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
DNF (Did Not Finish)
- Dan CrookHead of Library and Information Services I was talking books with a friend the other day; an avid reader, she had been looking for some light reads in new genre for the holidays, and so had sought out the wisdom of the internet. After watching a few BookToks (Tiktok book recommendations) she’d settled on some titles and begun to read. However after investing a good amount of her time and getting half way through the first and most highly recommended book, she asked herself, and then…
TGS Boarding - A Safe, Welcoming and Joyous Community
“From a boarding perspective, enabling young boys to flourish is only achieved within a community that is safe, welcoming, and joyous. These three aspects are at the core of my boarding philosophy and are closely aligned with my fundamental values as a boarding Head of House – acceptance, resilience, and fun,” explains Mr Henry White, Head of Corfe House. Corfe House serves as the entry point for Toowoomba Grammar School’s youngest boarders (Years 5 to 7) and the skills, relationships, and…
Transitioning to Year 7 at TGS
Can you remember your first day in secondary school? It can be a time of mixed feelings - very exciting, but also quite daunting and challenging. Irrespective of whether your son is joining us from the TGS Junior School, or if they are just starting at Toowoomba Grammar School, it can appear to be the start of a long journey. It is a rite of passage in many respects but with this comes increased emotions in response to transition. The boys have a lot to digest with a new, possibly larger campus…
The Boarding Journey
Every parent will have a unique journey with their son whilst he is boarding at Toowoomba Grammar School. I’m Kym Wright, mother of Clancy, who is in Year 12 and this is my journey…. From my very first experience with Toowoomba Grammar School Boarding ten years ago, I had a good feeling straight away that TGS would be the perfect fit for my son. I was picking up my nephew for lunch. He had started boarding at TGS just six weeks prior. It was pouring rain and there were boys enthusiastically…
Building Self-Confidence and Resilience in Year 7s
As your child enters the new and unknown world of secondary school, it is a very important time to nurture the confidence and self-esteem of your son. Adolescence can also be a time of bewildering physical changes and strong emotions, opinions and increasing independence. Nurturing their confidence, self-esteem and assertiveness will go a long way to helping them to have the self-belief to tackle difficult new academic challenges, to developing new friendships and social skills, and…
Introducing our new Head of Year 7 - Jodi Blades
My family moved from Brisbane to Toowoomba when I was ten years of age. I’ve lived here for most of my life, other than to study and begin my teaching career in Brisbane. I lived and worked in London for 18 months before returning to Toowoomba in 2001. With over 20 years’ experience teaching and leading pastoral care programs within independent day and boarding schools, I am dedicated to developing students holistically; the academic, social, emotional, cultural, and physical development of…
Holiday Reading Recommendations
Here is a snapshot; three titles from each year level, and from Head of Library and Information Services, Mr Dan Crook to inspire your choices for holiday reading: Year 7: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - The last Ronin. Hatchet - Gary Paulsen Billy Slaters autobiography - Billy Slater Year 8: The dead of the night (Tomorrow series) - James Marsden Rangers Apprentice The ruins of Gorlan - John Flannagan The Hunger games. -Suzanne Collins Year 9: Back to the Pillaga - Tony Parsons Deadpool Samurai…
Life After School
As children grow and develop, they participate in a range of new experiences, with the “journey” from birth to adulthood being shaped by several awaited and expected transitions. These transitions occur across a range of context and help us to evolve in new environments. It is important to note that transition is associated with a change, which is something that happens for all of us. The concept of transition involves how we process, manage, and respond to the change. As adults, we work hard…
TGS Artist in Residence - Ben Tupas
I’ve been following Toowoomba Grammar School’s exciting Artist-in-residence program for several years. After seeing fellow Toowoomba artists such as Catherine Parker, Alice Weinthal and Vincent Parisi taking up the opportunity and engaging in the program, I decided to apply in 2022 to continue the momentum of my own artist practice. With the four-week residency wrapping up at the end of October, and some time to reflect on the experience I can write that the experience was a valuable…