Welcome

Welcome to the Queensland Branch of IPSHA

Arna Bennett

The educational landscape for today’s students is one of connectedness, choice, opportunity, change, challenges and adaptability. As school leaders we are an integral part of this educational landscape. As we work with young students, we are integral part of a lifelong learning journey. Education is a pathway to success and it is a privilege to be involved in this arena.

The Queensland Branch has over 80 members whose schools are distributed right across the state from Cairns in the North to the Gold Coast in the South. Member schools cover the broad spectrum of schools from independent stand alone primary schools to K-12 campuses in both single sex and co-educational settings. Members come from both denominational and non-denominational schools.
Members gather once each term to join together for Professional Development, a Branch Meeting and opportunities for networking with their colleagues. Collegiality is a key feature of our Branch with members enjoying the opportunity to network and discuss issues on a formal and informal basis. The tyranny of distance could be an issue but within our state contact and support are only a click or phone call away.

Over the last few years, we have held an annual State Branch Refresher weekend. Many been held in north Queensland to enable our northern member’s easier access to quality professional development sessions with colleagues from the south east of the state.
Support is available to enable northern members the opportunity to attend at least one meeting a year in the south east.

Current State Executive priorities and goals include the following:
• To foster continued development of our membership base
• To continue the networking, collegial and lifelong learning environment through active member participation and discussion
• To source quality professional learning opportunities based on the needs of the membership
• To address the Federal IPSHA priorities and requirements including the website, handbook and targets 2010-2012
• To identify a mentor for every new member
• To develop an on-line discussion group

The Queensland Branch membership is very active, with many members serving in a variety of roles on a number of committees including APPA, QSA and Principals Australia. This involvement ensures that the State Branch of IPSHA has a voice on the many government and non-government educational bodies both locally and nationally.

Our Queensland Branch Executive is as follows:-
President Elect-Mrs Sue Hendriks, Clayfield College, Brisbane
Secretary-Mrs Lyn Merry, Fairholme College, Toowoomba
Treasurer-Mrs Trudy Moala, Calvary Christian College
Past President-Mr Steve Warren, The Glennie School, Toowoomba

Any one of these people would welcome a call if you have queries, need an ear of know of new members.

I look forward to sharing IPSHA with you over the next two years.

Arna Bennett
President, IPSHA (Queensland)