Mr Brad Allen – Head of House – Mackintosh Boarding
The new Head of House, Mackintosh Boarding, Mr Brad Allen has a strong rural background and loves the sense of community that comes with boarding in a regional city.
“My experience as a boarder helps me excel in the role of Head of House because I know what the boys are experiencing – I’ve lived it,” stated Brad.
“I understand how challenging it is to be away from home and the sacrifices that families make for the boys to have this opportunity.
“It can be tough, even when you know that it’s what’s best for them. I have real empathy for all the families in that position.”
Brad grew up in Bingara in northern NSW, between Moree and Inverell, and loved the country lifestyle. He was a boarder at Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School in Tamworth and relished the opportunities to be fully involved in all aspects of school life.
But it wasn’t until after he spent five years working in customer service at the National Australia Bank in Narrabri, Bathurst and Walgett that he realised he wanted a more rewarding career with more positive outcomes. He embarked on teaching.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Human Movement from Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, Brad spent three years as the Coordinator of Co-curricular Sport at Georgiana Molloy Anglican School in Busselton, Western Australia. His wife, Jodie, who was also a boarder during her high school years, was also a teacher at the school. They eventually decided to travel overseas to broaden their education experience. Both were employed with Dulwich Prep School in the UK where Brad was a Boarding Master, as well as the Head of Junior School Sport and the Deputy Head of Junior School.
When their daughter Imogen was born in 2010, they decided to return to Australia to be closer to family and Brad was contracted to various schools before securing the position as Head of Boys Boarding at All Saints College in Bathurst in 2012. In 2018, Brad and Jodie where both appointed to full-time positions at Whitsunday Anglican School, Brad was the Head of Boarding and Jodie a Year 4 teacher.
The family has the unique position where both Brad and Jodie have been involved in boarding for most of their lives and fully understand the support that boarders need. Jodie’s experiences equip her with the understanding that her role is important in the development of the boys when they’re so far from home. Their children, Imogen (12 years old) and Harry (8 years old) enjoy and take advantage of the boarding environment and love the extended family they get to share their lives with.
“We want to provide consistency and certainty for the boys so they can thrive in their journey at TGS and take advantage of the incredible opportunities here,” said Brad.
“We want to make their boarding experience as close to a home environment as possible, while knowing it’s not the same as their home at all.”
Brad plans to get know each individual family to gain a good understanding of each boy’s background, his strengths and challenges so that he can get the very most out of his time at TGS.
“I want the boys to feel safe and supported in Mackintosh House so they grow and benefit from their personal experiences. It is important that they look back on the connections and memories they have made with fondness,” said Brad.
Latest News
TGS Student Represents Australia in Ice Hockey
Congratulations to Year 12 student, Hugh Campbell who has been selected to represent Australia in the U18 Men’s Ice Hockey Team. The team will be competing in the International Ice Hockey Federation’s World Championships from 17-23 March in Puigcerda, Spain. Hugh will fly out with his team mates on 8 March for some intensive training at the AIS European Training Centre in Gavirate, Italy in the week prior to the championships. Hugh Campbell in action
Full Scholarship for Film Student
Toowoomba Grammar School is proud to announce Year 12 2023 graduate, Ben Rosenberg has been awarded a full scholarship to study a Bachelor of Film and Television at Bond University. The announcement was made on Saturday, 25 November following Ben's participation in the Bond University Film and Television Awards (BUFTA). He submitted his films “Golden Hour” and “Mitchell” to the competition. Out of 260 films nationally and internationally, Ben’s films were in the final 27. Ben went on to win:…
TGS Student Wins Short Film Festival
Year 12 student, Ben Rosenberg has won the Open Category, ‘Judges Choice - Official Selection Documentary’ at the Focus on Ability Short Film Festival. The award recognises Ben's brilliant documentary about Year 9 student, Mitchell Wilkes as he battles with slowly losing his vision. Mitchell and his family joined Ben's family at the awards, celebrating the success together. Congratulations Ben - and Mitchell - the TGS community is proud of you both! Watch Ben's film "Mitchell" here…
TGS Masterplan Unveiled
Toowoomba Grammar School is embarking on an exciting new phase with the commencement of our inspiring Masterplan. This landmark multi-year project is designed to anticipate the needs of students in our rapidly changing global society and to provide our current and future boys with outstanding learning environments and opportunities. Phase One of the plan will see the development of a first-class Technologies Precinct to expand and consolidate the existing Industrial Design and Technologies…
Highest Honours for TGS Performers
Two Year 12 students have recently achieved highest honours in their respective disciplines for Performing Arts. Talented singer, Ruben Fitton was recently awarded an achieved A+ High Distinction in his AMEB Grade 8 Classical Voice Examination. Thank you to TGS Music teacher, Wendy Evans who accompanied Ruben and has been a wonderful support. Ruben Fitton and Wendy EvansWill Anderson has successfully completed, with distinction, an Associate Diploma in Saxophone Performance through Con Brio…
TGS 2023 O'Callaghan Cup Champions
Toowoomba Grammar School has taken out the 74th annual O'Callaghan Cup with a nail biting 38-33 victory on Saturday, 19 August. It's the fourth consecutive year that TGS has secured the win in the iconic rugby match. Full credit to the Downlands College 1st XV who fought valiantly until the very end. Year 12 student, Richard Dean was named TGS Old Boys’ Player of the Match, with TGSOBA President, Mr Mark Creedon stating "he bought magic to the game". Grammar Downlands Day dates back to 1931,…
TGS Students Gruelling Challenge for Breast Cancer
Four Toowoomba Grammar School students are participating in the gruelling Kokoda Pinnacle Challenge – Race for the Cure - to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer. The Challenge involves three stages, testing endurance and physical and mental resilience: A 30-kilometre trek on the Sunshine Coast that was held on Saturday, 22 AprilA 48-kilometre run in Brisbane on Saturday, 3 June that had to be completed within 12 hoursA 96-kilometre race, with 6km elevation to be held on the Gold Coast…
TGS Crowned Queensland Futsal Champions
Toowoomba Grammar School’s Open Futsal team has been crowned Queensland Futsal Champions after taking out the grand final in the FQ School Futsal Championships. The FQ School Futsal Championships ran across two stages, with boys and girls in Years 7-12 competing within their own QSS region. The regional winners, runners up and some semi-finalists from each QSS region qualified for the FQ School Futsal Championships State Titles, where they competed against other qualifying schools for the title…
TGS Tennis Teams Ace State Championships
For the 21st consecutive year, the Darling Downs will be represented by a strong contingent of players, all from Toowoomba Grammar School, at the State Tennis Championships next week. The TGS team won the regional finals of the Queensland State Secondary Schools Tennis competition in May. It is the 21st consecutive year that TGS has won the Open division and moved on to the State Championships. This year’s team consists of Tom Dwyer (captain), Archer Black, Henry Maunder and Hugh Mansfield.…
