2025

Berserker Street State School

Find out more by accessing the Berserker Street State School Showcase placemat.

Berserker Street State School has improved achievement outcomes for young children from Prep to Year 2 through its strategic ‘Better Brighter Berserker’ vision. This initiative focuses on inclusion, family and community connections, and celebrating First Nations culture. The school’s pride in its journey is reflected in an Indigenous mural, ‘Walk on Country’ experiences and the proactive role of the community education counsellor (CEC) in embedding cultural perspectives into teaching and planning.

The school has implemented robust processes to monitor transitions, attendance and learner progress, supported by individual student profiles and a strategic learning wall. Tailored transition strategies, backed by case management, ensure smooth transitions across year levels and between school and home. High-quality, first teaching and evidence-based approaches, such as systematic synthetic phonics, underpin the teaching of reading, supported by consistent instructional routines.

The leadership team at Berserker Street State School has driven a strong improvement agenda with measurable targets, focusing on incremental changes and academic success. Initiatives like structured play, morning muster and ‘Teach Like a Champion’ strategies cater to diverse learner needs. Parent engagement has significantly increased, with participation in parent-teacher interviews rising significantly. Staff capability development, intentional pedagogy and contextualised units of work have further enhanced student outcomes, reflected in rising results in English and mathematics.​

Wonga Beach State Scho​ol​

Find out more by accessing the Wonga Beach State Scho​ol Showcase placemat.​

​Wonga Beach State School​ has demonstrated exceptional outcomes for children from Kindy to Year 2, earning recognition in the ‘Starting Strong’ category.

The school offers a comprehensive early years program, including State Delivered Kindergarten (SDK), KindyLinQ and playgroup sessions, providing rich learning opportunities for 3- and 4-year-olds.

These programs focus on holistic development, safe and structured environments, and world-class teaching practices, ensuring a strong foundation for early childhood education. High-performing educators, modern facilities and a partnership approach with families further enhance the nurturing start provided to young learners.

The school’s commitment to excellence is reflected in improved learner transitions and outcomes in English and mathematics. Low rates of disciplinary absences, and attendance above the state average, highlight strong engagement and student wellbeing. Staff confidence and capability are supported through close partnerships with parents, community, cluster schools and regional teams, with shared leadership ensuring continuity of learning from Kindy to Year 6.

The school’s impact extends beyond its community, with vignettes of practice shared statewide and support workers engaging with other schools to share knowledge and strategies to build others’ capability. Enrolment growth in early years programs and multi-tiered support systems further demonstrate Wonga Beach’s success in creating a positive and impactful start for all learners.​

Patricks Road State School

Find out more by accessing the Patricks Road State School Showcase placemat.

Over 3 years, Patricks Road State School has driven significant curriculum and pedagogical reform in English for Years 3 to 6, achieving remarkable improvements in student outcomes. A targeted focus on lifting A and B results has been underpinned by substantial investment in staff capability.

The leadership team has prioritised a deep understanding of the Australian Curriculum, Version 9.0, ensuring staff are confident in expectations, fostering critical thinking in teaching, making learning visible to students, and strengthening moderation processes to inform teaching practices.

These efforts have resulted in a significant rise in A and B English results, since 2022. Students with disability in the ‘Building on foundations' phase have also shown substantial improvement, with B and above results increasing significantly.

At the core of this success is a systematic approach to building staff knowledge in teaching reading, supported by leadership walkthroughs, coaching and feedback. With an unrelenting focus on high-quality teaching and collaborative staff efforts, the school has delivered equity and excellence, making this school a standout for building strong foundations in Years 3 to 6.

Bremer State High School

Find out more by accessing the Bremer State High School Showcase placemat​.

Bremer State High School has implemented innovative wellbeing initiatives to support students in Years 7 to 9, ensuring they stay on track during junior secondary years. Enhanced transitions include partnerships with primary schools, early orientations and intensive case management for students in care, fostering a strong sense of belonging.

The introduction of a Year 9 flexi-space has provided targeted Tier 2 interventions, reducing behaviour incidents and improving academic outcomes. Plans are underway to expand this to Year 8.

The school’s multi-tiered systems of support framework ensures all students receive the right support at the right time, with year level hubs providing tailored wellbeing support. These hubs have contributed to decreased school disciplinary absence rates and increased academic outcomes.​

Bremer’s pedagogical framework, ‘How Bremer Students Learn’, ensures consistent, evidence-based teaching practices, supported by classroom profiling, leadership walkthroughs and data-driven differentiation.

These efforts have led to significant improvements in academic achievement in English and mathematics. First Nations students and students with disability have shown remarkable progress, reflecting the school’s commitment to inclusion, engagement and excellence. Enrolments have also grown, with the largest Year 7 cohort in 2025.

Caloundra State High School​

Find out more by accessing the Caloundra State High School Showcase placemat.

Caloundra State High School has demonstrated exceptional school improvement initiatives to support students in Years 7 to 9, ensuring they stay on track during the junior secondary years. Transition processes have been enhanced through early identification of support needs, from primary student participation in the ‘Bright Futures’ program, orientation activities and leadership opportunities. Parent engagement has been strengthened through meet-and-greet events and partnerships with a university to present research-based information sessions. A dedicated Head of Year for each year level from Year 6 to Year 9 is supported by a Head of Department who oversees transition initiatives for students in junior secondary.

The school prioritises inclusion, with tailored transition activities, professional development on neurodiversity, and case managers for students identified on the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). Classroom differentiation has replaced Year 7 learning support classes, ensuring equity and inclusion. Staff capability is further enhanced through leadership development, collaborative moderation and professional learning aligned with the Australian Curriculum, Version 9.0.

​A consistent pedagogical framework ensures evidence-based teaching practices in every lesson, fostering student engagement and positive behaviours. This approach has led to improved academic outcomes in English and mathematics. Additionally, attendance has increased and school disciplinary absence rates have decreased. These outcomes reflect the school’s commitment to making collective incremental changes in positive student culture, student inclusion, wellbeing and academic excellence.

Chinchilla State High School​

Find out more by accessing the Chinchilla State High School​ Showcase placemat.

Chinchilla State High School has implemented a range of initiatives to promote a positive school culture, and to support Years 7 to 9 students, ensuring they stay on track and thrive in secondary school. Strong community links enhance the curriculum, providing learning experiences such as mathematics competition days, sporting activities, and partnerships with a range of organisations that support First Nations student engagement and wellbeing.

The school prioritises inclusive education, with students with complex learning needs accessing the curriculum alongside their peers. Alternative class structures and personalised learning records ensure tailored support for students with disability. Collaborative learning communities and the 'Polishing and Promoting Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Understanding Matching Pedagogies’ (PUMP) team foster consistent moderation and innovative teaching practices, with staff utilising approaches like UDL and explicit instruction.

The Code of Character and Code of Citizenship provide clear expectations for behaviour and engagement, creating an orderly learning environment. Targeted wellbeing support, including guidance officers, head of department student engagement, and a youth support coordinator, further enhances student outcomes. High expectations for attendance and engagement are reflected in upward trends across key data sets, including increased attendance and academic achievement in English and mathematics. Parents praise the school’s flexible, community-focused approach, which fosters a positive and inclusive learning culture.

Kowanyama State School in partnership with Chapel Hill State School

Find out more by accessing the Kowanyama State School and Chapel Hill State School Showcase placemat.​

Kowanyama State School, with partner Chapel Hill State School, are recognised in the QTU Bevan Brennan ‘Every Child Needs a Champion’: Realising the potential of every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student category for their innovative partnership that embraces diversity and creates inclusive, accessible educational settings.

This partnership bridges 2 vastly different contexts, fostering shared learning and mutual growth.

Key initiatives include a shared approach to pedagogy, with Kowanyama adopting Chapel Hill’s age-appropriate pedagogies and Chapel Hill integrating Kowanyama’s learning-on-Country model. Professional learning has seen 8 Kowanyama teachers work shadow at Chapel Hill, while 8 Chapel Hill staff have experienced the remote context of Kowanyama. Shared moderation and staff exchanges address workforce shortages, ensuring reliable non-contact time and enhancing teacher wellbeing.

This partnership benefits students through improved teaching quality, leadership development and enriched cultural understanding. Kowanyama students gain transition-to-boarding support, while Chapel Hill staff apply insights from Kowanyama’s curriculum connections to their own context.

By valuing diversity and fostering collective efficacy, this collaboration enhances student outcomes, teacher wellbeing and cultural exchange, demonstrating the power of inclusive and innovative education.

Mornington Island State School

Find out more by accessing the Mornington Island State School Showcase placemat.

Mornington Island State School is recognised in the QTU Bevan Brennan ‘Every Child Needs a Champion’: Realising the potential of every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student category for its initiatives that embrace diversity and create inclusive, welcoming and accessible educational settings. With 97% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander enrolments, Mornington Island has implemented a whole-school reading initiative, embedding explicit instruction and culturally-relevant practices, resulting in measurable improvements in student achievement. Programs like ‘Read’n’Feed’ foster community engagement, encouraging families to participate in shared reading and classroom activities.

Mornington Island has extended Kindy hours, increasing engagement, and developed tailored pre-Kindy and Kindy to Prep transition programs to ensure a strong start for young learners. The revitalised Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) framework has created a safe, supportive environment, increasing engagement and improving attendance, especially for Year 9 and 10 students.

The Student Services Team prioritises wellbeing, connecting students to support and guiding students to access boarding schools. Success stories, like former student Mungubudkija becoming a school captain, highlight the school’s commitment to equity and excellence, ensuring every child has a champion in their corner.

Woorabinda State School​

Find out more by accessing the Woorabinda State School Showcase placemat.

Woorabinda State School is recognised in the QTU Bevan Brennan ‘Every Child Needs a Champion’: Realising the potential of every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student category for its exceptional commitment to creating welcoming, inclusive and accessible educational settings. The school has implemented a whole-school approach to curriculum and pedagogy, guided by First Nations staff who ensure culturally relevant and connected learning.

Learning walls, moderation cycles and data-driven teaching strategies support every student’s unique needs, fostering high expectations and academic excellence.

The school’s holistic approach prioritises wellbeing, with partnerships providing access to hearing, speech, and paediatric services. Community initiatives, such as a thriving playgroup, strengthen home-school connections.

The school’s Kindy program and Community Connectors ensure children start strong, while robust secondary transition strategies prepare students for their secondary education.

Woorabinda’s focus on community voice is evident through its co-design process, which engaged Elders, families and students in shaping strategic plans. The newly formed Local Community Education Board supports academic, social and emotional wellbeing.

Underpinned by its mantra, "Whatever it Takes”, Woorabinda State School exemplifies equity, excellence and a commitment to championing every child’s success.

Currumbin Community Special School​

Find out more by accessing​ the Currumbin Community Special School​ Showcase placemat​.​

Currumbin Community Special School has been recognised as the Griffith University Jack Pizzey Leadership Team of the Year for its exceptional ability to learn and work collaboratively to realise the potential of all students.

The leadership team has developed annual implementation plans (AIPs) informed by evidence-based practices, tailored to the unique needs of students with intellectual impairments. Priorities in educational achievement, particularly in reading, and wellbeing and engagement are clearly documented and actioned.

The school is regarded as a leader in teaching reading for students with intellectual impairments, regularly hosting visits from other schools. Their partnership with a university helps ensure practices are grounded in the latest research.

The principal, as the lead learner, has inspired a high-performing leadership team that builds staff capability through mentoring, coaching, and the gradual release of responsibility (GRR) model. New teachers benefit from structured induction processes and ongoing coaching aligned with the Currumbin Agreed Practices (CAP).

Teachers value the collaborative culture, supported by the reading team, data case management and professional learning communities, which deepen understanding of the science of reading and builds collective efficacy. Currumbin demonstrates exemplary leadership, innovation and commitment to student success​.