Meet our reviewers

20 years (both primary and special schools)

Rockhampton North Special School, 2014–19

I also worked as a Principal Education Officer–Student Services, and as a teacher (special education, primary, secondary, preschool, PCAP itinerant teacher, TAFE). The majority of my career has been in regional, rural and remote locations.

• Special education and inclusive practices
• Building leadership capability
• Education in rural communities

To add value to, and validation of, the work of diverse school communities in their journey toward providing the best possible education for all students.

I like to:

• enjoy family time
• spend time with my grandchildren and watch them learn and grow
• walk, run, hike or swim and enjoy the opportunity to commune with nature
• research and plan new and exciting travel opportunities (and ways to convince my husband that he would enjoy the experiences).

16 years

Mackay North State School, 2007–17

I have experience in primary and secondary education. I have held the roles of classroom teacher, subject area coordinator, deputy principal and principal. I have also devoted time to coaching principal colleagues.

I began teaching in 1985 and most of my career has been spent in rural and regional areas. I have a particular interest in low socio-economic communities and schools and capacity building of teaching staff in the area of school administration. Building school culture is a passion of mine. I believe that a school culture that values all members of the school community is the key to school improvement.

Having been with the department for 32 years, I have witnessed the tremendous effort and enthusiasm every teacher in our system contributes to the learning of students on a daily basis. The motivation for me to become a school reviewer is the opportunity to assist schools to continue to enhance their school improvement journey.

Outside school hours, I like to spend my time reading, cooking, planning family holidays and watching sports on TV. I’d like to spend more time exercising, but that does not always go as planned. Spending time with my family gives me the greatest pleasure.

10 years

Hilder Road State School, 2010–17

• Principal peer reviewer, 2015–17
• Chair, Mt Coot-tha Cluster Leadership Group, 2015–16
• Internal reviewer since 2018

Developing high-performing school leadership teams.

To share my experience and insights with others and help schools with their improvement journeys.

• Travel
• Politics
• Live music
• Fitness and sport, especially Rugby (Union and League)

Over 20 years. Primary and P-10 campus. From small remote/rural to large urban schools.

Fernbrooke State School (a new school, established in 2017)

Worked across many areas of the state. Various schools and locations. New school principal twice.

• Rural and remote schools
• Small schools

To get away from the family.

Watching a good movie and gardening.

20 years as a principal, 40 years in the profession!

Warwick Central State School 2010–20

Acting Principal, Nanango State School, 2018

Small rural and remote schools, early childhood literacy, Low SES school communities.

To support schools in reflecting on their previous four years, helping them to celebrate successes, identify new challenges and focus on strategic planning for the next four years.

Travelling the world and exploring Australia with my husband, spending time with my children and grandchildren, walking, swimming, yoga and reading. 

10 years

Coolum State High School, 2007–17

• Internal school reviewer, Education Improvement Branch
  
• Coach and mentor for school leaders.

I am passionate about being part of the journey school leaders and their communities are on to advance public education so it continues to be the backbone of a diverse, vibrant and inclusive society—one we need to, and can, be proud of.

The review process plays an integral part in school renewal, improvement and growth. Being a part of this initiative affords me the opportunity to contribute to the vital and enduring advancement of continual improvement in our education system and culture—not just for learning outcomes for students, but for the growth mindsets of teachers and school leaders, and the inclusive practices of school communities.

Being with family and friends and loved ones. And, of course, skiing!

19 years

Redland District Special School, 2003–15

• Lead principal state-wide, special schools
• Acting Director, Disability Services Support Unit

• Special education
• Special schools
• Inclusive education
• Positive behaviour for learning

I thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to work in schools across the state and to observe the great practices of leadership teams and teachers to improve outcomes for students, and to assist schools to identify their next steps for improvement.

• Travelling
• Movies
• Technology

30 years

Greenlands State School, 1990–2015

• Principal coach, Darling Downs South West Region, 2015, 2012, 2011
• Principal of the Year, DET Jack Pizzey Awards, 2015
• Teaching and learning auditor, 2010

Small rural schools and the teaching principalship.

Travelling with my wife to see the world!

12 years across 3 fantastic state schools.

Elanora State High School, 2012 to present.

Growth Coaching and Chair of Education Queensland International (EQI) accreditation reviews.

I have experience in rural and metropolitan schools as a principal. I have a great interest in developing student and staff global perspectives, through involvement in a range of international programs.

I am a strong believer that feedback is the fuel for growth and have found my involvement with the Education Improvement Branch as a peer reviewer to be extremely rewarding. It is an absolute privilege to work with fellow principals and the National School Improvement Tool in helping schools shape their future journey.

I am a passionate AFL fan and my family is heavily involved in swimming.

18 years (secondary school principal)

Tannum Sands State High School, 1997–2015

• 40 years with the Department of Education, working in schools (200 to 1,600 students) as a teacher, head of department, deputy principal and principal
• Acting Executive Director (Schools) and teaching and learning/discipline auditor
• Assistant Regional Director, Metropolitan Region, 2016–18
• Internal School Reviewer, Education Improvement Branch, 2015

• Professional networks (I am a previous long-standing member of the Queensland Secondary Principals' Association)
• Level 4 Growth Coaching qualification
• Induction and beginning teachers
• Classroom observation and feedback

I believe in the power of feedback. I would like to use any experience I have gained in my career to support schools in Queensland’s ongoing continuous improvement journey.

• Catching up with family and friends
• Bushwalking
• Current affairs

17 years

Wulguru State School, 2014–present

Between my first appointment as principal of Helens Hill State School and returning to the principal role at Muckadilla State School, I worked as a reading recovery tutor for 7 years, 1 year at the Bowen Reading Recovery Centre and 6 years at the Roma Reading Recovery Centre.

• Low socioeconomic status schools
• Schools with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
• Trauma-informed practice
• Early years literacy
• Small schools
• P–10 schools

A review (particularly a priority support review) can have such a positive impact on a school (my experience was great) and I wanted to share that with other schools. It is also a great opportunity to learn and develop.

• Running and cycling (marathons and triathlons)
• Hiking
• Spending time with family (particularly my new grandson)

17 years

Beaudesert State High School, 2009–19

I have held leadership positions in a variety of settings across Queensland, including:

• Deputy Principal at Thursday Island State High School and Noosa District State High School
• Principal of Goondiwindi State High School and Beaudesert State High School.

I am passionate about quality public education. I have an interest in rural and remote education, and youth disengagement.

I enjoy supporting school teams to improve outcomes for all students.

I am a swimming official in my spare time, and am active at local, regional, state, national and international levels. My highlights to date are being appointed as Referee at the 2017 Youth Commonwealth Games (held in The Bahamas) and the 2019 Pacific Games (Samoa).

27 years

Nambour State College, 1997–2017

Acting Executive Director, Schools (North Queensland and North Coast regions)

• Data analysis and use
• Pedagogical practice
• Differentiation
• Low socioeconomic communities
• Using skills from a Growth Coaching course to support schools

After being part of a small number of reviews, I saw how they supported schools. As a result, I thought it would be excellent to support the process at a higher level across the state.

• Travel
• Sport
• Bonsai
• Gardening

13 years

Springwood Road State School, 2006–16

Internal school reviewer, Education Improvement Branch, 2017

Early years education

I enjoy working with principals and schools and being part of their journey of improving outcomes for all students.

• Travel
• Gardening

12 years

Belmont State School, 2015–19

Peer Reviewer, Independent Public Schools principal mentor, Principal Education Officer–School Improvement.

Inclusive education, differentiation, literacy and numeracy, STEAM, wellbeing.

To further develop my knowledge and experience as a school leader, and to have the opportunity to work with other school leaders and schools in their journeys to improve outcomes for students.

Travel (and trains), sports (all, but especially Australian Rules and basketball).