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).

17 years

Jinibara State School, 2007–21

• Principal—Caboolture State School and Jinibara State School
• Deputy Principal—Humpybong State School
• Manager, Education Services, North Coast Region
• Country service—Moranbah State School
• Primary teacher—PE and classroom.

• Public school education
• Early years education
• Beginning teacher education and mentoring
• Systems leadership.

The opportunity and privilege to be a small part of a school’s improvement journey and to gain a wider perspective on system-wide improvement for the benefit of all students, staff and community.

Family, cooking, fishing and travel.

16 years

Mackay North State School, 2007–17

I have held the roles of classroom teacher, subject area coordinator, deputy principal and principal, across both the primary and secondary education sectors. I am a qualified GROWTH Coach and have 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. Capability building of teaching staff in the area of school administration and building school culture are passions within my work. 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 35 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.

24 years

Yugumbir State School, 2018–20

Over the last 24 years I have been principal in a variety of contexts including small rural schools, special school and larger primary school settings across 4 regions. I have previously been an Internal Reviewer in 2017.

• Building strong school culture
• Developing teacher capability and growing future school leaders
• Learning from inspirational stories of leadership in sport, business and industry.

Having been through the School Review process in the initial trial phase in 2014, I wanted to give back to the EIB and be able to support the improvement of schools and their teams through the review process. For my own growth I know this opportunity will be a highly valuable learning experience. I look forward to once again supporting schools in their improvement journey as I believe the work of the EIB is school improvement in its purest form.

I’m blessed with a wonderful wife and 3 beautiful daughters. Recently my wife and I have become ‘empty nesters’ and look forward to the day we can travel again! I’d like to hit the golf course more than I currently do, and I’m a mad keen Brisbane Lions supporter hoping for a Premiership. Go the Lions in 2021!

11 years

Samford State School, 2014–21

Previous roles include deputy principal, head of curriculum, teacher librarian and teacher in England, Japan and the United States of America, as well as President of the Brisbane North Queensland Association of State School Principals Branch and Aspiring Leaders Mentor.

• Student centred leadership
• Age appropriate pedagogies
• Using data to inform leadership and learning
• Community engagement
• Leadership capability development.

I became an educator because I love learning. As a reviewer, I am very grateful for the chance to learn from the dedicated people who work in schools across the state. Seeing first-hand the amazing outcomes for students across a broad range of schools is nothing short of inspirational.

I can watch just about any sport and even play a few of them. I love travelling and exploring with my family, and enjoy cooking and dining out.

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.

22 years as a principal, 42 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 4 years, helping them to celebrate successes, identify new challenges and focus on strategic planning for the next 4 years.

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

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.

18 years (secondary school principal)

Tannum Sands State High School, 1997–2015

• 42 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.

21.5 years (secondary school principal)

Redcliffe State High School, 2003–20

Started career as a Physical Education teacher.

• Pedagogy
• Expert Teaching Team
• School Culture.

I am dedicated to the Queensland state schools system and want to support the school improvement journey and our amazing students and staff.

• Travelling
• Fishing
• Cooking
• Spending time with my family.

7 years (primary)

Swayneville State School, 2017–2020

• Primary teacher
• Early Childhood Education and Care teacher
• Rural and remote schools
• Teaching principal.

• Inclusion
• Early childhood
• Rural and remote schools
• Australian curriculum.

Why did you want to become a reviewer?
Having been a peer reviewer a number of times over the past 5 years, and as a leader, I have found the National School Improvement Tool and the school review process very helpful and rewarding. I enjoy being able to see school improvement through the lens of the 9 domains to help guide the strategic improvement of schools. I hope to be able to add value and celebrate the hard work and successes of Queensland state schools.

• Novels and audio books
• Music
• Travelling.

17 years

Wulguru State School, 2014–present

While I began teaching in Brisbane, I have spent most of my career working in regional towns and cities. My principal experiences range from 2 teaching principal positions (Helens Hill State School and Muckadilla State School) through to an acting position at Proserpine State School. Other schools included Mitchell P-10 State School, Charters Towers Central State School, Townsville Central State School and Wulguru State School. I also spent 7 years working as a Reading Recovery tutor.

• 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 2 grandchildren).

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).

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.​