Toowoomba Grammar School is proud to introduce the newest addition to our education team, Amanda Gibson. Amanda commenced in Term 4, 2023 in the pivotal role of Head of Diverse Learners and will bring new direction and focus to the position in alignment with our commitment to inclusive education, aligning seamlessly with our Strategic Plan 2022-2026 and the Inclusive Education Policy.
“I am very excited about developing this role,” said Amanda.
“I have a passion for fostering environments where every student can thrive and I look forward to enhancing the inclusive practices throughout all facets of the School.”
With an extensive background in working with diverse learners, she has previously pioneered a 'Whole School Inclusive Education Framework', demonstrating her dedication to creating a supportive educational landscape for all.
Having served as a Pedagogy Coach: Inclusive Practices at a previous school, Amanda has a deep understanding of inclusive education. Her expertise extends beyond the classroom, contributing significantly to the curriculum review process. Her commitment to student-centered action and research is not just admirable but palpable, making her a valuable asset to our community.
Amanda was a guest presenter at the Australian Inclusive Schooling Conference in Sydney in March 2023 and at the QASEL conference in September 2023 that focussed on Inclusion through Voice Inclusive Practice in the curriculum. She has also been invited to speak at the Australian Council of Educational Leaders (ACEL) - Inclusion and Disability in May 2024 where she will be addressing the “Implementation of Inclusive Practice in School by Building Leadership Capability - Changing Mindsets.”
Amanda holds a Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary) and a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration from the Queensland University of Technology. Additionally, she earned a Bachelor of Health and Science from the University of New England Armidale.
“I am very committed to this field, and am currently pursuing my Masters in Inclusion,” said Amanda.
“This will further enhance the inclusive and supportive culture that currently exists at the School.”
“I love that TGS gives every boy the tools to forge his own path and own his educational journey,” Amanda stated.
“My role will provide tailored support and ensure every student can access the curriculum and demonstrate their learning alongside their peers.
“I want to help inspire every boy to be his very best.”
We eagerly anticipate the positive impact Amanda will make within the School. Her role is crucial in supporting our teachers to provide necessary adjustments, fostering an environment where every student can excel academically, socially, and emotionally. She will play an important role in our commitment to the holistic development of each boy, focusing on their wellbeing, character, and their ability to flourish as individuals who contribute meaningfully to society when they leave the School.
Latest Blog
Disappointment: A Necessary Part of School Life
Schools are inherently hopeful and happy places. Their natural focus on growth, connectedness and preparing youth for a better future creates an optimistic atmosphere in which ambitions are born. These positive emotions and experiences lay the foundation for our expectations and while these can be highly motivating, they come with a catch: the greater our expectations, the greater the disappointments, too. Disappointment is not a popular feeling. Rightly so, not many of us wish to feel sad,…
Boys and Belonging at TGS
As a boarding master of adolescent boys, my role fundamentally concerns pastoral wellbeing and character development to support a successful academic journey. A positive sense of belonging — where boarders feel safe, supported and heard — is fundamental to an effective boarding environment. As such, I felt there was a distinct connection between the International Boys’ Schools Coalition’s (IBSC) theme for the 2024–25 Action Research Cohort, “Boys and Belonging” and what I believe is best…
Fostering Growth and Resilience
This philosophy is vividly demonstrated through our Junior School MATES program, an initiative designed to equip boys from Prep to Year 6 with the skills they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom. Year 6 leader Hugo Seaby epitomises what the program is all about. As a leader in Stephens House, he explains its importance: “It’s about spending time with the younger boys and learning about honesty, respect, kindness and other attributes like that.” He said that it’s helpful for the…
Preparing for the Future of Work
For months I have been watching the earthworks being undertaken ahead of construction for the new DET Centre at Toowoomba Grammar School with interest. It is hard to miss, given that the Headmaster’s residence, our family home, is right next to the building site. The vibrations can be unsettling, and the noises are constant. However, each day reminds me of the important work underway to secure a part of the School’s future. Soon, all boys at TGS will have the opportunity to immerse themselves…
“Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”
Whether it was American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson, Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, or even UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s father who coined the phrase “watch your character, it becomes your destiny,” it was Dr Linda Evans who gave it real relevance to a theatre full of students, staff and families. After a decade and a half in charge of Toowoomba’s respected Fairholme College as Principal and some 22 years in total on staff, Dr Evans will leave the institution she has led and loved by…
Preparation for Boarding: Practical Tips and Tricks
In fact, I’ve coined the phrase “the clearer the runway, the smoother the landing” as a neat summary of this observation. A great deal of boarding experience can be initiated at home in the weeks and months leading up to your son’s departure, helping him prepare psychologically and logistically for his upcoming journey. At TGS, we acknowledge that the boarding journey for boys and families starts long before they enter the house in late January. In the mind of a new boarder and their family,…
Exploring the Role of Neuroscience in Supporting Teenage Boys
Recent insights from neuroscience reveal that the teenage brain undergoes significant changes, particularly in the frontal lobe, which is essential for decision-making, impulse control and emotional regulation. By leveraging this knowledge, we can create supportive environments that guide our boys through the complexities of their teenage years.The Prefrontal Cortex The prefrontal cortex, located in the frontal lobe, is one of the last areas of the brain to mature, significantly impacting…
Wellbeing and Character Development Program — Benefiting Students and Staff Alike
In 2024, the School re-established the Head of Pastoral Care position. The role will be pivotal in supporting all staff to foster a supportive and nurturing environment at Toowoomba Grammar School. Integral to the role’s success is the parallel expansion of the Wellbeing and Character Development (WCD) program to yield multifaceted benefits for both staff and students. For staff, the Head of Pastoral Care provides guidance, support and resources, aiding in their efforts to address students’…
Nurturing the Seeds of Leadership
Early exposure to leadership roles helps children develop character traits such as responsibility, empathy, resilience and integrity. As a School, we provide the opportunity for the cultivation of leadership skills in our young boys. From the formative years in Prep through to the adolescent years of Year 6, the importance of fostering leadership qualities cannot be overstated. In our modern world, where adaptability, resilience and initiative are regarded as quality attributes, nurturing the…
