BCE welcomes Jacqui Wilton as Education Excellence Executive

Brisbane Catholic Education has welcomed experienced leader Jacqui Wilton as its new Education Excellence Executive, bringing nearly 25 years of education and training experience to the role.

Jacqui joins BCE with an extensive background leading large-scale reform across complex education systems, most recently serving as Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority and Chief Executive Officer of Edmund Rice Education Australia Victorian Schools Limited.

Jacqui said she was looking forward to beginning this next chapter in Catholic education by spending time in schools and listening deeply to staff and communities to shape opportunities for students in our care. 

“School leaders carry the lived reality of this work every day, and I see my early months as a listening exercise to better understand what’s working and what would make the biggest difference to their day-to-day,” Jacqui said.

“For me, a high-quality education is about opportunity. This role is fundamentally about supporting our schools to provide an education that enables and uplifts.”

Jacqui began her career as a Chemistry teacher in Mount Isa and has since worked across classrooms, school leadership and system leadership roles.

She said those experiences shaped her belief that education remained one of the most powerful ways to open opportunities for young people and strengthen communities.

“I have been blessed to work with some incredible educators and school leaders in my 25-year career,” Jacqui said.

“These experiences have shaped my conviction that education is one of the great enablers we have in our communities.”

Jacqui said BCE’s mission and commitment to Catholic education were central to what drew her to the role.

“BCE’s commitment to enabling young people through an education that is liberating and transformative is what drew me here,” she said.

“The combination of a commitment to excellence, alongside a preferential care for those who need it most, accords with my values.”

As Education Excellence Executive, Jacqui will work with BCE schools and leaders to strengthen the systems, data and support structures that help school communities do their best work.

She said education excellence in a Catholic context meant supporting every student to flourish academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually.

“Education excellence to me means every student flourishes, every staff member is equipped to lead learning and wellbeing, and every BCE school community feels genuinely connected to our shared purpose,” she said.

Jacqui said meaningful improvement in education required strong relationships, clear purpose and a deep understanding of what was happening in schools each day.

“Meaningful improvement is as much relational as it is technical,” she said.

“Our impact is shaped by the interactions that take place in classrooms each and every day.

“Staying close to that experience is essential to ensure our strategy remains responsive and meets the needs of those it serves - the young people in our care.”

Jacqui holds a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Educational Studies from The University of Queensland, as well as a Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Education in Chemistry and Secondary Education.

She is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ Company Directors Course.