Queensland Association of Special Education Leaders

This week I had the opportunity to visit Red Hill Special School and catch up with Principal Steve McKnoulty to discuss the significant construction works currently underway at the school.

One of the most exciting aspects of this project is the long-term vision to bring Red Hill Special School's two campuses together onto a single site. This investment represents an important step in creating a more connected learning environment for students, staff and families, while supporting the school's continued growth and development.

Walking through the site provided a great insight into the scale of the project and the opportunities it will create for future generations of students. While construction projects always bring challenges, it was clear that Steve and his team remain focused on ensuring continuity of learning while planning for an exciting future.

QASEL appreciates the work being undertaken to modernise and enhance special school facilities across Queensland and looks forward to seeing the positive impact this development will have on the Red Hill Special School community.

This week I had the pleasure of meeting with Rachel Dougherty, foundation principal of the new special school currently being established alongside Woogaroo Creek State School.

This exciting project represents a significant milestone for Queensland education. In a first for our state, Rachel will assume responsibility as principal of both the existing primary school and the new special school, creating a unique leadership model that will be closely watched as the schools grow and develop together.

The opportunity to lead both settings presents enormous potential for strengthening collaboration, shared practice and inclusive thinking across the two school communities. While each school will maintain its own identity and purpose, this model has the capacity to foster deeper partnerships, stronger transitions and a greater understanding of how we can collectively support every learner to succeed.

As Queensland continues to invest in new special schools and co-located campuses, innovative leadership approaches such as this provide valuable opportunities to explore how specialist expertise and inclusive practices can work hand in hand to deliver the best possible outcomes for students.

Congratulations to Rachel on her appointment and leadership of this ground-breaking initiative. QASEL looks forward to following the journey and supporting the work ahead.

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to meet with Director-General Sharon Schimming to discuss a range of matters important to Queensland's special education community.

QASEL values the strong and constructive relationship we continue to build with the Department and appreciates the Director-General's willingness to engage with the issues that matter most to our members and the students they serve.

The countdown is on!

With registrations closing before the end of term, now is the time to secure your place!

Join colleagues from across Queensland as we come together to lead, link and learn.

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QASELcon26: Always Leading, Linking, Learning

If you're joining us at QASELCon26, we'd love your support for Formally Ever After.

When you pack for the conference, please consider bringing along a donation to support Tammy and her wonderful enterprise. Whether it's formal wear, accessories or other suitable items, every contribution helps make a difference and provides opportunities for those who need them most.

A small act of generosity can have a lasting impact. Thank you for helping us support this fantastic community initiative.

Today marks another exciting milestone in the continued growth of Darling Point Special School with the official opening of its newest building—a significant investment in the future of students, families and staff.

As demand for specialist education continues to grow across Queensland, high-quality learning environments such as these provide far more than additional classrooms. They create spaces where students can feel safe, connected and empowered to learn, communicate and thrive, while supporting staff to deliver highly specialised and individualised programs. Developments like this reflect the importance of ensuring our infrastructure keeps pace with the changing and increasingly complex needs of students with disability.

QASEL also acknowledges the ongoing commitment of Minister John-Paul Langbroek and the Queensland Government to investing in educational infrastructure that supports students with disability. Through the delivery of new facilities, expanded special school capacity and innovative co-located campus models, we are seeing a strong commitment to creating learning environments that enable every student to access the support they need to flourish.

A special acknowledgement also to our great friends of QASEL, Tim and Judy Sharp, who were in attendance to celebrate this important occasion. Their longstanding support of education and unwavering advocacy for children and young people with disability continue to make a meaningful difference across our communities. It was wonderful to share this milestone with them and recognise their ongoing commitment to creating opportunities where every learner can belong and thrive.

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Ian Townsend, owner of Townsend Buses and a true friend of the special education community.

Ian was an extraordinarily generous man whose kindness touched the lives of countless students, staff and families. For many years he ensured that students never missed out on opportunities to learn, connect and celebrate. Whether it was providing buses and drivers for excursions, helping make whole-school trips possible, arranging transport when his own fleet was unavailable, bringing the ice cream truck to school celebrations, or supporting events with extras such as petting zoos, Ian's generosity knew no bounds.

Many schools across South East Queensland have benefited from Ian's unwavering commitment to supporting young people, including memorable experiences such as visits to Australia Zoo and countless other excursions that may not have been possible without his support. He never sought recognition for his generosity; he simply wanted students to have the same opportunities as everyone else.

On behalf of QASEL and the broader special education community, we extend our sincere condolences to Ian's family and the entire Townsend Buses team. Ian's legacy will live on through the joy, experiences and memories he helped create for so many young people. He was a wonderful man who will be greatly missed.

Earlier this month, QASEL shared a post recognising the incredible work of Formally Ever After and its founder, Tammy Robinson, following her recognition through the Black Pepper Kindness Award. Today, we are delighted to celebrate an even more significant achievement.

Congratulations to Tammy Robinson on being awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) as part of the King's Birthday Honours List 2026. This prestigious recognition reflects years of selfless service, generosity and dedication through Formally Ever After, an organisation that has helped thousands of young people experience important milestones such as school formals and graduation ceremonies with dignity, confidence and a sense of belonging.

What makes Tammy's story particularly inspiring is that her motivation comes from a desire to ensure young people know they are valued, supported and "enough." Through Formally Ever After, Tammy has created far more than a clothing service; she has built a community that wraps around young people and families at important moments in their lives. Her recognition with an OAM is a fitting acknowledgement of the impact she has made across Queensland and beyond.

On behalf of QASEL and our members, congratulations Tammy. Your passion, kindness and unwavering commitment to supporting young people continue to inspire us all. This honour is richly deserved.

One of the great privileges of this role is visiting schools and reconnecting with people whose leadership journeys you have had the opportunity to witness over many years. This week I visited Ipswich West Special School and caught up with newly appointed Principal, Sharon.

My connection with Sharon goes back to 2009 when I was appointed Deputy Principal at Ipswich Special School. At that time, Sharon was working as a teacher aide while studying externally to become a teacher. Even then, it was clear she was an incredibly determined individual, willing to put in the hard work required to achieve her goals. It has been inspiring to watch her progress through the profession and now take on the role of Principal.

Sharon took me on a tour of Ipswich West Special School, giving me the opportunity to see the many changes that have occurred since I was Principal there in 2015. The school has more than doubled in enrolments during that time, reflecting the growing demand for specialist education and the evolving needs of the community.

Congratulations, Sharon, on your appointment. Your journey is a testament to perseverance, dedication and a commitment to lifelong learning. I look forward to seeing you thrive in your new role and to the continued success of Ipswich West Special School under your leadership.