Meet our reviewers

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 36 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.

13 years

Samford State School, 2014–21

Previous roles include deputy principal, head of curriculum, HPE teacher, teacher librarian and teacher in England, Japan and the United States of America. Over the last few years I have also taken on various other roles including President of the Brisbane North Queensland Association of State School Principals Branch, Metropolitan Aspiring Leaders Mentor and Brisbane North West District Sports Chair.

Some of my passion areas include student-centred leadership, age appropriate pedagogies, evidence-informed leadership, community engagement and leadership capability development.

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 wonderful outcomes for students across a broad range of school contexts is nothing short of inspirational.

I can watch just about any sport and even play a few of them. I love travelling with my family. I also enjoy cooking and the culinary arts.

21 years

Fernbrooke State School, 2017–19

I have more than 20 years’ experience across primary and P-10 campus principal roles. I have worked in various schools and locations across the state, and have twice been the foundation principal at new schools.

• Rural and remote schools
• Small school teaching principalship
• Supporting the leadership growth of new principals
  

As a teacher, influencing a class of students provided me with a sense of achievement and impact. As a principal, the influence of staff to make a positive impact upon students gives me a great sense of accomplishment. As reviewer, I want to support each principal to lead their school to impact all students.

Watching good movies and gardening.

Principal experience
13 years

Most recent principal position
Marian State School, 2017–21

Other experience
I began my teaching career in 1995 at Blackwater North State School. Following this I moved to Torquay State School and spent 14 years as teacher and deputy principal. I began my principalship in 2009 at Parke State School, before moving to Mackay Central State School in 2014.

Areas of interest

• Building professional teams and empowering middle and emerging leaders
• Ensuring that all staff are given the opportunity to build their capability and utilise their strengths
• Promoting positive school and community partnerships and culture

Why did you want to become a reviewer?
As a principal, I found the review process as the key starting point for strategic planning. I have always felt the process has been positive and constructive, as well as the best professional development I have experienced. I have been privileged to work as a peer reviewer over a number of years and am very keen to assist school communities whilst always being a learner.

Other interests
I am a keen Brisbane Broncos fan who enjoys time with my wife and three children, as well as a game of cricket with mates.

Principal experience
15 years

Most recent principal position
Rochedale State School, 2015–21

Other experience

• Assistant Regional Director, Metropolitan Region
• Principal, Algester State School
• Principal, Chatswood Hills State School
• Head of Middle School, Whites Hill State College
• Deputy Principal, Mabel Park State School
• Chair of Queensland School Sport

Areas of interest

• Public school education
• Developing leadership and growing future school leaders
• International mindedness and global competency
• International Baccalaureate framework

Why did you want to become a reviewer?
I became a reviewer for the opportunity and privilege to assist schools to continue to enhance their school improvement journey. Through my role, I aim to add value to and provide validation of, the work of school communities across Queensland towards providing the best possible education for all students.

Other interests
My interests include sport, travel, research and current affairs.

Principal experience
14 years

Most recent principal position
Elanora State High School, 2012–21

Other experience
I have held principal roles in 3 fantastic state schools—Biloela State High School, Keebra Park State High School and Elanora State High School. Other experience includes growth coaching and Chair of the Education Queensland International accreditation reviews.

Areas of interest
I have experience in both rural and metropolitan schools as principal. I have a great interest in developing student and staff global perspectives, through involvement in a range of international programs. I am also interested in the implementation of Positive Behaviour for Learning with fidelity and the vast array of school community partnerships which improve student outcomes.

Why did you want to become a reviewer?
I am a strong believer that feedback is the fuel for growth and have found my involvement with the Education Improvement Branch, initially as a peer reviewer then as an internal 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 improvement journey.

Other interests
As a former teacher of Bahasa Indonesia, I have a strong affinity with Indonesia. I am a passionate Australian Football League fan and heavily involved in the sport of swimming with my family.

Principal experience
10 years

Most recent principal position
Bundamba State School, 2021

Other experience
My teaching career commenced at Crestmead State School in the South East Region where I was fortunate to have been led by an excellent leadership team and mentor teachers. I had the opportunity to engage in some acting principal positions and then lead 3 schools including Patrick Estate State School, Carole Park State School and recently Bundamba State School. I have held other positions including the President of the Ipswich Queensland Association of State School Principals (QASSP) Branch, QASSP State Chair of Capability Development and Metropolitan Aspiring Leaders Mentor.

Areas of interest

• Leadership capability development
• Building an expert teaching team
• Graduate teacher development
  
• Pedagogy
• Critical and creative thinking

Why did you want to become a reviewer?
As a principal I have enjoyed supporting all staff to develop capabilities to achieve positive learning outcomes for all students. As a reviewer, I look forward to learning from all the schools that I get to visit. I look forward to working alongside each school to further improve the great work that is being done.

Other interests
I enjoy watching sport, especially cricket, rugby league, golf and any major sporting events. I also enjoy playing golf with my son, listening to music and travel.

7 years (primary)

Swayneville State School, 2017–20

• 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 since 2016, 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.

My interests include reading novels and audio books, listening to music and travelling.

12 years

Belmont State School, 2015–19

Other central and regional office roles have included Internal Reviewer—Capability, Internal Reviewer and Principal Education Officer—School Improvement. School roles have included principal, deputy principal, learning support teacher, technology teacher and classroom teacher. I have also been an Independent Public Schools principal mentor.

My interests include the early years, inclusive education, differentiation, student and staff wellbeing, system improvement, change leadership, and science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM).

The opportunity to support schools on their improvement journey is a great privilege, allowing me personally to continue to learn, grow and be challenged—and give something back. The role provides many opportunities to work with school leaders and system leaders, school staff and system staff, and stakeholders—connecting and collaborating to support improvement journeys, sharing and celebrating successes, and continuing to improve learning and wellbeing outcomes for every student.

• Travel and trains
• Most sports—especially basketball and Australian Rules football including continuing to celebrate the Melbourne Demons’ premiership.

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 in Samoa.

Principal experience
12 years

Most recent principal position
Robina State High School, 2013–21

Other experience
I was principal at Wynnum State High School before moving to Robina State High School on the Gold Coast. Prior to this, for a 10-year period, I worked as deputy principal across a range of schools including Kenmore State High School, the Queensland Academy for Creative Industries, Wynnum North State High School and Moranbah State High School, all of which were wonderful experiences in supporting my professional growth. I was seconded for 6 months during my tenure at Robina State High School to State Schools –Operations to support a review of the department's school planning, reviewing and reporting framework.

I also worked as a leadership consultant for Education Queensland International in Doha, Qatar. Additionally, I participated in the Japan Exchange and Teaching program early in my teaching career and lived for 3 years in Karatsu city, Japan.

Areas of interest
I have undertaken postgraduate studies in literacy and linguistics as well as second language acquisition, all of which are areas I am passionate about. Other areas of interest include inclusive education, leadership development and global education and engagement. 

Why did you want to become a reviewer?
I've worked for the department for over 30 years and have been a passionate advocate for state schooling my whole life. I continue to look for ways I can value add to our great system. The National School Improvement Tool and the reviewing process has profoundly guided and supported my leadership journey as a principal. My experiences as a peer reviewer have also been highly satisfying and I enjoy the opportunity to work alongside principals and school communities to support improvement.

Other interests
Outside school hours, I love Japan and all things Japanese. Travelling, camping, being at the beach are all passions, as well as spending time with my family.

Principal experience
10 years

Most recent principal position
Beaconsfield State School, 2016–21

Other experience
I have experience as a secondary and P-12 principal. I am a life member of the Queensland Association of Combined Sector Leaders Inc.

Areas of interest

• Supporting aspiring leaders
• Disability and inclusion
• Gifted and talented education

Why did you want to become a reviewer?
The opportunity to work with schools and leadership teams across the state. To help them on their journey of improvement to improve students' learning outcomes and increase teacher performance. It is an absolute privilege that I thoroughly enjoy being part of.

Other interests
Away from school, I love spending time with my wife and three very active boys, which usually involves kids sport, camping or travelling (and sometimes a combination of all three).

Principal experience
17 years

Most recent principal position
Heatley State School, 2005–21

Other experience
My previous experience includes 15 years as secondary deputy principal and 7 years secondary art teacher in schools across the Gold Coast, Gladstone and Townsville. I am an active member of several professional associations including Secretary of the Townsville Branch of Queensland Association of State School Principals (QASSP), Co-chair of QASSP Indigenous Education sub-committee, Queensland Teachers Union principal union representative, and current member of the department's Principal Advisory Committee and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander State Schools Strategy Program Board.

Areas of interest
My key interest areas are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education, educational leadership and social justice.

Why did you want to become a reviewer?
I previously worked as an internal reviewer in 2016 and undertook ongoing peer review work as often as I could ever since. Being a reviewer, no matter what type, is such a privilege and a wonderful way to learn the power of appreciative inquiry in school improvement.

Other interests
Enjoying my first grandchild albeit from a distance in South Africa, swimming and walking as exercise and meditation, reading non-fiction and Australian authored fiction, writing reflectively, lying in my hammock, and action research in different wine areas of Australia and hopefully in the future, overseas locations.​