School leaders strengthen system work for lasting impact

Every year, BCE invites experienced classroom teachers and school learning leaders to contribute current school expertise to strategic projects ensuring initiatives reflect real classroom complexity and lead to lasting impact.

In 2026, Janine White, Belinda Smith, Julie Kenny and Lisa Myatt have joined the Education Excellence team as Senior Education Advisors on short-term secondments, strengthening the connection between schools and system leadership. 

Head of School Performance, Brett Horton said secondments create a powerful exchange between schools and the office.

“There is a real synergy when school staff contribute directly to system-level work,” Brett said.

“As a system, it is highly valuable to learn from those who are implementing initiatives every day, as their insight helps us design work that can be scaled effectively across schools.”

He said the benefits flow both ways.

“Staff return to schools with strengthened leadership skills, broader perspective and a deeper understanding of how system priorities are developed and supported.”

The seconded advisors are working across the Foundations for Success project and curriculum and pedagogy initiatives, supporting schools through professional learning, resources and improvement work.

“These opportunities allow emerging and current leaders to make a meaningful contribution beyond their own school while staying deeply connected to classroom reality,” Brett said.

Learn more about the Senior Education Advisors who join the Foundations for Success team this year:

Janine White, Senior Education Advisor Numeracy, Foundations for Success

Janine White joined the Education Excellence team from Marymount College Burleigh Waters, where she works as a Numeracy Specialist in the Secondary School.
In her current role as Senior Education Advisor Numeracy, Janine supports system-wide work that strengthens teacher practice and improves student outcomes over time.
“What I find most rewarding is the opportunity to help drive change,” Janine said.
“Supporting teachers at different stages of their career to build their practice ultimately benefits students.”
Janine believes school-based experience is essential when designing initiatives for classrooms. She brings a strong understanding of what matters on the frontline and how teachers engage with professional learning.
Her background has helped refine professional learning modules by identifying common sticking points and improving how information is received by participants.
Janine encourages school staff considering system roles to back themselves.
“Imposter syndrome can hold us back,” she said. “Trust that you have something valuable to offer.,” she said.
“The system’s focus on equity, consistency and collective responsibility really resonates with me, and this role has been a powerful opportunity to both contribute and learn.”

Belinda Smith, Senior Education Advisor Numeracy, Foundations for Success

Belinda Smith joined the Education Excellence team from St Eugene College Burpengary, where she is a Year 4 classroom teacher. As Senior Education Advisor Numeracy, she works within the Foundations for Success project to translate research into practical, evidence-based support for schools.
Belinda’s work includes delivering professional learning, creating on-demand webinars and facilitating improvement sprints focused on areas such as fractional thinking.
“I feel incredibly privileged to be able to deeply research mathematics and turn that into support schools can actually use,” Belinda said.
“What I love most is working alongside a highly collaborative and passionate team.”
Belinda played a key role in developing Fractions 101, shaping content to address common misconceptions and build strong conceptual understanding rather than procedural shortcuts.
She believes initiatives are stronger when shaped by educators with classroom experience.
“When teachers help design the work, it reflects the complexity of real classrooms and is far more likely to have lasting impact,” she said.
Her advice to others is simple. “Go for it. It is rewarding, supportive and a chance to contribute to meaningful system-level change.”

Julie Kenny, Senior Education Advisor Curriculum, Learning and Pedagogy

Julie Kenny joined Brisbane Catholic Education from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Coorparoo, where she is a Primary Learning Leader. In her current role as Senior Education Advisor Curriculum, Learning and Pedagogy, she works across multidisciplinary teams and supports schools in Clusters 4 and 6.
“I really enjoy the diversity of the role,” Julie said.
“I’m involved in developing resources and professional learning, while still working closely with schools.”
Julie believes recent school-based experience is vital to effective system design.
“We bring an authentic understanding of classroom reality and what it takes to lead improvement in schools,” she said. “That helps ensure initiatives are realistic, usable and effective.”
She is currently contributing to the design of professional learning aligned to Teaching for Learning High Impact Practices, helping teams balance pace, content and clarity.
Julie encourages school staff to consider system opportunities.
“Don’t underestimate what you have to offer,” she said. “If you care about supporting teachers and improving learning, your experience and voice are genuinely valued.”

Lisa Myatt, Senior Education Advisor Literacy, Foundations for Success

Lisa Myatt joined the Education Excellence team after 17 years as a Primary Learning Leader and classroom teacher in a number of BCE schools.
Her work across early years and primary settings involved supporting teachers through planning, observation, feedback and professional learning, grounding her deeply in the day-to-day realities of teaching and leading learning.
In her current role as Senior Education Advisor Literacy within the Foundations for Success team, Lisa focuses on supporting schools with the how.
She works to translate strong research and evidence into practical, usable resources that teachers and leaders can apply immediately in classrooms.
“I love working with schools and colleagues to design and refine resources that are realistic and genuinely supportive,” Lisa said.
Foundations for Success resources such as playbooks, webinars, videos and workshops reflect a strong understanding of school workloads and the need for accessible professional learning.
Lisa’s background as a Primary Learning Leader ensures the needs of current PLLs remain front of mind.
“School-based experience is essential in system work,” she said. “When initiatives reflect real classroom complexity, they build trust, buy-in and lasting impact.”