'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
Chair of Bishop Druitt College Council Member of Education Committee Member of Environment, Social and Governance Committee Member of Finance Committee Member of Infrastructure and Development Committee david.ford@council.bdc.nsw.edu.au
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.
Member of Bishop Druitt College Council Chair of Education Committee Member of Environment, Social and Governance Committee hayley.harris@council.bdc.nsw.edu.au
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; learning and teaching, and strategy and operational management. She currently works within the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences at Macquarie University as the Faculty Executive Director. 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.
Member of Bishop Druitt College Council Chair of Infrastructure and Development Committee Chair of Finance Committee ben.hodgson@council.bdc.nsw.edu.au
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 and performance analyst in the public health sector, as a mechanical engineer and a practising physiotherapist.
Ben completed a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at UniSA, a Bachelor of Engineering with honours at Adelaide University and an MBA at University of Canberra.
Ben has a keen interest 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.
Tanya joined the BDC council in 2023. Tanya has a Bachelor of Business, is a qualified CPA & CA and has a Diploma of Financial Planning. Tanya has been in public practice since 2003 and has expertise in the finance sector across various industries. Tanya is a partner at a local accounting firm.
As a parent with two children at BDC, Tanya is proud to be part of the school community and a council member.
Heather joined the BDS Council in 2023. A highly qualified family lawyer, she brings over four decades of legal experience and a unique understanding of family dynamics to the Council.
She also brings considerable business management acumen. She led the entire family law division of Slater & Gordon lawyers in NSW for a number of years, before setting out to establish her own highly successful partnership, Bryant McKinnon Lawyers.
Over the years, Heather has consistently given her considerable energy to community-building projects in the Coffs Harbour area, working with a wide range of organisations from the National Marine Science Centre to Warina Women’s Refuge.
A long-time advocate for building regional education, Heather has played leading roles in establishing Southern Cross University and TAFE in Coffs Harbour. Her firm actively supports the Young Actors Studio, offers school scholarships, and provides coaching for the NSW Law Society Mock Trial and Mediation Competitions held in local schools. Most recently she has been a driver behind the establishment of new library facilities at Yarrila Place.
Nathan is the Priest in charge of the Anglican Parish of Coffs Harbour. He commenced that role in early 2023 and joined the council shortly afterwards. One of his children is currently a student at the college.
Before training for ministry Nathan worked in IT for about 10 years, and since then he has served in parish ministry in Western Sydney and Central Queensland as well as working with Anglicare. Most recently he was the Priest in charge of the Callide Valley Parish in Central Queensland which is centred around Biloela.
A Coff Harbour local and Bishop Druitt College Alumni, Ryan attended the school from 2002 – 2007. Currently, he has two children enrolled at BDC. With a unique perspective and understanding of the school's history, traditions, and current educational innovations, Ryan offers valuable insights. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Social Science (Criminal Justice) from Charles Sturt University and a Bachelor of Laws from Southern Cross University. As a commercial lawyer and owner of Coastal Law in Coffs Harbour, he is deeply committed to ensuring regional students have access to quality educational opportunities. Actively engaged in the community, Ryan sits on the board of Open Arms Care Incorporated and participates in the Coffs Harbour Surf Club and the Barracudas Rugby Club. Bringing to Council his legal knowledge, business acumen, and governance experience, Ryan is poised to make a significant contribution.
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.
