to Mrs Melissa Buchholz, Mrs Elizabeth Crook and Miss Laura Chegwidden for their accompanying, as well as Mrs Natalie Otto, Director of Performance, for her adjudication on the evening. Congratulations to the following boys who were awarded prizes for their outstanding performances. First place Henry Paton (Trumpet) Second place Max Williamson (Trumpet) Third place Max Grills (Viola) Highly Commended Samuel Lawrence (Flute) Highly Commended Marcus Seckler (Trombone) Highly Commended William Dwan (Trumpet) Highly Commended Singyuan Xue (Piano) Blue Care Today, members of Tribe, Tribe Junior, Chamber Winds and selected soloists travelled to Blue Care Nursing Home to perform a concert for the residents. This is always a highlight for the residents and particularly our boys who thoroughly look forward to this event. Thank you to those boys involved for their performances.
Music Bursaries Each year our instrumental and singing students are offered the opportunity to apply for a music bursary. These bursaries are offered to assist with individual music tuition. A note with all details will be sent home in the coming week. Bursaries are open for boys currently in Years 3-5 (2018). Ensembles Concert We will be holding an Ensembles Concert during assembly time in Week 6 (Thursday 15 November). This concert will provide all ensembles with the opportunity to perform before the end of the year. If your son is a member of a music ensemble you may like to mark this date in your calendar. The Ensembles Concert will commence at 2.10pm in the Junior School Assembly Hall. Kellie Dixon and Jayne Davidson Music Teachers
Chess News Last weekend, the Queensland State Chess Championship took place at St Joseph's College Gregory Terrace. Eight boys from the Junior School had earned a place at this top-level event. The competition involved the very best primary schools from each region in Queensland and the level of play on display certainly showed this. The boys played six very long games of chess over the two days and should be very proud of their achievements. TGS Team 1 (Oliver Clifford, Theo Yevdokimov, Charlie Meyer and Jett Heffernan) achieved a fantastic 15th place out of the 42 competing teams and TGS Team 2 (Karan Mohan, Henry Paton, William Dwan, George Clifford) finished in 39th place. Special mentions must also go to the individual efforts of two boys. Of the more than 170 students that took part, Theo Yevdokimov (Year 4) finished in 31st with his 4 wins and Jett Heffernan (Year 5) finished in 60th place with 3 wins and a draw. To be able to represent the School at such a high level is a special experience and I am very proud of all of the boys and their efforts over the weekend. I would like to thank Mr Ben Woolacott for his assistance on the weekend as well as the parents who came along to support their boys.
TGS Team 1 and TGS Team 2 competing Evan Rees Chess Instructor
Night of Notables The Year 6 Big Thinking Project (BTP) group will be holding the annual “Night of the Notables” on Thursday 8 November. The students have been researching famous Australians authors throughout Term 3. During the “Night of the Notables”, the students adopt the persona of their famous Australian and are required to answer any questions presented to them as this person. They have also created display boards and tables to best represent the lives and achievements of their chosen person. You are invited to join us for the evening. Tea/ coffee and light refreshments will be served. The event will be held in the Junior School Hall, commencing at 6.00pm. Please RSVP to the front office by Thursday 1 November, 2018 to assist with catering. Lucy MacFarlane Academic Extension
After School Care What we have done this past fortnight The boys have been participating in a range of fun and exciting activities. In week one we celebrated fire safety week and the boys made a fire truck out of recycled materials. Last week we learnt all about nutrition and why our body needs different nutrients. To show the boys how much sugar soft drink has we made a sugar chart with some of the boys favourite drinks on it. After seeing how much sugar some of the drinks had in them the boys decided that maybe they should drink less sugary drinks and more water. Due to the rain we have not been able to go outside as much as we would have liked to, instead we played games on the veranda so we weren’t inside every afternoon. The boys’ favourite inside game has been Zoob Constructions and their favourite outside game has been Dodge Ball on the hill. What we have planned for this week This week we are celebrating Children’s Week. Children’s Week is a week celebrating the right of all children to enjoy their childhood. It is also a week where children have the opportunity to demonstrate their talents, skills and abilities. To honour this we are going to have a talent show for the boys to share any amazing talents they may have. We are also in the process of starting our own garden. We are going to be growing some yummy fruits and vegetables as well as some pretty flowers.
What to do if your child is absent from After School Care? Please remember parents if your son will be absent from the service 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 $55 $10.54 - $27.50 Add $5.00
Interested in After School Care with Camp Australia? Please visit the website or call our customer service team on 1300 105 343.
Rhiannon Newman Coordinator
Junior School Supporters’ Group
Parents and Friends’ Association and Junior School Supporters’ Group meeting dates: Term 4 7.00pm Tuesday 30 October Week 4B Parents and Friends’ Association Meeting, Jacaranda Room 6.00pm Monday 12 November Week 6B Junior School Supporters’ Group AGM, J1 Bliss Bierhoff Junior School Supporters’ Group President
Assembly Awards Week 2B and 3A
PM
Liam Haegel Hunter Ley
Isaac Tebbutt William Duddy Bryan Boaden
Cameron Oliphant Gursawan Randhawa
1E
Isaac Meacham Devan Pokharel
Dominic Alexander Tom Murray
1M
Harry Constable Ashton Fels
Connor Gilmore Will Romero
2G James Dwight Amza Fleming Tokota Mears Will Bierhoff
Noah Brannelly Austin Windsor
2W
Emmett Lourigan Jackson Martin Hamish Popple
3H
James Dixon Max Onley
Beau Hamilton Tom Morgenstern
4B
William Davidson Riley Sutcliffe
Theo Yevdokimov Charc Franey Ashton Reedy Liam Sanson
4C
Toby Grills Buddy Henderson
George Paton Roan Bronkhurst
Kurt Seckler Singyuan Xue
5L
Dann Goodwin Charlie Lachmund
Zach Freer Ryan Williams
5S Phin Bierhoff
Will Ivory Archer Onley Jack Brown
Duncan Clews Douglas Smith
6C
Will McDonald Thomas Nicholls
Charlie Meyer Brendon Vicary Rojas
6J Hayden Johnston
Ben Morris Dallas Baker Hamish Seng
George Smolenski
6W Zander Gentry
Lachlan Hawkins Will Kath
Henry Marsden Darcy Meagher
Dihan Yapa
REACH Awards Robert Acton (1M) Will Romero (1M)
Jackson Smiddy (6C)
Mrs Davidson Roan Bronkhurst (4C)
George Paton (4C) Aimon Rowe (4C) Kurt Seckler (4C)
Singyuan Xue (4C) Hammond Briggs (5L)
Samuel Lawrence (6W)
House Points
Boyce 139 Stephens 139
Taylor 139 Groom 136
Mackintosh 124
Junior School Two Weeks Ahead Week 4B
Monday 29 October
Tuesday 30 October Year 5 excursion to Brisbane Planetarium (Blues Uniform), 8.45am - 3.00pm
Parents and Friends' Association meeting, Jacaranda Room, 7.00pm
Wednesday 31 October Staff Meeting, 3.30pm - 5.00pm
Thursday 1 November Assembly Prep - Year 6 (Public speaking prizes 2nd, 3rd and Highly Commended awards), 2.10pm
Friday 2 November
Saturday 3 November Toowoomba Chess Association Chess Tournament, Junior School Hall, 6.00pm - 10.00pm
Sunday 4 November Toowoomba Chess Association Chess Tournament, Junior School Hall, 6.00pm - 10.00pm
Week 5A
Monday 5 November Welcome to Senior School function for current TGS Year 6 parents, Junior School Hall, 4.00pm - 5.30pm
Tuesday 6 November Trinity College London Examinations, Students and Schedules to be advised
Wednesday 7 November Trinity College London Examinations, Students and Schedules to be advised
House meetings re: House Leadership, 1.35pm - 1.55pm Staff Meeting, 3.30pm - 5.00pm Thursday 8 November Newsletter
Year 6 to Senior School for Orientation Morning, 8.25am - 10.25am
Junior School Orientation Morning for 2019, 8.30am - 9.45am
Morning Tea for new boys and parents, 9.45am - 10.15am Night of Notables, Junior School Hall, 6.00pm - 7.30pm Friday 9 November Remembrance Day Ceremony, 10.50am Saturday 10 November Sunday 11 November Remembrance Day
Junior School Contact Details Office: 07 4687 2555 Email: [email protected] 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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