Annual Report - The Southport School

Annual Report 

2008 

1

Our Vision 

The Southport School will be 

acknowledged as a world class 

day and boarding school for 

boys, a balanced and holistic 

Christian learning community 

in the Anglican tradition, 

working with families to 

create outstanding young men 

who are confident, happy 

and responsible, with highly 

developed skills in the areas of 

leadership, thinking, creativity 

and emotional intelligence. 

2 Annual Report 2008

Annual Report 

2008 

3

Contents 

About The Southport School 5 

Strategic Priorities 5 

Headmaster 7 

Chairman of the School Council 9 

Deputy Headmaster and Dean of Students 11 

Dean of Studies 13 

Dean of Learning and Teaching 14 

Master of the Preparatory School 15 

Curriculum Coordinator 17 

Director of Sport 19 

President of the Old Southportonians’ Association 20 

President of The Southport School Foundation Limited 21 

President of the Parents & Friends Association 22 

Business Manager 23 


About The Southport School 

Founded in 1901, The Southport School (TSS) is an 

Anglican day and boarding school for boys from Prep 

Year to Year 12 with boarding available from Year 5. 

TSS is a member of the Great Public Schools’ 

Association (GPS) and it is the only boys’ school and 

boys’ boarding school on the Gold Coast. 

Cutting-edge educational practices include Leadership 

Development, Emotional Intelligence and Thinking 

Skills. TSS provides a balanced and holistic approach 

to boys’ education, with integrated programs of 

academic and co-curricular. 

Current brain research shows that boys learn 

differently from girls. That’s why our curriculum 

is developed to educate boys in a way that best suits 

their needs. Through low student-to-staff ratios, we 

provide our boys with greater individual attention. 

Our research demonstrates that boys perform better 

academically when they are involved in cultural 

and sporting activities. As a result, they become 

more confident and develop time management and 

organisational skills. 

Reflecting our Christian values, TSS promotes 

positive and productive relationships, implements the 

National Safe Schools Framework and upholds our 

anti-bullying policy. 

TSS attracts the finest educational professionals. 

We provide continuous training and professional 

development to keep our teachers at the top of their 

profession. The professional development covers 

not only our Strategic Priorities, but includes staff 

development in all areas of our programs from 

boarding, pastoral care, counselling skills and 

numerous boys’ education issues thus strengthening 

our Anglican Christian commitment all the way 

through to increasing the skills and knowledge of our 

teachers. These areas include enriching the classroom 

for talented students, specific subject development 

activities and robotics. 

Strategic Priorities 

• Strengthen our academic ethos 

• Provide a safe and secure environment where all our 

boys are valued, and bullying of any kind is seen by 

staff and boys as unacceptable 

• Develop world class programs specialising in 

education for boys 

• Enhance Prep Year to Year 12 themes and 

initiatives; one example is the teaching of Science, 

Mathematics, Engineering, and spatial intelligence 

through Specialised Lego and Robotics 

• ‘Learning to Lead’, the creation of a Leadership 

Development Framework for all boys from Prep 

Year to Year 12 with strands in: 

– Emotional Intelligence 

– Thinking Skills and Problem Solving 

– Experiential learning of leadership in Cadets, 

Outdoor Education and Service programs 

 

… aiming to empower our young men to responsibly and effectively serve their 

families and communities. 

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Headmaster 

Mr Greg Wain 

TSS is committed through our Vision to provide 

a ‘balanced and holistic’ program and to build a 

‘Christian learning community’. Our boys have a 

myriad of opportunities to engage with their School 

community through involvement in a wide range of 

academic, spiritual, sporting and cultural activities. 

This Annual Report on the 108th year of operation 

of The Southport School outlines many of these 

activities. 

Old Boys’ Weekend – the last home game of rugby 

and football saw a very large contingent of Old Boys 

join us for the festivities of Old Boys’ Weekend which 

commenced on the Thursday with the Older Old 

Boys’ Assembly. 

More than 40 sprightly men joined us from the ages 

of mid-60 through to Mr Guy Hamlyn-Harris as the 

‘senior’ Old Boy present at 96 years of age! 

As always the boys were very respectful of the occasion 

which was made more entertaining for all by the 

viewing of a film of archival footage produced by 

Mr Hain. Some of the Older Old Boys present were 

actually in the footage which showed the School and 

various activities from the 1920s to the 1960s. 

The usual festive Old Boys’ Dinner was preceded by 

a very entertaining, high quality and close rugby game 

against brother Anglican school, Churchie. On this 

occasion, as for the past few years, TSS won the cup, 

though Churchie is looking forward very confidently 

to 2009. 

I thank the many Old Boys and family members who 

joined us for the weekend and recommend a visit back 

here in 2009. 

Preparatory School – At the time of writing 

this report, I have just returned from the Year 7 

Celebration of Achievement in the Pearce Theatre. 

As always there was much evidence of involvement 

and achievement from our Prep boys, not to mention 

the enormous energy of the little fellows in the three 

Preparatory Year classes. 

I thank Dr Wood and the Prep staff on their work and 

commend the Prep reports contained herein. 

Strengthening our academic ethos - The report 

on page 13 from the Dean of Learning and Teaching 

outlines our further progress this year in the areas 

of thinking skills, implementing brain research 

findings in our teaching practice, and staff professional 

learning through working on the TSS Model of the 

Ideal Teacher. This model encompasses relationships 

with students, professional leadership, pedagogical 

knowledge, and effort and commitment. 

We finished off an already high achieving year in 2007 

with a set of outstanding OP results. Eleven OP1s 

sets a new benchmark for TSS. The 2007 OP cohort 

performed most commendably overall with 51 percent 

achieving OP 1-10 compared to the previous best OP 

1-10 of 53 percent in 2006 (the State percentage for OP 

1-10 is about 42 percent, and 40 percent for males). 

While all the evidence shows the top-end boys ‘really 

fired’ in the Queensland Core Skills Test, as I have 

mentioned to the boys, we still have more work to 

do to keep lifting our academically average boys. TSS 

has always performed well in this area with further 

good improvements in recent years, yet I know there 

is further untapped potential in this area that we must 

encourage our boys to develop. 

In terms of university places, we were pleased to hear 

91 percent of our 2007 applicants received tertiary 

places with 83 percent receiving one of their top 

preferences. 

In terms of national benchmarking, two of our 

top students from 2007 were recognised with a 

national award for the top few hundred students 

across Australia. Daniel Ryan and Scott Josey were 

in the top 2.4 percent of students in Queensland 

by virtue of achieving an OP 1, and their externally 

moderated school results and outstanding individual 

QCST results put them at the equivalent of the top 

0.1 percent of students in Australia. This is further 

evidence of the academic ability of our top end 

students, their conscientiousness and hard work, and 

the high quality teaching they have received. 

St Peter’s Southport - It was an honour in May to 

present the inaugural Horace Henry Dixon Memorial 

Lecture at St Peter’s Southport to commemorate the 

strong links between the parish and The Southport 

School which started when Horace Henry Dixon, 

Rector of St Peter’s, founded TSS in 1901. 

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There were more than 80 in attendance at the 7am 

service and many more present, with a strong TSS 

contingent, including musicians, at the 9.30am 

service. It was an address in three parts beginning with 

some history on Horace Henry Dixon, the story of 

our Patron Saint, and a sample of the messages our 

boys receive at chapel and assemblies to provide the 

parishioners with an idea of our spirit and ethos. 

At the end of the service as Father Harry and I were 

farewelling the congregation, I was pleased to meet 

six parishioners who had actually been confirmed 

by Horace Dixon when he became a bishop after 

completing three decades as founding Headmaster. 

One sprightly lady was confirmed more than 68 years 

ago by Bishop Dixon, and is still a regular at St Peter’s. 

My thanks to Father Harry from St Peter’s, Father 

Bryan, Father Phil, music staff, boys and boarding staff 

for helping make this Sunday a special occasion for the 

Parish. 

Anglican Ethos - The Chapel of St Alban, built on 

the highest part of the grounds, is the spiritual and 

community heart of The Southport School. 

Each year, as part of the School Council’s 

commitment to faith development and the mission 

of the Church, a Council-led Chapel service is held 

in the Chapel of St Alban. This is an opportunity for 

Council members to actively participate in the service 

and to encourage families to come together to support 

their son’s spiritual journey. 

I thank Father Bryan Gadd and Father Phil Crook for 

their ministry among our community. 

Extra-curricular program - Thank you to all the 

staff and Old Boys involved in our sporting, musical 

and cultural activities this year. Auditions have already 

started for the musical next year and we eagerly await 

opening night. 

To further bolster the coaching expertise in cricket, we 

were delighted to appoint Mr Steve Baker this year as 

our new Director of Cricket. Steve is a Level III coach 

who captained the Queensland Schoolboys’ Team, 

played for the Australian Under 19 Team, and played 

for Queensland Country for eight years. 

Steve joins our talented group of sporting coaches and 

his enthusiasm and knowledge of cricket is already 

paying dividends with more than 200 boys taking to 

the fields each Saturday this year to make cricket the 

second highest participation sport behind rugby. 

Indigenous Education Program - This scholarship 

program has been established to offer Indigenous 

students who are demonstrating potential in the 

classroom, in cultural pursuits, leadership or on the 

sporting field – an opportunity to complete their 

secondary education at TSS. Our aim is to provide 

these boys with previously unattainable opportunities 

and pathways to successfully complete their 

secondary studies and move on to tertiary studies, 

apprenticeships or business ventures. 

Applications will be sought from Year 7 and 8 boys 

who wish to experience all aspects of a boarding 

community by participating in the full range of 

academic, cultural, spiritual, community service and 

sporting endeavours. 

The TSS student body as a whole will benefit from 

this program and I hope to see a noticeable shift in 

multi-cultural attitude; moving beyond tolerance 

towards full acceptance and valuing of not only 

Indigenous culture, but of all other cultures as well. 

Our mission will be to increase the number of 

Indigenous students who complete Year 12, and to 

imbue them, as we do for all our students, with a sense 

of community service and high level skills in thinking, 

leadership and inter-personal relationships. 

Country Boarder Bursaries - I am pleased to let 

Old Boys and parents know that more than 10 boys 

in 2009 will be able to attend TSS as recipients of the 

Country Boarder Bursaries. With a generous ‘seed’ 

donation from the family of past Headmaster Mr C. 

G. Pearce, other donations, and some additional rental 

income contribution from the School Council, this 

fund is now making a real difference in ensuring we 

maintain the very special spirit of TSS which comes 

from the presence of our country boys. 

Building a Culture of Philanthropy - 

‘Philanthropic’ refers to an altruistic, benevolent, 

charitable approach to others, a willingness to help 

others in a practical way. 


In a school setting, this usually means that people in 

the school community – parents, Old Boys and staff 

– understand there is a need for a particular program 

or facility, and make a philanthropic contribution to 

ensure the boys have the benefits sooner rather than 

later. Not all in the community are able to contribute 

more than school fees, but many are lucky enough 

to be in a position to help develop and advance the 

School, and thus benefit the boys. 

Many of our Old Boys and parents are already 

philanthropic towards TSS, giving of time, money, 

goods or services to benefit the School and the boys, 

both current and future. 

In recent times, under the guidance of the Fundraising 

Steering Committee, chaired by School Council 

member, Old Boy and current parent Mr Bruce 

Wright, we have been consulting widely to plan an 

effective way forward in terms of philanthropy. We 

have received much good advice, and have certainly 

received the message that parents and Old Boys 

want the opportunity to be part of building a Capital 

Investment Fund where the capital base is invested 

wisely, but never used for current projects. This fund 

has been established and the earnings will be utilised 

for approved projects. A clear commitment has been 

given by the Council, Foundation and Headmaster 

that the donated capital in this fund will not be 

touched. 

The vision is the Capital Investment Fund will both 

endow and ensure the long-term future of this great 

School. 

Obviously some parents and Old Boys will wish to 

have the option to donate to a current project, for 

example the new rowing and water activity centre 

on the river, the Sheil building replacement, or the 

Leadership Development Centre and lecture theatre. 

This option always will be available, in addition to the 

option of donating to the Country Boarder Bursary 

Fund or other scholarship funds. 

2008 has been a good year for both the TSS 

Foundation and philanthropy with the Business 

Breakfasts, Indigenous Education Program Dinner and 

other events and requests being well-supported by a 

wide range of people in the community. We thank Old 

Boy Mr Jock Beveridge for his work in growing the 

culture of philanthropy at the School. 

End of an Era – After 16 years of loyal and dedicated 

service to TSS, our Business Manager, Mr Roeland 

Weisfelt, has tendered his resignation to take up the 

position of Chief Financial Officer at The American 

School of Doha, Qatar. 

Mr Weisfelt, one of the great characters of TSS and 

Business Breakfast raffle ticket seller extraordinaire, 

is one of the longest-serving business managers in 

Queensland and his wise counsel is widely sought by 

business managers from throughout the State. We will 

miss his experience, knowledge and unique humour. 

Thank you - I thank all members of the community 

for their support of The Southport School during 

the past year; boys, parents and friends, staff and Old 

Boys. Thank you in particular to our hard working 

and dedicated staff and to the School Council, the 

committed group of volunteers lead by Old Boy 

Mr Derek Murphy, who are effectively the Board of 

Directors and most certainly the stewards of TSS for 

the Archbishop and our owners, the Anglican Diocese 

of Brisbane. 

Please do enjoy reading the remainder of our Annual 

Report. 

Chairman of the School Council 

Mr Derek Murphy 

2008 was another successful year for the School. 

The Headmaster has spoken of the best academic 

results in living memory with 11 OP1s in 2007, and 

it’s pleasing to note the improved performance of both 

the bottom end of the 2007 cohort and the results of 

boys of average ability encouraged to try even harder 

to achieve their potential. The School is indebted to 

the hard working and devoted academic staff for this 

quantifiable improvement in the academic ethos. 

Special thanks to Dean of Studies Mr Michael Turley, 

Dean of Teaching and Learning Mr John Stir and the 

Prep School Curriculum Coordinator Ms Nicole 

Dewley-Vokes for their encouragement of both 

students and their teachers. 

The School Council met on eight occasions during 

the year and its various committees – Finance, 

Building and Grounds, Audit and Risk and the newly 

created Education and Innovation Committee - were 

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challenged with so many important strategic issues. 

Perhaps the most critical of these was ensuring our 

enrolment numbers were in line with budget and we 

were able to offer value for money for our parents. 

This has led to a greater understanding of what makes 

TSS different from our competitor schools on the 

Gold Coast, and what makes our product attractive 

to parents who wish the best for their sons. There 

are, I believe, seven key identifiable differences in our 

offering: 

Firstly, TSS is the only GPS school (Great Public 

School) on the Gold Coast. We compete in a range 

of sporting activities: swimming, cricket, rowing, 

rugby, football, sailing, gymnastics, tennis, athletics, 

basketball, and cross country; and co-curricular 

activities such as chess and debating against eight other 

GPS schools from Brisbane, Ipswich and Toowoomba. 

It’s an association of mainly private schools, many 

with long and distinguished histories, which have 

produced some of the country’s finest leaders. In the 

context of our own leadership program, ‘Learning to 

Lead’, this friendly rivalry between schools of similar 

character, and the opportunities for lasting friendships 

with boys from other GPS schools is a defining quality 

and one to be greatly valued. One particular initiative 

of a combined GPS Alumni Committee chaired by 

Old Boy George Friend OAM is the GPS Alumni Life 

House - a suicide prevention project jointly supported 

by each of the nine GPS schools. Knowing from our 

own bitter experience what a scourge youth suicide is, 

this is a highly commendable initiative. 

Secondly, TSS is a boarding and day school for 

boys. Research has demonstrated that boys learn 

differently from girls. Even in co-educational schools 

in the United States there is a growing trend towards 

segregated classes. This doesn’t mean boys should be 

isolated from the opposite sex: far from it! With our 

increasingly close relationship with our sister school, 

St Hilda’s, physically only a few kilometres away, 

opportunities to visit, communicate and socialise are 

available. It is the policy of the School Council to 

encourage the maximum possible interaction between 

the boys of TSS and the girls of St Hilda’s. 

Thirdly, TSS has some of the finest physical facilities 

in Australia. It has expansive playing fields, and its 

location on the Nerang River provides countless 

opportunities for recreational and sporting activities, 

particularly rowing which has been such an important 

and revered sport at TSS since its founding in 1901. 

St Alban’s Chapel stands as a living memorial to those 

distinguished Old Boys who fought and died in World 

War I. The names of those who made the ultimate 

sacrifice for their country are inscribed on the Honour 

Roll in the narthex of the Chapel. The Clocktower 

building, built in the 1920s, is an iconic standout 

building with a wealth of history and countless 

memories for Old Boys. The newer buildings such 

as the Centenary Centre, the Preparatory School and 

the Annand Theatre named after one of our Rhodes 

Scholars, Mr Peter Annand, are further examples 

of contemporary buildings which nevertheless have 

the TSS ‘feel’ about them in conformity with our 

homogenous architectural style. Our fundraising 

campaign to build an Academic Centre of Excellence 

and a new River Centre for rowing and sailing is 

expected to have been launched before this Report is 

published. 

Fourthly, TSS has one of the few cadet units on 

the Gold Coast. Cadets have a proud tradition at the 

School. While it’s now a tri-service organisation with 

Air Force and Navy cadets added in more recent years, 

the TSS Army Cadet Corps celebrated its centenary 

in 2006. It offers opportunities for leadership 

development and it is School Council policy to foster 

and promote cadets as a key strategic initiative for 

boys at TSS. I would encourage parents to persuade 

their sons to be actively involved in one of the cadet 

units and to undertake promotion camps and become 

leaders of both cadets and the School. 

Fifthly, as a leading boarding school in Australia 

with a strong commitment to country boarders who 

have been coming to the School for more than 100 

years, we are proud of our pastoral care program with 

resident Housemasters, Assistant Housemasters and 

matrons who take a genuine interest in the boys’ 

welfare. Our international students provide for a 

multicultural mix from which local students can learn 

tolerance, cultural understanding and respect. 

Sixthly, TSS is a long standing member of the 

Round Square Organisation, based on the educational 

philosophy of German scholar, Dr Kurt Hahn, who 

left Germany and founded Gordonstoun in Scotland. 


There are now 14 member schools in Australia, 

and 72 around the world with a large waiting list 

of schools eager to join. In October 2008, together 

with the Headmaster, Round Square representative 

Ms Di Francis, and a delegation of boys, I attended 

the International Conference of Round Square 

in Vancouver and continue to be impressed with 

the opportunities it provides for exchanges, and 

international and regional projects in developing 

countries. The theme of the 2008 conference was the 

topical subject: Sustainability: from Local to Global. 

And finally, we are a Christian school in the Anglican 

tradition where education embraces the whole of life, 

and challenges each boy to reach their full potential. 

It is one of the responsibilities of the School Council, 

as the delegate of the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane 

which owns the School, to promote and reinforce 

the Mission of the Church as being the Mission of 

Christ to proclaim the ‘Good News’ of the Kingdom 

of God. This year, we held a Council-led Chapel 

Service in May to which Year 8 boys and their parents 

were invited. We hope this initiative will develop and 

we will see more parents attend with their sons as 

they embark upon their spiritual journey. In October, 

our regional bishop, the Right Reverend Geoff 

Smith, Bishop of the Southern Region, together 

with the Executive Director of the Anglican Schools 

Commission attended our School Council meeting. 

At the end of 2008, the secretary to the School 

Council, Mr Roeland Weisfelt, resigned to take up 

a new position in a school in Qatar in the Middle 

East. Roeland contributed enormously to the work of 

the Council and on behalf of my fellow councillors, 

I would like to thank him most sincerely for his 

unfailing courtesy, his diligence and his devotion to 

duty. Sixteen years in one school is a very long time, 

having served under four Chairs of Council and two 

Headmasters. He will be sorely missed, but we wish 

him well in his new career and hope to see him back 

in Australia from time to time. 

Lastly, I would like to thank my fellow councillors 

for their enormous voluntary contribution to the 

work of the Council. In particular, to those with the 

added responsibility of chairing committees, Chair 

of Finance Mr Paul Steer; Chair of Building and 

Grounds and Deputy Mr Fraser Perrin; Chair of the 

Fundraising Steering Committee Mr Bruce Wright; 

Chair of Education and Innovation, Mrs Debbie 

Laidley; and Chair of Audit and Risk, Mr Simon 

Bennett. I am immensely proud to be working with 

such dedicated volunteers in the interests of the School. 

Mr Alan Parsons 

Deputy Headmaster and Dean of Students 

This year saw the relatively new office of Student 

Services continue to evolve into an organisation 

within the School with the general wellbeing of the 

student body as its primary focus. Several significant 

initiatives were introduced during the year including 

the institution of the Housemasters’ ‘Big Day Out’; a 

day taken out of the school calendar mid-year to allow 

all Housemasters to meet off campus to review the 

year to date and to look at strategic initiatives focussed 

on pastoral care to be introduced to the School. As a 

result of this meeting, one major restructuring to take 

place was the review of student leadership and the 

way in which prefects and wardens are selected and 

appointed. A new process has been introduced with 

the election of student leaders for 2009. Rather than all 

Year 11 students being automatically in the ballot, this 

year, Year 11 boys seeking prefectship were required to 

submit a written nomination outlining their reasons 

for seeking office. This nomination was seconded by 

a peer or staff member and supported by the boy’s 

Housemaster. An online forum was introduced to 

allow staff to comment on the nominations. Ms 

Inglis then designed an online ballot enabling all 

members of the school community to cast their vote 

ensuring the Headmaster had ample data available to 

assist him in the decisions to be made in appointing 

student leaders for 2009. A very large number of boys 

nominated for leadership and the participation by the 

school community in the process is indicative of our 

emphasis on developing student leadership. ‘Learning 

to Lead’ is clearly a strategic priority embraced by the 

staff and students at TSS. 

Student attendance and accountability is a major 

focus of the Student Services office. The computerbased 

system currently in use in managing attendance 

including late arrivals and early departures was further 

enhanced this year with the introduction of text 

messaging to parents in cases where attendance of 

boys is not confirmed. The system is designed around 

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the concept of placing responsibility on the boys to 

be in the right place at the right time. Students have 

responded well to the system and, for the most part, 

are able to accept responsibility. Our duty of care in 

this regard extends to the boarding school. As such, an 

extension of the attendance program is being trialled 

in Thorold House to ensure the accuracy of our leave 

records and to simplify the process of leave for both 

boys and resident staff. 

Community Service continues to be a pillar of 

TSS. This year, while Year 8 and Year 12 students 

participated in a Life Skills program on Monday 

afternoons designed and implemented by Mrs Jan 

Cunningham, all Year 9 and 10 boys and volunteers 

from Year 11 and 12 participated in the Cadet Program 

under the leadership of Mr Knox, Mr Davidson, Mr 

Goldburg and Captain MacLachlan. Year 11 boys 

not involved in the Cadet Program participated in 

Community Service to the School and to the outside 

community. A number of boys organised their own 

community service outside of school hours and were 

rewarded for this with time in lieu being offered 

on Monday afternoons. Services Week this year was 

reduced to three days in order to enable Housemasters 

to develop a concentrated and rewarding program that 

fully engaged the boys in a vast range of activities from 

assisting at Meals on Wheels to participating in dune 

restoration on South Stradbroke Island. 

I have been very fortunate to be a part of this office 

once again in 2008, working closely with the day and 

boarding Housemasters, the Chaplain, the School 

Counsellor, the HOD pastoral care, the Deputy Dean 

of Students and our two Administration Officers as 

this committed team continues to deliver the highest 

quality Pastoral Care to all our boys. With significant 

restructuring planned for 2009, I am confident the 

Student Services team will continue to evolve and 

provide excellent care to our student and parent 

bodies. 

Mr Michael Turley 

Dean of Studies 

2008 saw a significant change occur in Queensland 

education that our current Year 12 students will be the 

first to experience. The new Queensland Certificate 

of Education (QCE), which replaces the Senior 

Certificate, will be awarded to all of our graduating 

students this year. The requirements to be eligible for 

the QCE are quite different from the requirement of 

the Senior Certificate. To authenticate this new form 

of certification, significant changes have occurred 

to the procedures used by the Queensland Studies 

Authority. However, if you were to ask any of our 

current Year 12 students about these changes they 

are unlikely to be able to offer an opinion. This is 

because these technical changes have occurred behind 

the scenes and have had no influence on any of our 

students. The main reason for this is TSS offers such 

a well-balanced curriculum that all students already 

meet each requirement of the new QCE without 

being aware of them. One of my more important 

responsibilities is to monitor each student to ensure 

he is meeting the requirements for the QCE, and 

to inform him and his parents if this is not the case. 

It is very pleasing to be able to inform the school 

community that not one of our graduating Year 12 

students has been in a position to need such advice. 

The more stringent requirements of the new QCE 

have been designed to ensure all students meet 

certain minimum requirements in key areas of the 

curriculum. The fact each of our boys, without 

exception, has met these requirements without even 

knowing about them is a very good indication that 

TSS offers a broad-based curriculum which meets the 

requirements of Queensland education for each boy. 

On a more fundamental, every-day level, the 

beginning of this year saw a long-overdue change 

to many of the classrooms in the Senior School. 

Old desks and chairs were removed and replaced 

with desks far more appropriate for the frame size 

of many of our Year 10, 11 and 12 boys, and chairs 

that support and aid the posture of growing bodies. 

Teachers were given the freedom to choose the 

colours of their classroom furniture, and to select the 

colour scheme of their classroom walls, which were 

re-painted at the same time. There is a growing body 

of academic research on the influence of colour on 

a boy’s learning, and teachers were given guidelines 

based on this research. Our boys are now able to go 

from a Geography class to a Mathematics class, from 

an English class to a Business class, and see a clear 

difference in the classroom environment each time. 

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2009 will see the implementation, by most State 

schools, of the Queensland Curriculum, Assessment 

and Reporting (QCAR) Framework. One of the 

main aims of QCAR is to improve consistency in 

assessment and reporting across Queensland schools. 

In line with this, common assessment tasks were 

developed and trialled in Mathematics, English and 

Science with Year 9 students. TSS participated in 

the Mathematics and English trials. Earlier this year, 

independent schools in Queensland were asked to 

express an interest in fully implementing the (QCAR) 

Framework in 2009. TSS has chosen not to follow 

this pathway. While we are always looking to improve 

our curriculum structure in Year 8 and 9, we feel a 

complete change would not be appropriate at this 

time. We will modify certain areas of our curriculum 

offering in line with the (QCAR) Framework, but 

only in ways we feel will clearly produce better 

outcomes for our boys in these middle years. 

Our Dean of Learning and Teaching, Mr John 

Stir, retires at the end of this year. John has been 

responsible for the development of a wide variety 

of important initiatives in the Senior School. 

This significant change to our staffing gives us an 

opportunity to find a different way to continue John’s 

fine work. Many of the areas John has been working 

on hold particular interest for certain members of our 

teaching staff. We have chosen to use this change in 

staffing to provide a small number of teachers with the 

opportunity to exercise leadership in areas as diverse 

as thinking skills, emotional intelligence, professional 

development and teaching standards. I look forward 

with enthusiasm to 2009, feeling confident the 

structures we have put in place in this regard will 

further lift the quality of education that we strive to 

offer our boys. 

Mr John Stir 

Dean of Learning and Teaching 

In 2008, as a component of our TSS Ideal Teacher 

Program, all teachers have worked together to develop 

a set of standards (the TSS Rubric) providing a 

benchmark for evaluating their professional status 

and growth. These standards are closely aligned with 

Queensland and National teaching standards, but also 

illustrate ways teachers can develop well beyond these 

standards in becoming a teacher that is ‘Ideal’ for the 

multifaceted school that is TSS. 

Digital Portfolios have been developed to enable 

teachers to document this continuing professional 

growth. Each year they reflect on their teaching based 

on the TSS Rubric, highlight their strengths and 

weaknesses, and provide feedback on the types of 

professional development activities that will be most 

meaningful. 

A significant number of our more experienced 

teachers have implemented Senior Teacher Projects 

during the year. These projects go beyond typical 

classroom practice to improve education outcomes for 

our students. A review of these projects and feedback 

to colleagues is a component of these projects. 

This year, has seen a transition from the explicit 

teaching of thinking skills in special classes to the 

embedding of these skills across all areas of the 

curriculum. This is to encourage a broader use 

of skills, and ensure some habits of mind are also 

developing. We believe the skills of creative and critical 

thinking must be accompanied by the inclination to 

use them to prepare boys for a rapidly changing work 

and social environment. This also means an emphasis 

on lifelong learning, the development of transferable 

skills, the ability to cooperate with others, and a 

willingness to adapt to change. Some areas of thinking 

skills will still be provided by specialists, however 

in the areas of brain research, learning styles and 

intelligence types. 

Our boys performed extremely well on the 

Queensland-wide testing for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. All 

Year levels in all subject areas were above the State 

mean. This is particularly pleasing in some of the areas 

where we have placed so much emphasis, such as 

boys’ writing. 

TSS also was a trial school for new Queensland 

statewide assessment tasks in Years 4 and 9. These 

tasks seek to ensure appropriate and comparable 

assessment and reporting across the State. There is 

now an assessment item database and teachers are 

encouraged to adapt these to suit their particular 

classroom environments. 


The Gifted and Talented Education Program 

continues to build on existing strengths. We have had 

a significant focus this year on a multi-dimensional 

identification process that is of international standard. 

Mrs Angela Foulds-Cook and Ms Geraldine Townend 

both attended an international conference this year 

in Singapore with Mrs Foulds-Cook an invited 

speaker. Also, this year we have added a Year 10 

Gifted and Talented elective to our academic program 

and developed a mentoring program for our senior 

boys where they examine topics such as overcoming 

thinking blocks, accelerated learning strategies and 

emotional intelligence. 

Our Honours Program has increased in flexibility, 

resulting in a much larger participation of boys. 

Honours provide the opportunity for high ability 

students to study academic subjects in greater 

depth and to enrich and accelerate their learning. 

Importantly, this program also provides these 

opportunities for less able students who are high 

achievers through persistence and hard work. 

The Prep School has fully revised its curriculum, 

keeping abreast of State and National trends and 

mandates. The new curriculum details essential 

learnings, preferred student outcomes, the embedding 

of thinking skills, habits of mind and differentiation to 

meet the needs of all students. Real world connections 

and hands-on experiences have been key components 

in unit development. 

At the Prep School, emphasis also has been placed on 

increasing opportunities for student enquiry. This has 

been accompanied by teacher workshops on teaching 

strategies essential to enhance boys’ creative and lateral 

thinking. 

The inclusion of interactive whiteboards in many 

classrooms has proven valuable for enhancing 

student interaction and a wider scope for individual 

differentiation in instruction. The teachers who have 

had an opportunity to fully utilise them, are excited 

about their potential to improve student enjoyment of 

learning. 

The online study skills program which has been 

purchased by TSS has provided boys and parents with 

tutorials and tips for improving memory, making 

the best use of study time, exam techniques, and the 

importance of relaxation, exercise and good nutrition. 

An inventory of learning styles was administered to 

Year 12 students this year and based on their results, 

they were given advice on the types of study and 

learning techniques likely to be most appropriate for 

them. Teachers also discovered their preferred learning 

styles and were provided with insight about how this 

might impact on their success in the classroom. It is 

important for teachers to understand, for instance 

their own learning styles can affect not only how they 

teach, but how they encourage boys to study and even 

the marking of assessment tasks from boys. 

As always, the development of constructive and 

meaningful relationships has been a priority this year. 

Some of the strategies developed for next year will 

emphasise the continuing development of emotional 

intelligence in all staff and students. It will also 

provide increasing opportunities for collegiality among 

staff and increasing partnerships with parents and the 

community. 

Dr Trevor Wood 

Master of the Preparatory School 

Yet another year slips by at ‘Prep’ 

If education is to reflect our constantly changing 

society, it too must continue to evolve in looking to 

meet the emerging needs of students. The Preparatory 

School, both physically and philosophically, reflects 

marked growth. 

Physically, the campus gained two new buildings 

which radiate the stamp of TSS quality and can only 

be described as highly functional and aesthetically 

attractive. The, as yet unnamed, new classroom block 

which fits so beautifully into Prep’s landscape, and 

the long-awaited magnificent Prep Pavilion, financed 

through the incredible generosity of the Parents 

and Friends have, in their own specific ways, added 

enormously to the functionality of Prep. 

Philosophical development is perhaps best reflected 

in curriculum development. Prep’s curriculum 

has continued to move strongly towards fostering 

the growth of thinking skills and teaching boys not 

what to learn, but how to learn through inquiry- 

15

ased learning, supported by the maintenance of the 

expected high TSS standards. Indeed, the skills to 

locate and acquire knowledge, to analyse, synthesise, 

create and evaluate continue to enjoy increased 

attention. 

Classroom Capers 

Our youngest boys in the Preparatory Year were 

very busy coming to terms with the demands of ‘big’ 

school, but they managed to squeeze in many great 

activities such as regular meetings with their Year 6 

buddies, and even raised money for charities as a result 

of much pedalling pleasure in their bikeathon. The 

money raised supported Silent Angels and Project 

Sankamap. 

It was very much a case of an extreme level of activity 

across the entire school, further illustrated by Year 

2s deep involvement in all to do with ‘The Sea’ and 

Indy. Year 4 thoroughly enjoyed their camp at Hidden 

Creek, as did Year 5 their camp at Binna Burra and the 

classic Olympic theme. Year 6 will remember much 

of their ‘Flight and Space’ explorations, and their 

mathematics excursion to the beach. Of course, Year 

7s will never forget their expedition to our national 

capital with a visit to Outward Bound on the way. 

Musical Moments 

In the Music Department the stave was certainly 

full with outside performances, eisteddfods, visiting 

schools, the annual Day of Excellence and the music 

camp. All of the activities not only foster teamwork, 

goal setting, time management, valuing others and 

respecting the opinions of others, but also demonstrate 

and display the incredible level of commitment, 

enthusiasm and talent across a large number of boys 

and a wonderful group of staff. 

Once again, Prep’s Music Camp at Alexandra 

Headlands offered three intensive days of challenging 

music and concurrent opportunities to develop 

high level skills and friendships within ensembles 

and across the musical fraternity. The annual Day 

of Excellence saw a smaller number of invited 

musicians travel to Brisbane to take part in a full day of 

rehearsals, culminating in an evening concert, truly an 

exciting high quality musical experience. 

Knox Grammar (Sydney) and St Columba’s (Port 

Macquarie) brought large musical ensembles to share 

their talent with our boys. Our musicians were able to 

not only listen to the work of others, but participate 

with them in making music, music the audiences 

enjoyed enthusiastically. Our Year 5 to 7 Choir made 

music for an audience at Griffith University as part of 

a lecture on Boys in Music Education, undoubtedly a hot 

topic in co-ed schools, but simply par for the course in 

a school such as ours. Prep choirs now involve more 

than 200 boys! 

In a year that seemed to just disappear, Music 

managed to squeeze in those visits, plus a House 

Choir competition, seven concerts, 10 eisteddfod 

performances (with real success!), a camp and a 

Pavilion opening, along with a carol or two! That 

squeezing is not possible without the wholesale 

commitment of our superb music staff led so well by 

Trisha Matthias, and for their unstinting support, the 

Prep School is grateful. 

Slices of Sport 

This is a school for boys! All things physical play 

indispensable parts in that complex puzzle that 

makes a truly healthy boy. Sport offers a myriad of 

opportunities designed to cater for all boys of all types. 

The offerings and the levels of participation continue 

to escalate as a result of the untiring efforts of our 

Sports Master, Mr Andrew Philp, and the host of great 

people who so willingly contribute their time and 

expertise. 

In Swimming, Prep had three boys compete in the 

State Championships. Cricket saw Prep supply half 

the district team, two of whom, Kendel Fleming 

and Sam Rasmussen, went on to take leadership of 

the State team, competing in the National Primary 

Championships. With 118 P-2 boys involved in the 

Have-A-Go junior program (the largest school-based 

registration in Queensland), the game’s future looks 

rosy. 

More than 250 boys, from U6 to U13 took to our 

Rugby fields. Prep won the McDonald’s Cup in Years 

6 and 7, and was runner-up in Year 5. Our CIC 7As 

defeated the APS representative team! For the first 

time, King’s School Auckland was humbled by a 

balanced U13 TSS side! The 7A and 5C teams went 


through the CIC season undefeated, and the U10 

Whites defeated their opposition in all 15 games. With 

an overall CIC win:loss ratio of 3:1, the game they 

play in Heaven also has a sound future. 

Football players enjoyed winning 70 per cent of 

their games with four teams playing in the CIC 

competition. Kendel and Alester Fleming led our 

tennis players by example, taking out the Gold Coast 

Primary Tennis Challenge. Our athletes sent three 

representatives to the Regional Athletics Carnival. 

Daniel Chorley (Year 5) took part in the State 

Championships, while Lucas Stonhill (Year 7) set a 

new CIC shot put record at 12.84m. 

More than 120 boys were involved in the 16 teams 

which formed our basketball competition. From the 

serious side of that game, Josh Kochner and Austin 

Seoud emerged to represent South Coast at the State 

Championships. 

On a final general sporting note, Jack Hughes (Year 4 

and ranked 4th in the world) qualified for the World 

Martial Arts titles in 2009, while Tristan Nicholls 

(Year 6 and U12 Queensland Primary Boy Golf 

Champion) became the youngest member of the TSS 

Intercollegiate Golf Team. Sport does indeed have a lot 

to offer any boy who attends TSS Prep! 

Staffing 

We welcomed a number of new staff to Prep this 

year. Father Phil Crook found a new flock when he 

moved in as our chaplain. We also were joined by 

Ms Anne Hancock in a Year 1 class, and Ms Tabatha 

Murgatroyd, recently having completed her university 

studies, took charge of a Year 2 class while Ms Nadene 

Ward took leave for the birth of the beautiful Kate. 

Ms Marissa Schroder and Ms Sonja Curko moved 

into the Cribb Building as teacher aides across Years 1 

and 2. Ms Jenny Branwell took a role as an aide in the 

Cribb and our library. Much to the delight of a group 

of happy Year 5 boys, Mr Brian Rowe took charge of 

them, while with great gusto Julie Watts moved into a 

Year 6 classroom. 

Mr Stephen James departed for Canberra shores after 

a decade and a half of service across Years 3 to 7. Mrs 

Jody Rasmussen left us after two years teaching Year 

4. We lost the innovative Ms Sally Smith, who left us 

to take a position at Somerset College. We are grateful 

for all that those teachers contributed to our School 

during their time with us. 

Ms Nicole Dewley-Vokes 

Prep Curriculum Coordinator 

When Kids Come to School 

“When kids come to school, they leave behind the intellectual 

light of their everyday lives and walk into the darkness of the 

old fashioned classroom.” 

Marc Prensky, Educational Leadership, March 2008. 

When reading this quote not so long ago, I identified 

with it completely. I shared it with a Year 7 class and 

they astounded me with their responses. “If we could 

use our laptops we would be far more efficient.” 

“We could email our assignments and help our 

environment.” “When I look at a screen, I just get it … 

it sinks in.” “If we could listen or view lessons on our 

iPods, we would be less disruptive and more focused 

because we could not get distracted.” All valid points, 

but only scratching the surface of the actual impact. 

Children are inventing, designing and creating in 

their technological world, everyday. Their brains 

are engaged in making meaning and discovering 

understandings for themselves. Yet the traditional 

curriculum is based on memorisation of facts and 

rules. Worldwide access to information technology has 

focused attention of serious questions about education 

in countries across the globe (Friedman, 2006). 

Over the past two years, in TSS Prep, we have been 

organising our curriculum into frameworks based on 

the outcomes stipulated by the Queensland Studies 

Authority, and more recently the Learning Essentials, 

as stated by Queensland Curriculum, Assessment 

and Reporting framework. We know our content and 

have double checked it and organised it into matrices 

to assist each Year level. The entire framework is 

digital so it can be accessed, by any teacher, at any 

time and changes can be made and communicated 

at a moment’s notice. Although the system is more 

efficient than expected, it has been hard work, and is 

the biggest tangible result of our toils, it is not where 

we have impacted most in our teaching and learning. 

When we started on this journey, many frameworks 

were examined, and we took the best of what we 

17


found and made it our own. We set out to make 

learning meaningful. True it is important to know your 

mathematics and spelling rules. However, now you 

can access the world of information at your fingertips 

on a gadget that fits in your pocket, it is no longer 

what you know (anyone can access that), but what you 

can do with it, know where to find it and evaluate the 

process? Our teaching has shifted, and will continue 

to do so in our dynamic world. In so doing, we have 

relied heavily on the philosophy of the Primary Years 

Program of the International Baccalaureate, adopting 

an inquiry-based learning pedagogy and fusing it with 

the content of the Queensland curriculum. 

Inquiry-based learning… it has been a ‘buzz word’ 

in educational circles since the early ‘90s, but what 

is it? It can best be described as making meaning for 

yourself that translates into deep understanding. For 

example: The classic staffroom question of, ‘How do 

I teach my boys to make sure they comprehend what 

they read?’ to, ‘How does literacy function as a tool 

within our lives to provide the boys with opportunities 

where they can think critically about the world and 

their lives?’ When it comes down to it, the inquirybased 

curriculum is reduced to asking students 

what they want to study and the teacher setting up a 

sequence of research steps allowing for discovery of 

this understanding, while maintaining the content of 

the more traditional curriculum. 

Although we now know this process by the label, 

inquiry, its theory has long been proven in the eyes of 

many, yet still debated by others. In 1934, Vygotsky 

described the level of understanding developed 

through collaborative problem solving as the ‘zone of 

proximal development’. 

“The zone of proximal development is the distance between 

the actual developmental level as determined by independent 

problem solving and the level of potential development as 

determined through problem solving under adult guidance or 

in collaboration with more capable peers.” 

(Vygotsky,1978, p.131) 

It is this understanding of ‘meaning making’ and 

discovery-based learning in relation to developing 

deep understanding that is fuelling our continued 

development in curriculum deliverance as we enter 

2009. Our professional development will be based 

around inquiry-based learning and utilising learning 

technologies such as the interactive whiteboards. 

Learning needs to be meaningful and personal for the 

students of this ever-changing, technological world 

to be able to develop the skills required to succeed. 

Inquiry-based learning benefits students by: 

• Developing social skills 

• Constructing meaning 

• Gaining independence in research and learning 

• Experiencing higher levels of motivation and 

engagement 

• Learning strategies and skills that are transferable 

(Kuhlthau, Mantiotes & Caspari, 2007) 

Finally, as educators we set ourselves up for failure, 

because we cannot expect students will learn 

everything of value by the time they leave school, but 

we can infuse them with a desire to keep questioning 

and finding out for themselves, throughout their lives. 

Friedman, T. (2006). “Creativity and the Global 

Employee.” NYTimes.com, December 15. 

Kuhlthau, C. Maniotes, L. Caspari, A. (2007). Learning 

in the 21st Century. Westport, CT, USA: Libraries 

Unlimited, Inc. 

Vygotsky. L. (1978). Mind in Society: The Development 

of Higher Psychological Processes. Cambridge, MA, USA: 

Harvard University Press. (Original work 1934). 

Mr Bryan Hain 

Director of Sport 

The 2008 TSS Sports and Activities program has 

seen more than 500 boys involved in regular teams 

and activities each term. Each sport has a pre-season 

phase ‘in season’ competition and fixtures and an ‘off 

season’ period. At the busy ‘over lapping’ periods of 

Term 1 and Term 3, TSS fills more than 700 places or 

positions on sports terms and activities. 

This year has been a successful season with 

championship victories in swimming and gymnastics. 

Since these two sports have formed ‘all year’ club 

programs which support the School and GPS 

championships, the sports have gained in popularity, 

and results at Regional, State and National levels. 

19

This year the School had 42 boys selected for South 

Coast school sports teams and the following boys went 

on to higher levels of representative honours: 

Mark Swanepoel 

Rugby - Australian Schoolboys 

Jarrad Butler 


Josh Daley 


Peter Norman 

Touch Football - Australian Schoolboys 

Jackson Bailey 

Swimming - National Championships 

Justin Niddrie 

Gymnastics - National Championships 

Joe Bendeich 

Kayaking - National Championships 

Lindsay Crook 

Track and Field Championships 

Freddy Ovett 


Luke Hodgkinson 


Michael Gullotta 

Basketball Championships 

Joshua Blundell-Thornton 


Jaydan Tom 


Ten years ago, there were only a handful of gymnasts 

at the School, training out of the old gym. Today, 

we have just under 200 boys in the gymnastics club 

from both the Prep and Senior School. The senior 

coaches are both TSS Old Boys and Queensland 

representatives. TSS Swimming has now finished first 

in four of the past five seasons and is seen as a real 

force in GPS swimming. Other sports which finished 

in the top half of the table in 2008 were rugby and 

basketball. 

It was a good season overall with tremendous results 

particularly in the representative sports. 

Thank you to all the staff and coaches for assisting us 

run our intensive sporting program. We look forward 

to a successful 2009. 

Mr Jay Carter 

President of the Old Southportonians’ 

Association 

It was with great pleasure that I welcomed the class 

of 2008 into the Old Southportonians’ Association 

(OSA) at their graduation. Each year, it is tradition that 

the president of the OSA hands to the boys their final 

school badge, the badge of the OSA. Their time at the 

School is short. However, I am sure you will all agree 

their memories will last a lifetime. Membership of the 

OSA also is a lifetime privilege and we welcome our 

newest members for 2008. 

After last year’s centenary of the OSA and the 

extraordinary reunion dinner that was held to 

commemorate that occasion, this year we returned 

the annual reunion dinner to the Dining Hall at the 

School. It is a much-loved venue and although the 

acoustics are, at times, difficult, collective years of 

experience in organising this event has meant the 

night allows ample time to renew friendships, while 

keeping formalities to a minimum. 

The dinner is the highlight of the Old Boys’ weekend 

which has grown to include the Older Old Boys’ 

Assembly, the Boat Shed barbecue, the last home 

rugby game and, unofficially, Friday night Year group 

drinks. The OSA is delighted to be able to present 

these events to our members. We know they are 

enjoyed by all. 

As we travel far and wide it is important to remember 

you are never alone, there are usually OSA members 

or branches within a stone’s throw. Adelaide, London, 

Rockhampton and Hong Kong were just a few of the 

locations where organised dinners and drinks for OSA 

members were held with the assistance of the OSA 

office. Of special note was the recent GPS alumni 

dinner held in Cairns, where reports were that TSS 

Old Boys were the most vocal with the School war cry 

and served our School well. 


With the school being part of the wider GPS 

association, the OSA also is a member of the 

Combined GPS Alumni Committee (CGAC). One of 

the main activities of this committee is to encourage 

pastoral care among the community through suicide 

prevention. This is a very real issue the OSA fully 

supports and has done for several years. Issues such 

as these do not just affect the boys while they are 

at school, they can go well beyond their time at the 

school, which is why this is an important issue for the 

OSA. More information about this initiative will be 

available shortly. 

I am delighted with the strong relationship the OSA 

has with the School. We continue to provide assistance 

for the boys and School through the Hidden Creek 

Outdoor and Rural Education Facility. The School 

is managing this on behalf of the OSA and we are 

pleased with the progress in this area. We also have 

the honour of providing bursaries to students at the 

School. If you are seeking assistance in this area please 

contact the OSA office. 

The OSA office also highlights the strong relationship 

with the School. It is available to all members and 

continues to be an amazing resource. The office can 

be contacted through the School and I encourage all 

members (new and old) to ensure their contact details 

are up-to-date with the office. 

Finally, I would like to thank all those involved with 

the OSA in 2008. A special thank you goes to Pauline 

Bridle at the OSA office for her continued assistance. 

In this, my last year as President of the OSA, Pauline’s 

help has been invaluable. 

Mr Brian Kidd 

President of the Foundation 

Parents, Old Boys and friends of TSS have once again 

been very generous in their philanthropic support 

of the School in 2008. Revenue from a range of 

traditional activities has increased significantly from 

2007, including both the Voluntary Building Fund 

program and the business breakfasts. Fundraising for 

the Building for the Future campaign is underway and 

progressing well and the Foundation also is pleased to 

provide organisational assistance, as appropriate, to the 

School’s Indigenous Education Program. 

Building Fund 

We thank the many parents who made donations 

to the Building Fund in 2008 with the payment of 

their tuition fees. These voluntary donations are 

an important part of the philanthropic fabric of the 

School community and help to ensure many vital 

building projects can be progressed without having to 

increase school fees. More than $160,000 was donated 

in 2008, an increase of more than $30,000 from 2007. 

Donations to the TSS Foundation Building Fund are 

generally used immediately for essential capital works 

and facility upgrades, benefitting all boys at TSS. 

Extensive feedback from teachers and parents helps 

to identify and prioritise these projects. During the 

past few years, for example, donations have been used 

to complete the Science Centre, heat the swimming 

pool, renovate the Dining Hall and air-condition the 

Centenary Centre. Most recently, donations from 

Prep School parents have been used to install airconditioning 

in nearly all Prep School classrooms, the 

art rooms and the library. The Foundation also made 

a significant contribution towards the construction 

of the new Prep Pavilion, with the Parents & Friends 

being the major financial contributor. 

Scholarship Fund 

Nine boys were awarded Foundation Scholarships or 

Country Boarder Bursaries in 2008. These are both 

merit-based and needs-based awards, which cover up 

to 50 percent of a boy’s tuition at the School. Funds 

for these programs are generated by the Foundation’s 

business breakfasts and annual golf day. Many Old 

Boys, Foundation members and parents of the School 

continue to donate to the Scholarship Fund, creating 

opportunities for boys who ordinarily would not be 

able to attend the School. 

The Headmaster and School Council are committed 

to continuing the School’s strong connection to rural 

Australia by increasing the number of boarders from 

country Queensland and northern NSW. Country 

Boarder Bursaries are an important part of this 

commitment, with the School and TSS Foundation 

aiming to significantly increase the value and number 

of these bursaries during the next few years. 

21

Business Breakfasts and Golf Day 

The TSS Foundation Business Breakfast Program is 

one of the premier business networking functions on 

the Gold Coast. Eight breakfasts were held throughout 

2008, with an average of approximately 300 guests per 

function and guests enjoyed a range of informative and 

entertaining speakers. The breakfast program finished 

on a high in November with a panel of Beijing 

Olympians as special guests, including TSS Old Boys 

Duncan Free (Gold in the Men’s Pair) and Courtney 

Atkinson (11th in the Men’s Triathlon). Another 

well-known Old Boy, Channel Seven sports presenter 

Jim Wilson, quizzed the panel on their Olympic 

experiences in an entertaining and often moving 

discussion. The breakfasts contributed in excess of 

$75,000 to the Foundation’s Scholarship Fund in 2008. 

The annual Foundation/OSA Golf Day on August 1 

was very successful, with a full field of more than 100 

players enjoying a round of golf at the magnificent 

Royal Pines course. Players and sponsors helped to 

raise almost $15,000 for the Foundation’s Scholarship 

Fund. 

Building for the Future 

Preparations are well under way for our Building for the 

Future campaign. The campaign aims to raise several 

million dollars in support of a major new building 

program that will modernise and dramatically enhance 

the School’s academic and sporting facilities. On 

the academic front, three new centres of academic 

excellence will be at the heart of the School’s efforts 

to continue to strengthen its academic ethos. These 

include new centres for Leadership, Arts, Robotics and 

Drama; a new Year 7 Transition Program; and a lecture 

theatre. On the sporting front, the proposed River 

Centre will be a striking new home for the School’s 

rowing and sailing programs, dramatically improving 

the environment and space in which these important 

sports operate. 

The Building for the Future campaign involves almost 

$15 million in building projects. The School’s own 

accumulated reserves and borrowings will help to 

fund this vision, but it can only be fully realised with 

financial support from Old Boys, Parents and Friends 

of the School. We will be turning to this community 

in 2009 to help fund these important initiatives. 

Board of Management 

After three years in the role, Mrs Kay Tomlinson 

stepped down as President of the TSS Foundation at 

the beginning of 2008. Kay has made an outstanding 

contribution to the Foundation over eight years, 

both as a Board member and President. The 

business breakfasts, in particular, thrived under Kay’s 

leadership, regularly attracting some of the Gold 

Coast’s leading business figures and becoming an 

important promotional and fundraising activity for 

the Foundation. We also acknowledge the significant 

contributions of the Foundation Board members 

in 2008 – Mrs Kay Tomlinson, Mrs Jodie Jackman, 

Mr David Bowers, Mr Jay Carter, Mr Greg Rix, Mr 

Roeland Weisfelt and the Headmaster, Mr Greg Wain. 

Thank You 

This year sees the departure of Mr Roeland Weisfelt, 

who has worked for the Foundation in a professional 

and enthusiastic manner for 16 years. Roeland has 

made an enormous contribution to the Foundation 

and his presence will be greatly missed by the Board 

and the School. We wish him all the best in his future 

endeavours. 

Mr Greg Rix 

President of the Parents & Friends 

Association 

2008 has been another fulfilling year for the Parents 

and Friends Association of The Southport School. 

Some $88,000 was distributed back to our subcommittees 

through the yearly grant scheme. These 

grants included new ‘optimist’ boats for Friends of 

Sailing to start a junior program ($6,500), a new quad 

for Rowing ($17,000), Fugal horns and equipment 

for Friends of Music ($8,500) and a portable turf 

wicket and extensive shade cover to Friends of Cricket 

($12,750). The P&F also air-conditioned the matrons’ 

rooms ($10,000) within the boarding houses; this was 

a well and truly long overdue project that has now 

been satisfied. In total, 11 groups received funding in 

2008 and we are in a strong position to be able to offer 

further assistance in 2009. 

The Prep Pavilion was completed in July and it has 

turned out to be everything we had hoped. The young 


men of Prep now have shower and toilet facilities on 

the oval, not to mention parents no longer need to go 

in search of toilets. A full kitchen and large undercover 

area face the ovals for all food requirements. On home 

game days, no doubt this will be a meeting area for all. 

For the first time Prep boys now have a change room 

with their name above the door, I hope they make this 

Pavilion their own and make sure all visiting teams 

have to work hard to get over our lads. The P&F on 

November 15 held an ‘all of School’ celebration on 

the Prep oval to officially open this wonderful facility. 

It is a role we proudly take in bringing all boys and 

parents together. As part of this event we conducted 

the Christmas Carols together with the School Choir, 

young and Old Boys sang with their parents with glow 

sticks in hand. Future P&F committees should look at 

making this an annual event. 

The closure of Greer Terrace has been stopped 

through negotiations with the Gold Coast City 

Council (GCCC). Parents who rely on the safety 

of exiting TSS to the north via Greer Terrace can 

now be assured this roadway will remain open to 

you. Modifications to Charlton Street to stop right 

turns will be implemented by the GCCC in the near 

future in an endeavor to stop the ‘rat runners’ using 

Winchester Street and Greer Terrace. My sincere 

thanks to the Headmaster for working with the P&F 

to resolve what would have been a dangerous situation 

if the closure of Greer Terrace went ahead. 

The ‘Support Group Manual’ has been introduced 

by the School this year and it will now serve as the 

guide to our 14 sub-groups that fall under the P&F 

umbrella. Our constitution will be changed at the 

AGM to allow for the full implementation of this 

manual. Thank you to Michael Kyle for once again 

re-writing the constitution which is always a work in 

progress as our School continues to grow. I employ all 

groups to follow this manual. 

I wish to thank the 2008 P&F committee for their 

continual hard work and dedication to our School. 

It seems no matter how hard we try to reduce our 

meeting times it is impossible to do. Parents do truly 

love TSS and give up so much to support their boys’ 

life at the School, we are blessed the School allows 

parents to become part of the School life. 

I attended most of the support groups AGM’s this year 

and at the meeting there were old and new parents’ 

alike ready to step up and help the School. On behalf 

of the P&F, thank you for giving up your time and 

energy. 

Mr Roeland Weisfelt 

Business Manager 

This report outlines the financial aspects of the 

School’s operation and the financial activities of the 

TSS Foundation Ltd. 

The financial year of the School and the Foundation 

is the calendar year, January 1 to December 31, 2007. 

The information is based on the audited financial 

statements for 2007, and the 2008 forecast budget. 

From year to year there are generally no great 

differences in the School’s operation. 

1. The Southport School 

The School’s revenue from operations represents 

revenue earned (net of scholarships and bursaries) 

from the provision of tuition and boarding services 

and government grants. Sundry revenue includes 

surpluses from the operation of the Music Shop, 

revenue from the TSS Review, hire and rental of 

School facilities and equipment and donations from 

the Foundation, Parents & Friends Association and 

Old Southportonians’ Association. 

Total revenue for 2007 was $26,105,263, compared to 

$24,227,940 in 2006. The statement of revenue from 

ordinary operations for the year ended 31/12/07 is 

shown as follows: 

2007 

$ 

2006 

$ 

Tuition Fees 14,477,989 13,538,374 

Boarding Fees 3,124,928 3,022,721 

Interest 169,600 135,980 

17,772,517 16,697,075 

Government Grants 

State Government 1,888,126 1,811,381 

Commonwealth 4,758,360 4,491,283 

Government 

Commonwealth 170,045 66,429 

Government – other 

Other Grants 139,776 20,760 

6,956,307 6,389,853 

23

Sundry Revenue 1,002,203 891,152 

(includes hire of 

facilities) 

Donations 374,236 249,860 

1,376,439 1,141,012 

Total Revenue $26,105,263 $24,227,940 

The chart below shows the major sources of income 

for 2008. 

For comparison purposes, the total revenue from 

operations as per the 2008 budget is $26.8M. 

Enrolment numbers is the primary determinant of 

the revenue base of any school. In 2007, the School 

had a student population of 1,297 (2006: 1290) at the 

August Census date (505 Preparatory School, 792 

Secondary School and 272 boarders). 

Recurrent operating expenditure for the School is as 

follows: 

2007 

$ 

2006 

$ 

Employee Benefits 15,569,128 14,754,964 

Expense 

Boarding expenses 1,178,381 1,093,110 

(direct cost only; catering, 

laundry, medical) 

Borrowing costs 626,547 523,751 

Maintenance and 794,894 1,006,705 

cleaning 

Teaching expenses 1,544,531 1,550,080 

Administration 

3,795,411 4,054,193 

Expenses (including 

Rates, Power, Insurance, 

IT, campus hire etc) 

23,508,892 22,982,803 

Salary and wages reflect a small increase in the total 

staff employed, and the agreed salary movement 

under the Anglican Schools Enterprise Bargaining 

Agreement. 

The chart below shows the major expenditure items 

for 2008. 

The State Government is the principal public 

funding source for government schools, while the 

Commonwealth Government is the principal public 

funding source for non-government schools. 

In 2007, under the Socio-Economic Status 

Commonwealth funding model, TSS received $3,154 

per prep student and $4,073 per secondary student. 

The State Government contributed $1,183 per 

preparatory student and $1,775 per secondary student. 

Salary and wages and related on-costs, as 

in any service sector industry, are the largest 

budget component of expenditure, representing 

approximately two-thirds of the School’s total 

expenditure. 

At the 2007 Commonwealth Government census 

date, the School employed some 185 staff, of which 

139 were teaching staff. The School also engages 

numerous outside contractors and coaching staff to 

assist in providing quality co-curricular offerings. 

For comparison purposes, the total budgeted 

expenditure for 2008 is expected to be approximately 

$26.4M. 

The summary Balance Sheet as at 31/12/07 is 

summarised as follows: 

2007 

$ 

2006 

$ 

Assets 

Current Assets 1,314,813 979,026 

Non Current 76,825,577 76,535,720 

Assets 

Total Assets 78,140,390 77,514,746 


Liabilities 

Current 

4,584,338 4,622,524 

Liabilities 

Non Current 7,511,771 7,947,564 

Liabilities 

Total Liabilities 12,096,109 12,570,088 

Net Assets 66,044,281 64,944,658 

Equity 

Reserves 50,021,548 50,021,548 

Retained 

16,022,733 14,923,110 

Earnings 

Total 66,044,281 64,944,658 

The following graph reflects the cash flow for the year. 

2007 CASH FLOW STATEMENT 

490,273 

Proceeds from borrowings 

having to increase school fees.” Extract from Annual 

Report by Mr Brian Kidd, Foundation President 2008. 

The financial accounts for 2007 compared to 2006 are 

shown below. During 2007, the School transferred 

$197,791 from the Building Fund to the School to 

assist with the Preparatory School air-conditioning. 

The Foundation also provided financial assistance for 

students and a contribution towards school fees of 

$30,750 was paid through the Foundation Education 

Fund account. 

The Foundation Balance Sheet as at 31 

December 2007 is summarised as follows: 

2007 

$ 

2006 

$ 

Current assets 83,971 217,435 

Non Current Assets 503,173 302,813 

(investments) 

Total Assets 587,144 520,248 

201,600 Interest received & sale of assets 

1,807,659 

Payments for property, plant & equipment 

Current Liabilities 

0 95,894 

(payable to TSS) 

Net Assets $587,144 $424,354 

2,973,755 

Net cash provided by operating activities 

827,300 

Repayment of borrowings 

626,547 

Interest paid 

694,186 

Cash at end of year 

290,064 Cash at beginning of year 

Cash Flow-In 

Finance/investing activities 

During 2007, the School commenced the construction 

of a four-classroom block for the expanded Prep 

enrolments which followed on from the construction 

of the Pearson Building in 2006. The School also 

continued with air-conditioning additional areas 

on both campuses, again in continuation of work 

commenced in 2006. The School acknowledges the 

generous donations from parents who contributed 

through school fees, and the Building Fund. 

Equity 

Settlement Sum 300 100 

Accumulated Funds 586,844 424,254 

$587,144 $424,354 

The Income Statement for 2007 is abridged below. 

This shows the Building Fund, Education Fund and 

Operating Fund. 

Building Fund Statement 

2007 

$ 

2006 

$ 

Revenue 239,514 209,736 

Donation to TSS (197,751) (130,194) 

Other Expense (10,787) (11,127) 

Surplus 30,976 68,415 

2. TSS Foundation Limited 

“Voluntary donations are an important part of the 

philanthropic fabric of the school community and help to 

ensure many vital building projects can be progressed without 

25


Education and Operating Fund for the year 

ended 31 December 2007: 

2007 

$ 

2006 

$ 

Revenue 

Education Fund 

(Donations, 

213,835 175,172 

Business Breakfast, 

Golf) 

Operating Fund 12,215 11,479 

226,050 186,651 

Expenditure 

Education Fund 

(Breakfasts, Golf, 167,619 148,267 

Cocktail Party) 

Operating Fund 

4,731 17,736 

(printing & 

stationery, audit and 

legal fees) 

172,350 166,003 

The TSS Foundation has had a very successful 

financial year for 2008 and has supported airconditioning 

in a boarding House, the music 

department and a major project was completed 

this year, being the Prep Pavilion. The Foundation 

contributed $100,000 toward this project. 

Conclusion 

This concludes my report and I wish to thank 

members of the School Council and the Foundation 

Board of Directors for their support during the 

16 wonderful and rewarding years I have been the 

School’s Business Manager and Executive Director 

of the Foundation. I will be taking up the position of 

Chief Financial Officer at an independent school in 

Doha, Qatar. I thank parents for their financial and 

voluntary contributions over these years and I wish the 

School great success for the future. 

Surplus $53,700 $20,648 

The following pie chart shows the interim figures for 

2008. 

27

28 Annual Report 2008 

Founded in 1901, TSS is an Anglican day and boarding school for 

boys from Prep Year to Year 12 with boarding available from Year 5. 

Winchester Street, Southport Queensland 4215 

Phone +61 1300 877 269 Fax 07 5591 2124 

www.tss.qld.edu.au 

The Corporation of the Synod of the Diocese 

of Brisbane trading as The Southport School 

CRICOS Provider No. 00523F

Annual Report - The Southport School

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