FROM THE COLLEGE PRINCIPAL

Last week, we joined with schools across Australia to celebrate World Teachers’ Day. I take this opportunity to acknowledge our teachers for all that they do in support of our young people and our parents. It is timely to reflect on the very important contribution our teachers make to the development of young people. Teaching is a profession which goes beyond the imparting of knowledge and curriculum. In a very real way, teachers partner with parents to nurture the next generation, modelling standards of citizenship, shaping their moral compass, provoking critical thinking, and encouraging creativity and kindness. At times, they offer sage advice and wisdom. At times, they offer opportunities, giving their time so that students can perform, or play representative sport, or compete in debating.

As I write this article, I am very aware that in too many places in the world at the moment, young people have been robbed of their right to an education. In Ukraine and Gaza, education has been disrupted for millions of children and many teachers have lost their lives. Across sub-Saharan Africa, there are high rates of educational drop out due to child labour, early marriage, a critical shortage of teachers and stymied economic progress. Across the Middle East, but in Afghanistan and Iran in particular, women have been denied fundamental rights to access education beyond the primary years.  

I have always had the view that education can be transformative, both for individuals and for society. I started teaching in 1998, and in that time, I have taught a wide-ranging number of subjects, across a wide-ranging number of schools. I have also been widely involved in extracurricular activities, at various times sewing costumes for musicals, whilst coaching debating, whilst managing sport, or delivering student retreat and leadership programs. I more than understand the importance of a well-rounded education – I’ve invested my time over a sustained career to actively deliver it.

During my career, I have seen many changes in education. Unfortunately, not all of these have been positive. One such change has been the pervasive role of social media. While teachers have always had to contend with public commentary (some flattering and some not) social media can magnify issues which are often better addressed through connection and conversation. We won’t always agree, but we will seek to understand perspectives and respond.

Over the last week, I have been made aware that there has been ongoing speculation about the direction of the College. While I’m unsure about the source of this, it should be noted that public commentary is unhelpful to the reputation of the College, and unsettling to students, staff and other members of the parent community. Where there are issues of concern that need to be addressed, we are very happy to engage in deep listening, respectful conversation and dialogue. This is a fundamental requirement of a partnership.

In the interests of transparency, and by way of reassurance, I would like to clarify the following:

Awards

  • The College has not removed awards for diligence. In 2024, after parent feedback about the length of Awards Evening over 2 nights, the then College Leadership Team made the decision to streamline the future October Awards Evening.
  • Awards for GPA and Diligence will continue to be recognised in Semester 1 and Semester 2. Instead of being recognised a third time in the Term 3 October Awards Evening, we will be proceeding with awards recognising service, leadership, or contribution to sports and arts, as well as achievement in a single subject. This allows us to recognise the achievements of a different type of student – one who is capable of excellence in a narrower area. Parents have been invited to attend all events and the events are similar in nature.
  • Some feedback has expressed concern that such awards are a pivot to elitism. It should be noted that this isn’t a new initiative. Top of subject awards have historically been awarded to Year 11 and 12 students. We are now extending this to students from Years 7-10 across all subjects. Further, our awards program acknowledges students across ranging areas of the College (academic, sporting, culture, service and leadership). Additionally, it acknowledges excellence and diligence. In 2025, 389 students received Academic Awards, 413 earned Diligence Awards, 147 students were acknowledged for Extracurricular pursuits and 40 students received Honour Awards.
  • Our intention is to continue with our awards program into 2026, because we wish to ensure we recognise the successes of a diverse group of students. While a few parents have expressed disappointment that their child was not awarded in the most recent Awards Evening, others have reached out to congratulate us on the awards event, noting that it was the first time their child has been awarded.
  • Feedback, as always, is appreciated, however, it can be varied and reflects a range of perspectives.

Subjects Offerings

  • Every year the College makes decisions about subjects that are run, based on numbers. At times, subjects with low student expressions of interest, do not run. This has always been the case.
  • There has been no College decision to cut Music, Art or Drama. These subjects will continue to be offered as part of the subject selection process, but how they run and if they run will be influenced by student choices. In 2026, Music, Art and Drama are in the timetable. Dance has not been offered in Senior at the College historically. This year it was offered but will not run given the very low volume of students who identified it as one of their preferences. This discernment applies to all subjects.
  • The College continues to run a broad Science program, and in fact, has more Science subjects than many schools. Science offerings include: Biology, Chemistry, Marine Science and Physics. We are reviewing Aquatic Practices for a number of reasons. These include:
    • Some overlap with the Marine Science curriculum
    • Limited post school outcomes
    • Consideration of availability of Science teachers in regional communities
  • The College is mindful of the need to ensure we have wide curriculum offerings to optimise outcomes and enjoyment for as many students as possible. It is also mindful that breadth of resourcing impacts fees. Leadership will continue to require appropriate consideration about how we balance our commitment to a wide curriculum offering, whilst also ensuring we can deliver an affordable education to our community (given ongoing commitment to updating College facilities).
  • The curriculum offerings in 2026 have not narrowed, they have in fact expanded. Students in Year 11 are now able to study both ATAR and Rank pathways, including a Diploma of Business. Students in Year 10 are now able to study additional Certificate courses, enabling them to bank QCE points earlier. Students in Year 7 are now able to study Economics and Business.
  • PE has become compulsory in Year 8 and 9 because the Non State Schools Accreditation Board requires it to be compulsory. This is not a College based decision, but a matter of compliance. College failure to comply with this obligation, impacts future funding and certification. Parents who object to the inclusion of PE in Year 8 and 9 are advised to express their concerns to the Minister for Education.

Extracurricular Program

  • The sporting and extracurricular program at the College is not changing in 2026. We are intending to do a review of the extracurricular program with a view to better understand areas for improvement. We are also providing additional resources to the leadership of Sport and Activities, with the aim of being able to offer more and better opportunities into the future and track student participation as part of our commitment to ensure enhanced wellbeing of young people. Watch this space for further opportunities for student and parent engagement and feedback.

Student Leadership Program

  • Student leadership positions will continue into the future, with zero plans to change them. We are intending on enhancing our leadership programs by delivering a Futures and Leadership Symposium for our Year 12 students in 2026, as part of the Camps, Retreats and Activities program. Our aim here is to strengthen student confidence in post school transition.

It is my sincere hope that our transparency in relation to these matters now puts an end to further unease, which can be unsettling to our young people and detract from the wonderful work of our staff.

I would also add that it is our intention to work with our community to enhance parent opportunities for engagement and connection, understanding that these diminished somewhat following on from the COVID period. As you would be aware, as part of our recruitment processes for the College Leadership Team, we intentionally reshaped the Deputy role as ‘Deputy Principal – Operations, Staff and Community’ with the strategic intention of improving our practice in this area. 2026 will provide us with an opportunity to work with Independent Schools Queensland and our stakeholders, to develop a vision and model for this moving forward, to ensure continued strong and constructive partnership.

Kath Little

COLLEGE PRINCIPAL