Highly respected Head of Basketball and 1st V Coach, Kabe Ciccolini is embarking on a new and inspiring chapter. This season, he takes up the role of Assistant Head of Corfe House, guiding our youngest boarders with a warmth and passion that is uniquely his own.
Kabe’s decision to transition into the role of Assistant Head of Corfe House reflects his unwavering commitment to mentorship and leadership. For him, this move signifies a positive step in his career.
“It’s an opportunity to further immerse myself in the culture here at TGS, allowing me to diversify my contribution and ultimately have a broader impact across our community,” said Kabe.
His love for boarding and dedication to nurturing young minds made this role a perfect fit. With a heart deeply rooted in the community, he and his fiancé view Toowoomba as more than just a place; it's their home, and TGS, their school.
With 12 years of experience spanning high-performance sports and pastoral care, Kabe arrives at Corfe House with a great foundation for developing men of good character. He is excited to work alongside Head of Corfe House, Henry White and Corfe House Mother, Janelle Fletcher to transform Corfe House into a haven, a family where young men are not only safe but encouraged to become their best self.
“I’ve developed a base of experience and a well-rounded perspective emphasizing the importance of seizing opportunities, making wise choices, and nurturing character,” said Kabe.
“Having worked with a number of organisations, teams and boarding communities, I’m really looking forward to continuing to create an environment where our boys are empowered to be great decision makers and accountable leaders.”
Kabe is familiar with the GPS program, and boarding. He was a day boy at Ipswich Grammar School and shortly after graduating began working in the cricket and basketball programs. He was offered a position as a Resident Master and moved on campus, starting his journey in Boarding. A year later he went to Canada to coach College basketball. Kabe returned to TGS in 2017 as the 1st V Coach and then the Head of Basketball in 2018.
“Each boy I have met has had a unique story and talents that needed to be nurtured, promoted and celebrated,” stated Kabe.
“Whilst the demographics may be slightly different, the concept remains the same in Corfe House. We’ve got a core of brilliant young men and I look forward to getting to know them, their current stories and helping them create exciting new ones.”
Kabe understands that the transition to boarding is extremely important as the young boys navigate the shock of moving from home to boarding.
“TGS does a wonderful job of empowering every young man in their own individual journeys and Corfe House is that extra layer required for our boys in their most formative of years,” said Kabe proudly.
“A scaled and scaffolded transition from home life to Corfe life and ultimately to senior boarding, Corfe is the perfect step-by-step process to ensure our boys are thriving and learning to be high quality, thoughtful and autonomous decision makers as they grow.”
Kabe believes that this time in Corfe is a genuine opportunity for boys to discover their individuality within the greater boarding community before they move on to the senior houses.
Everyone involved with the TGS Basketball program is familiar with Kabe’s motto “Family First”. It is a core value that he holds closely in every aspect of his life, and it's a belief that he wholeheartedly stands by.
“This principle is deeply ingrained in the concept of servant leadership, which I consider a pivotal element in the growth of a young man,” said Kabe.
“In a family, whether it's your own kin or the one you build in a boarding house, it's about being there for one another, offering a helping hand when needed, and emphasising and supporting the well-being of others.”
In Corfe House, it translates into a culture of unity, support, and shared responsibility. Every boy becomes a part of a larger family, where they learn the significance of mutual support, growth, and strength found in togetherness.
Fundamentally, Kabe desires to mold our young men into 'good blokes'; individuals who take pride in their identity and represent their families with honor. He envisions them as servant leaders, ready to make a positive impact no matter where life takes them. With his guidance, they will not only navigate the complexities of boarding life but emerge as responsible, caring, and accountable individuals, poised to shape a better tomorrow.
Latest Blog
In memory of Light Horse Field Ambulances
Toowoomba Grammar School would like to acknowledge our admiration for the loyalty, service and bravery exhibited by TGS Old Boys who so valiantly served. We are all the beneficiaries of their sacrifice, and their selfless actions continue to inspire a spirit of service amongst our current students. Today we focus on the contribution of one TGS Old Boy who made a significant contribution to World War I. Here is some of the incredible story of Major Avery, DSO and if you visit the School Museum…
New Caledonia, new horizons and travel through an educational lens
The opportunity to travel not only opens doors to new experiences but also fosters an increased intercultural understanding and empathy, both essential qualities for navigating and existing within our diverse world. For a group of language students travelling to New Caledonia, our recent French Language and Cultural Tour was a unique opportunity for such experiential learning, where language acquisition went beyond just learning vocabulary and grammar - and instead became a gateway to connect…
Erik Sheppard - making TGS Army Cadet Unit history
The 2024 Dining in Night was made even more special with the appointment of the first Toowoomba Grammar School Army Cadet Unit (TGS ACU) Regimental Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1) Erik Sheppard who was awarded his rank and pace stick by the 16th Battalion Commanding officer MAJ (AAC) Gary MacLachlan. WO1 Sheppard enlisted in the TGS ACU just before the COVID shutdown in 2020. Although this was not the ideal way to begin a cadet career, he was able to adapt and overcome the virtual…
The Big Six Reading Tips
Unlocking Literacy - The Big Six Elements for Your Child’s Reading Success Literacy skills are a core component of each day for our students, and parents often ask how they can support this from home. I am delighted to share with our parent community the essential components that underpin successful reading development. These elements, known as the Big Six, provide a solid foundation for your son’s literacy journey. These critical building blocks include: Oral Language: Communication skills are…
Boarding - Building Men of Good Character
Over the past five years, we have found one of the most valuable lessons that boarding can teach teenage boys is the ability to self-navigate and overcome challenges. Entering a boarding house is the first time many boarders have stepped away from the comfort and security of their parents and guardians. Although this can be a daunting experience, one of the things that this unfamiliarity creates is the ability to organise yourself. With a larger workload than previous years, a greater number…
The Learning Pit
Learning is at our core and covers all subject disciplines, co-curricular pursuits, personal development and interest areas. Helping our Toowoomba Grammar School boys view learning as a disposition that goes well beyond the classroom context is incredibly important. Learning has a life-long value in all we do. We also acknowledge that learning can be challenging at times, and it can be uncomfortable, but also wonderfully inspiring and fulfilling. Appreciating the full range of feelings and…
Leap Before You Look
The boarding journey offers students a plethora of opportunities to step outside of their comfort zone and take advantage of new environments, relationships, and opportunities during their time at Toowoomba Grammar School. We often talk about “character education” – a theory that originated in the US and has been increasingly embraced by leading schools globally. It is encouraging all students to develop new approaches to their learning, including aspects of morals and ethics, thinking,…
Literacy at TGS: A research-informed approach
A recent Grattan Institute report has shared that one-third of Australian students are failing to learn to read proficiently, referring to the situation as a ‘preventable tragedy’. In addition, the report identifies evidence-based approaches utilising structured literacy programs with phonics and explicit instruction as the most effective methods of teaching literacy. At Toowoomba Grammar School, we implement a structured synthetic phonics approach to teaching spelling and reading that…
Past Mothers, Present Supporters
Any Old Boy will tell you the Blue and Gold is part of their blood. They love the history, the traditions, the memories, and the lifelong friends they made during their time at Toowoomba Grammar School. Well, it seems the same can be said for many TGS mums. The Past Mothers’ Group was formed in 1979 by Mrs Mary Campbell who contacted as many past mothers as she could and invited them to meet at her home where the Past Mothers’ Group was officially formed with the intention of retaining links…