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.
2023 Members
Member Profiles
Damien Burke - Principal
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 – Strategic Infrastructure Management. 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 attending Southport High and the other recently graduated. 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.
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.
Summah Breaden – Senior Student Representative
Summah is a year 10 student who started her leadership journey by joining the Sport Pillar leadership team late 2022 and has now branched off to the School Council as a Senior Student Representative. Summah is currently taking subjects in health, biology, physical education, general math, literature English and a certification in diploma of business. She has also eager to help with a different variety of sports for the school and participate for the team and TORO values. Summah is enthusiastic to work alongside the Council team and help address new ideas and resolve issues amongst the school.
Logan Glewis – Senior Student Representative
Logan is a current year 10 student who is excited to step into the role of the senior student council representative. His leadership journey began in year 6 when he was chosen as school captain. Beyond the realm of leadership, Logan is an academically driven student which shines through in his subject like specialist maths, mathematical methods, physics, chemistry, and literature. Simultaneously, he thrives in extracurricular pursuits, contributing to both the soccer excellence program and the volleyball club. Outside the school's walls, Logan's passions extend to club sports and a love for music
Joseph Zenas – Junior Student Representative
Joseph Zenas is a year 7 student who is the current Junior Student Representative, and commenced his role after being chosen by his peers to represent the junior school. Joseph is currently part of the Academic and Music Excellence Program. He is driven to represent the student community with the Student Council to solve and address any issues raised by his peers. Joseph is interested in music, movies, and cricket.
Diesel Boswerger – Junior Student Representative
Diesel Boswerger is a Year 7 student, who currently holds the position of Junior Student Representative. His leadership journey started in primary school where he was a member of the student council each year and school captain in grade 6. He was elected by his peers midway through Grade 7, yet again showcasing his natural leadership qualities. Diesel is an active participant in the academic excellence program and has a keen interest in elective subjects, particularly sports and soccer excellence. He is a passionate advocate for junior students, committed to aiding his peers in Grades 7, 8, and 9. Diesel diligently identifies the issues faced by juniors and swiftly brings them to the attention of the principal for prompt resolution.
Meetings