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
The Importance of Knowledge
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always enjoyed traveling great distances. As a child growing up in rural New South Wales, this was inevitable. The region was speckled with towns, some more vibrant than others, and diverse landscapes where hillside ruins whispered tales of bygone eras. Over time, these landscapes and towns transformed into familiar scenes, with even minor changes in the community and environment growing more noticeable during each visit. Education parallels this journey, as…
Senior TGS Students' Advice for Starting Senior School
Starting at a new school can be a time of mixed feelings – very exciting, but also quite daunting and challenging. Here are some tips from some Year 7 Grammar boys who started Senior School in 2023. Get involved in different sports and activities Toowoomba Grammar School provides many sports and activities that any student can participate in. As a current Year 7 student, I highly recommend trying out as many different sports and activities as you can. Throughout my first year in high school, I…
Transition to Senior School at TGS
Starting at a new school 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, this is the start of a long and special journey. Your son will have a lot to digest with a new, possibly larger campus to navigate, different teachers and lessons, making new friends, where to go and what to do at morning tea and lunch. There can be a…
The Transition to Year 7 - from a Parent and Staff Member's Perspective
Regardless of your history with the school, you are all equally welcome here and should feel comfortable in knowing that we value every family and their son’s contribution to our School. Toowoomba Grammar School was built by the community, for the community and it is a School that I am immensely proud of. In 2025 we will celebrate our sesquicentenary or Grammar 150 and your sons will play a vital role in those celebrations. Our pedagogy is modelled on explicit instruction which has its roots in…
Boarding Families - Surviving Homesickness
Homesickness can be brutal for both the child and their parents. As a parent it can feel like your heart is being ripped out in some cases daily. It is extremely hard hearing how sad your boy may sound on the phone, and then you are left reeling for 24hrs until the next call, you are often left worried that they are feeling like this ALL DAY. Rest assured only vary rare cases are that bad, they usually improve as they settle in, and it is temporary. The reality is that most boys tend to save…
Helpful Tips for New Boarding Parents
Name absolutely everything! Socks, undies, phone chargers, water bottles, caps. EVERYTHING!! Make sure you name items with Boy’s name & House number; most parents will put their senior house number if printing the tags so they don’t have to rename items when they move the following year (Corfe House doesn’t have a house number). Some boys find a double bed doona is a better option than single doona as it hangs down the sides of the bed a little more to keep them warmer in winter. An…
Parenting Styles: Parties and the Holidays
As the holiday season approaches, parents and caregivers find themselves immersed in the joy and bustle of festivities. Amidst the celebrations, it’s essential to pause and reflect on the pivotal role our parenting styles play in shaping our children’s attitudes and behaviours, especially concerning alcohol and other drug use. As a father of four young people with my fifth child coming into our family on 8 December 2023, I’m particularly mindful of my parenting style and my role as School…
Building the Boarding Experience - at Home
Family connections is a vital aspect of our Toowoomba Grammar School boarding program that we hold close to our heart. Our Heads of House regularly make the effort to visit our boarding families so they have a better understanding of our boarders' lives, the challenges and experiences, and staff always enjoy the warmth and hospitality provided by families. Head of Corfe House, Henry White and his wife, Samantha recently spent a weekend with the Acton family on Dalgonally Station near Julia…
A New Season for Coach Kabe
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…
