School Council
Southport State High is an Independent Public School. Having a School Council is a requirement of being an Independent Public School.
The council has the following functions for guiding the broad strategic direction of the school:
- monitoring the school's strategic direction;
- approving plans and policies of the school of a strategic nature and other documents affecting strategic matters, including the annual estimate of revenue and expenditure for the school;
- monitoring the implementation of the plans, policies and other documents mentioned above;
- advising the school's Principal about strategic matters.
2021 Members
In the photo from left to right: Amelia Hughes, Alvin Maradeen, Leigh Johnston, Tracey Davis, Nigel Hughes, Brian Bond, Rachel Cureton, Janine Allen, Arjay Andres
Member Profiles
Nigel Hughes - Executive Principal
Nigel began working in Educational Leadership over 16 years ago. He began his teaching career teaching Geography, HPE and Math. Nigel has held a number of leadership positions in large complex high performing schools. He worked at Palm Beach Currumbin State High School as a Deputy Principal and Head of School position for 8 years. Nigel then secured the Executive Principal role at Southport State High just over 6 years ago. He has transformed the school into one of the Gold Coast’s most innovative schools. In 2019, his school was awarded ‘The Educators, Innovative School Winner’ as well as being an Apple Distinguished School. On top of leading one of the Gold Coast’s highest performing school, Nigel is Chair of the Gold Coast Secondary Principals Alliance, Executive member of the Professional Development Network and a member of the State Wide Principals Congress.
Outside of Education, Nigel is heavily involved in community organisations, with a strong passion for Surf Life Saving.
Brian Bond - School Council Chairman and P&C President
During my career, I have been responsible for organisation direction, implementing business process improvements, policy development, as well as monitoring and reporting on performance indicators.
I am currently the Director – Business Services. I have a Post Graduate Diploma in Quality Systems and have worked as a strategic and performance improvement professional for the past 20 years. Whilst living in New Zealand, I was the National Operations Manager for Higher Courts and had the opportunity to project manage the Rugby World Cup 2011 and Pike River Royal Commission Mining Disaster.
I have two daughters, one in primary school and the other attending Southport High. I am involved in their social and sporting activities. I love spending time with family and friends, gardening and playing squash.
I want to be the voice for parents and students, help set the direction and be involved in the activities the school undertakes over the next few years that will benefit current & future students. At the same time, it enables me to be more involved within the community. I bring dedication, integrity and will strive for the best procedures, standards and education environment for our children.
Tracey Davis - Business Manager
Tracey has worked at Southport State High School for 7 years in a number of Admin roles, before commencing as the Business Manager 5 years ago. The role of the Business Manager includes Human Resources, Facilities and Finance. Tracey has recently overseen the construction of the school's new Cultivate building and renovation of the quad, and is currently overseeing the new building project. With the continued growth of the school Tracey now leads a team of 70 support staff to provide an outstanding, safe and well-equipped educational environment.
Outside of work Tracey enjoys going to the beach and is actively involved in her children's many sporting interests including OzTag, AFL, Tennis and Netball.
Mal Attree – Parent Representative
I spent the first 2 years of my teaching career as a Science/Maths teacher in the western suburbs of Brisbane, and then transferred to Blackwater in Central Queensland, where I remained for 3 years, before obtaining a Head of Science position at Keebra Park SHS. After 19 years at Keebra Park, I relocated to Coombabah SHS in 2008. Since that time, I have also performed a number of Deputy Principal roles including at Middlemount Community School (P-12), and Norfolk Village SS (P-6).
Throughout my life, I have had a vigorous passion for learning, and as an educator, I have strived to pass this on to students and staff. I firmly believe in a balanced approach to education whereby children are not only provided with a strong foundation in the areas of literacy, numeracy, science and technology, but are also given opportunities to foster creativity in art and music, pursue interests in the sporting arena, and develop the capacity to think critically, solve problems and communicate effectively. It is important to provide children with an environment where they feel safe, supported, and connected, and have access to engaging and challenging programs which will better prepare them for further education, work, and life in society. The development and maintenance of high quality relationships, where every individual is valued, is vital to engendering collaborative partnerships between students, parents and teachers.
My wife is also a teacher at Biggera Waters SS, and our son is in his final year at Southport SHS, whilst our daughter has just started in Year 7 this year. I am currently on extended leave as I transition to retirement from full-time teaching, and welcome the opportunity to become more involved in a great school community such as Southport SHS, by serving as a parent representative on the School Council.
Alvin Maradeen – Parent Representative
I have been involved with Southport State High School in various capacities since 1998, when I took up a teaching position in the Mathematics and Science departments. I continued in this position for ten years, moving on to Nerang SHS in 2008.
My second son, Zack started in year 7 at Southport SHS in 2015 and moved on to QAHS to do the International Baccalaureate Program, from where he graduated at the end of 2020.
My two younger children, Lynden and Devorah are currently in years 10 and 9 respectively.
As a parent, I have always played a very active role in my children’s schools. I was President of the P&C at Bellevue Park State School, have volunteered for various positions, to help in schools where needed, attend P&C meetings when I can and have served as a Parent Representative on the Southport SHS School Council for the past 2 years.
My background in Education, particularly having worked for Education QLD for 25 years, gives me a good understanding of how the different areas of a school operate and also the ability to communicate with various groupings of staff, parents, students and community representatives. Now retired due to ill health, I generally have the time available to dedicate myself to this role and if reinstated as a parent representative, I will certainly continue to do the best job possible to represent the parent body and to try to find ways to increase parent engagement, communication and understanding within the school.
Deanne Siegmeier – Support Staff Member Representative
Deanne has been part of Southport High’s Administrative team since 2016, firstly as the Youth Support Coordinator, then as the International Student Coordinator for five years. At the beginning of 2021 Deanne moved into the HR Manager’s role, and now works as Supervision Coordinator and Deputy Principal Support. Through this role, she is responsible for organising the daily supervisions and providing support to the Deputy Principals. She makes great efforts to support her colleagues within the school to resolve challenging issues so all staff can strive to deliver the best educational service delivery for our students. In 2018, Deanne became a member of Southport High’s Workplace Health and Safety Committee.
Alina Pilic – Marketing Coordinator
I am the face behind the marketing, events and communication for Southport State High school, Business Alliance and Alumni. Mother of four boys, my life is enriched by weekend soccer, watching them surf and generally busy with life! My professional career has been built on foundations of marketing, internet webpage management, print and social media content management and numerous parents and friends association leadership roles.
My passion lies in building mutually beneficial partnerships, and in relation to Southport State High, this would include the stakeholders both within the school, of our staff, parents and friends, but also to the external community of the Gold Coast, local businesses and community groups. I believe in the saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ I feel these partnerships we are building help the students within our school in supporting their academic goals. By providing links within their local community for opportunity and encompassing them with a community invested in their wellbeing and future development.
My previous experience in small business has taught me that the success of local business is strongly dependent on the relationships and potential return customer profile. By building a forward-facing opportunity for the businesses that support our school, my drive is powered by the understanding that our school community in turn responds and supports local business. I look forward to supporting the students and community that make Southport State High, as I strive for innovation and advancement, and in the face of all challenges my motto is ‘let’s make it happen!’
Caroline Duggan – Teacher Representative
Caroline has been a classroom teacher at Southport State High School for three years, teaching English and Humanities. She sees teachers as a school’s most valuable resource, and the development of expert teaching teams across faculties as key to the success of Southport. She is proud of the many school-wide strategies we have in place for teaching and learning, and the visible impact on students’ achievements and happiness at school.
She has two daughters, one in primary school and one in junior secondary school, and is involved in parent committees at both her daughters’ schools. She is passionate about parent and community involvement in the life of a school, and promoting the school as a community hub is important to her.
Prior to becoming a teacher, Caroline was a corporate lawyer for many years and assisted on a number of professional committees during that time. She has a Bachelor of Laws, Graduate Diploma in Laws (Finance) and Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education.
Outside interests include playing violin and piano, writing, hiking and philosophy. Hiking and philosophy sometimes happen together.
Arjay Andres – Senior Student Representative
Arjay is a student who is currently in year 12. His student leadership journey began in year 6 where he was elected School Vice-Captain. Since then, he has had the pleasure of working on the Southport State High leadership committee, branching off to become Vice President of the Interact Club and recently being elected to join the School Council as the student representative. He is eager to work closely with the School Council in order to achieve student satisfaction.
Arjay is an academically driven student and a member of the school arts department as a heavily involved drama student. He is described by his peers as a humorous, dedicated and cheerful individual. Out of school, Arjay enjoys relaxing at home playing with his puppy.
Amelia Hughes – Senior Student Representative
Amelia has been at Southport for 5 years and is currently in year 12. Amelia started leadership at Southport in Year 10 as a TORO House Leader and is currently on the School council as a student representative helping to improve student well-being amongst the school. Amelia enjoys doing multiple sports such as Athletics, surfing and NFL and reading books in her spare time.
Alan Morris – Junior Student Representative
My name is Alan Morris. I am a year 7 student in the class 7C, and I am turning 13 in September 2021. I am reliable, confident, hard-working, and an experienced leader.
I was born in Israel when my parents were travelling the world. I then joined their adventure and continued travelling to places, such as Belarus, Portugal and Spain, before we arrived in Australia when I was 3. My parents decided that Australia was the best place on Earth, and they were right.
I am in the Touch Excellence program and I love playing sports, but I also love learning, which makes me relatable to many junior students. I can help make Southport State High School more fun, safe and educational for all students. A place people want to attend and be proud of.
Here is a short list of some of my achievements.
1. I am a scholarship student of the Academic Excellence Program.
2. I am a student of the Touch Excellence Program.
3. Was a school Vice-Captain at my primary school.
4. Participated in Australian Mathematics Competition in 2019 and 2020.
5. Was one of a few students in my primary school who participated in the Critical Thinking Program held by the Impact Centre in 2018.
6. Hosted Labrador’s Got Talent show held in Labrador State School in 2019.
7. Completed a full course (six levels) of coding at the Southport Library.
8. Earned awards for academic excellence for nearly every term in primary school.
9. Possess a Winning Team medal for participating in the Queensland Academies Interschool Math Challenge of 2020.
10. Possess a Leadership Certificate for completing the Labrador State School Student Leadership Program 2020.
11. Speak, write and read in two languages.
Bo Chapman – Junior Student Representative
My name is Bo, I am in year 7, in Bribie house.
I love sports - I surf, play AFL for Southport Sharks Under 12 division 1, I am a member of Southport surf club and I swim at Southport aquatic centre. In year 6 at Guardian Angels primary school, I was house captain for Allunga.
I have been playing bass guitar since I was in grade 1 and really enjoy music. I have also been lucky enough to have studied Spanish and have travelled to a fair few different countries (Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Japan, Singapore, Fiji, Spain, France, Portugal and USA) spending time in rural schools and communities, big cities and national parks. I appreciate different options, cultures, and world views.
Public speaking is something I feel confident doing - I won the 2020 Year 6 Guardian Angels school public speaking competition - I spoke at graduation - including telling more than 500 people that I have Tourette’s syndrome.
Having Tourette’s plays a significant part in my life and made me realise that I want to help other students because everyone has their challenges, and everyone has a right to learn.
Mental health is a big factor to consider for high schoolers - many young people really suffer from depression and anxiety. I want to help educate other students about mental health and I want to help the SSHS community to improve mental wellness.
I think I have a well-rounded perspective on life and school, I am a team player and part of my community. I like listening and I am not afraid to share ideas.
Meetings
18.02.2020
On Tuesday 18 February 2020 we held our first school Council meeting for the year. As an IPS school the School Council plays an integral part in the strategic direction of the school. It is with great pleasure that I welcome Brian Bond, who was elected as the new School Council Chair. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bob Panter for the tremendous work he has done over the past 30 years. Bob has had an extensive impact on the School through his work on the School Council and the P&C. Bob has stepped down as Chair but will remain on the Council as a Community and Alumni member.
Principal Report
12.05.2020
Principal Report
17.08.2020
On Monday night we held our first Virtual School Council Forum. Brian Bond our school Council Chair, Arjay Andres Our Student Representative and myself hosted the forum and talked through the Southport State High strategic initiatives.
To view video message from the School Council Chair and Execuitive Principal click here.
To view the Principals Report click here.
05.11.2020
On Thursday 5th of November the School Council held their final meeting for the year. Nigel Hughes - Executive Principal, Brian Bond - School Council Chair and Amelia Hughes - Student Representative have filmed a short overview of the Southport State High strategic initiatives.
To view the meeting click here.
16.02.2021
On Thursday 16th of November the School Council held their first meeting for 2021. Nigel Hughes - Executive Principal and Brian Bond - School Council Chair, have filmed a short overview of the Southport State High strategic initiatives
11.05.2021