Principal's First Principles

Watching our Year 6s on camp this week, I was reminded again that courage and mateship don’t appear out of nowhere; they are patiently grown in community. The Anzac stories we shared at Mapleton QCCC highlighted big, historic moments of sacrifice and loyalty, and were backed by adventures that allowed us to practise what we'd learned. What struck me this year was the parallel between our students’ growth and our staff's dedication. Their teachers, Mrs Morgan and Mr Lillihagen, and the rest of…

During the Christmas break, I came across a story that seemed perfect for the start of 2026. It's quite a shocking story, but I was inspired to drive many kilometres in Victoria's Gippsland to find the places mentioned in it. I hope you'll find the same messages of courage and resilience in it that I do. A Boy, a Pony, and an Extraordinary Journey In 1931, a nine-year-old boy named Lennie Gwyther lived on a small farm called Flers near Leongatha in South Gippsland, Victoria. When Lennie’s…

I am excited to share the remarkable success of a new initiative that has already made a significant difference in the two short weeks we have been implementing it at BAC. Our new reading intervention program is proving to be a key that unlocks the door to literacy for students who have been struggling to navigate the world of words. As educators, we know that good reading skills are vital for academic success. A foundational skill, it's the key to educational success in all curriculum areas…

Service To Others Really Matters! Ten years ago in a different Australian state, a young teacher introduced me to STORMCo. It didn't take long to convince me of the value of this service-oriented youth program, and we ran one every year to Port Augusta, South Australia, on the eastern shores of the Spencer Gulf. I saw the program enhance the lives of the people we could be of service to, but perhaps even more, change the lives of the students who came along. It's a privilege to now be in the…

I wish you’d been there at yesterday’s outdoor Primary Chapel. Pastors Annalise and JP led the children in an interactive drama, dotted with narrative and song to illustrate the biblical account of the Children of Israel. I watched from the hillside over Field 2 as the chaplains brought groups of children into the story. From their seated position on the bank overlooking the field (like tiered seating in an amphitheater) they joined the action 'onstage', and helped to represent the drama that…

On Mother's Day, we celebrate the love and sacrifices of mothers, grandmothers, aunties, and all female caregivers who love and care for children. Today, I had the privilege of celebrating with around 100 mothers who gathered for breakfast in the Multi-Purpose Centre on our College campus. As I looked around the room, I was struck by the warmth and love that radiated from every mother present. It made me reflect on the value of a mother's love and guidance for her child. Jochebed and Moses One…

This past week has been a truly remarkable experience for me as I have accompanied our Year 12 class on their Sydney Trip. I am so grateful for the opportunity to connect with students and share in the incredible experiences that have been thoughtfully planned by Year 12 teachers Mrs Matthews and Miss Rowe. From the moment we arrived in Sydney, each activity was uniquely designed to inspire. We visited iconic Bondi Beach, sailed yachts on Sydney Harbour, climbed the Harbour Bridge, explored the…

Stories: they're one of my favourite things about being a teacher and a dad. I still love getting into the classroom and reading little ones stories when I get a spare moment. I know there's a photo of me in my emu costume floating around somewhere. I'm telling the story of Edward the Emu to last year's Preps and hope I'm invited to read it again when they're doing the letter Ee this year. But why do we read or tell stories? Certainly, they help with communicating important values and creating…

As a teacher and principal, I've been fascinated by the individual progress children make from their earliest interactions at school through to graduation. Which factors, over the years, have led to or influenced their academic and social success? There are many variables, of course, however, researchers and educators agree on one point at least: a child's behaviour and academic results improve significantly when their parents show an interest in their education. When you dig into the research…