Message from the Principal
As we prepare for Term 4, I am pleased to announce that Joshua Pollock will join Balmoral State High School as Acting Deputy Principal, with responsibility for Year 11 and Year 12.
Following a statewide selection process, I would also like to sincerely thank Peter Whitby for his leadership, support and contribution to Balmoral throughout Term 3. Peter has brought valuable insights to our work with student leadership and has made a positive contribution to both our students and leaders. It has been wonderful to have Peter as part of our leadership team this term, and we are grateful for his commitment to our school community.
Joshua is currently Deputy Principal, Senior Schooling at Kelvin Grove State College and brings extensive experience across senior schooling, curriculum and assessment, data, vocational education and whole school improvement. His leadership portfolio has included leading the P–12 Curriculum and Assessment portfolio, developing the College Data Plan, serving as QCAA Principal’s Delegate and leading an Accessible Assessment Research collaboration with Queensland University of Technology involving five faculties across Kelvin Grove.
Joshua’s leadership philosophy aligns strongly with Balmoral’s commitment to Inspiring Excellence through our values of Agency, Belonging and Innovation. His focus on student outcomes, evidence informed practice, curriculum leadership and building the capacity of others will be a valuable addition to our leadership team. I look forward to welcoming Joshua to Balmoral and to the contribution he will make to our students, staff and broader school community.
Attendance matters
Improving our overall student attendance remains an important priority for Balmoral.
This year, our Heads of Engagement have been focused on providing positive and early support to individual students and their families. Next term, we will also begin to make our average attendance rates more visible across the school to help build greater awareness of the importance of every day of learning.
During my recent conversation with Doug Fisher, an internationally recognised educator and author, we discussed the importance of changing the narrative around attendance. Doug offered a simple way of thinking about it: when a student does not attend school, they have lost an entire day of learning and the opportunities that come with being part of their learning community. Learning occurs within and outside of the classroom and for students at Balmoral we focus on a range of learning experiences that can involve digital elements but also involve handwritten notes and working out in classes.
This is an important shift in how we think about attendance. It is not simply about a percentage. It is about learning, connection, relationships, and the cumulative impact of being present.
As we move into planning for 2027, we are also reviewing the operation of the Activities lesson for Year 10 students. We are considering how this time could be used differently to deliver additional programs and strengthen the range of Academy opportunities available to our students. We are in a consultation phase with the staff managing this lesson and the students directly. The activities lesson and offerings for Year 7-9 are also being reviewed next term.
Learning beyond the classroom
One of the highlights of the term has been joining our students and staff on the New Zealand Ski Trip. Learning to ski for the first time myself was certainly an experience, but the real highlight was seeing our students flourish in a completely different learning environment.
From Mt Hutt to Cardrona and the Remarkables, students have challenged themselves, supported each other and embraced experiences well beyond the traditional classroom. The trip has also provided wonderful cultural experiences, including time in Christchurch, a visit to the Antarctic Centre and exploring Wanaka and the surrounding areas.
These are the experiences that stay with young people. I am sure our students will remember this trip for many years to come.
Enjoy the holidays
As we finish Term 3, I would like to thank our students, staff and families for another busy and productive term.
I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable September school holiday. Take the opportunity to rest, recharge, and spend time with family and friends.
We look forward to welcoming all students back to Balmoral for the start of Term 4.
Timothy Barraud
Principal