When Jacqui Burrage first took on the leadership role at Australian Christian College – Darling Downs in 2017, there were only 36 enrolments.
The Brookdale-based school had originally belonged to the Seventh Day Adventists before it was taken on by Christian Education Ministries.
“It was old and it was run down,” Ms Burrage said. “But because it was a small community it was like a family.”
In fact, the school’s humble origin was one of the things that attracted Jacqui Burrage in the first place.
“My goal was to grow the school,” she said.
“I’ve always been a person to just roll up my sleeves and do whatever it takes – that’s what a pioneer does.
“I’d been a foundation staff member at Carey Baptist and Mandurah Baptist – I figured I had another school in me.”
Her tenacity came in handy when the school was knocked back in its first attempt to introduce high school year levels.
“I just dusted myself off and looked at what we could do to keep going and try again,” she said.
Her resilience in the face of adversity has led to the school preparing to welcome its first cohort of Year 10s next year, with the full spectrum of grades anticipated to be achieved in 2027.
In the eight years she’s been principal, the school has grown from a few dozen to over 200 enrolments.
“We’ve outgrown the buildings we started with,” she said. “We’ve just added on four classrooms this year, with another three to come next year.
“I don’t think I ever imagined it to be this big.”
But Ms Burrage is proud that the school has maintained a warm and inviting atmosphere, where every child is known personally, despite the growth.
“I’ve been very passionate about making the school a safe space to be,” she said.
“We’re very proactive in how we help kids to build relationships with each other and teach them about conflict management.
“We’re very explicit about what is and isn’t acceptable. And the teachers model that behaviour in that way they treat each other – that’s also significant.
“Because, fundamentally, if the children don’t feel safe, they can’t learn.”
After eight years growing the school, Ms Burrage is preparing to hang up her principal’s hat.
“It really is the right time for me to hand the baton on to someone who can take the school to the next level,” she said.
That person will be Jade Baker, who previously held the position of Head of Secondary at Australian Christian College Southlands in Albany.
“The kids have asked me if I’m moving on to another school, and I tell them that no school could ever compare to this one,” Ms Burrage said.
“I love the kids, the families, the staff and the community.
“This has been my baby. But now, it’s time to spend time investing in my grandchildren.”
If there’s one legacy she hopes to leave behind her, it’s a culture of openness, vulnerability, and encouragement between both the staff and the students.
“And I hope that the students can say I was well-known, well-loved, and well-taught by Mrs Burrage,” she said.
