Corinda State High School Hosts Launch of Get Ready Queensland Week 2024

Corinda State High School has been selected as the launch site for the 2024 Get Ready Queensland Week. Former rugby league star and Get Ready Queensland Ambassador Johnathan Thurston will join local students and emergency services to encourage the community to prepare for the upcoming severe weather season.



The event, taking place on Tuesday, 8 October 2024, will feature an important announcement from the Bureau of Meteorology about Queensland’s severe weather outlook. The school community, including representatives from Queensland emergency services, will come together to highlight the importance of disaster preparedness.

Johnathan Thurston’s Call to Action

Johnathan Thurston will headline a new ad campaign titled “Weather doesn’t plan but you can,” urging all Queenslanders to take action before extreme weather hits. Mr Thurston’s message focuses on the three critical steps to prepare: understanding personal risk, making a plan, and packing an emergency kit. The campaign also introduces an online tool to help residents create a disaster plan, accessed at getready.qld.gov.au.

Mr Thurston likened the importance of planning to his experience in professional sports, saying, “Just as every member of a footy team trains hard to achieve success on game day, every Queenslander can take steps now to Get Ready for extreme weather.”

Corinda State High School
Photo Credit: Supplied

Statewide Engagement

The launch event in Brisbane is just one of several activities planned across Queensland. Along with events in Cairns, regional roadshows will reach communities in the southeast, Far North, and western parts of the state. These roadshows will involve councils and local emergency services, offering residents access to disaster preparedness resources and information.

Additional activities at Corinda State High School will benefit students, including an emergency services expo and a Resilient Homes Workshop, which will provide practical advice on preparing homes for severe weather.

Preparing Queensland for the Future

Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) CEO Major General Jake Ellwood (Retd) reinforced the importance of Get Ready Queensland Week as a timely reminder for residents to get organised before the summer months. 

“Over the past year, 66 of Queensland’s 77 local government areas have been impacted by a bushfire, cyclone, flood, or storm,” Mr Ellwood said. He emphasised that those who prepare recover faster from disasters than those who wait for external help.

The QRA, which manages the Get Ready Queensland program, partners with major sponsor Suncorp to promote resilience-building activities. Lisa Harrison, Suncorp’s Chief Executive of Consumer Insurance, highlighted the importance of good disaster preparation practices, which can reduce the devastating impacts of natural disasters on homes and communities.

Corinda’s Experience

For Corinda State High School, the message of disaster resilience hits close to home. The school has experienced severe flooding in both 2011 and 2022, making it a fitting location to launch Get Ready Queensland Week. 

“The lessons being shared during Get Ready Queensland Week reinforce for all of us, especially our young people, why it’s so vital we prepare for the unexpected turns of Mother Nature,” Deputy Principal Rebecca Gilroy said.

With Queensland’s unpredictable weather patterns, this year’s campaign hopes to instil a sense of preparedness in every household, encouraging everyone to take the three essential steps to get ready before it’s too late. 



Residents are encouraged to visit getready.qld.gov.au to start their preparations and take action today.

Published 7-Oct-2024

Veteran Corinda Principal Resigns Unexpectedly Mid-Term

Helen Jamieson, the long-serving principal of Corinda State High School, unexpectedly resigns halfway through the third term of the academic year. Jamieson, who has led the school for nearly two decades, informed staff, students, and parents of her decision via email on Monday, July 29, 2024.



Jamieson, known for being one of Queensland’s first principals to implement a comprehensive mobile phone ban in schools, stated that her last day would be August 23. She cited a new career opportunity as the reason for her departure, revealing that she will be taking up the position of chief executive/director at International House at the University of Queensland.

Photo Credit: eq.edu.au

In her email, Jamieson expressed mixed emotions about leaving, writing, “It is with a heavy heart that after 18 years at Corinda, I have made the decision to move on. This has been a difficult decision as I am so invested in this amazing school and the direction we are heading.”

The principal assured the school community that she believes the institution is in “an exciting place” and expressed confidence in continued strong student outcomes. She also mentioned that her position is being advertised for a permanent replacement.

Jamieson’s tenure at Corinda State High School has been marked by innovative policies, most notably the introduction of a blanket mobile phone ban. She humorously referenced this in her farewell message, stating that she didn’t want to be carried out with “a Yondr magnet on her chest” — alluding to the lockable devices used to secure students’ phones during school hours.

Photo Credit: Yondr

The departing principal emphasised her commitment to ensuring a smooth transition, stating that she would “remain on task and committed” until her last day, aiming to leave the school “well positioned and ready for new leadership to take it next level.”



This unexpected resignation has caught the school community by surprise, coming in the middle of the academic term. As Corinda State High School prepares for this significant change in leadership, the search for Jamieson’s successor is already underway.

Published 2-August-2024

3 Corinda State High School Staff Recognised at Australian Education Awards

Corinda State High School in Queensland is celebrating after three staff members were named as Excellence Awardees in the prestigious 2024 Australian Education Awards.



Principal Helen Jamieson, deputy principal Tom Bates, and secondary school teacher Nicki Crerar have all been recognised in the awards, which are in their seventh year.

Photo Credit: Educator Awards

The awards span 29 categories and showcase the best of Australian education in 2024. Excellence Awardees will be formally recognised at a black-tie gala event on Friday, 9th of August at the Star Event Centre in Sydney. The awards recognise the outstanding achievements of Australian schools, principals, department heads, and teachers.

Photo Credit: Educator Awards

Jamieson, Bates, and Crerar were selected from a competitive pool of nominees across the country. The Corinda State High School staff members join other awardees from schools in New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, and the Northern Territory.

Prime Super, an independent profit-to-members superannuation fund, is partnering with The Educator for the 2024 awards. 

Photo Credit: Educator Awards


Prime Super’s National Sales Manager, Corporate Super, Billie Atanasova, emphasised the company’s commitment to supporting members in the education sector, stating, “As a super fund, we have a strong affinity with the teachers, principals, and support staff in schools who are working every day to elevate the futures of others.”

Published Date 16-May-2024

Will a 4-Day School Week Work? Corinda State High Proposes Changes in Schedule

Did you know that Corinda State High School is considering a bold move to a 4-day school week for senior students beginning Term 1 of 2024?


Read: Corinda State High School One of the First QLD State Schools to Ban Mobile Phones in School


The proposal would have senior students attend classes for four days per week, with one day for independent study at home.

The school has held three parent forums to explain the proposal and gather feedback. The four-day schedule would apply only to senior students, who would be expected to complete schoolwork at home one day per week.

4-day school week
Photo credit: Corinda State High School/Google Maps

Corinda State High School currently has school days running Monday to Friday from 8:40 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. Students participating in extracurricular activities and sports excellence programs often arrive early or stay later, until around 4:00 p.m.

4-day school week
Photo credit: Corinda State High School/Google Maps

Proponents argue the change could provide benefits for both students and teachers. A shortened week allows more time for lesson planning and professional development for teachers. Students may also see improvements in grades, attendance, and discipline with the adjusted schedule.

Some Queensland schools trialled shortened weeks, including The Gap State High School. Parents at The Gap reported students receiving better grades in the shortened week model. The 4-day school week provided flexibility – students could study on campus, participate in activities, or leave early.


Read: Is Problem-Solving A Problem For Your Child?


The Department of Education stated any changes to school hours must involve consultation with all stakeholders. Schools must still meet curriculum requirements and not disadvantage any students.

The debate highlights the complex considerations around changing traditional school schedules. Corinda State High will need to weigh both the potential academic benefits and concerns from parents if it moves forward with the bold four-day plan. The school community’s feedback will likely play a key role in determining if the proposal becomes reality in 2024.

Published 24-October-2023

Corinda State High School One of the First QLD State Schools to Ban Mobile Phones in School

Amidst all the discussion on Queensland being the only state yet to implement a blanket ban on mobile phone use in school, did you know that Corinda State High School was one of the first state schools to implement its own ban in 2019?


Read: Positive Changes Seen 3 Years After Corinda State High Banned Mobile Phones in School


Effective Term 1 2024, the Education Department has announced that mobile phones and certain wearable electronic devices like smartwatches will be banned at all Queensland state schools during school hours, including break times. 

The move is widely seen as the State bowing to widespread pressure to implement a universal mobile phone ban in all public schools, being the last state in the country to make the move.

Principals and other school leaders across Queensland have already implemented similar bans, with over 95% of schools banning mobile phone use in class, most of those including break times. The remaining 5% are seen to restrict usage on an informal basis.

At Corinda State High School, all students must place their phones in a locked Yondr pouch when they arrive on school grounds. Based on the school’s policy, students may only be allowed to take out their phones “under the strict supervision of a teacher if they are used for educational purposes.” Laptops and tablets are not included in the ban. 

According to Helen Jamieson, executive principal at the school, the ban was enacted after extensive consultation and planning. She cites distraction and privacy issues as the main reasons behind the decision.

Ms Jamieson and the students wearing their Yondr pouches
Photo credit: Facebook/Corinda State High School/Facebook

The pouches, which unlock when tapped on a base, are issued upon enrolment and considered part of the school uniform. Parents can contact the school office to get a message directly forwarded to their child if they need to reach them during school hours.

Corinda State High
Photo credit: Corinda State High School/Facebook

Students caught breaching the ban face escalating consequences, from increased monitoring to weekend community service for repeat offenders.

Whilst controversial, Ms Jamieson stands behind the policy and would recommend it to other schools. She argues it has reduced distraction and inappropriate phone use.

How the Yondr Pouch Works

Corinda State High
Photo credit: Yondr 

The Yondr pouch locks automatically once students enter the phone-free zone at school and  students are responsible to keep their phone with them in the pouch at all times. If a student needs to use their phone, they must step outside the phone-free area and tap the pouch on an unlocking base station to unlock it.


Read: Staverton Kindergarten in Chelmer Exceeds National Standards in All Quality Areas


The pouch, developed by California-based company Yondr, is being used at thousands of schools worldwide, including Corinda State High, to combat negative effects of phones on student engagement, social development, and mental health.

Published 14-July-2023

Milpera State High School: Preparing Children From Over 41 Different Countries for Life in Australia

Imagine a school where students come from over 41 different countries, many of them refugees from war-torn regions or children of migrants, all of them speaking languages other than English. These children are the reasons why Milpera State High School in Chelmer came into being.



Named after the Aboriginal word meaning “a meeting place of brothers and sisters,” Milpera State School brings hope and opportunity to children and youth who have moved to Australia from all over the world under challenging, mostly disadvantaged, circumstances.

“Milpera is an intensive English-language school, and our kids come from more than 41 different countries to learn English to prepare them to go on to high schools, or…to TAFE.”

Julie Peel, Principal of Milpera State High School

With a commitment to maximising the full potential of every student within a socially just and culturally inclusive environment, Milpera State High School is a rarity among schools in the country as they aim to address the needs of young people who need to assimilate into a new country and learn a new language whilst getting a good education.

Established in 1979, this special-purpose state high school has been providing intensive English language education and settlement services to empower its diverse student population to flourish in their new lives in Australia.

Milpera was originally based on the grounds of Corinda State High School, close to the migrant hostel in Wacol, which shut down in 1987. Around that same period, the facility outgrew its site and relocated to its present address along Parker St in Chelmer.

Its name was changed from Corinda Special School to Milpera State High School to reflect its vision and mission for being. The school also took in students from Darra, aside from Corinda, Wacol and Chelmer. 

Adapting and Adjusting to Fill a Need

Photo Credit: Monument Australia

Before the 1970s, the need for a school like Milpera was minimal. Back then, Australia’s policy favoured migration from specific European countries, resulting in fewer challenges for non-English speaking students.

However, as times changed, the school encountered various waves of migrant groups, influenced by geopolitical conflicts and changing migration policies of the government. 

As a result, Milpera acted as a proactive barometer that adapted to the circumstances that required constant flexibility. The school adjusted its multilingual, multinational teacher aides to align with the changing language requirements of its students.

Because of the rich cultural diversity and linguistic backgrounds of its students, Milpera has comprehensive educational and settlement services that are tailored to meet the specific needs of each learner and their family, ensuring the best outcomes.

Highly-Skilled Teachers

At Milpera, the teaching team and staff understand the challenges faced by their students, who often hail from low socioeconomic backgrounds and experience upheaval.

The school’s support system is robust, providing essential guidance to help students navigate these obstacles.

English is taught through language, literacy, and literature, as well as humanities topics, mathematics, science, and health and physical education. Additionally, students enjoy the therapeutic benefits of art and develop valuable coding skills.

The school also has a program called “Milpera Live” to deliver lessons online, a robust tool that enables educators to reach students in unconventional ways.

The principal, Julie Peel, talks about Milpera Live.

The educators at the school possess formal qualifications in teaching English as an Additional Language and employ innovative approaches to impart the right skills across various subjects.

“…we have a new student in one of our classrooms who’s using an iPad to communicate with us… they use (the technology) as a tool to learn. So it absolutely does speed up and enhance their experience of being a bit more joy in the classroom.”

Abdul Le Ibrahimi, Teacher Aide

A Sense of Belonging

Today, the school welcomes both permanent residents and those with temporary or bridging visas, with all students approved by the Minister for Education to attend school in Australia.

Beyond academics, Milpera fosters good settlement and a strong sense of belonging through carefully curated learning experiences and an extensive extra-curricular program.

At the school, conflicts and divisions from students’ home countries are left behind, allowing Muslim and Christian students, as well as individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, to coexist peacefully.

Students from the same regions often find more common ground than divisions, sharing similar interests in food, art, music, and sports. 

Central to the school’s mission is equipping students with the skills and knowledge to thrive in an Australian classroom and beyond. The student-centered curriculum is designed to offer highly contextualised language learning experiences, ensuring that students develop the English language proficiency necessary for their future academic and career pathways.

“It’s an extremely rewarding school to work in because we do get ot observe that great distance travelled.”

Julie Peel, Principal of Milpera State High School

Despite the many challenges faced by its students, Milpera State High School has achieved exceptional outcomes. The school’s holistic approach to education, which encompasses not only language acquisition but also settlement skills and values such as gender equality, contributes to the students’ overall success.

Published 5-July-2023

Future Leaders from Corinda State High School Join UQ Global Leadership Workshop

Photo Credit: Corinda State High School/Facebook

Five achievers from Corinda State High School who have the potential to be future leaders of Brisbane joined the Global Competence through Leadership workshop for Year 10 and Year 11 students held at the University of Queensland in St Lucia. 



Eloise, Olivia, Jenny, Winta, and Sara have been given the opportunity to become part of the valuable event and learn from industry experts about discovering their strengths and improving their leadership skills, critical and creative thinking and intercultural understanding. 

“We completed three sessions run by university professors and lecturers who explained the psychology of leadership, and the concept of embracing the highest self, as well as the importance of creating actionable plans to real life problems,” Olivia, a Year 11 student, said.

“We practiced planning business approaches to solving sustainability and societal issues in a team setting and got the opportunity to meet and interact with other like-minded students.” 

Corinda State High school
Photo Credit: Corinda State High School / Facebook

The Global Competence through Leadership workshop was held through the initiatives of the Department of Education International and the State Schools Division.

The workshop covered the following priorities:

  • support young people to respond positively to a connected, diverse and rapidly changing
  • world
  • prepare students for more internationally competitive work opportunities
  • provide high-quality teaching and learning programs focused on global competence
  • create opportunities that take our leaders, teachers, and students to the world, and bring
  • the world into Queensland schools
  • promote Queensland as a preferred destination for international students


Becoming a globally competent leader needs a multi-dimensional approach to enhancing one’s skills, knowledge, values, and attitudes as actions and decisions will have an implication on a generation. The concepts imparted to the workshop participants are also in line with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. 

Positive Changes Seen 3 Years After Corinda State High Banned Mobile Phones in School

The move to ban students from using their mobile phones on campus in 2019 has sparked positive changes at Corinda State High School, according to Executive Principal Helen Jamieson.



Ms Jamieson said that since adopting a proactive approach to students’ personal technologies use, the kids have become more engaged with their peers and are taking full advantage of the school’s programs and facilities. The students are busier than ever at the sports fields or at the library where they may also play chess and Lego. 

Lunch times at school also have students talking and engaging. No one is looking down and fiddling on their phones whilst ignoring their schoolmates.

Corinda State High
Photo Credit: Corinda State High School/Facebook

Ms Jamieson said that the social culture at Corinda State High School has shifted since the students have been required to keep their mobile phones, earphones, and smart watches inside a Yondr pouch provided upon enrolment.

Yondr pouch
Photo Credit: https://www.overyondr.com/

The Yondr pouch has to be tapped to activate a mechanical lock before the students enter the school, and they tap this again to unlock the pouch when they go home.

Per the school’s policy, the students may only be allowed to take out their phones “under the strict supervision of a teacher if they are used for educational purposes.” Laptops and tablet computers, however, are not included in the ban. 

Corinda State High
Photo Credit: Corinda State High School/Facebook

Ms Jamieson said that one of the key factors in enforcing the ban, which received immense support from the parents, was to help curb mobile phone addiction among impressionable teenagers. They also wanted to protect curious students from the dangers of the internet.



The ban, however, was not without any incidents as there were teenagers who tried to slip their phones in between classes. However, students who were caught violating the ban have been dealt with stricter consequences such as being monitored for a month. Repeat offenders have been subjected to weekend community programs.