The old adage “if you’re not moving forward, you’re moving backward” certainly fits the bill at Corinda State High School.
Situated in a leafy setting in the western suburbs of Brisbane, executive principal Helen Jamieson is the progressive powerhouse behind the school’s adoption of embracing and reaping the benefits of new teaching methods and initiatives.
She says, “Education is about the future, and we cannot influence the future without ensuring we provide learning environments where this generation of learners can thrive. To do this, we need to consider how we best cater for this generation of learners.”
The school’s values are:
- courageous ambition
- co-agency
- perseverance
- Societal wellbeing
Jamieson embodies all of these professionally and is able to do so effectively, thanks to her vision. It’s why she continually remains abreast of educational research, trends and impacts, which are then incorporated into the school’s operational strategies so they respond to the future needs that will be placed on her students.
“In order for me to keep my school at the forefront of education and to ensure my students are afforded every opportunity, I actively engage with my professional networks and connect with people outside of the education sector to bring new ways of thinking to the table,” she says.
Jamieson develops innovative frameworks that meet accountability requirements while challenging the status quo and ensuring the school is responsive to this generation of learners. Analysing data is one of the key drivers of the school’s improvement and is pivotal for how they develop strategies that position students for success.
She says, “I lead the implementation of the strategic plan and the underpinning accountability. This plan is future focused, and we depend on credible research to inform our future directions. My role involves conceptualising and operationalising the future direction with bold ambition.”
This attitude and drive to harness the results of global innovation have resulted in a series of impressive metrics, including the school recording its highest ever ATAR scores in December 2023. Other notable stats are:
- Showcased School Department of Education for Equity and Excellence Award for ongoing commitment to equity and excellence and to improve the lives of young people in 2023 by the Queensland Department of Education
- Corinda State High School listed equal third, outperforming the state percentage by 71% in an independent analysis of the top 10 public secondary schools ranked by ATAR results 2023
- Over 50% of students achieved ATARs, and over 99% of students received tertiary education offers in 2023
- 47 students achieved Diploma qualification, 143 Certificate II qualification, 10 Certificate IV, 277 achieved Certificate II, three students achieved 100% in subject, and eight students received commendations from QCAA (2023)
- A history of 100% QCE achievement for over 13 years
A facet of Jamieson’s ability to deliver such a stellar record of success is refining her school’s approach for all students. The adoption of innovation may be uniform, but not in application.
“I believe every student can succeed if they are provided with the appropriate foundations for learning,” she says.
Jamieson has forged a connection with Learning Environments Australasia, which supported the school as they developed innovative learning spaces and how they managed teacher change in the delivery of learning in these spaces.
Another knowledge base that Jamieson has been able to leverage is her involvement with the CEO Institute, which has allowed her to expand her network and compare leadership strategies with other executives from a range of sectors.
And Corinda State High School’s involvement in the Adolescent Success Association has provided additional unique resources and access to valuable feedback on the school’s work and whether they are meeting the needs of their adolescents.
It’s a certainty that Jamieson will continue exploring partnerships and seeking out new techniques that benefit her students and better prepare them for their future, with a new STEM centre already planned with construction set to begin in late 2024.
She says, “It is my strong belief that if a school is committed to continuous improvement and innovation, you will never arrive. It simply inspires new learning.”