Toowoomba Grammar School named Gold School

A city school has been given a prestigious title for their trailblazing work with the students in the area of technology.

A local school is paving the way in technology, and teaching their students to be leaders in the field at the same time, thanks to an exciting partnership with a technology powerhouse.

Toowoomba Grammar School have earned national recognition for proficiency and skill in technology, namely with Microsoft Surface.

It is one of 11 schools nationally, and the only school in Queensland to be named a Microsoft Surface Gold School, and Toowoomba Grammar School teachers Mr Michael Cocks, Mr Clinton Owen and Mr Paul Barton have all been recognised as Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts.

Head of Senior School Mark Oliphant said being a technologically proficient school meant more than just having the skills to use in the classroom.

Having staff and students become experts in the field means they’re set up for life beyond school, and well into the workforce.

“Our teachers are really well professionally developed to operate the Microsoft suites in the classrooms and get the best outcomes for the boys, ultimately making sure they’re well prepared for the world being digital citizens in the future,” he said.

“Hopefully they’re leaders in this space in the future whatever workforce they end up in because they’ve bee exposed to some really cool technology in the classroom and that’s thanks to the work that Microsoft do with our IT teams.”

The key to their success was interactivity, according to the teacher.

While a student is working, a teacher can log onto a program at any given time, check their progress, and offer assistance when needed.

Their proficiency in technology came to light during the period of COVID-19 shutdowns.

While other schools were closing their doors and ordering days off, Grammar were ahead of the game.

“We were up and running and had done all our online learning trials prior to having schools shut down,” Mr Oliphant said.

“As soon as schools did have to shut down, day one we were up and running with online lessons.

“We were really fortunate for us to have that relationship with Microsoft and be able to do that.”