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
Country Roads Take Me Home
Toowoomba Grammar School boarding provides the ideal living environment for our boys while they develop the values that will define their character. Throughout the course of this year, I have been privileged to visit many of the towns and properties that our TGS boarders call home. When walking around those towns wearing a shirt with a TGS crest, it doesn’t take long to meet an Old Boy or to be asked about one of the boarders currently at the School. Our boarding staff pride themselves on…
TGS Corfe House - A Home for Young Boarders
In Toowoomba Grammar School’s Boarding Program, Years 5 to 7 students reside at Corfe House – a nurturing environment providing close pastoral support and guidance to the School’s youngest boarders. The skills, relationships and perspectives that boys develop here set them up for the rest of their boarding and school journey. Toowoomba Grammar School understands the challenges for young students transitioning into boarding. Leading the way in creating a ‘home away from home’ is the Corfe House…
TGS Mates Program - Character Building Education
Current research into character education has shown that educators should not be focusing solely on preparing students for their Year 12 final exams but should be supporting them to become humans who exhibit good character and virtues to contribute to creating a healthier society (The Jubilee Centre, 2022). The Jubilee Centre, which is attached to the University of Birmingham in the UK, maintains that good character is the foundation for improved attainment, better behaviour, increased…
Our TGS Old Boys' Wall of Achievement
The next time you visit the School grounds, pause for a moment at the Toowoomba Grammar School Old Boys' Wall of Achievement. This concept was the initiative of the then Deputy Headmaster, Mr Roger Buttenshaw, and was supported by the Board of Trustees, Headmasters Mr Hugh Rose and Mr Peter Hauser, and the TGSOBA - Toowoomba Grammar School Old Boys' Association. The opening of the Wall of Achievement took place in 2003. Thousands of TGS Old Boys have gone on to lead productive and valuable…
A Musical Reflection
As Director of Performing Arts, there is perhaps no bigger undertaking than a School musical. It requires an enormous effort from a huge team of teachers and students, and to get all these moving parts heading in the same direction is certainly no mean feat. The 2023 co-production of Footloose was my first time involved in a Toowoomba Grammar School and Fairholme College musical, and I found it to be a very rewarding, though exhausting, experience. The process began in Term 3, 2022, as my…
TGS Success in GPS Sport
In 2023, Toowoomba Grammar School witnessed a remarkable resurgence in several of our sports programs, marking a year of triumph and growth. Although an elusive GPS premiership did not fall our way, a number of our 1st teams competed to the final whistle in Round 9 of their respective competitions, vying for their premierships. The achievements of our boys on the field and court were nothing short of exceptional, reflecting the commitment, dedication and character development that participation…
An Exceptional Learning Experience
As a member of the Junior School Leadership Team at Toowoomba Grammar School, my role involves ensuring that the Junior School’s Teaching and Learning programs are designed, implemented and managed effectively. This role is grounded in the vision, mission, and values of TGS and is crucial in supporting the Head of Junior School and the Director of Studies in providing an exceptional learning experience for our boys. At TGS Junior School, we prioritise the use of explicit teaching to ensure that…
An Inclusive Education
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…
Get Involved in Everything
As Senior Prefect at Toowoomba Grammar School, I have had the opportunity to witness the benefits of being an all-rounder firsthand. With the various activities and programs the School offers, the ability to be involved in as many things as possible is not only enjoyable but brings about numerous benefits that extend far beyond the school years. Ranging from sports to drama and debating, participating in anything the School has to offer is an excellent way to make friends and build networks of…
