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Dream Big It’s an elite athlete’s dream to represent their country at the Olympics and this year Toowoomba Grammar School was proud to cheer on two Old Boys, Matt Denny (2011-13) and Isaac Cooper (2019-20) at the Tokyo Olympics. Many of our teachers paused lessons so our boys could watch Matt and Isaac in their events. It was particularly exciting for our Junior School students who were collecting Olympic merchandise, sending social media messages and bragging about their special connection to these sporting heroes. This was Matt’s second Olympics for discus. He threw a personal best but fell short of a bronze medal by just 5cm. “By a beer can,” he joked to international media after the event.
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Isaac was thrilled to make the Olympic swim team after an outstanding year of swim meets, setting new records and PBs in his preferred discipline, backstroke. He finished seventh in the 100m backstroke semi-finals, but the highlight of the games was standing on the podium to collect a bronze medal with his Individual Medley Relay team. Isaac swam the backstroke leg of the medley. Matt and Isaac are inspirations to our students. It’s taken years of dedication and hard work, both mentally and physically to reach this pinnacle. They’re proof that with the dream, the ability and most importantly, the work ethic – you can achieve anything. Matt had a welcome home parade in Allora in August where our Year 4 boys lined the street, applauding and cheering.
Matt was considerate enough to take the time to stop the vehicle he was riding in so he could ‘high-five’ the boys and say hello. He was later quoted in the media saying, “It was a very special moment and I felt humbled and honoured by the turnout.” Isaac has also continued to be accommodating with his young fans, happy to have a chat and pose for photos when approached. Isaac has had his name included on the International Sportsmen Honour Board in Old Hall. We’re very proud of Matt and Isaac and we’re excited to follow their future success. 1. Isaac Cooper wins Olympic Bronze 2. Matt Denny competing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
COWBOY UP! Joseph Currie will graduate this year as a TGS rugby legend. He was part of the 2021 O’Callaghan Cup winning team. That was on the back of scoring two tries and being named Best and Fairest in the School’s 24-10 win over Downlands in the 2020 fixture. He had shown consistently strong performances during the GPS seasons, and as a result, he’s changing codes. In March 2021, Joseph signed a two-year contract with the North Queensland Cowboys.
“It’s an amazing opportunity, and I’m keen to get up there and start working hard,” Joseph said. “It will be very different, but I’m looking forward to the change, it’s a new challenge, and I’m ready to tackle it.” Joseph will start with either the Cowboys U19 team or the Townsville Blackhawks, the club’s feeder team. He’ll also be studying at James Cook University
as a fallback if his football career is sidetracked. “The Cowboys set up their development program so that you train in the morning and night and go to university or learn a trade during the day,” Joseph said. After winning the O’Callaghan Cup two years running, Joseph will soon leave TGS to begin the next stage of his life and a new football journey.
TOOWOOMBA GRAMMAR SCHOOL
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