Foxwell State Secondary College in the city’s fast-growing north is at its peak with 200 students while the waiting list sits at 300.

It’s one of many challenges foundation principal Kym Amor has had to deal with in her first few months in the role, at the helm of the high tech Coomera high school in the midst of a pandemic.

When it opened its doors at the start of the year, students had just eight weeks to get to know one another before learning went online.

Jetski-loving Mrs Amor, a passionate educator with a long history as an education policy dynamo, Mrs Amor hasn’t only had to face the pandemic in the last six months, she also lost a friend in one of the most horrific tragedies the state has ever seen.

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Close to Hannah Clarke who was murdered with her children Aaliyah, Laianah, and Trey when they were burned to death in a Brisbane petrol attack earlier this year by Ms Clarke’s late ex-partner Rowan Baxter who then stabbed himself to death.

Mrs Amor said the horrific incident had changed her outlook on schooling.

“As educators I believe we need to do more around respectful relationships, not just around domestic violence, but we can make a difference in the way we address bullying, violence and how we deal with gender stereotypes right from prep,” Mrs Amor said.

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“Unfortunately we could not help this beautiful family but I know we can help others. I am not afraid any more to address things, if I see someone speaking to their child in a hostile way in a school or in the community I actually call them on it now.

“We need to stop people in staffrooms, in car parks, we have to say ‘Hey that is not OK you can’t say that’.”

Mrs Amor, of Brisbane, said she had always had the drive for social justice, which guided her through her career.

“I did consider studying law but the idea of teaching legal studies to me was a real passion,” she said.

She worked in the corporate world for a few years before going on to start her classroom career as a behavioural advisory teacher, then taking up a deputy principal role at the Mount Isa School of the Air.

“I am really passionate about making sure everyone has a fair chance in the world,” she said. “I always knew I wanted to be an educator, I think any time you can make that difference in the lives of children, their families and the community – that is when you know you are in the right job.”

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Boasting a range of specialty excellence programs the university like campus has been in huge demand for the local community and has drawn in international educators as a model for learning.

It is set to double in size next year as waiting lists for a place build.

“Last year we had a huge waiting list, we could have taken 500 not 200, but we are restricted by catchment and program capacity.

“They see our students who seem happy and proud of their school which is a great reflection.”