I’m delighted to share with the IGS community that our Head of English and Philosophy Thom Marchbank has been appointed as Deputy Principal Academic.
He will take up his new role on Monday.
In seeking a new Deputy Principal Academic to work alongside our Deputy Principal Wellbeing Mary Duma, we were looking for someone with an outstanding record as a teacher and as an educational leader, with a demonstrated capacity to engage and inspire students, teachers, parents and other members of the wider community. We also wanted someone who could play a leading role in further enhancing the intellectual and cultural life of the School while also driving academic excellence for all students.
Thom embodies these attributes.
Thom is a passionate educator, a great role model of professionalism and very much exhibits the qualities of a lifelong learner. He is an inspiring teacher who strives to develop in students an intellectual curiosity and a commitment to being the best that they can be.
Thom believes that every child has the right to be recognised, seen and treated with dignity and to have their skills and abilities fostered so that they can flourish. His values align beautifully with those of our School.
Thom has been at IGS for twelve years and knows the School very well. As the School’s Head of English and Philosophy, Thom has demonstrated great commitment and achieved success in working collaboratively with colleagues to enhance opportunities for our students in their study of English throughout their High School years and in fostering a rigorous, exciting and dynamic English program. He is highly organised and inclusive and celebrates academic excellence and achievement, while collaboratively recognising and appreciating the professional skills of his colleagues.
Thom recently completed a degree in psychological science through the University of New England and achieved exemplary academic results, culminating in him receiving the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholar Award for 2022 in recognition of outstanding endeavour and excellence in academic performance. He also holds a Masters of Teaching, a Graduate Diploma in Writing and an Honours Degree in History. Thom is also a highly valued and well regarded Senior HSC Marker for English Extension 2.
As Head of House for many years, Thom did a superb job in supporting students and collaboratively working with tutors to build a strong House identity, acknowledging the uniqueness of each member of the House and showing great qualities of integrity, fairness, enthusiasm and energy. These qualities will be well utilised as he takes up the Deputy Principal Academic role.
Prior to his time at IGS, Thom worked in the publishing industry for Allen and Unwin. His roles spanned the sales and marketing areas that saw him working with bookshops across Sydney, including Gleebooks, as well as editing, proofreading and collaborating with Australian writers on special events such as the Sydney Writers’ Festival.
In accepting the role, Thom said that he is “thrilled and very energised to be taking on the challenge of the role of Deputy Principal Academic”.
Thom describes IGS as a “phenomenal school, with a rich intellectual culture, vibrant urban community, and beautiful traditions, underpinned by strong and meaningful relationships” and says he is “honoured to serve the students and the community more deeply and to make a contribution to helping our School become even more successful”.
I’m sure you will join me in wishing Thom all the very best as he takes on this important and exciting role.
Shauna Colnan
IGS Principal