Principal Update
Message from the Principal
Year 12 Final Farewell
This week marked a significant milestone for our Year 12 students as they completed their final week of school and participated in an alternative program designed to celebrate and support their transition beyond Balmoral. Today, we held their official Graduation Ceremony. Thank you to the many parents, families, and guests who joined us to honour the Class of 2024.
In my address to our graduates, I shared a message that reflects the heart of our community:
To our staff—thank you for your passion, dedication, and expertise. You have challenged, guided, supported, and inspired these students, and their success today reflects your unwavering commitment to their growth.
Before our graduates took their final steps across the stage, each received a small but symbolic gift—a Balmoral graduation key ring. This simple token carries powerful meaning. A key ring holds the tools that open new spaces, new opportunities, and new chapters. One day it may hold the keys to a first home, a first car, a workplace—or simply serve as a reminder of where each student’s journey as an independent adult began.
Most importantly, it symbolises this truth: our students now hold the keys to their own future. They leave us as proud, capable, independent graduates ready to unlock the next doors in their lives.
Amy Berry Podcast
As they step forward, our message to them remains clear: be courageous, be curious, maintain the friendships you’ve built, reach out when you need support, and know that you will always remain part of the Balmoral story. As members of our alumni, you carry this community with you wherever you go.
This week also saw a highlight for our staff and student leadership work. On Thursday, Zena, Peter Donald and I were invited by Amy Berry to participate in a groundbreaking podcast—the first to showcase the transformational work occurring at Balmoral around student engagement. The conversation focused on how our deliberate practice and instructional strategies are shifting engagement through the lenses of Participating, Investing, Driving, and Innovating. Hopefully I will be able to share a highlights package of this podcast with the community to reference the transformation impact our teachers have mobilised with learning and engagement at Balmoral.
It was incredibly uplifting to hear Peter Donald reflect on how this shared language has shaped his own self-awareness as a learner, particularly the insight that different engagement levels require different personal strategies. Peter played a foundational role as a co-designer of our Engagement Accelerator and helped shape this work by providing leadership and feedback to our staff on improving student engagement in lessons. His contribution—and the contribution of all students involved—has been invaluable in mobilising this work across the school.
QTU Strike Day 25 Nov
As communicated earlier this week, the QTU and members will undertake a 24-hour industrial action. The school will remain open, and supervision will be provided. All Year 10 and Year 11 exams will continue as scheduled in line with the block exam plan.
Assistance Dog
From next week, Balmoral State High School will have a fully accredited Assistance Dog on site supporting one of our staff members as part of a workplace adjustment. The dog, Daisy, is trained and accredited under Queensland legislation and will always remain identifiable, on lead, and under the control of her handler. Daisy is a hypoallergenic breed, shedding very minimally and generally well-tolerated by people with dog allergies. Assistance Dogs are highly trained working animals, not pets, and should not be approached, called, or touched while on campus. Relevant students will receive age-appropriate guidance about how to behave around an Assistance Dog, including giving Daisy space and not interacting with her while she is vested.
If your child has a fear of dogs or a medically diagnosed allergy and you would like to discuss adjustments, please contact Shane O’Malley, Deputy Principal (Years 7 & 8) so plans can be made accordingly.
Thank you for your continued support in ensuring a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all members of our school community.
Thank you for your ongoing support as we continue to strengthen our culture of engagement, wellbeing, and high expectations. The work occurring across our school—driven by our staff, leaders, students, and families—positions Balmoral for an exceptional finish to the year and an even stronger 2025. I appreciate our community’s commitment to working together and maintaining a safe, inclusive, and future-focused environment for every student.
Regards,
Timothy Barraud
Principal