Kyle Thompson is the seventh principal of SCOTS PGC College and commenced in late 2017.

He is a highly experienced educator and leader with a passion for bringing out the best in people – be it on the sports field, in the classroom or the workplace.

What started as a career in sports, after gaining his Masters in Sports Management, led to a life in education with Kyle discovering his natural aptitude for teaching after time spent coaching professional players and young children cricket, while studying at Sydney University.

After gaining his qualification in education, Kyle went on to spend seven years in the Department of Education and Training in New South Wales, before joining Cranbrook School in Sydney, serving as Sportsmaster for six years. This was followed by 11 years at Brisbane Boys’ College where Kyle led significant change first in his role as Director of Sports and Activities and later as Deputy Headmaster / Head of Senior School.

During this time Kyle contributed significantly to the strategic direction of the College and was instrumental in the activation and ongoing management of a range of initiatives from pastoral care, to student leadership, to classroom learning and pathway creation.

Kyle believes a good education is all about relationships and while much of it involves academics, learning about life and how to take one’s place within it is just as important.

Building strong relationships and contributing to community have remained guiding principles throughout Richard Dobrenov’s time in education.

With his career spanning more than 30 years, Richard is an experienced and innovative educator dedicated to creating learning environments that support, challenge, encourage and celebrate all students.

Beyond his belief in developing the talents of each individual, for Richard, a great school is a supportive community; a group of people that collectively can relate, contribute to and draw from the broader community within which they exist.

He has always encouraged students to move beyond their comfort zones both inside and outside the classroom and believes relationships, based on mutual respect, are key to student engagement.

Richard holds a deep understanding of independent education and has worked in day and boarding schools across metro and regional Queensland. His experience at the coalface, and at a strategic level, has enabled Richard to acquire diverse skills and perspectives. It has also seen him implement a range of initiatives designed to respond to the changing educational landscape.

Before joining SCOTS PGC, Richard was Head of Middle and Senior School at Fraser Coast Anglican College in Hervey Bay. Prior to this, he spent 29 years at The Southport School (TSS) on the Gold Coast working in various roles including Dean of Students, Day Housemaster, Boarding Housemaster and Head of Department.

Amy Woodgate is an experienced and committed educator with a strong background in Early Years and Primary education. From teaching in the classroom, to leading and managing academic programs, Amy has spent the last 16 years creating high quality learning environments focused on developing the ‘whole’ child.

As the Director of Girls’ Boarding and the Head of Middle School at SCOTS PGC, her role is wide and varied.   It encompasses students in Years 6 right through to Year 8, while also caring for all the girls who board at the College in the residential facilities at Glenbrae House.

For Amy, working closely with staff, students and families is the most rewarding part of her role and she’s passionate about helping young people to thrive in their learning.

Whether it’s building a strong foundation as students transition into Middle School, or providing students with the confidence to investigate, question and collaborate as they grow and develop, Amy draws on her diverse experience and a range of age-appropriate strategies to support students as they journey through their education.  Equally,  Amy’s leadership in the Girls’ Boarding House provides a strong and supportive environment for the girls in boarding to flourish as they discover their place in the world.

Prior to joining the College in 2019, Amy was the Assistant Head of Junior School (Teaching and Learning) at Somerville House for five years. She also spent eight years at Brisbane Boys’ College as a classroom teacher, year level coordinator and in acting leadership roles and before that was a classroom teacher at Moreton Bay Boys’ College during its foundational years.

As the Head of Junior School, Amanda Hall is a highly experienced and dedicated educational leader with a passion for guiding young learners through their formative years of education. With over 17 years of teaching and leadership experience in both government and independent education settings, Amanda has developed a deep understanding of the unique needs and challenges our young learners face and has a track record of implementing effective strategies to help them succeed.

Amanda holds a Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Arts and is currently undertaking postgraduate study in a Master of Educational Leadership.  She has a passion for leading through connection and community and a strong background in regional and rural education, which is a fitting complement to the SCOTS PGC community

Known for her warm and approachable demeanour, Amanda places a strong focus on relationships and working together with families to ensure the best educational outcomes for every student.  Her personal belief is embedded in encouraging, developing and nurturing the whole child and empowering students to be lifelong learners.

In a career spanning some 30 years in Education, our Director of Co-Curricular Activities, Tom Bradbury, is a seasoned professional.  Tom began his career in the classroom where he honed his understanding and delivery of curriculum before branching out and transitioning into a field that really played to his strengths – developing students outside of the classroom and leading a co-curricular activities program.  This ambition was first realised when Tom accepted a position to lead the sports program for a leading independent school during one of their most successful periods.  It then led to a leadership role within the University of Queensland overseeing the Athletics Centre at the St Lucia campus.

Tom is now truly in his element at SCOTS PGC College, directing and facilitating the Co-Curricular Activities program that provides opportunities for students in over 25 different sports and clubs.  He has always been a strong believer in the benefits that co-curricular activities provide our young people – It is often the relationships forged outside of the classroom that provides a solid foundation and framework for teachers and students to build upon inside the classroom.

Coaching and developing students on the sporting field is also one of Tom’s passions.  He is a Level IV Australian Track and Field Coach and has coached athletes who have reached incredible heights performing on the international stage.

Tom brings a wealth of relational skill, organisational skills, and a depth of knowledge of the sport and co-curricular landscape that makes him perfectly suited to the role of Director of Co-Curricular Activities.

Andrew Millard is the Business Manager at SCOTS PGC, responsible for overseeing finance, facilities and business services at the College. Andrew commenced in 2002 and has played a key role in ensuring the College can financially respond to an ever-changing educational environment and provide facilities that are fit-for-purpose.

As a long-standing staff member, Andrew holds a deep understanding and passion for SCOTS PGC and its people. Most of all, he enjoys working within a learning environment and the variety of work his role offers.

In the same way teachers work to unlock the potential of students, Derek Naughten’s role is to foster a culture that allows staff at SCOTS PGC to do their best work.

With more than 20 years of service at the College, Derek holds a deep understanding of its history, values and community.

Beyond developing and implementing contemporary human resources practices, much of Derek’s role is about empowering people to bring the school’s values to life. He believes every person, regardless of their position, has a role to play in the College’s mission of ‘inspiring students to be their best’ and that great things happen when all staff work together in unity.

For Derek, the school’s culture is reflective of its regional setting – everyone has a role to play in shaping the experience and there’s a strong sense of community and belonging.