'We seek to provide a broad education and a high level of excellence in all areas.' — David Ford, Chair of BDC Council
Bishop Druitt College is an Anglican school. The College Council provides governance, guardianship and strategic advice to the Principal for the effective management of the college and its future. Bishop Druitt College is one of five Anglican schools in the Diocese of Grafton (NSW).
Council members bring expertise from teaching, business, law, technology, building services, health, human resources, finance, and the Church. They give generously of their time, knowledge and wisdom in support of the college and the Principal.
Bishop Druitt College is a co-educational, Kindergarten to Year 12 school fostering among its pupils, staff and parents a Christian lifestyle according to the teaching and traditions of the Anglican Church of Australia. It seeks to promote integrity, respect for the truth, scholarly excellence and physical fitness, and welcomes pupils of all religious and ethnic backgrounds.
The college is owned and governed by the incorporated Bishop Druitt College Council, the members of which are appointed by the Bishop in Council of the Anglican Diocese of Grafton.
If your child is accepted for enrolment at the college, both the child and you become valued members of the college community for a period perhaps as long as thirteen years. During this time the Principal and staff will work assiduously to achieve the best possible educational outcomes for your child, but will need and will rely upon your continued support in order to do so. The relationship between home and school is vitally important for your child to reach their potential.
At Bishop Druitt College we are well aware of the very great responsibility we have, should you as parents entrust the education of your child to us. We seek to provide a broad education and a high level of excellence in all areas - one that enables students when they leave the college to assimilate readily into the community, whether in employment or in tertiary education, as mature, confident young adults of whom both you and we can be justly proud.
Mr David Ford
College Council Chair
In consultation with the Principal, the College Council’s role is to:
Establish, evaluate and uphold the vision and values of the college
Develop policies and strategies consistent with these
Protect and enhance the school’s financial viability, making provision for the resources necessary to implement the policies and strategies of the college
David joined the council in 2016 when he retired after selling his successful business of 27 years. David has had involvement with BDC since its inception through his business and church life. His daughter was one of the college’s first teachers and both his grandchildren have attended BDC. His grandson graduated in the Year 12 Class of 2015 and his granddaughter graduated in the Year 12 Class of 2018.
David has wide involvement in the Anglican Church and has been a member of the Diocese of Grafton Bishop in Council and Synod for a number of years. He was also the previous Chair of Anglican Funds Grafton Diocese (AFGD). David is part of the ministry team at St John’s Anglican Church in Coffs Harbour and a member of the Anglican Parish of Coffs Harbour Council.
Previously, David was the chair of a building committee that set up and ran a very successful Anglican retirement village in Taree. David brings a wealth of business experience to the position of Chair of the BDC Council.
Darren joined the BDC Council in 2016 in a parent position. He is a decorated commissioned officer in the NSW Police Force, holds a Bachelor of Policing (Investigations) and has diplomas in policing, public safety and management/leadership. He also holds a Graduate Certificate in Applied Management from the prestigious Australian Institute of Police Management. Darren has a long history of involvement in volunteer management and board governance, having served on governing boards and committees within surf lifesaving including Surf Life Saving NSW and Surf Life Saving Australia.
Darren has also served as a chamber of commerce president and member of a regional NSW business chamber committee. Darren is passionate about developing young boys and girls through the culture and philosophies of rugby union. He is currently the head coach for the Under 10 and Under 12 teams for the BDC Rugby program. Darren brings to council strong experience in board governance and the practical application of the law. He has two children at the college.
Bethany joined the BDC Council in 2017 in a parent position. Bethany is a finance professional with more than 20 years of corporate finance experience in a variety of industries. Bethany has a Bachelor of Commerce, has completed the CPA professional program and has a Graduate Diploma in Management.
With two children currently enrolled at BDC, Bethany is excited to be part of the school and working with the council.
Leslie joined the BDC Council in 2017 in a parent position. Leslie joined council so he could take an active role in the education of not just his own children, but of children on the Coffs Coast.
Leslie moved to Coffs Harbour in 2005, after working in small to medium law firms in Sydney. Leslie is married to Kim and has two children, Lachlan aged 9 and Emily aged 5. Leslie is one of the founding directors of Coastal Law & Conveyancing Pty Ltd and has extensive knowledge in commercial matters, including transactions and litigation.
Leslie has a passion for business and the education and future of our youth in the region. Leslie is also a board member for Prosper Coffs Harbour Ltd and CHYFM. Leslie was previously a board member of Youth Directions and Directions Plus.
Leslie brings to the council his strong experience in board governance and the practical application of the law.
Zoe is the Bishop’s appointment on the BDC Council. Zoe has a strong involvement in the Grafton Diocese as a member of Bishop in Council, serving on a number of committees including Bullying Prevention, Stipends and Allowances, and Diocesan Strategic Planning. Zoe serves as a Canon of Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton; she served on the Mission and Ministry Commission of General Synod from 2014 until 2020; she is a qualified Professional Supervisor (Pastoral).
Zoe’s background is in nursing (SRN UK 1979), and IT/software development in the areas of installation/training, financial systems, and retail business management (QLD, NZ, USA, Malaysia 1985-2007). She has served the Anglican Church in Australia in a lay leadership capacity since 1994 and was ordained in 2008, achieving a Master of Theology degree.
Zoe's passions in ministry include pastoral care, discipling of children and governance: passions that underpin her service on BDC Council.
Member of the Environmental, Social and Governance Committee.
Hayley joined the BDC Council in 2019. Hayley has extensive experience in the higher education sector, holding leadership roles with a focus on student support, academic governance, quality assurance, policy development, and learning and teaching. She currently works within the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences at Macquarie University as the Head of Educational Services. She also holds qualifications in Education.
Hayley has served as a member of a number of boards and committees, including the Faculty Board, and the Education and Student Experience Committees of the Faculty, the Doctor of Medicine Executive and Curriculum Committee, and the Mia Mia Child and Family Study Centre Advisory Board.
Hayley is passionate about the transformative power of education and educational access. She is also a parent of the college.
Chair of Education Committee Chair of Sustainability Committee Member of the Strategic Development Committee stuart.smith@council.bdc.nsw.edu.au
Stuart joined the BDC Council in 2019 and is the Chair of the Education and Sustainability Committees and the college’s Round Square schools representative. He has extensive experience in tertiary education and his research expertise focusses on innovative approaches to delivery of health, ageing and disability services. Before joining Southern Cross University as the Business Development Manager for Research in 2016 he was Professor of Disruptive Technologies at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Stuart obtained his PhD in psychology from Macquarie University and also has a Master and Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of Sydney. He has engaged in research projects at the NASA Ames Research Centre, Trinity College Dublin and the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics in Germany, as well as a number of research institutes and universities in Australia.
Stuart has a particular passion for education at all levels and is focussed on ensuring that students at Bishop Druitt College are equipped to meet the challenges of current and future workforce environments. He is also committed to ensuring that regional Australia can thrive economically, socially and productively. He is a current parent of the school.
Ben was appointed to the BDC Council in late 2018. Ben has a diverse educational and experience base, having had professional experience as a business analyst in the health sector and as a mechanical engineer and a practising physiotherapist. Ben has a keen interesting in independent education and a desire to support our college strategically in a variety of areas.
Ben is a parent with two students attending the college and has also supported the college as an active member of the Parents and Friends Association executive over a number of years.
BDC Strategic Plan Ngaalgan
2018-2025
It is with great pleasure that we present the Bishop Druitt College Strategic Plan.
This document builds on previous strategic plans to ensure relevance and continuity. There has been a careful analysis of educational research with a focus on local and global trends in education. The College Council has sought feedback from the wider college community using a co-design philosophy that featured significant input from our key educational stakeholders including staff, students, parents and alumni. This co-design process incorporated surveys, interviews, focus groups, workshops, a parent drop-in centre and planning retreats that occurred over a seven month period.
The Bishop Druitt College Council wishes to thank all parties for their inspiration.
The plan is supported by clear and measurable goals, and the College Leadership Team and College Council will monitor progress against these goals. Through the provision of visionary leadership and sustainable financial governance, the College Council is ensuring the long-term success of Bishop Druitt College.
On behalf of the College Council, we commend to you the Bishop Druitt College Strategic Plan 2018 - 2025.
