Reviewers

8 years

Baringa State Primary School, 2018–21

I have undertaken international teaching placements in Ontario and British Columbia, Canada and SUNY Cortland New York. I was also Chair of the Caloundra Coalition and have 17 years of experience as a deputy principal.

• Building school culture
• Positive paradigms for peek performances
• Inclusive education
• Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
• Wellbeing of staff and students
• Inspirational speakers across all fields

I have a strong philosophical base which is based on valuing and listening to people. I wanted to become a reviewer to continue my professional development as a quality educational leader. Being a reviewer provides the opportunity to increase my personal and professional network. I also want to support colleagues across the state and fundamentally improve opportunities for students to reach their potential. My passion is working authentically with people.

I enjoy cooking for family and friends, travelling, spending time at the beach, water sports, movies, comedy events and supporting the Brisbane Broncos and Queensland in rugby league.

15 years

Samford State School, 2014–21

Previous roles include deputy principal, head of curriculum, health and physical education 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.

15 years

Logan Village State School, 2019–23

Over 30 years' working in education in many roles, including:

• Principal, Woongoolba State School
• Deputy Principal, Park Ridge State School
• Principal Education Officer (School Improvement)
• Regional Evidence Hub Coordinator, South East Region
  
• acting principal and acting deputy principal roles
• teacher.
  

• Student engagement
• Developing school leadership
  
• Building school culture and identity
  
• Essential skills for classroom management
  
• Pedagogical coaching
  
• Personality profiling
  
• Presenting at conferences
  

I have been involved in school reviews as a peer reviewer since 2015 and have always thought the review process to be an outstanding example of improving school strategic development, supporting and documenting school initiatives, as well as providing quality research and direct information to our system regarding schools. I am very appreciative of the opportunity to visit schools and learn from dedicated staff across the state about teaching and learning.

I enjoy spending time with my wife and 2 children, going to the beach and watching movies. I am a fan of both cricket and rugby league, and play jazz piano.

25 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.

13 years

Marian State School, 2017–21

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 and then to Marian State School in 2017.

• 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.
  

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 an Internal Reviewer since 2022 and have enjoyed the vast professional learning experiences while being able to give back to the system.

I am a keen Brisbane Broncos fan who enjoys time with my wife and 3 children, as well as a game of cricket with mates.

15 years

Rochedale State School, 2015–21

• 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

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

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.

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

6 years

Lee Street State Special School, 2019–22

My 38 years as an educator have comprised roles across the state and include classroom teacher, advisory visiting teacher (physical impairment), head of special education services in primary and early childhood development programs, deputy principal positions at Woody Point and Caboolture Special Schools and Principal at Gympie Special School. I was privileged to be Foundation Principal of Lee Street State Special School.

• Supporting teachers and teacher aides to be innovative and develop their professional teams and ways of working.
• Supporting all students to access the Australian Curriculum.
• Empowering emerging leaders (both staff and students).
• Ensuring that all staff have the opportunity to build their capability and utilise their strengths.
• Creating a school environment where knowing students and how they learn underpins teaching and learning practices.
  
• Promoting a positive school culture that is constantly engaged in professional learning and ensuring high expectations for every student.
  
• Promoting and engaging with student voice.

Schools are vibrant and varied, ever-evolving places that nurture the learning and development of each of the young people in our care. To work as a reviewer with colleagues who constantly innovate and strive to make school and learning the very best it can be is exciting and a wonderful opportunity to make a positive contribution to our school system.

I enjoy spending time with my family, travelling and exploring creative pursuits.

11 years

Bundamba State School, 2021

My teaching career commenced at Crestmead State School in 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. In 2022, I commenced as an internal reviewer and have enjoyed working with schools in that time.

Other positions I’ve held include President of the Ipswich Queensland Association of State School Principals (QASSP) branch, QASSP State Chair of Capability Development and Metropolitan Aspiring Leaders Mentor.

• Leadership capability development
• Building an expert teaching team
• Graduate teacher development
• Pedagogy

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.

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.

17 years

Caloundra State High School, 2012–22

• Director, Innisfail State College
  
• Principal, Innisfail State High School
• Deputy principal, Mareeba State High School
• P–12 guidance officer
• Secondary teacher – home economics and science in schools around the state
  
• Queensland Secondary Principals’ Association (QSPA) State Council representative
  
• Sunshine Coast International Student Alliance Chair
• Queensland Teachers' Union (QTU) principal representative

I have a genuine interest in promoting state education and creating pathways for senior students, in particular vocational education (VET in schools). I am also interested in the wellbeing of students and staff, and human resources.

I wanted to be able to use my knowledge and experience to work with schools to enable their students’ success. I have found, as a reviewer, I am better able to support schools and school leaders. This opportunity allows me to showcase the amazing things schools are doing and highlight their achievements!

I enjoy spending time with my family, travel, sewing and cooking. I am an avid reader, mostly of crime fiction novels.

8 years

Glenwood State School, 2019–22

I began teaching at Granville State School before moving to Parke State School for 8 years as a classroom teacher and school-wide positive behaviour support (SWPBS) Internal Coach. I started my principalship in 2015, at Gunalda State School, and then moved to Glenwood State School as principal in 2019.

• Prep transition
• Age appropriate pedagogies
• Student engagement
• Teacher capability
• Aspiring leader capability

As a respectful presence in schools, I appreciate getting to know schools and their stories along with their communities to help improve their students’ outcomes. I enjoy working every day as a ‘partner in learning’ with a team who demonstrates a deep commitment and focus on the achievement of each and every school improving.

• Family
• Travel
• Sport
• Fitness, personal health and wellness
• Renovating (when it goes to plan)

18 years

Heatley State School, 2005–22

Prior to becoming a primary principal, my experience includes 7 years as a secondary art teacher on the Gold Coast and then Gladstone, after which I worked for 15 years as a secondary deputy principal in 2 Townsville schools.

Since becoming a school leader, I have benefitted from continuous memberships with several professional associations including the Queensland Secondary Principals Association (QSPA), Queensland Association of State School Principals (QASSP) and the Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL).

I have been a co-chair of the QASSP Indigenous Education sub-committee and am currently a Queensland Teachers Union principal union representative and member of the department's Principal Advisory Committee. I served for several years on the Department of Education’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander State Schools Strategy Program Board.

Driven by a strong sense of social justice, I have spent much of my professional career working to improve my expertise in educational leadership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education.

Working as a reviewer is a practical way to understand the transformative power of appreciative inquiry in school improvement. I highly recommend principals consider taking the opportunity to be a peer reviewer. It is a very rewarding professional learning experience.

I am thrilled to have recently become a grandmother. Swimming and walking are my preferred forms of exercise. I love reading, preferably while lying in my hammock.