Samantha Suthers was awarded the Daniel McDonough Award on behalf of the Queensland Catholic Primary Principals Association, nominated by the Rockhampton Catholic Primary Principals Association. Samantha is recognised as an early career principal and for displaying a strong commitment in the fields of leadership and education in a Catholic, rural and remote school.
Samantha completed her education in Emerald and began her teaching career in Blackall in 2007 where she embraced the opportunities available in a small rural setting. She not only educated children but connected with their families and was part of the social fabric of the town during her time as a teacher in Blackall.
After two years, she moved to Sacred Heart School, Yeppoon as a classroom teacher. In 2016, Sam was appointed as Assistant Principal Curriculum at Sacred Heart until she was awarded her first principalship, where she started at St Joseph’s, Blackall, in 2021.
Samantha is committed to furthering her knowledge as an educator and completed a Graduate Certificate in Safeguarding Children and Young People through the Australian Catholic University in 2019 and is currently studying with The Brown Collective in the Leading with Integrity and Excellence course. Samantha is a life-long learner, which is demonstrated by how she shares her learning with her colleagues.
Anyone who meets Samantha realises within the first five minutes that God has blessed this person with the virtues of kindness, compassion, and enthusiasm, and the dedication to leading her school community is steadfast.
Sam has a long leadership career ahead of her, and we wish her all the best with her principalship in Blackall and into the future. Congratulations Samantha!
