Principal Update

Message from the Principal

Principal’s Message – Continuing Our Journey of Engagement and Excellence

Dear Balmoral Parents, Carers and Community, 

It is with great enthusiasm that I write to you as I return to the role of Principal on a permanent basis. I feel incredibly privileged to lead this exceptional school and to continue the important work that has gained momentum under the outstanding leadership of Andy Noble. I would like to thank Andy for his vision, clarity, and deep commitment to learning—his leadership has been instrumental in setting a strong foundation for the next phase of our journey at Balmoral.

Over the past year, we’ve made significant strides in deepening student engagement through our three-year strategic commitment to transforming agency in learning. At the heart of this work is a co-constructed approach to learning—where students and teachers engage in meaningful dialogue, supported by a shared meta-language that helps all learners understand and articulate where they are on the engagement continuum. This work is not just about improving outcomes; it’s about empowering students to take greater ownership of their learning journey.

As an instructional leader, my focus is on enabling transformational learning experiences in every classroom. This involves ongoing professional learning with staff, reflective teaching practices, and consistent alignment with our core values: Agency, Belonging, and Innovation. These values continue to underpin everything we do at Balmoral—they guide how we teach, how we lead, and how we learn together.

We remain committed to Inspiring Excellence by offering a range of diverse and relevant pathways that cater to the strengths and aspirations of every student. Whether through academic or vocational programs, or through our specialist Academies in Football, Netball, Aviation or the Gateway Academy, we are creating opportunities for every student to thrive—both at school and in life beyond it.

I look forward to working closely with our staff, students, and families as we continue to build on our strong culture of engagement and excellence. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in this exciting and important work.

Timothy Barraud

Principal

A message from the Deputy

It is most certainly an end of an era here at Balmoral. We have been blessed to see Vanessa Cash through the last 15 years of her 40 years in education, for me personally being able to walk beside her as a Deputy colleague for the last 5 years. 

Vanessa will be missed around Balmoral, and so will her voice bellowing out across the terrace, asking students to maintain the high standards we expect here. We hope that Vanessa enjoys her retirement and keeps up the active social lifestyle she has with her husband. Thankyou Nessy for all you have done for our School.

An end always brings on a new beginning and it is exciting for our School to have a substantive Principal once more. We welcome back Mr Timothy Barraud who has been a champion for innovation and student voice. Under Timothy’s leadership we look forward to continuing to drive our vision and values to develop great students who are great humans.

Mick Baker

Deputy Principal

Farewell message from Ms Cash

I would like to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to all members of the Balmoral school community who have supported me over the past 15 years in my role as Deputy Principal at this fabulous school.

I feel extremely privileged to have had the opportunity to work with our students, staff and families. I have truly loved my job and the pleasure and fun I have in classrooms and the wider school environments each and every day.

Thank you for the confidence and trust you have given me to support our students to always focus on their best self and efforts to achieve the opportunities and individual talents I know they have. I am deeply indebted to the tremendous teaching and support staff here at Balmoral SHS for their inspiring contributions for our students.  It has been my pleasure to provide leadership over my teaching career of 40 years to our Balmoral school community. Thank you

Vanessa Cash

Deputy Principal