Principal Update

Message from the Principal

Agency in Action: Living Our Values

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Thank you for your continued support and for your response to the Queensland Teachers’ Union Strike Day on Wednesday. For those connected to our social media channels, you’ll know it’s been a dynamic and purposeful week at Balmoral, with clear examples of our school values — Agency, Belonging, and Innovation — on display.

On Wednesday, I had the privilege of facilitating a Student Voice Forum with students who were on-site. Their honesty, creativity and openness were remarkable. They shared feedback on topics including uniform, our engagement accelerators, and how we can further improve school culture. Through a design thinking workshop, students generated innovative solutions that will directly inform our leadership team’s work in Semester 2. This was student agency in action — young people shaping their school with voice and influence.

We also proudly hosted our first-ever Innovative Academy Design Sprint, welcoming prospective Year 7 students and their families. This was a bold and forward-thinking event, where our Heads of Department partnered with high-achieving Year 6 students to begin co-designing an accelerated academic program for 2026. These young learners contributed insightfully to shaping a program that reflects their interests and capabilities. This is innovation built on authentic engagement with learners. We look forward to sharing the development of this exciting initiative in the months ahead.

This week also reflected our strong sense of belonging, with students, parents, and staff working together in SET Plan interviews to secure future learning pathways for Year 11 in 2026. These conversations are critical in ensuring that every student has a plan that reflects who they are, and where they want to go — and they help us build a timetable that meets those goals.

And finally, our school community came together in a true celebration of talent and belonging through our spectacular production of Freaky Friday. The performance was a vibrant expression of student creativity, confidence and collaboration. Thank you to the many parents, caregivers and alumni who joined us to cheer on the cast and crew.

A heartfelt thank you to the talented staff who brought the musical to life:

• Mandy Mattison – Choreographer and Stage Manager
• Kurt Schouten – Musical Director
• Steve Brady, with Rhona Page – Visual and Set Design
• Chrissie Mitchell – Vocal Coach and Band Member
• And of course, Sam Neill, Head of Department – The Arts, for your coordination and leadership.

As always, thank you for being part of this incredible community. At Balmoral State High School, we continue to grow a culture where agency, belonging, and innovation are not just values — they are lived experiences.

Timothy Barraud

Principal – Balmoral State High School