Headquarters:
82 Chermside Rd, East Ipswich, QLD 4305
Year founded:
1892
Number of employees:
200
Phone:
+61 7 3454 4447
Email:
reception@iggs.qld.edu.au
Website:
iggs.qld.edu.au
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/school/ipswich-girls'-grammar-school-including-ipswich-junior-grammar-school
Kyle Thompson
Principal
Wendy Jurss
Deputy Principal
Carmel Conlin
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary to the Board of Trustees
Leadership
Kyle Thompson is principal of Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School including Ipswich Junior Grammar School. Holding postgraduate qualifications, including a Master’s in Sports Management, he is recognised for values-based leadership, academic excellence and a deep commitment to character development.
Thompson is committed to creating a school environment where students are known, challenged and supported, and where learning, character and personal growth are equally valued. With more than 30 years’ experience across independent and government education, he has held senior leadership roles at The SCOTS PGC College, Brisbane Boys’ College and Cranbrook School.
Principal
Kyle Thompson
Wendy Jurss is deputy principal at Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School including Ipswich Junior Grammar School. With almost 30 years’ experience in K-12 independent education, she has held leadership positions including head of music, director of creative arts, director of teaching and learning, dean of academic programs and, most recently, acting principal.
An accomplished educator and musician, Jurss graduated with a music degree and University Medal and has been recognised through a number of scholarships and awards, including the 4MBS Contemporary Music Prize. She is passionate about helping students discover their unique strengths and achieve success through individual pathways.
Deputy Principal
Wendy Jurss
Carmel Conlin is chief operating officer at Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School including Ipswich Junior Grammar School. A Certified Practicing Accountant with a Bachelor of Commerce from The University of Queensland, she brings extensive executive experience leading the financial, commercial and operational functions of large and complex organisations with budgets of up to $200 million.
Conlin has particular expertise in financial management, governance, compliance, strategic planning, risk management, infrastructure and business operations. Passionate about the transformative power of education, she is committed to creating sustainable systems, strong teams and supportive environments that enable schools to deliver exceptional outcomes for students, families and the broader community.
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary to the Board of Trustees
Carmel Conlin
Rebecca Sullivan
Dean of Students
Rebecca Sullivan is dean of students at Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School including Ipswich Junior Grammar School. With more than 20 years’ experience in respected girls’ schools across Queensland, she has held both curriculum and pastoral leadership roles and is a passionate advocate for girls’ education.
Sullivan believes all-girls’ learning environments foster confidence, agency and a strong belief in what young women can achieve. She is committed to creating a vibrant, learning-centred community where every student is known, supported and encouraged to strive for her goals, with wellbeing and personal growth at the heart of the student experience.
Dean of Students
Rebecca Sullivan
Nicolee Eiby
Head of Junior School
Nicolee Eiby is head of junior school at Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School including Ipswich Junior Grammar School, leading learning and wellbeing from Kindergarten to Year 6. With 34 years’ experience in education, she has served as a principal, deputy principal, head of curriculum, literacy coach and classroom teacher across rural and urban schools in Queensland.
Eiby is passionate about holistic education, age-appropriate learning and preserving the wonder of childhood. Recognised with an Excellence Award in the Australian Education Awards for Primary School Principal of the Year (Non-Government) in 2020, she is committed to placing the child at the heart of every decision and fostering a culture of contribution, connection and growth.
Head of Junior School
Nicolee Eiby
Todd Blackhall
Dean of Teaching, Learning and Innovation
Nicole de Vries
Director of Advancement
Ngairie Thomas
Director of People and Culture
Pam Chhabra
Manager – Residential Strata
Todd Blackhall is dean of teaching, learning and innovation at Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School including Ipswich Junior Grammar School. Holding a Master of Education in Leadership and Management from Deakin University and a Bachelor of Human Movement from the University of Tasmania, he brings more than 25 years’ experience in education and experiential learning.
Blackhall has held leadership roles at St Michael’s Collegiate School, The Hutchins School and in Queensland state schools, including service in the Torres Strait. He is passionate about helping young people build personal capacity, develop character strengths and become confident, curious learners through innovative and engaging educational experiences.
Dean of Teaching, Learning and Innovation
Todd Blackhall
Nicole de Vries is director of advancement at Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School including Ipswich Junior Grammar School. Holding dual degrees in Business and Creative Industries from Queensland University of Technology, she is an established executive leader with more than 15 years’ experience in strategy, marketing, brand, community engagement, new markets, corporate affairs and customer experience. She has a proven track record in strategic growth, organisational development and leading high-performing teams.
De Vries believes education starts with people and is passionate about building meaningful relationships that strengthen communities and create opportunities. Prior to joining IGGS, she held senior leadership roles across the Queensland independent school sector.
Director of Advancement
Nicole de Vries
Ngairie Thomas is director of people and culture at Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School including Ipswich Junior Grammar School. Holding a Bachelor of Teaching and a Graduate Diploma in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from Griffith University. She is an experienced people leader with expertise in workforce strategy, leadership development, talent management and organisational culture. Her career spans education, financial services, manufacturing, FMCG and the not-for-profit sector, including senior leadership roles with Toowoomba Catholic Schools, Endeavour Foundation and RACQ.
Thomas is passionate about building capability, strengthening culture and creating environments where people are valued, supported and empowered to thrive.
Director of People and Culture
Ngairie Thomas
Stephen McMillan first entered the financial services Industry when he joined GE Capital as a finance analyst in 2008, from which he progressed through roles working both onshore and offshore. From there, he moved into Pacific Premium Funding as a financial planning and analysis leader in 2012 and was a key resource in the evolution of the business, first with the successful sale to Macquarie Pacific Funding and then the following progression into IQumulate Premium Funding, where he is now the commercial manager.
As commercial manager, McMillan leads a team that is responsible for commercial analysis and business support, identifying and reporting improvement initiatives, and the securitization and treasury functions of the business.
Commercial Manager
Stephen McMillan
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IPSWICH GIRLS’ GRAMMAR SCHOOL
SPECIAL REPORT
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Bio
Adam Basaldella
Manager – Claims
Stephen McMillan first entered the financial services Industry when he joined GE Capital as a finance analyst in 2008, from which he progressed through roles working both onshore and offshore. From there, he moved into Pacific Premium Funding as a financial planning and analysis leader in 2012 and was a key resource in the evolution of the business, first with the successful sale to Macquarie Pacific Funding and then the following progression into IQumulate Premium Funding, where he is now the commercial manager.
As commercial manager, McMillan leads a team that is responsible for commercial analysis and business support, identifying and reporting improvement initiatives, and the securitization and treasury functions of the business.
Product Manager
Claire Watson
Stephen McMillan first entered the financial services Industry when he joined GE Capital as a finance analyst in 2008, from which he progressed through roles working both onshore and offshore. From there, he moved into Pacific Premium Funding as a financial planning and analysis leader in 2012 and was a key resource in the evolution of the business, first with the successful sale to Macquarie Pacific Funding and then the following progression into IQumulate Premium Funding, where he is now the commercial manager.
As commercial manager, McMillan leads a team that is responsible for commercial analysis and business support, identifying and reporting improvement initiatives, and the securitization and treasury functions of the business.
Commercial Manager
Stephen McMillan
“We also maintain open lines of communication with advisers so they know what to expect and can plan accordingly”
Hayley Burgess, ANZ Bank New Zealand
“We’ve invested heavily in resourcing and process improvements to reduce friction and speed up approvals”
Hayley Burgess, ANZ Bank New Zealand
Ipswich Girls' Grammar School including Ipswich Junior Grammar School has been progressive and contemporary since its establishment in 1892. Today, the School delivers an exceptional education from Kindy to Year 12 through a distinctive model: a co-educational Junior School that transitions to an exclusive girls' education from Years 7 to 12. Tradition and innovation sit comfortably side by side in a warm, inclusive and future-focused environment where every student is known deeply, challenged appropriately and supported wholeheartedly.
Founded by pioneering women who broke barriers in their fields, the School's story begins with trailblazers, including the first female Science graduate of the University of Sydney, and the first Queensland-born woman to graduate in Medicine. Their spirit continues to shape the School's belief in developing young people with both grit and grace.
Learning is rigorous, purposeful and seriously fun. Students explore, debate, create, perform, build and think deeply through opportunities that extend well beyond the classroom. Signature programs include the Emerging Artists Program, which connects aspiring performers with industry professionals through mentoring and authentic performance experiences; the UniSQ Girls2Win Program, which develops confidence, resilience and leadership through athlete development; and a pioneering esports program helping to increase girls' participation in technology, gaming and digital innovation.
Under the leadership of Principal, Mr Kyle Thompson, personalised education sits at the centre of the School's strategy. Contemporary Teaching and Learning Frameworks, individual academic action plans, one-to-one mentoring conversations and strong professional learning communities ensure students are both supported and challenged to achieve their personal best.
The School's commitment to wellbeing recognises that strong learning starts with strong wellbeing. A dedicated multidisciplinary team of counsellors, psychologists and support specialists works alongside students and families to provide personalised care. Programs such as Mighty Me in the Junior School and Life Skills in the Senior School help students build self-awareness, resilience and confidence, while restorative practices strengthen relationships and accountability across the community.
Preparing students for a rapidly changing world requires both local connection and global perspective. First Nations students contribute to the School's reconciliation journey through the Dahdi leadership group, while international students enrich learning through diverse cultural perspectives. International study tours, exchange opportunities and partnerships with universities and industry provide authentic pathways into leadership, tertiary study and future careers.
Guided by its motto, Omnia Superat Diligentia (Diligence Overcomes All), the School graduates confident, compassionate and capable young women with the knowledge, character and mindset to embrace opportunity, contribute meaningfully and lead lives of purpose with grit and grace.
