FEATURED excellence awardee
Brisbane South State Secondary College
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EXCELLENCE AWARDEE:
Grok Academy Best STEM Program
EXCELLENCE AWARDEE:
Grok Academy Best STEM Program
www.brisbanesouthssc.eq.edu.au
linkedin.com/school/mater-dei-college
administration@brisbanesouthssc.eq.edu.au
07-3013 5777
179 Annerley Road, Dutton Park, Qld 4102
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EXCELLENCE AWARDEE:
Grok Academy Best STEM Program
Brisbane South State Secondary College
Kirsten Ferdinands
Executive Principal
With 33 years at the Department of Education, Kirsten Ferdinands has thrived in diverse educational roles. She’s been a dedicated teacher, Head of Curriculum, Deputy Principal and Principal, contributing to schools ranging from rural to metropolitan. Notably, she led Bray Park State High School to win the 2017 State School of the Year award. Kirsten’s role as the inaugural Executive Principal of Brisbane South State Secondary College is remarkable, showcasing her commitment to innovation by partnering with the University of Queensland. As Secretary of the Queensland Secondary Principals’ Association, Kirsten fervently advocates for quality education and drives transformative 21st century learning initiatives for holistic student development.
Executive Principal
Kirsten Ferdinands
facebook.com/BrisbaneSouthSSC
@brisbanesouthssc
Kirsten Ferdinands
Executive Principal
Leadership
Kristin Lynch has a passion for leading student-centred approaches to learning, where wellbeing and student agency are key to supporting students to engage positively in their learning both within and beyond school. She leads Deep Learning pedagogies to prepare students for a rapidly changing world.
Kristin’s experience of leading one of the 20 Pilot School programs to introduce Year 7 into High Schools in Queensland has ensured she is well-informed on best practice and understanding of the needs of adolescents within the Junior Secondary phase, as well as engaging with parents as learning partners. She has an interest in ‘Positive Behaviour for Learning’ and Restorative Practices which ensures the young people, teachers and families within her schools feel connected and supported.
Deputy Principal
Kristin Lynch
Kristin Lynch
Deputy Principal
Deputy Principal
Kristin Lynch
Kristin Lynch
Deputy Principal
1188 Whakue St, Rotorua Central, Rotorua
Kristin Lynch
Deputy Principal
Leadership
Kristin Lynch has a passion for leading student-centred approaches to learning, where wellbeing and student agency are key to supporting students to engage positively in their learning both within and beyond school. She leads Deep Learning pedagogies to prepare students for a rapidly changing world.
Kristin’s experience of leading one of the 20 Pilot School programs to introduce Year 7 into High Schools in Queensland has ensured she is well-informed on best practice and understanding of the needs of adolescents within the Junior Secondary phase, as well as engaging with parents as learning partners. She has an interest in ‘Positive Behaviour for Learning’ and Restorative Practices which ensures the young people, teachers and families within her schools feel connected and supported.
Deputy Principal
Kristin Lynch
Mel Ellis, an experienced Deputy Principal and IB Leader, embodies lifelong learning. She fosters a dedication to lifelong learning in herself, staff and students. Mel’s focus on reflection, design and global competence equips students with the 21st century skills required in today’s changing world. She is committed to public education and leads diverse school communities by respecting and valuing different cultures and perspectives. Mel’s passion for delivering a world-class education in state schools is emphasised by her leadership in the International Baccalaureate, whereby she has successfully implemented the IB diploma in diverse Brisbane schools. She promotes academic rigour and data-informed practices to foster greater belonging, digital innovation and sense of community both locally and globally.
Deputy Principal
Mel Ellis
With 33 years at the Department of Education, Kirsten Ferdinands has thrived in diverse educational roles. She’s been a dedicated teacher, Head of Curriculum, Deputy Principal and Principal, contributing to schools ranging from rural to metropolitan. Notably, she led Bray Park State High School to win the 2017 State School of the Year award. Kirsten’s role as the inaugural Executive Principal of Brisbane South State Secondary College is remarkable, showcasing her commitment to innovation by partnering with the University of Queensland. As Secretary of the Queensland Secondary Principals’ Association, Kirsten fervently advocates for quality education and drives transformative 21st century learning initiatives for holistic student development.
Executive Principal
Kirsten Ferdinands
With 33 years at the Department of Education, Kirsten Ferdinands has thrived in diverse educational roles. She’s been a dedicated teacher, Head of Curriculum, Deputy Principal and Principal, contributing to schools ranging from rural to metropolitan. Notably, she led Bray Park State High School to win the 2017 State School of the Year award. Kirsten’s role as the inaugural Executive Principal of Brisbane South State Secondary College is remarkable, showcasing her commitment to innovation by partnering with the University of Queensland. As Secretary of the Queensland Secondary Principals’ Association, Kirsten fervently advocates for quality education and drives transformative 21st century learning initiatives for holistic student development.
Executive Principal
Kirsten Ferdinands
@MDCWA
Welcome to the Excellence Award in STEM(M) profile, where innovation thrives and collaboration transforms education. Our hallmark achievement is the pioneering "Design Jam" curriculum process, a catalyst for elevated STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) engagement. Anchored in Human-Centered Design Thinking, we forge dynamic partnerships, notably with The University of Queensland, to sculpt personalized STEMM journeys.
Through this approach, students are immersed in hands-on STEMM encounters, solidifying theoretical learning with practical applications. Guided by industry experts, our scholars gain real-world insights and harness their potential for tangible impact. A remarkable facet of our program involves direct interaction with professionals from The University of Queensland's School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science, and Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, as well as Brisbane’s Translational Research Institute.
The Excellence Award in STEM(M) fosters a culture of innovation, where collaboration isn't just a concept but a way of learning. Our commitment to co-creating bespoke STEMM experiences enriches academic exploration and primes students for success in a world driven by knowledge and discovery. Join us in shaping the future of education through transformative STEMM excellence.
Invico Capital Corporation (“Invico”) is an award-winning Canadian investment fund management firm that has been providing alternative investing and financing solutions in Canada and the U.S. since its inception in 2005. The Calgary-based firm offers a range of private debt, energy, and real estate financing solutions that assist corporations in pursuing strategic acquisitions, financing capital expenditures and growth programs, and supporting working capital requirements.
Invico currently serves as the Investment Fund Manager for six funds, including the award-winning Invico Diversified Income Fund, which seeks to generate monthly returns for unitholders through a diversified portfolio of high-yield lending strategies and energy working interests across North America. This investment strategy serves as the foundation for the Fund’s niche hybrid structure, which combines approximately two-thirds privately negotiated debt with one-third direct participation in oil and gas wells.
The success of Invico and IDIF’s strategy was made clear in 2022, with the firm’s assets under management (AUM) growing from $1.4 billion to over $2.1 billion and IDIF’s AUM rising from $342 million to over $424 million. Additionally, IDIF’s innovative investment approach achieved several milestones over a 12-month period, including the issuance of over 100 consecutive distributions, a record annual capital raise, the sale of a subsidiary business for over $51 million, which was returned to the Fund, and the announcement of four additional distributions above the targeted rate of return.
Beyond the portfolio benefits offered by IDIF, Invico stands out in the Canadian private capital markets as a leader in diversity and inclusion efforts. The firm is overseen by one of the investment industry’s few female CEOs, Allison Taylor, and is proud to have a majority-female workforce that includes a C-suite comprised of 60% women and an investment team comprised of 56% women. Additionally, as a member of the 30% Club Canada, the company promotes gender balance at the board and management levels of both public and private companies.
Invico is also deeply committed to the broader community and has demonstrated various charitable initiatives, including introducing a charitable matching policy and a separate volunteer hours policy to encourage staff engagement. This initiative complements Invico’s extensive charity work, which included donations to over 22 local and national charities in 2022.
Further, Invico offers extensive advisory support and boasts a dedicated nationwide sales team, which includes native French-speaking members that service both the exempt market and Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (“CIRO,” formerly the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada) channels. Invico is also pleased to provide an in-house Investor Portal that has garnered attention from other private capital funds, with three additional entities adopting it for their use. With the capacity to generate over 22,000 investor statements each quarter and manage upwards of 24,000 accounts, the Investor Portal is a key tool in managing investors’ portfolios from 11 provinces and territories across Canada.
Lastly, as the winner of the Alternative Investment Solutions Provider of the Year at the 2023 Wealth Professional Awards, Invico is well-positioned to further its mission of transforming the Canadian investment landscape.
Invico Capital Corporation (“Invico”) is an award-winning Canadian investment fund management firm that has been providing alternative investing and financing solutions in Canada and the U.S. since its inception in 2005. The Calgary-based firm offers a range of private debt, energy, and real estate financing solutions that assist corporations in pursuing strategic acquisitions, financing capital expenditures and growth programs, and supporting working capital requirements.
Invico currently serves as the Investment Fund Manager for six funds, including the award-winning Invico Diversified Income Fund, which seeks to generate monthly returns for unitholders through a diversified portfolio of high-yield lending strategies and energy working interests across North America. This investment strategy serves as the foundation for the Fund’s niche hybrid structure, which combines approximately two-thirds privately negotiated debt with one-third direct participation in oil and gas wells.
The success of Invico and IDIF’s strategy was made clear in 2022, with the firm’s assets under management (AUM) growing from $1.4 billion to over $2.1 billion and IDIF’s AUM rising from $342 million to over $424 million. Additionally, IDIF’s innovative investment approach achieved several milestones over a 12-month period, including the issuance of over 100 consecutive distributions, a record annual capital raise, the sale of a subsidiary business for over $51 million, which was returned to the Fund, and the announcement of four additional distributions above the targeted rate of return.
Beyond the portfolio benefits offered by IDIF, Invico stands out in the Canadian private capital markets as a leader in diversity and inclusion efforts. The firm is overseen by one of the investment industry’s few female CEOs, Allison Taylor, and is proud to have a majority-female workforce that includes a C-suite comprised of 60% women and an investment team comprised of 56% women. Additionally, as a member of the 30% Club Canada, the company promotes gender balance at the board and management levels of both public and private companies.
Invico is also deeply committed to the broader community and has demonstrated various charitable initiatives, including introducing a charitable matching policy and a separate volunteer hours policy to encourage staff engagement. This initiative complements Invico’s extensive charity work, which included donations to over 22 local and national charities in 2022.
Further, Invico offers extensive advisory support and boasts a dedicated nationwide sales team, which includes native French-speaking members that service both the exempt market and Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (“CIRO,” formerly the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada) channels. Invico is also pleased to provide an in-house Investor Portal that has garnered attention from other private capital funds, with three additional entities adopting it for their use. With the capacity to generate over 22,000 investor statements each quarter and manage upwards of 24,000 accounts, the Investor Portal is a key tool in managing investors’ portfolios from 11 provinces and territories across Canada.
Lastly, as the winner of the Alternative Investment Solutions Provider of the Year at the 2023 Wealth Professional Awards, Invico is well-positioned to further its mission of transforming the Canadian investment landscape.
Mel Ellis
Principal
Kirsten Ferdinands
Executive Principal
Kristin Lynch has a passion for leading student-centred approaches to learning, where wellbeing and student agency are key to supporting students to engage positively in their learning both within and beyond school. She leads Deep Learning pedagogies to prepare students for a rapidly changing world.
Kristin’s experience of leading one of the 20 Pilot School programs to introduce Year 7 into High Schools in Queensland has ensured she is well-informed on best practice and understanding of the needs of adolescents within the Junior Secondary phase, as well as engaging with parents as learning partners. She has an interest in ‘Positive Behaviour for Learning’ and Restorative Practices which ensures the young people, teachers and families within her schools feel connected and supported.
youtube.com/@canterburycollege-waterford
Mel Ellis
Deputy Principal
Mel Ellis, an experienced Deputy Principal and IB Leader, embodies lifelong learning. She fosters a dedication to lifelong learning in herself, staff and students. Mel’s focus on reflection, design and global competence equips students with the 21st century skills required in today’s changing world. She is committed to public education and leads diverse school communities by respecting and valuing different cultures and perspectives. Mel’s passion for delivering a world-class education in state schools is emphasised by her leadership in the International Baccalaureate, whereby she has successfully implemented the IB diploma in diverse Brisbane schools. She promotes academic rigour and data-informed practices to foster greater belonging, digital innovation and sense of community both locally and globally.
Deputy Principal
Mel Ellis
Mel Ellis
Deputy Principal
Mel Ellis, an experienced Deputy Principal and IB Leader, embodies lifelong learning. She fosters a dedication to lifelong learning in herself, staff and students. Mel’s focus on reflection, design and global competence equips students with the 21st century skills required in today’s changing world. She is committed to public education and leads diverse school communities by respecting and valuing different cultures and perspectives. Mel’s passion for delivering a world-class education in state schools is emphasised by her leadership in the International Baccalaureate, whereby she has successfully implemented the IB diploma in diverse Brisbane schools. She promotes academic rigour and data-informed practices to foster greater belonging, digital innovation and sense of community both locally and globally.
Deputy Principal
Mel Ellis