Community & Business
3 August, 2025
New principal, new era
The charm of a country school proved too strong for Joel Fogwell, the new permanent principal of Clifton State School, who resisted the allure of bigger schools to work in a town and community he loves.
Mr Fogwell started as school principal two and a half weeks ago, at the beginning of term 3.
He took over the role from Mrs Rebecca Bowyer.
Mrs Rosita Lever had been principal for several years prior.
A Clifton resident of four years, Mr Fogwell has strong family and professional connections to the district.
His career in recent years has seen Mr Fogwell progress to bigger schools, until the opportunity at Clifton arose.
Some may remember his name from his time as principal of Back Plains State School, from 2019 to 221, which has only 20 or so students.
Mr Fogwell was then principal of Wyreema State School from 2022 to the end of term 1 this year.
Wyreema has 180 students.
Last term, he was principal of Gabbinbar State School in Toowoomba, which has around 400 students.
Yet Mr Fogwell’s heart was set on Clifton State School, with about 90 students.
“I’m very happy to be at Clifton,” he said.
“I made the decision to come back to a smaller school.
“The kids are wonderful and the staff are committed to the school.”
Already in the first few weeks of term, Mr Fogwell has begun instilling three key things for students to do.
The first of these is always respecting themselves and others.
The second is making sure hands and feet are kept to themselves.
The third and final is understanding the power of our words and how using positive language can make the difference in someone else’s day.
Mr Fogwell said he is also bringing some new ideas to the school on the academic side of things.
“We’re doing a big push on the explicit teaching of reading, known as the ‘Simple View of Reading’”, he said.
“It’s been really strong for my team.”
Mr Fogwell said the Simple View of Reading breaks the reading comprehension into word recognition and language comprehension, plotting a student’s strengths and weaknesses of both onto a graph.
The testing is thorough, taking about 20 minutes per student, keeping staff very busy over the past few weeks.
Mr Fogwell stressed the importance of reading, as the foundation for academic success across subjects.
Another new initiative is the streaming on Facebook of Mr Fogwell’s address during parade, allowing parents, caregivers and the wider community to see what is going on at the school.
To have a look, visit the ‘Clifton State School’ Facebook page.
As principal, Mr Fogwell said he is looking to grow the school and expose students to new things.
“It’s about being innovative. Small schools shouldn’t miss out.”
Mr Fogwell, a father of three, still has connections to Back Plains State School, as his son is a student there and his daughter will be attending school next year.
Between implementing the new Simple View of Reading, the beginning of a new report season and sports carnivals, it will be a busy term ahead at Clifton State School for Mr Fogwell, staff and students.
