Principal's First Principles

Watch any toddler for an hour: they crouch down to examine an ant in the grass, they wobble along on uneven ground, they tug on your hand and pull you into their game, complete concentration on their faces as they pour water from one container to another. It looks like simple play, but it’s more than that. It’s the brain busy laying down new neural pathways. Under the surface, the brain is in building mode. As babies and very young children see, hear, touch, smell, taste, move, and interact,…

When we celebrate Mother’s Day at BAC, we hold with care the complexity it entails. Some in our community, like me, have lost their mums, and that loss remains real no matter how many years have passed. Others are mums themselves but are painfully estranged from their own mothers, have walked the road of infertility and adoption, or experienced the grief of a lost pregnancy, baby, or child. And then there are the many caregivers who have stepped into that role for someone else’s child, loving…

You’ve just put your four-year-old to bed, and a decision is weighing on your mind. Settling into a comfy spot on the lounge, you type into the search bar: “Best Prep Brisbane.” You feel the pressure to get this right. Most parents looking for a Prep don’t just pick the nearest primary school and hope for the best. They explore websites, talk to other parents, attend open days and tours, and book time with school principals. Parents wanting a particular “fit” – a values or faith-based Prep, for…

There’s a website called Scale of the Universe that I used to show my science classes. It lets you zoom right in and right out on the universe. Zoom in, and you see tiny things like cells, protons, quarks, and even the smallest “strings” – around 10 to the power of negative 35 metres across. Zoom out, and you pass planets, stars, nebulae, and whole galaxies, all the way to the size of the end of our universe, about 10 to the power of 27 metres. It’s a mind-bending reminder that we live in a…

Watching our Year 6s on camp this week, I was reminded again that courage and mateship don’t appear out of nowhere; they are patiently grown in community. The Anzac stories we shared at Mapleton QCCC highlighted big, historic moments of sacrifice and loyalty, and were backed by adventures that allowed us to practise what we'd learned. What struck me this year was the parallel between our students’ growth and our staff's dedication. Their teachers, Mrs Morgan and Mr Lillihagen, and the rest of…

During the Christmas break, I came across a story that seemed perfect for the start of 2026. It's quite a shocking story, but I was inspired to drive many kilometres in Victoria's Gippsland to find the places mentioned in it. I hope you'll find the same messages of courage and resilience in it that I do. A Boy, a Pony, and an Extraordinary Journey In 1931, a nine-year-old boy named Lennie Gwyther lived on a small farm called Flers near Leongatha in South Gippsland, Victoria. When Lennie’s…

On Thursday night, I cheered my favourite footy team, Hawthorn, to a hard-fought, finals-like win against Collingwood, the season’s benchmark team. It was more than just a sporting victory: it was a masterclass in steady, purposeful improvement, resilience, and teamwork—qualities that resonate deeply with our community here at BAC. Over the past couple of years, Hawthorn has rebuilt from a slump through relentless focus on the fundamentals. Their improvement in ‘hard ball gets’—diving into the…

A recent survey has revealed a pressing concern in Queensland: over the past year, most young adults (aged 15-24) have reported negative changes in their health and wellbeing. Our chief health minister has pointed the finger at smartphones and social media for this alarming trend. In an article for ABC News, Dr John Garrard said, "One of the most dramatic indicators is the instances of hospitalisation due to self-harm in young children aged 10 to 14 has almost [tripled] over the last…

I am excited to share the remarkable success of a new initiative that has already made a significant difference in the two short weeks we have been implementing it at BAC. Our new reading intervention program is proving to be a key that unlocks the door to literacy for students who have been struggling to navigate the world of words. As educators, we know that good reading skills are vital for academic success. A foundational skill, it's the key to educational success in all curriculum areas…