Toowong State School Archives

Lived Experience the Key for Toowong Deaf Educator Jason Alford

Photo Credit: Queensland Departmentof Education/ LinkedIn

Toowong State School is fostering a uniquely inclusive classroom with the help of Jason Alford, a Deaf teacher whose previous career as a plumber gives him a practical and powerful perspective on empowering students.

His education journey, highlighted during International Week of Deaf People, was deeply personal. After becoming heavily involved in the schooling of his three Deaf children, Mr Alford noticed gaps in the system and was inspired to step into the classroom himself. He believed his perspective as a Deaf person could offer invaluable support to students and their families.

Building Bridges in the Classroom

Jason Alford — *Photo Credit:* *Queensland Departmentof Education/ LinkedIn*

Now in his second year as a qualified teacher, Mr Alford works in the school’s specialist Bilingual and Bicultural (BiBi) programme. He sees his role as a vital link for the children, describing it as being a bridge that connects the worlds of language, culture, and identity for students, whether they or their families are Deaf, hard of hearing, or hearing. He explained that positive representation is crucial, and he feels proud to show his students what is possible for their future.

Working collaboratively alongside three other staff members, the team creates a dynamic and responsive learning space. He acknowledges the work can be challenging but notes that with strong planning and teamwork, they can successfully tailor lessons to meet the unique needs of every student.

Sharing Toowong’s Ideas on a Global Stage

The local programme’s success has not gone unnoticed. Earlier this year, Mr Alford and his colleague Erin Davies travelled to Rome, Italy, to present on the topic of Bilingual Education. They shared their insights at the 24th International Congress on the Education of the Deaf (ICED 2025), an event that brings together experts from around the globe.

Mr Alford found the congress inspiring, confirming that their work in Brisbane is on the right track while also providing new ideas for improvement. One of his most significant takeaways was the critical role of data. He now believes that collecting detailed information—from the individual student level right up to a statewide scale—is essential for making stronger, more informed decisions that will strengthen Deaf education across Queensland.

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A Call to the Classroom

For Mr Alford, teaching is more than just a job; it is a continuous journey of personal and professional growth. He encourages anyone considering a career change into education to leap. He believes that in teaching, you never stop learning yourself, and the growth opportunities are limitless.

Published Date 17-October-2025

Parents Demand Action: Inclusive Deaf Program Needed in High Schools

Toowong State School, the only primary school in Queensland offering a unique bilingual-bicultural program for deaf students, has become the centre of a growing push for similar programs to be implemented in high schools.

Impressed by the program’s success, parents have called for its expansion to ensure their children receive an inclusive and effective education as they transition to secondary education.

The program at Toowong State School involves students learning the Australian curriculum in both English and Auslan. This immersive approach benefits deaf students and fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of deaf culture among hearing students.

Vanessa Alford, a mother of three deaf sons, was so impressed by the program that she relocated her family from Perth to Brisbane. She highlights the positive impact the program has had on her children’s academic performance and overall well-being. Her sons are more engaged and eager to learn, a stark contrast to her experiences in primary school.

However, when one of her sons is about to enter high school, Ms Alford faces a difficult situation. High schools in Queensland currently need to offer a comparable program. Concerned about the lack of support and potential isolation her son might face in a mainstream environment, Ms Alford has opted for a combination of one-on-one tutoring and distance education with interpreters. While addressing some educational needs, this solution still raises concerns about her son’s social development and interaction with peers.

Another parent, Kate O’Keeffe, echoes Ms Alford’s concerns. She emphasises the importance of a fully inclusive environment where Auslan is readily used and understood. She fears that the lack of qualified interpreters and a signing environment in mainstream high schools could lead to isolation and limited access to the curriculum for deaf students.

Both parents have advocated for the Queensland Education Department to introduce the bilingual-bicultural program in high schools. While the department has expressed its commitment to inclusivity and is considering different educational models for deaf students, parents argue that the process is moving too slowly.

Deaf Australia has also addressed the issue, highlighting the scarcity of genuinely bilingual and bicultural programs across the country. They stress the importance of direct communication and culturally relevant teaching for deaf students, which is often lacking in mainstream settings.

With time running out for Ms Alford’s son and many other deaf students approaching high school age, the pressure is mounting on the Queensland Education Department to provide a solution that ensures these students receive the quality education they deserve.

Published Date 12-December-2024

Toowong State School Expansion Gets State Funding

This financial year, the State will allocate a record amount of $1.464 billion to fund construction of new schools and refurbishment, maintenance, and expansion of existing state schools, including Toowong State School.

Among other education infrastructure projects to be funded under the Queensland Government 2019-20 Budget, eight state schools will receive funding for planned enhancement and construction of new facilities this year.

“Over the past 12 months, my department has undertaken master planning of 35 inner city schools in Brisbane to ensure they have the infrastructure they need for the future,” Education Minister Grace Grace said.

“I am pleased that this year’s budget includes funding to start bringing these master plans to fruition at eight schools – Toowong, Newmarket, Brisbane Central, New Farm, Morningside, Ithaca Creek, Windsor and Petrie Terrace state schools.

Under the 2019-20 Budget, $1.25 million will be allocated for the construction of a new building at Toowong State School which will include six general learning spaces, one specialist space, and administration.

*Toowong SS Proposed Master Plan Concept | Photo Credit: The State of Queensland (Department of Education) 2019 / toowongss.eq.edu.au*

“This will see new and enhanced classrooms, libraries, canteens and administration areas built at these schools, which will make these great schools even better.

“State schools in regional Queensland are also in line for an infrastructure boost, with the Budget providing funding for a range of projects at schools from the tip of Cape York and West to Mount Isa.”

*Photo Credit: Toowong State School / toowongss.eq.edu.au*

Cooler Schools

Also included in the 2019-20 Budget additional $100 million, spread over four years, for priority state school air-conditioning projects in the hottest and most humid parts of Queensland. This will bring the government’s total investment to $191 million over five years.

“This will include urgent replacement of air-conditioning units in schools in the Cooler Schools Zone and other priority school air-conditioning projects as identified through a review of state school air-conditioning needs,” Ms Grace said.

Four new state schools

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that the government has also allocated funds for four additional new state schools to be built across the state.

“New primary and special schools will be built at Palmview and a new secondary school will be built at Caloundra South on the Sunshine Coast, and a new primary school will be built at Pimpama on the Gold Coast,” The Premier said.

“These new state schools will enrol students for day 1, 2021 along with the new Inner City South State Secondary College, which we’re delivering in Dutton Park for Brisbane’s inner southern suburbs.

“This investment will see the total number of new schools opened by my government since 2015 increase to 26.”