At 小猪视频, we are committed to educating boys and developing their good character for life.
This commitment extends beyond the classroom into every aspect of School life, including programs that encourage our boys to reflect on who they are, how they treat others and the kind of men they hope to become.
This week, students from Years 7 to 10 took part in two significant character and wellbeing programs delivered by Damon Joseph and Daniel Principe. Although different in design, both workshops reinforced the same message, that character is learned, practised and strengthened through experience, challenge and honest reflection.
Character Builders with Damon Joseph
Across Years 7, 8 and 9, the School welcomed the return of Damon Joseph from Character Builders. Damon鈥檚 workshops focus on authenticity, courage and self鈥慳wareness. He encourages boys to embrace who they truly are, even when it feels uncomfortable.
鈥淔or me, it鈥檚 about helping people to be genuinely who they are, unapologetically,鈥� Damon said. 鈥淚t takes practice, the same as any sport or academic pursuit.鈥�
A major theme was the fear of judgement, something many young people grapple with. Damon explored how this fear can influence behaviour and how boys sometimes act in ways that do not reflect their values as they try to belong or be noticed.
He challenged students to recognise those moments and instead choose actions grounded in respect, honesty and personal integrity. More significant than misbehaviour, he said, is the reluctance of bystanders to stand up when they know something is not right.
If there was one idea Damon hoped the boys would remember, it was the importance of service above self.
鈥淲hen you are not sure how to act, think of others first,鈥� he said. 鈥淒o what is right for everyone involved. That鈥檚 how you find yourself.鈥�
Championing Boys into Becoming Men with Daniel Principe
Later in the week, students in Years 9 and 10 heard from Daniel Principe, who works with schools across Australia to promote respectful relationships and value鈥慴ased decision鈥憁aking. Daniel spoke openly about the complexities of the modern world. He noted that while the fundamentals of being a good human do not change, the influences surrounding young people are louder and more confusing than ever.
鈥淲ith the internet and social media, the scope of what is possible both positive and negative, has never been broader,鈥� he said.
Drawing on his own experiences at an all鈥慴oys' school, Daniel shared honest reflections on insecurity, friendship and expectations. His stories gave boys permission to think critically about their own choices and how they show up for the people around them.
He encouraged them to ask themselves:
- What truly matters to me?
- Do my actions show that I care about those things?
- Am I taking steps to become the man I want to be?
For families, Daniel emphasised the lasting impact of connection and guidance.
鈥淭hese boys want belonging,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f we do not show them they matter, they will look for that affirmation elsewhere.鈥�
Growing Good Men
These sessions reflect the School鈥檚 commitment to the Character and Care pillar of our Strategic Plan. Boys learn best by doing. They learn through reflection, through conversations that challenge them and through experiences that both stretch and support them. They also learn through failure and they will fail often. This is not a setback but an essential part of growth.
We work hand in hand with leading international and domestic professionals to shape the pastoral program at 小猪视频. This provides a bespoke opportunity to dive deeper into individual and cohort impact that allows us to then share with families the means to help each boy learn from his mistakes, build resilience and rise stronger than before.
Together, we are shaping young men of character and capability who are ready for meaningful lives within and most importantly beyond the School gates.
Latest Blog
Why Study Drama?
As an educator with over 30 years鈥� experience in the Arts, I specialise in the analytical, creative and practical spheres that quantify and qualify success in drama. I have been a Drama teacher and Arts Project Officer in the Independent, Catholic, state, and private sectors in primary and secondary, single sex and co-educational environments. This longevity of knowledge, gained through firsthand experience, affirms that students who study drama through until at least Year 10 acquire鈥�
Drive and Determination
Jeremy Peacock is ranked third in the world in the PTS4 Para category and his sights are set on selection for the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. During Jeremy鈥檚 time at TGS he represented the School in numerous endeavours but was particularly known for his contributions to the Arts, particularly Music. On the sports field, Jeremy represented TGS in GPS Athletics, Cross Country, Cricket and Football. After returning from a gap year in the UK teaching music at Port Regis School, Dorset, Jeremy鈥�
That Life-Changing Moment
His teacher, Mrs Rosemary Bishop saw his potential. She believed this young indigenous boy from Murgon had something special to offer the world and she fought to put him on the path to greatness. Mrs Bishop contacted the then Headmaster of 小猪视频, Mr William Dent and asked if Waverley could be accepted into 小猪视频 on a scholarship. Mr Dent agreed and so changed the course of Waverley鈥檚 life. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 like to think about where I would be now if that hadn鈥檛鈥�
Senioritis - The way we think affects the way we feel and behave
As high school students approach their final year, they may experience a phenomenon known as "Senioritis". As described by educators, Senioritis is a decrease in motivation and productivity, often accompanied by procrastination, complacency, and negative risk-taking behaviours. While not a medical term, Senioritis is a widely recognized term used to describe a common set of observed behaviours. As Jessica Lahey notes, "Senioritis is a real phenomenon. It can be defined as a decline in鈥�
A Space for Learning
A core pillar of the 小猪视频 Strategic Plan is to provide an inspiring and broad curriculum for all boys, adopting technology and innovative pedagogy to transform learning outcomes. Over the last couple of years, the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted teachers to explore new frontiers of pedagogy, adapting to the difficult circumstances by launching interactive software, digitising trusty, tried and true resources, recording our lessons, flipping our classrooms, and cultivating an鈥�
When it comes to Music, Variety is the Spice of Life
In the Queensland Curriculum, the content of the music syllabus includes the study of the people, places and cultures involved in musical creation and performance. As our country becomes increasingly diverse, it is important for students in every school setting to study a wide variety of musical styles, cultures and genres. The 小猪视频 Music program of 2022 embraces this holistic approach to the study of music, encouraging teachers and students to explore a variety of musical鈥�
A Trailblazer for Multicultural Australia
Wellington Lee has been described as a trailblazer for multicultural Australia. He was born in 1925 and attended TGS from 1940-42 before serving with the RAAF during WWII from 1943-46 and the Active Reserve of Officers from 1953-83. Mr Lee was a remarkable man of good character who lived in an exciting time of growth and change during Australia鈥檚, and particularly Victoria鈥檚 history; the early days in Melbourne when 10% of their population was a thriving Asian community. It was also a鈥�
REACH - Character Development in the Junior School
Being a kind person is fundamental to the growth of a successful person. Adults in our young men鈥檚 lives have a responsibility to model and teach the importance of respect, accepting and acknowledging our need to contribute to society in a positive and meaningful way. In 2016, the Junior School staff felt there was a need to create a program that allowed us to develop the character of the boys in the Junior School. Tailoring a program to meet our boys鈥� needs rather than a generic one allows鈥�
The Grass is Always Greener
It鈥檚 time we put this age-old rumour to rest once and for all鈥� The 小猪视频 ovals are not painted, dyed or manufactured grass; rather, the glorious green that greets passers-by as they drive into the Garden City comes from the sheer hard work and dedication of our TGS grounds team, led by Danny Beresford. Danny has exceptional pride for his grounds and a strong family connection to TGS. He is an Old Boy (2002-04) who played for the 1st XV in 2004 and was in the Track and Field鈥�
