168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø’s Principal Ros Curtis has been recognised among the country’s leaders in education by The Educator’s inaugural list of the Most Influential Educators in Australia.
The award acknowledges highly dedicated and hard-working educational leaders and their impact in creating a reformative teaching and learning culture.
“Personally, it’s an honour to be recognised, but in saying that no one leads a school alone – it’s the strength and quality of our staff and strong leadership team that contributes to our overall success,” Ros said.
Since her appointment at 168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø’s in 2011, Ros has made it her priority to improve and sustain academic outcomes, enhance the school’s facilities, attract and maintain high quality teaching staff and pioneer innovation across all areas of teaching and learning.
This culture of innovation has led to the introduction of several award-winning programs including Academic Advising and 168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø’s Plus as well as the expansion of a robust Global Exchange Program. More recently, she introduced a mentoring program whereby Old Girls mentor current students sharing their real-world and recent insight into career pathways and the world of work.
Ros also successfully stewarded the school through the unique challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic including swiftly moving the whole school, from Pre-Prep to Year 12, to remote learning, ensuring the least amount of disruption to students’ learning.
The school’s academic results and record enrolments are a testament to the school’s direction.
“Our enrolment numbers are at an historic high,” said Ros. “I believe this is testament to the overall 168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø’s experience comprising of our academic focus, unique programs, the strength and quality of our staff and facilities such as our state-of-the-art sports precinct and Senior Studies Centre and our focus on student wellbeing,” she said.
Ros is passionate about furthering education in Queensland and across Australia at a strategic level as well as an individual level. She holds positions as the Chair of the Queensland branch of AHISA, is on the national board of AHISA, sits on the board of Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ), has been the president of the QGSSSA (the Qld Girls Secondary Schools Sporting Association), and currently sits on the Board of the Bond University Business School Advisory Board.
Dedicated to mentoring and developing staff and educational leaders, Ros has implemented a number of initiatives at 168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø’s including the Centre of Teaching and Learning Excellence (CETLE) open to all teachers to learn, grow and enhance their knowledge and skills as well as an Aspiring Leaders Program.