St Saviour’s principal awarded for outstanding school leadership

A Toowoomba principal has been awarded for her leadership, after she led the boarding school response to COVID-19.

Sharon Collins of St Saviour's College (far right) with principals of boarding schools across the Darling Downs (from left) Simon Lees of Toowoomba Anglican School, Linda Evans of Fairholme College, Adrian Wiles of Concordia, Peter Hauser of Toowoomba Grammar School, Stephen Koch of Downlands College, Tanya Appleby of St Ursula's College and Kyle Thompson of Scots PGC College. Picture: Kevin Farmer

A Toowoomba principal who headed the boarding schools’ response to COVID-19 has been recognised nationally for outstanding school leadership.

Sharon Collins, who heads St Saviour’s College, received an ACEL Leadership award due to her advocacy for education excellence in diverse environments.

“Under her leadership, St Saviour’s College, a boarding-school with 25 per cent Indigenous and 29 per cent language background other than English students has become a recognised leader for embracing diversity,” education expert Dr Judy Smeed said.

St Saviour’s College saw an annual increase in enrolments at the rate of 25 per cent for the past two years and improvements in student results.

Ms Collins also co-ordinated the Toowoomba boarding schools’ response to COVID-19.

She was “humbled” by the award.

“I have a passion for working with all young women, irrespective of their background, as they all deserve a liberating education.”