Welcome to the 2026 School Year

Principal Leadership Update

We are thrilled to share that Trish Mark has stepped into her new role as Strategic Teaching and Learning Leader, the position that carries the responsibility of Executive Principal following Terry’s retirement last year. Many of you already know Trish as a passionate advocate for children, learning, and The Silkwood Way. After 12 years of leadership at Silkwood, her understanding of our vision, values, and culture runs deep.

We are excited for the heart and expertise she will continue to bring to this role. Unfortunately, Trish is currently undergoing treatment following a cancer diagnosis last year. This means she will be working from home for part of this term and is available via email at principal@silkwood.qld.edu.au should you need support. We look forward to welcoming her back in person when her health allows and celebrating her return as a community. Supporting Trish onsite are our capable and committed Heads of School, who have successfully led day-to-day operations over the past 12 months. They will continue as your first point of contact for any matters your Advisor cannot resolve.

Specialist Learning Program Enhancements

To strengthen alignment with our Vision and student AIMS, we refreshed all Learning Pathways last year: 

• 21st Century Communication and Numeracy
• The Arts
• Science and Critical Thinking
• Ethical and Intercultural Awareness
• Health and Physical Development
• Entrepreneurial and Creative Thinking
• Personal and Social Development

This work has opened the door to some exciting new learning opportunities in 2026 for our Discovery and Personal Interest Learning Programs.

Adventure Learning Program

The biggest of these changes is the launch of our new Adventure Learning Program. Adventure Learning is designed to build courage, resilience, teamwork, and a deeper bond with nature through hands-on exploration and outdoor challenges. Students from Prep to Year 7 will experience this program as part of a specialist learning rotation. From Years 8 to 12, it will be delivered in blocks of time throughout the year.

Language Other Than English (LOTE)

As part of our redesign, Italian (LOTE) outcomes have now been integrated into the Exploring Program rather than offered as a stand-alone specialist subject. In 2027, a language elective will be offered to Year 7 students who wish to pursue a more intensive pathway aligned with the Australian Curriculum requirements.

PILT Program: Entrepreneurial Learning

This year, we are building the next step in our PILT Program. Working alongside each student’s Personal Interest Project, we are developing workshops to support students to grow their business skills and entrepreneurial thinking in age-appropriate ways. Our longer-term aspiration is to build this into a recognised certificate qualification.

21st Century Communication and Numeracy Program

Our Heads of School are putting the final touches on our redesigned Essential English and Maths strands, which will begin rollout in Term 2. These are simpler, clearer, and anchored in the foundational skills every learner needs. Later in the year, we will also introduce two new strands: Personal Financial Empowerment and Relational Communication. These strands will build on the foundational skills learned in Essential Maths and English and prepare students with the numeracy and literacy capabilities needed to navigate modern life, including financial decision-making, communication, connection, and self-management. Each student will have individual goals aligned to their learning level to support progress in these learning areas.

Exploring Program Enhancements

We are in the final stages of updating our Developmental Framework to reflect current research, 21st-century exploring themes, and alignment with our refreshed learning pathways in The Arts, Science and Critical Thinking, and Ethical and Intercultural Awareness. These improvements will strengthen students’ exploration of big questions, natural and cultural systems, and the arts. This work will enhance engagement in the Exploring Program, deepen critical thinking, and support students in making a positive impact in the world through their learning.

Looking Forward

It is hard to believe it has been six years since I developed the first version of The Silkwood Way. With insights from staff, students, and families, 2025 was a significant year of reviewing, refining, and strengthening our learning design, fittingly in Terry’s final year as Executive Principal.

Warm regards,
Valerie Campbell-Hogg
CEO and Founder of The Silkwood Way