Proud grandparents Geoff and Janice Brennan go all the way for Townsville visit

There was a morning of celebration at Townsville Grammar School’s Annandale Junior Campus this week as a pair of proud grandparents paid a special visit to the school.

Proud grandparents Geoff and Janice Brennan at Townsville Grammar Annandale campus with their grandchildren Jack, 9, and Olivia, 11. Picture: Evan Morgan

There was a morning of celebration at Townsville Grammar School’s Annandale Junior Campus this week as proud grandparents paid a special visit to the school.

Geoff Brennan and his wife Janice have been making the annual pilgrimage to the school’s annual Grandparents and Special Friends Day - flying up from NSW for the past 8 years – to see their grandchildren Olivia, 11, and Jack, 9.

This year he was asked to give the keynote address to other grandparents, students, teachers, parents at the event.

He said research had informed him that was vital for children to see that their parents and grandparents were interested in the schooling.

“All the results of research that I read, cognitive science research tells me that it is vital for parents, for children, number one - to see their parents interested in their school.

“The children see the parents go to the school. That’s also vital for the teachers who are in an institution within the broader community, and they to see people come in from outside to be interested in what’s happening in the institution. I think, is sends a powerful message to them,” he said.

Proud grandparents Geoff and Janice Brennan at Townsville Grammar Annandale campus with their grandchildren Jack, 9, and Olivia, 11. Picture: Evan Morgan

Mr Brennan said it annual event had special meaning for him and his wife.

“We reinforce in our own minds that we have some value to give. We’re involved with our grandchildren. We love our grandchildren, of course, and it’s nice to be able to demonstrate that respect and love.”

He said there was nothing more important than families.

“That is the beginning of it all and the tragedy in our society today is that so many ideas and thoughts are working towards degrading that concept, but I believe the family is vital. It’s the building block.”

Mr Brennan said there was a fantastic relationship between students and staff at the Townsville Grammar School.

“The relationship between the staff and students is special, in my opinion, at this place, and I’ve been to a number of schools since and in Rotary, I visit various schools,” he said.

Originally published as Proud grandparents Geoff and Janice Brennan go all the way for Townsville visit