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.