Independent Schools Queensland

Is School Refusal an issue in your school community? Come along to our PD for school staff on 7 May 2026. School refusal (also known as 'school can't' or 'school reluctance') is a growing problem impacting schools and families across the country. This new, all-day workshop will equip school staff with the latest research about school refusal and provide guidance in how to meaningfully engage with families where, despite best efforts, school attendance is an ongoing issue. The event will feature keynote presentations by internationally respected school refusal expert - Associate Professor Lisa McKay-Brown and experienced clinical and school psychologist Dr Matt O'Connor. In-person attendance is highly recommended, but an online option is available for regional Queensland schools. 👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/g2wucAui

WORK WITH US | This is a great opportunity to lead ISQ's Employee Relations team and make a meaningful difference in the fastest growing education sector in Australia. ✅ Great place to work ✅ Make a difference ✅ Opportunity to innovate and grow ✅ Attractive remuneration package. 👉 Applications close Sunday 12 April 👉 Details below.

👏 More than 330 school leaders and educators came together on Friday 20 March in Brisbane for the AI PowerEd: Responsible AI in Schools Summit to explore how artificial intelligence can be used responsibly, ethically and effectively across independent schools - grounded in strong governance, thoughtful leadership and practical application. A huge thank you to our outstanding speakers for sharing their expertise and insights, including Priya Lakhani OBE (CENTURY Tech), Kimberley Hall and Alex Galland (Google for Education), Amanda Frampton (Microsoft); Troy Waller (ASI), Paul Hamilton (Compnow), Melissa O'Shea (Toddle); and our school and sector leaders - Kerry Daud, Pip Cleaves, Joanne Sheehy, Kristin Grant, Anthony England, Debbie Moulds and Matt Davis who generously shared real‑world experiences from their own contexts. The depth of discussion and practical takeaways reflected the complexity - and opportunity - of AI in education. We are also grateful to our event partners ASI Solutions, Toddle - Your Teaching Partner, Compnow, Schoolbox, Atomi, Education Perfect and Cybernetic Shield for their support in bringing this important professional learning event to life. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the conversation. We look forward to continuing to support schools as they navigate the opportunities and challenges of AI, with a focus on responsibility, purpose and impact.

What if better leadership starts with less? Join fellow school leaders for ISQ's Executive Leadership Suite 2026 – Masterclass 2: The Pruning Principle - a sharp, practical day designed to cut through overload and restore focus. Led by Dr Simon Breakspear, this provocative session challenges the instinct to keep adding more. Instead, you’ll explore the power of subtracting, streamlining and simplifying - and why real impact requires the courage to prune. You’ll leave with: 🔸fresh thinking on why 'more' isn’t working 🔸practical ways to simplify across roles and contexts 🔸clear strategies and tools you can apply immediately 🔸renewed confidence to lead with clarity and intent. 📅 Wednesday 6 May 2026 ⏰ 9.00am – 3.00pm Open to all senior school leaders ready to rethink priorities and lead with greater impact. 👉 Create space. Gain clarity. Do what matters most. Register now - https://ow.ly/H0vh50YxQx6

🧡 Happy Harmony Day, 21 March! 🧡 Today we celebrate the cultures, languages, stories and identities that enrich Independent schools across Queensland. Harmony Day reminds us of the importance of inclusion, respect and understanding. These values help our school communities thrive. At ISQ, our work is guided by our values and our strong advocacy for choice and diversity in education. We are committed to supporting school environments where every student, staff member and family feels welcome and everyone belongs. #harmonyday #everyonebelongs #harmonyweek #independentschoolsqld #inclusion #belonging #choiceanddiversity St. Paul's School Immanuel Lutheran College Livingstone Christian College Australian Islamic College Hymba Yumba The Murri School John Paul College

Beginning teachers from across Queensland joined us at ISQ this week for our Beginning Teachers Masterclass, a two‑day, hands-on workshop designed to strengthen early‑career classroom practice ⭐📚   Led by Teaching and Learning Manager Louise Brauer B.Ed (Hns) SFHEA, along with ISQ experts, Krystal Cameron, Kym Waters and Laura Newman, and five Highly Accomplished Teachers. Nicole Tate, Sally McHaffie, Tran Mirciov, Stella Gardner and Jessica Chesterfield, participants explored effective teaching strategies, practised core classroom techniques, and deepened their understanding of behaviour management, routine setting and working with parents. They also analysed real examples of strong teaching, helping bridge the gap between theory and practice.   Attendees engaged in rich discussions, practical activities and valuable opportunities to build their professional networks. A fantastic start to the year long program to mentor and support beginning teachers.   A huge thank you to everyone who took part, and to NGS Super for their support. Your enthusiasm and commitment to growing as educators made the experience truly worthwhile 👏🍎 #isqlearning #professionallearning #qldedu #professionaldevelopment #qldteaching #qldteach 📸: Grace Llewellyn

We are excited to welcome over 330 school leaders and innovators to AI PowerEd in Brisbane today. Looking forward to learning from keynote speaker Priya Lakhani OBE this morning.

Leaders from across Queensland joined us at ISQ yesterday for our Practical Training in Media Issues and Crisis Management, a hands-on session designed to build confidence in navigating challenging media situations. We were pleased to welcome Toni Banfield and Ronwyn Collier from The Sycamore School, along with Karen Hill from St Peters Lutheran College. The session focused on how to stay calm, clear and prepared when communication becomes critical. Participants worked through real school scenarios and took part in a mock press conference, giving them the chance to practise delivering key messages under pressure. They also applied ISQ’s five practical tips for effective media engagement and saw how each one can strengthen communication during a crisis. ISQ’s Corporate Affairs Deputy Director Callum Bentley shared insights from years of experience in media and issues management, offering practical tools leaders can use when the stakes are high. A huge thank you to everyone who attended. Your energy, openness and commitment to strengthening communication across your school communities made the session truly worthwhile 🗣️ 📚 #isq #qldedu #crisismanagement #mediatraining #queenslandindependentschools #isqevents 📸: Grace Llewellyn

✨ EA Connect Professional Development Day delivered fresh insights and valuable learning. ✨ The event brought together more than 100 Executive Assistants and administration professionals from 48 ISQ member schools across Queensland for a full program focused on practical learning, with technology, strategy and connection shaping each session. The day featured a range of sessions that introduced attendees to new tools, approaches and ideas to support their work. 🔸Paige Scott from St Andrew’s Lutheran College opened with her innovative Zero Inbox workflow system, providing clear methods for transforming inbox overload into a structured, manageable process. 🔸Kerry Daud from St Margaret’s Anglican Girls’ School followed with two hands‑on AI sessions demonstrating how Copilot, Google tools and NotebookLM can act as effective digital assistants. Her demonstrations showed how AI can simplify tasks, enhance project work and reduce repetition. 🔸Tracey Montgomery from event partner Pure Source Recruitment closed the program with a session titled The Indispensable EA. Tracey facilitated group discussions that encouraged attendees to reflect on the emotional intelligence required in their roles that is impossible for AI to replicate, reinforcing the many ways they contribute to the smooth and effective operation of their schools. #isq #eaconnect #executiveassistant #professionaldevelopment #qldedu 📸: Grace Llewellyn

✨ Thought Leadership | Briefings Vol 30‑1 📅 March 2026 Learning from UK Multi‑Academy Trusts: Insights from an ISQ Study Tour Australian schools continue to navigate growing complexity, from rising community expectations to increasingly diverse student needs and persistent workforce pressures. In our latest research feature, Anjulee Singh, ISQ Education Services Deputy Director, and Yvonne Ries, ISQ Education & School Services Director, explore how Multi‑School Organisations (MSOs) could help strengthen improvement across groups of schools. Their reflections draw on the Grattan Institute's Spreading Success report and insights gathered during ISQ’s 2025 UK Study Tour. By combining national evidence with international practice, the article highlights key opportunities, design considerations and implications for the Australian independent school context.   A valuable read for school leaders, policy thinkers and anyone interested in system-level improvement. Explore the full briefing below 👇 #qlded #edleadership #isq #independentschoolsqueensland