Beenleigh’s maverick headmaster named state’s top principal
A larrikin principal who has been known to bend the rules, has won the state’s top education accolade and one of his students has been named top SEQ trainee.
Logan
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A larrikin principal who has been known to bend the rules, has won the state’s top education accolade.
BEENLEIGH TRAINEE CENTRE OPENS
PREMIER’S PROMISE AT BEENLEIGH HIGH
CAR FOR MARSDEN HIGH INDIGENOUS
Beenleigh State High School principal Matt O’Hanlon won the title for best leadership at this year’s 21st annual Showcase Awards for Excellence in Schools.
The much-loved maverick master, who has been at the school for 12 years, said the secret to his success was listening and being able to be “on the level” with students.
Education Minister Grace Grace awarded the title to Mr O’Hanlon, who is well-known in the department after he was sent to Far North Queensland to trouble shoot and set up programs in an indigenous community in 2016.
“I love my job and believe in following the rules but there have been times when bending the rules has worked — I’m not saying to do it all the time, but students really respond to both authority and compassion,” he said.
“Being adaptable is part of this job because there is not one set of rules that always fits every situation or student.
“Beenleigh High has had its problems in the past but the right staff can always turn that around.
“It was great to win an award but I was a little disappointed that our reading program, which was nominated for a state award, did not win.
“It has shown continuous improvements in student outcomes over a long period of time.”
Mr O’Hanlon was not the only person from Beenleigh High to win an award this week.
Year 12 student Emilie Bevan was named the Indigenous Trainee of the Year in Southeast Queensland at the Queensland Trainee Awards.
The proud descendant of the Yugarapul people will attend the finals of the awards at a state level tomorrow when the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year is named.
Ms Bevan has wanted to be a healthcare worker from a young age after caring for her grandmother.
She achieved success in her “Deadly Start” traineeship, which helped her hone her skills and build on her personal strengths of compassion, trustworthiness, reliability and attention to detail.
Overcoming challenging times through her early teens, she became a role model for those around her as she took on mentoring roles at school and as a youth adviser at Beenleigh’s Yourtown Youth Advisory.
She has been studying a certificate III in Allied Health Assistance at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital School.
Runners up in that section were Mawana Cora from Mabel Park State High and Tiesha Martin-King who is studying a Certificate III in Education Support at TAFE Queensland.
Beenleigh was one of seven Logan schools to win regional awards this week.
SHOWCASE AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN SCHOOLS
Early and Primary Years
Winner: Berrinba East State School, Building Children’s Oral Language through Connections – Kindergarten to Prep Transition
Commendation: Pimpama State Primary College, Accelerating Achievement Across P-6
Commendation: Beenleigh State School, Engagement in Learning
Jack Pizzey Award for Excellence in School Leadership
Winner: Beenleigh State High School, Matthew O’Hanlon: Leadership through Empowerment
Commendation: Browns Plains State High School, Blair Hanna, Principal
Award for Excellence in the Secondary Years
Winner: Beenleigh State High School, Beenleigh READiness — rise through reading
Commendation: Kingston State College, Growth STEMs From Here
Showcase Award for Excellence in Inclusive Education
Winner: Browns Plains State High School, Supporting Diverse Learning Needs
Commendation: Pimpama State School, Pimpama State School: A Model of Excellence and Equity
Showcase Award for Excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
Commendation: Jimboomba State School, Aunty Penny Taylor
Commendation: Mabel Park State School, Our Deliberate Focus
The Bevan Brennan ‘Every Child Needs a Champion’ Award
Winner: Miami State High School, Pioneers in Deaf Access and Inclusion
Commendation: Browns Plains State High School, Attitude to Learning Framework
Commendation: Loganlea State High School, Awakening Mibany
SOUTH EAST REGIONAL FINAL QUEENSLAND TRAINING AWARDS
These awards celebrate the achievements of our top training performers and the significant contribution vocational education and training makes to communities across Queensland.
This year, 19 inspiring individuals and 11 exemplary businesses and organisations were selected from across the southeast.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
FINALIST: Emilie Bevan
Beenleigh State High School
Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance
FINALIST 2: Mawana Cora
Mabel Park State High School
Certificate III in Business Administration
FINALIST 3: Tiesha Martin-King
Certificate III in Education Support
TAFE Queensland
Winners will be announced tomorrow at a ceremony in Brisbane.