Julie Peel
Milpera State High School, QLD
Meanjin
Teaching Fellow
Refugee and migrant students in Australia face many challenges, but Principal Julie Peel has transformed their experience at Milpera State High School in Brisbane and achieved similar success for many refugee children in rural and regional areas in Queensland.
During the COVID pandemic, Julie led the creation of the Milpera Stepping Out strategy and subsequent development of Milpera Live, an online program designed to offer high-quality education to students who did not have access to intensive English language classes in rural Queensland. This initiative saw an 80% improvement in students’ computer skills and a 17% increase in performance overall. In 2024, Milpera Live has extended to benefit more than 70 students in 17 rural and regional schools.
Julie has fostered collaboration and knowledge sharing through ‘English as an Additional Language’ open days and professional development forums, engaging over 100 teachers and improving transition processes for English language learners. She also led the development of culturally inclusive novels, though the establishment of an author-in-residence program which has contributed to high levels of engagement, connection and belonging among Milpera students.
Julie’s strong moral purpose for equity and her commitment to diversity have led to many notable achievements, including increased wellbeing of her students, high attendance and school completion rates and minimal suspensions. Her leadership during challenging times, such as the pandemic and school displacement, showcases her resilience and dedication, and her work has had a lasting impact on student learning and community engagement. When it comes to advancing inclusive education, Julie is an inspiration.