Reviewers

Principal experience
14 years

Most recent principal position
Elanora State High School, 2012–2021

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 a 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 School and Region Reviews 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 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.

13 years

Undurba State School – since 2016

Over 25 years working in education in many roles including:

• Executive Director, Curriculum, Teaching Leadership Rural and Remote branch
• Regional Director, North Queensland Region
• Assistant Regional Director, North Coast Region
• Principal at Lawnton State School, Pacific Paradise State School, Undurba State School
• Regional Manager, Behaviour Support Services North Coast Region
• Learning Engagement Online Teacher, Regional Behaviour team
• HOD of Learning Engagement, Morayfield State High School
• Teacher (maths, biology, physics, health)

Change leadership, capability development, cross-government partnerships, early years, curriculum, engagement, student support, digital innovation in teaching and learning.

It is a huge privilege to work alongside schools on their improvement journey and build my own knowledge and skills at the same time. Being a Senior Principal, Reviews draws on my varied experience in previous roles and provides many opportunities to continue to work systematically and creatively to solve problems and plan strategy and policy with system and school leaders and stakeholders—connecting and collaborating to support improvement journeys, sharing and celebrating successes, and equitably optimising learning and wellbeing outcomes for Queensland students.

• Being active, especially walking in nature and exploring new places
• Spending time with family and friends
• Travel
• Musicals and theatre

15 years

Rochedale State School, 2015–2021

• 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.

15 years

Logan Village State School, 2019–2023

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.

17 years

Bluewater State School – since 2019

I began my career in education at Victoria Plantation State School, Ingham. As it was a small school, I was provided the opportunity to lead several curriculum projects, inspiring my interest in developing a strong curriculum knowledge. In moving to Bluewater State School as a teacher, I continued to lead the development of school-wide curriculum programs and behaviour intervention. I commenced my leadership journey at Bambaroo State School as a teaching principal with 17 students in all year levels from Prep to Year 7. Since then, I have been the principal of 5 schools across 3 regions. Most recently, I was the Lead Principal for the Mount Isa Centre for Learning and Wellbeing (CLaW), supporting 22 schools across North-West Queensland, before taking on a role as a reviewer in July 2023.

In addition to my role within schools, I have led regional projects in Digital Technologies, Mathematics and Wellbeing, presenting at regional, state and national conferences in these areas. I am a strong advocate of the Queensland Association of State School Principals (QASSP), representing on the Small Schools and Capability Development subcommittees, as well as a short role as a Board Member.

I am passionate about career pathways in education and developing future school leaders. This interest has led me to completing a Master of Education and currently working towards the completion of an Educational Doctorate exploring principal succession practices in Queensland state schools.

I find the multi-faceted nature of leading school improvement fascinating and the role of a reviewer is an amazing way to learn from other school leaders. The role of a school reviewer, not only allows me to provide feedback to school leaders that value-adds to their journey, but also strengthens my own knowledge base so that when I return to a school as a principal, I have new tools and strategies with which to enhance the educational opportunities for students.

• Camping and orienteering
• Surfing and stand-up paddle boarding
• Volunteering as an instructor with the Australian Air Force Cadets for 10 years, and Scouts Australia for 4 years

6 years

Lee Street State Special School, 2019–2022

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.

8 years

Glenwood State School, 2019–2022

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)

21 years

Beaudesert State High School, 2009–2019

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

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

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 have had the privilege of reviewing more than 145 schools across Queensland and am in awe of the many amazing leaders, teachers and other staff members who every day give their utmost to improve the learning and wellbeing outcomes of 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 appointments to the:

• 2022 World Short Course Championships (Melbourne)
• 2019 Pacific Games (Samoa)
• 2018 Commonwealth Games (Gold Coast)
• 2017 Youth Commonwealth Games (The Bahamas).

18 years

Heatley State School, 2005–2022

• Secondary art teacher for 7 years in a school on the Gold Coast and then Gladstone
• Secondary deputy principal for 15 years across 2 Townsville schools
• Long-time member and local branch representative with Queensland Secondary Principals Association (QSPA), Queensland Association of State School Principals (QASSP) and Association of Women Educators (AWE)
• Member of Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL)
• Principal Union Representative with Queensland Teachers Union (QTU) 2005–2023

I am a long-serving and proud state school educator. In particular, I have sought to enhance my educational leadership for school improvement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders students. I have endeavoured to first make a difference within my own practice and schools I have worked in, undertaken further tertiary studies and served on professional educational committees focused on Indigenous education. I am humbled to have been mentored and supported by some incredible Elders and key people, many of whom remain as colleagues and friends. They have helped me to better understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander perspectives and broaden my world view.

Why did you want to become a reviewer?

I started as a peer reviewer and saw firsthand the transformative power of appreciative inquiry in school improvement. I cannot emphasise just how beneficial the experience is—to prepare for your own school review, learn about effective practices and foster professional collaboration. I urge principals to take the opportunity to be a peer reviewer—make it part of your Annual Performance Development Plan (APDP) and do a school review at least once a year if not once per semester. Now I am a full-time internal reviewer, I am thoroughly enjoying the experience. I am supported by a strong collegial team who enable me to conduct reviews in schools across the state, working alongside school leaders as we enact system-wide improvement.

I am in the early stages of grandmother-hood. Swimming and walking are my preferred forms of regular exercise. I love reading, travelling and writing. I have a soft spot for cooking and responsibly sampling fine food and wine.

10 years

Gympie State High School, 2014–2023

Other experience

I commenced my teaching career at Mareeba State High School in 1990 and have held teaching and leadership positions from head of department to deputy principal and principal in secondary schools across the state. I am a passionate advocate for state education and have particularly focussed on coaching and mentoring teachers and leaders across our system.

Areas of interest

I have a particular focus on student wellbeing, engagement and achievement in the secondary sector.

Why did you want to become a reviewer?

After being involved in numerous reviews as a peer reviewer, I have seen firsthand the positive power of the review process on school and individual improvement. The principal reviewer role allows me to give back to our schools through the feedback shaped by the School Improvement Tool.

I enjoy spending time with my family and improving an average golf handicap. I have had a lifelong love of rugby league and in my role as President of Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League, I take pride in supporting a pathway for student engagement in the game.

18 years

Branyan Road State School, 2013–2023

Other experience

My teaching career started at Inglewood State School where I taught Year 5 and 6 for 3 years. I transferred to Gin Gin State School as a primary physical education teacher and then took the leap into the role of Principal at Maroondan State School which was a teaching principal position. I then made the move as Principal to Bullyard State School and Agnes Water State School, before taking up the principalship at Branyan Road State School.

Areas of interest

• Building school culture that is supportive and constantly engaged in professional learning and ensuring high expectations for every student
• Ensuring that all staff are given the opportunity to build their capability and utilise their strengths
  
• Fostering positive school and community partnerships and culture

Why did you want to become a reviewer?

Being able to help schools on their improvement journey is an absolute privilege. To be able to enhance educational opportunities for students through the review process is extremely powerful. I also see the role of a reviewer as being a very rewarding professional learning experience, which will enhance my knowledge, and capability.

Other interests

Top of the list is spending time with my wife and 2 children. I am a rugby league tragic, a Broncos supporter and a Queensland Maroons fan. I also love music, especially live music and playing the guitar.

32 years

Mount Gravatt State School, since 2008

Other experience

I began my principalship at a tiny school in north western Queensland and proceeded through 14 years as a teaching principal in several remote and regional schools—very rewarding years. My city-based principal experiences have been remarkably different from my rural roles, providing me with opportunity to consider complexities of communities from other angles.

Areas of interest

• Small schools
• Student engagement for learning through innovation in curriculum delivery
• Student and staff wellbeing and emotional resilience

Why did you want to become a reviewer?

Having been involved regularly as a peer reviewer since 2016, the reflective process that the use of the School Improvement Tool encourages has been transformational for me as a leader. It is such a privilege to work with school communities to celebrate and learn about the outstanding practices and achievements that we have within our state schooling system.

• Family and folk history
• Travel
• Musical theatre

21 years

Lead Principal – Central Queensland Region, 2020–2023

Other experience

As a principal, I have been fortunate to experience a range of school sizes and communities across Queensland in rural, regional and urban locations. My education adventure has also enabled me to experience other roles within our education system such as the introduction of the prep year in small schools and the inaugural teaching and learning audit process. As an educator, there is nothing more exciting than working with our extraordinary staff and students and enabling them to thrive within our state schools.

• Dakabin State School – 2010–2020 (principal)
• Teaching and Learning Audit Team 2010 (semester 1)
• Gayndah State School – 2006–2010 (principal)
• Curriculum Branch – Prep Implementation (semester 1)
• Bellenden Ker State School – 2003–2005 (teaching principal)
• Cloncurry State School P–12 (teacher multi-age)
• Eatons Hill State School (teacher multi-age)

Areas of interest

As an educator and school leader, I am passionate about engaging curriculum opportunities for all students. Curriculum and pedagogy have the power to turn on the love of learning for every student. I am energised by encouraging and nourishing our beginning and early career teachers and supporting them to maintain their enthusiasm and love of our profession. My other great passion is inclusive education. I am deeply committed to advocating for all young people with a disability and their families.

Why did you want to become a reviewer?

Reviewing a school is a privilege. The opportunity to partner with colleagues, teachers and school communities is a rewarding experience where I can learn from them too. My passion for using the School Improvement Tool and my experience to affirm practices and guide a school in their next steps is deeply fulfilling. I am looking forward to this work; advancing Equity and Excellence in every school.

I am an avid traveller and love capturing photos during my adventures. Travel also meets my culinary curiosities to experience the tastes and flavours of countries and regions. The Redcliffe Dolphins are my NRL team and I love most sports as a spectator. My introverted interests are usually connected to creative pursuits of watercolour painting, sewing and other mediums.

16 years

Gladstone West State School, 2016–2023

Other experience

I began my teaching career in 1999 at Clinton State School. Following this, I moved to the United Kingdom and taught in London for 6 years. When returning, I started my teaching principal career in 2008 in small schools such as Marlborough State school and Builyan State School. Then various other schools at a variety of levels including Eidsvold State School, Ambrose State School, Calliope State School, Blackwater North State School and then Gladstone West State School in 2016.

Some of my career highlights include Take the Lead band 7–10—one of the first to be involved in the pilot program, completing my Growth Coaching qualification and also one of the first groups of principals to participate in the Courageous Principal’s Conference.

Areas of interest

• Creating a positive school culture for teachers to allow students to learn
• Behaviour management and Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)
• Building professional teams and empowering middle and emerging leaders
• Inclusion

Why did you want to become a reviewer?

After being a peer reviewer (13 peer reviews), I see the value in the school review process. I have always said that school reviews are the best professional development the department can offer. I would encourage all principals to try the peer review process. The School Improvement Tool is there to help us improve, school reviews are for the school, not of the school.

• Spending quality time with the family
• Fishing
• Golf
• A fanatical Paramatta Eels supporter