Gold Coast: Emmanuel College’s secret to top OP results

One of the Gold Coast’s top OP performing schools has revealed the secret to their success with more than 35 per cent of their students achieving the highest possible results.

HAPPY teachers are the key to successful students, according to the principal of one of the Gold Coast and state’s highest-ranking OP schools.

Patrick Innes-Hill, the principal at Emmanuel College, said the school’s focus on the excellence of its staff is part of the secret to success, along with a tailored focus on the goals of its students.

The primary to Year 12 school was the third most successful on the Coast for OP results, with 37.04 per cent of its students achieving the highest possible results.

Emmanuel College Principal Patrick Innes Hill at the Open Day at the school. (Photo/Steve Holland)

“There are three components, absolutely top of the tree for us, is an incredibly dedicated enthusiastic and energetic staff,” Mr Innes-Hill.

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“There are a lot of kids with a lot of different needs, so for a teacher to have the ability to meet that with energy is a very special thing.”

A broad curriculum and love of learning have also helped the school achieve consistently outstanding marks, not just for graduates, but for other curriculum testing regimes.

“We don’t focus only on academics, that isn’t an Emmanuel thing,” he said.

“We don’t focus only on academics, that isn’t an Emmanuel thing,” the principal says.

“From the moment kids arrive here they are taught the values that lead to hard work and success rather than just being taught subjects.

“Our school also seems to really enjoy being at school so our kids catch that affection and want to join in.

“Staff see Emmanuel as a really happy place to be. Happiness sounds like such a trivial thing, but it is true.”

Despite the school’s academic achievements, Mr Innes-Hill was quick to highlight his other graduates that may not have not gone on to university.

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“As a society we run a risk of becoming obsessed with the easily measurable.

“I think when exam results come out we forget we need so many different results in society, not just the ability to do assessments.”

The school has celebrated graduates in performing arts, sports and trades.

“What is more important for me is not those headline kids which I am thrilled for, but the kid who found academic work challenging and found life challenging but managed to get a great apprenticeship.

“They achieve as much in our eyes as an OP1 student, a graduate who has gone on to play for the Brisbane Roar or sing in Milan.

“It is all about the pathways we create.”