EXCELLENCE AWARDEE: Special Education School of the Year

Bellbird Park State Secondary College

Michael West

Executive Principal

Michael West was appointed as the foundation Principal of BPSSC in mid-2016. The school opened in 2017 with 212 Year 7 students and 31 staff. BPSSC is now currently the fastest-growing school in Ipswich’s aspirational growth corridor with 1,800 students and more than 150 staff members. Michael refers to opening BPSSC as the single biggest achievement of his career. He has assembled a very strong team around him and developed leaders at all levels throughout the school, and he often credits his own success to that of the team. Michael is a highly visible leader who knows what is going on in his classrooms to gain a clear view of the strengths and weaknesses of staff and students. He uses this information to build on strengths and address weaknesses to ensure growth and progress for every staff and student.

Executive Principal

Michael West

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Bellbird Park State Secondary College (BPSSC) prides itself on providing an innovative and inclusive education experience for all learners. Our college is extraordinary because of the incredible students, parents, community partners and staff who bring it to life each day. Since opening in 2017 with 212 Year 7 students and 31 staff, the school has been on a rapid journey of student growth and staff recruitment.  BPSSC now has an enrolment of 1,800 students and 150+ staff members. Located in the aspirational, multiculturally rich Ipswich community (ICSEA 953), we’re exceptionally proud to be the school of choice in our community. At BPSSC, we’re committed to supporting the success and wellbeing of every student with a disability (locally known as Diverse Learners) as they transition through each stage of learning with full access to the curriculum and college life. In 2023, the college recorded 317 students (18.5%) with a disability who accessed adjustments to participate in the Australian Curriculum and college life. Our Many Pathways, No limits mantra extends to all learners.

As an independent, forward-thinking girls’ school we are committed to preparing girls for a lifetime of learning, leadership and engagement in our global community. We believe in girls. At Ruyton Girls’ School we foster the individuality of each girl in a caring and safe environment, nurturing her intellectual, physical, social and emotional qualities that are essential to flourish. Powerful learning is central to the Ruyton culture, building on our strong academic reputation. We focus on advancing the learning of every girl through the engagement of intellectual curiosity, building their knowledge and skills about how to learn, and supporting them to achieve their personal best and be exemplary citizens. We believe in real-world learning beyond the classroom, collaborating with the wider community to promote growth, discovery and sustainability. We empower our girls to lead lives of purpose with courage, character and compassion. Through the development of values and action-focused learning they are inspired to pursue equity and justice for self and others. By embracing diversity and raising their voices, our girls effect positive change and make a difference.

Amy Brown

Deputy Principal Inclusion and Diversity

Amy’s own values have defined her leadership guided by her strong commitment to access and excellence for all. She is committed to making a difference to the life trajectory of students from low socio- economic backgrounds by influencing innovative system changes at the school level to promote inclusion. Amy is an advocate for access and tailored supports for students with diverse learning needs through all phases of learning. Bellbird Park State Secondary’s College’s journey, with Amy and the leadership team’s guidance, places it as a leader in inclusive education, in particular amongst high schools with similar socio-economic contexts. BPSSC’s journey is marked with innovations to well established high school models of education, all too often based on models of segregation. The college’s transition to inclusive classrooms has resulted in students with a disability thriving with increased school connectedness and outcomes.

Deputy Principal Inclusion and Diversity

Amy Brown