Samford State School - School Council
Our 2021 meeting dates are as follows:
Monday 22 Feb (W5, T1)
Monday 22 Mar (W9, T1)
Monday 17 May (W5 T2)
Monday 14 Jun (W9, T2)
Monday 2 Aug (W4, T3)
Monday 13 Sept (W10, T3)
Monday 1 Nov (W5, T4)
Monday 6 Dec (W10, T4)
So what is a School Council and why have one?
The School Council is a group of elected parents and staff
from the school community who work towards improved student learning outcomes.
They collaborate with the broader school community to write
and monitor the broad strategic direction of the school.
Independent Public Schools (IPS) are required to have a
school council as part of their governance structure. The School Council’s main
task is the production and (active) monitoring of the school’s strategic plan.
What is the difference between a P&C and a School
Council and why does a school need both?
The main difference between the School Council and the P&C is the Council deals with strategic matters and the P&C with
operational matters, like Outside Hours School Care (OSHC) and fundraising.
For a list of upcoming School Council discussion topics,
please refer to the School Council calendar.
Our Current School Council Members
Bradley Clark - Principal
Brad is a school leader with over 25 years of experience of
working in schools. As the principal of Samford State School he is passionate
about ensuring every student develops a passion for lifelong learning.
He is committed to creating a culture of success, challenges and opportunities
for students and the school community within an Independent Public School.
Brad has worked in schools from a broad range of socio - economic and cultural
differences from around the state. Brad has also worked in schools in Japan,
England and United States of America as a classroom teacher.
He is an educator
with a broad range of experiences able to develop strategic approaches that
enhance students’ learning, promote collegiality and develop a unified learning
community.
Adrian Ryan - Staff
Adrian has been working education for over 20 
years and has worked
at Samford State School for the past 9 years. Currently in the role of senior
deputy principal, he share’s the vision ‘to engage all students in a
well-rounded curriculum to prepare them for the challenges of tomorrow.’ He is
focused on promoting a culture of collaborative excellence, in both curriculum
and non-curriculum areas, with a foundation of the values of integrity and
respect. Adrian has a special interest developing systems to track student
growth, and inform teaching programs.
Outside of education, he enjoys anything with 2 wheels or 6
strings.
Linda Craven - Staff
Linda has been working in education for over 20
years and has worked at Samford State School for the past 5 years. Before
joining Samford State School, Linda worked at Regional Office as a Transition
and Partnership Officer which provided her with the opportunity to work closely
with a number of schools and community groups throughout the state. She is
currently teaching Prep and has taught a range of grades in both lower and upper school. Linda has 2 children, one in high
school and the other in Year 6 at Samford State School. She particularly enjoys being involved in discussions
around improving student outcomes and strategic planning to ensure all students
gain a year’s worth of growth in a safe and supportive environment.
Jannice Shackleton - Staff
With over 25 years of experience, Jannice has worked in
various primary schools across Queensland.
She is currently teaching Year 5 and has been at Samford State School
since 2008. With involvement working with children from Years 1 to 6, Jannice is
committed to promoting a learning environment which is inclusive, engaging and
challenging for all students. She is looking forward to working collaboratively
with fellow School Council members and our broader school community to provide
the best possible educational outcomes for our students.
Beth Lack - Staff
Beth has been a Teacher Aide at Samford State School since 2005. During this time, she has worked with all year levels and departments in the school. She is currently working with the Year 4, 5, and 6 Targeted Teaching team who support classroom teachers in providing an inclusive and nurturing educational environment for all students.
Beth has been known to say 'I have the best job in the world! No I am not managing an island in the Whitsundays, but instead I get to spend my work time with some of the most amazing assets Samford State School has – our students.'
Beth and her husband moved to the area in 2004 and all four of their children attended this school and later Ferny Grove State High School. She has worked within the community as a swimming teacher at the local Samford swimming pool and as a Joey Scout Leader with the Samford Scouts Group.
Her passion for supportive education for all children has rubbed off onto two of her daughters as they follow their own passions within the education system as teachers.
Beth is looking forward to working with the School Council Team to improve student learning outcomes.
Claire Limbrick - P&C President
Claire has been on the P&C Executive
committee since 2017. With her passion for building strong relationships
between the school and the community, she took on the P&C President
role in 2018.
Claire takes pride in the school and our community and has one
son currently in Year 5, and another in Year 1. She has lived in 3
countries and after spending most of her career working for multinational
organisations in the HR and staffing industry, she retrained and set up an
interior design consultancy in 2015.
In this role she works closely with many
businesses and residents in our community, whilst actively participating in the
school, her children's learning and various local volunteering activities.
Amanda Holding - Parent
Amanda has two children, one in Year 9 at High School and one in Year 6 at Samford State School. Amanda has previously actively supported the school through volunteer roles in the classrooms, as well as performing the Secretary and Vice President roles on the P&C for between 2012 and 2016.
Outside of the school community, Amanda is an in-house counsel with a construction delivery company where she provides in-house legal advice and support on major projects delivery, approvals, procurement, board meetings and reporting and general advice.
Amanda is passionate about parents’ involvement in the school community and is looking forward to assisting the School Council on their continued development and achievement of the school’s strategic plan.
Simon Shea - Parent
I
have two daughters in 
Years 5 and 6 who started their schooling with very
limited English language. The progressive and supportive faculty and
environment at Samford State School has been invaluable in helping my girls
gain a great education and set them up for their future.
I
am a technology professional who has worked with some of the world’s largest
and most successful technology companies. I have experience with emerging
technologies including artificial intelligence, robotics and automation and am
passionate about helping the next generation to be successful in whatever the
future of work looks like for them.
Felicity Magee - Parent
Felicity is a parent of three children at Samford State School in Year 3 and Year 1 and has taken on the Secretary role for the School Council this year.
Before Schooling returned into my life, I was a Geologist in the Mining Industry by profession which I now work casually on, and I also work Part-Time for the Australian Government.
As a result of my career I have lived in a number of remote locations, most of which have been large expanses of red dirt or more industrial settings. I love the Samford region not just for its contrast to that and its beauty, but the lovely community living here. I have enjoyed getting to know other parents and locals along the journey of our children’s schooling together and creating those friendships that will last beyond.
I am on the School Council to take the opportunity to have an active positive impact on the education at Samford State School and to be able to be involved in its direction and position into the future.
Jeff Mychajlyszyn - Parent