Message from the Principal

Message from the Principal

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Renee Coffey for an episode of our school podcast, Chalk Talk, exploring the themes of education, community, and service. It was a wonderful conversation and particularly special given the deep connection the Coffey family has with Balmoral State High School.

Listen here: 

Renee’s uncle, Denis Coffey, is the patron of Coffey House when our new house structured was launched in 2021. One of his remarkable achievements was completing a straight-line flight distance of 3,893.56 kilometres without landing — an incredible example of determination, resilience, and perseverance.

The Balmoral connection extends even further, with Renee’s parents meeting here at Balmoral as students themselves. Renee also shared her own passion for education, having originally studied to become a teacher before pursuing a pathway into public service and federal politics. Today, she proudly serves the Griffith community as the Federal Member. Conversations like these are a wonderful reminder of the rich history and strong community connections that continue to shape our school.

As we move further into Term 2, I would like to thank our students and families for their continued commitment to learning and attendance. Last term, we maintained a strong attendance rate of 92%, which is a positive reflection of the value our community places on education. With several public holidays, events, and Parent-Teacher Interviews occurring this term, maintaining regular attendance and punctuality remains incredibly important.

Thank you also to families who provided feedback regarding Parent-Teacher Interview time allocations. Any changes to the school day or teacher working conditions require consultation and approval processes through both the P&C Association and our Local Consultative Committee. We will continue to review this feedback across the year. Importantly, Parent-Teacher Interviews are only one opportunity for families to connect with teachers, and I encourage parents to continue reaching out throughout the term for updates regarding student progress and wellbeing. Next week all four lessons will be condensed with students finishing school at 1.10pm to enable teachers to get ready for interviews commencing at 2.00pm. 

A key focus for students this term continues to be arriving on time to class and being fully prepared for learning. During recent classroom visits, it has been fantastic to observe the high levels of engagement and focused learning occurring across the school. Simple but important preconditions for learning — arriving on time, bringing the correct equipment, and being ready to participate — make a significant difference to student success.

Our ongoing commitment is to ensure every student can maximise their access to curriculum during live lessons while also utilising online learning platforms to support and extend their learning. Remaining connected to learning, staying engaged in class, and making the most of every lesson are all critical ingredients for success.

May is always an exciting and busy month at Balmoral, with many events, programs, and opportunities taking place across the school community. Earlier today, we were proud to have 10 staff members attend the Bulimba High Tea in support of our Chaplaincy Network. Our hospitality students did an outstanding job assisting and serving throughout the event, demonstrating professionalism, service, and pride in their work. They are to be congratulated for their contribution to this important fundraiser.

Next week, several members of our leadership team will attend the Entrepreneurial School Leaders Workshop in Sydney, connecting with leading schools from across the country. Balmoral has been invited to present at the national workshop and share our emerging work in the co-design of curriculum with students, particularly within Humanities and Business. This recognition reflects the innovative work occurring across our school and the strong partnerships being built between students and staff to shape engaging learning experiences.

Planning is also well underway for our Student-Led Multicultural Week, taking place from Monday 18 May to Friday 22 May. This promises to be a vibrant celebration of the diversity and cultures that make our school community so special. 

Highlights include:

• Wednesday lunchtime: Multicultural Fashion Celebration and free dress day with a cultural theme, where students are invited to wear traditional cultural dress or colours that celebrate their family heritage. 
• Thursday: Inflatables on the oval alongside food trucks and lunchtime activities. 
• Friday: Multicultural Olympics and student-led sporting events during lunchtime. 

I am sure it will be a fantastic week filled with celebration, connection, and many opportunities to acknowledge the contributions our students make to student life at Balmoral.

Thank you again for your ongoing support of our school community. I wish all students, staff, and families a wonderful week ahead.

Regards,

Timothy Barraud

Principal