Lisa Hurst
Holy Spirit College, QLD
Gimuy Walubara Yidinji and Guugu Yimithirr
Teaching Fellow
Students at Holy Spirit College in the far north and remote Queensland centres of Cairns and Cooktown face complex mental health and socioeconomic challenges. Lisa Hurst, the Assistant Principal of Diversity across the three College sites, has helped build student wellbeing and transform educational engagement and learning for these students.
By reimagining Individualised Learning Plans which honour each student’s voice and unique journey, Lisa’s work has resulted in 85% of students achieving or rediscovering their goals in 2023. This has led not only to improved learning outcomes, but also developed key planning and management processes, making education more accessible to students for whom mainstream education was unattainable.
Lisa has enhanced the neurodiverse learning programs at her school through implementing these individual plans, together with an understanding of sensory considerations, clear communication, access to support services, and teacher training. She collaborates with various stakeholders to ensure all round comprehensive support for students. These efforts recently saw her present at the Doing Schools Differently 2024 conference. Additionally, Lisa participates in the Teach for Australia – Future Leaders Program to connect her work with broader educational initiatives.
Through strengthening relationships to support student learning, Lisa’s efforts have helped students overcome substantial challenges, including those who have transitioned back to mainstream education and another who secured an apprenticeship after overcoming personal tragedies. Lisa’s work has had an enormous impact on building a positive future for many of her students and her work continues to inspire the reshaping of education to be more equitable and inclusive.