Principal Update

Message from the Principal

Open Day 2025 – Celebrating Community, Opportunity & Growth

It was a genuine pleasure to welcome so many new and prospective families to Balmoral State High School for our recent Open Day. Thank you for taking the time to connect with our students, staff, and programs. Open Day provides a valuable opportunity to experience the vibrant culture of our school and see firsthand what sets Balmoral apart—our commitment to student growth, inclusive learning pathways, and a school environment where every learner is known, valued, and supported.

Founded in 1958, Balmoral holds a proud legacy grounded in both tradition and innovation. Today, we continue to evolve as a modern learning community, offering meaningful opportunities for all students to thrive—academically, socially, and personally. We hope your visit offered a clear glimpse into our culture of personal excellence, the diversity of our curriculum and pathways, and the energy, pride, and warmth of our school community.

We were proud to showcase our thriving academy programs—including the Football Academy, Netball Academy, and our newly established Gateway Academy—as well as our renowned Aerospace and Aviation program, underpinned by a 21-year partnership with Boeing. These programs reflect our strong industry links and our commitment to equipping students with the skills and experiences needed for ambitious and achievable futures.

Whether in the classroom, on the sports field, in the creative arts, or through leadership and service, Balmoral students are supported to become confident, capable young people who live out our core values of Agency, Belonging, and Innovation. These values shape every aspect of our school life and guide how we learn, lead, and contribute to our community.

I would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff and students who made Open Day such a success. Their passion, insight, and professionalism provided an authentic window into the culture of learning at Balmoral, and the progress we are making to build stronger learner agency across our school.

As we look ahead, a reminder to families that enrolments for the 2026 Year 7 cohort are now open. We will continue to provide updates to families whose enrolments have been confirmed as we plan for a successful transition into next year.

Building Learner Agency: Progressing Further in Learning, Together

At Balmoral, our focus on continuous improvement is driven by our belief in learner agency—empowering students to take ownership of their learning and future pathways. When students are equipped with the tools and confidence to guide their own progress, they experience deeper engagement and more sustained success across all areas of learning.

We are working intentionally to strengthen routines, clarify expectations, and provide feedback that supports students to reflect, grow, and become more aware of how they learn best. Learner agency begins with consistency and clarity—but it is enriched through relationships that build trust, independence, and resilience.

We also recognise that every learner will face moments of challenge, disengagement, or uncertainty. That’s why we are helping students build supportive networks of peers, teachers, and trusted adults who can help them re-engage, reflect, and move forward with confidence.

Together, as teachers, parents, and students, we are building a school culture that doesn’t just encourage participation—it empowers progress. Through learner agency, we are developing the habits, mindsets, and relationships that help every student take meaningful steps forward in their learning journey.

Warm regards,

Timothy Barraud

Principal