How it turned things around after being called Australia’s worst school

Turning Around a School in Crisis: A Story of Resilience and Transformation

In 2020, as devastating bushfires tore through East Gippsland, Bairnsdale Secondary College found itself at the heart of the crisis. The fires burned over 1.3 million hectares of land, claimed four lives, and destroyed countless homes. Amid the chaos, the Australian Defence Force transformed the school into a makeshift base, providing refuge and support for firefighters and the community. For new principal Amanda Nagle, this was her first major challenge before she even officially took the reins. Reflecting on the moment, Nagle acknowledged that while the fires brought immense destruction, they also unexpectedly brought the school community together, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose.

The Depth of the Challenge

When Nagle and her team began their work, they inherited a school in crisis. Bairnsdale Secondary College served a diverse student body of 1,158 students, many of whom faced significant challenges. Over 100 Indigenous students attended the school, and an increasing number of students were from non-English-speaking backgrounds or socioeconomically disadvantaged households. Despite these challenges, the data painted a disheartening picture. Student attitudes toward the school were among the worst in Victoria, and teacher morale was at an all-time low. Nagle described the school as the most challenging she had ever worked in, where changing the culture felt like an uphill battle.
The 2019-2023 School Strategic Plan revealed stark truths. Student satisfaction surveys, VCE results, NAPLAN data, and Compass reports indicated that students had low expectations of themselves and their abilities. Attendance rates were alarmingly poor, and capable students who entered Year 7 as high achievers were underperforming by Year 10. Teachers felt helpless, and the school’s overall atmosphere was one of despair and disengagement. It was clear that sweeping changes were needed to turn the tide.

A New Vision for Change

Nagle and her leadership team, including then-senior education improvement leader Tony Roberts, who would later become principal, took bold steps to address the school’s challenges. After the bushfires subsided, Nagle organized community roundtable discussions to listen to feedback and concerns. She and her team embraced transparency, acknowledging the school’s shortcomings and-inviting collaboration to find solutions. This open approach helped rebuild trust and created a sense of shared ownership among students, parents, and staff.
The leadership team focused on several key areas: improving teacher-student relationships, introducing a positive behavior program, and cracking down on disruptive classroom behavior. Nagle emphasized the importance of consistency and clarity in these efforts, even though the process was not without resistance. “You never do that sort of work without upsetting some people,” she remarked. Yet, these changes slowly began to shift the school’s culture, laying the groundwork for a more supportive and inclusive environment.

The Power of Community and Leadership

The journey of transformation at Bairnsdale Secondary College underscores the critical role of leadership and community engagement in education. Nagle and Roberts focused on creating a school where every student felt believed in, valued, and supported. “Ground zero is for every student at school to have someone who believes in them,” Roberts explained. This vision became the cornerstone of their approach.
To achieve this, Nagle worked tirelessly to rebuild the school’s welfare team and recruit staff who prioritized teaching and learning. She also emphasized the importance of positive relationships between teachers and students, recognizing that these connections are foundational to academic success and personal growth. As the school’s culture began to shift, so too did the attitudes of students and staff. Slowly but surely, Bairnsdale began to emerge from its darkest days.

Breaking Down Barriers and Building Momentum

The school’s efforts to address systemic challenges were bolstered by the Victorian Department of Education’s “intensive school support” program. This initiative provided Bairnsdale with access to experts in transformative leadership and connected the school with high-performing institutions across the state. Such support was instrumental in helping Nagle and her team turn their vision into action.
The results of their hard work were nothing short of remarkable. Between 2019 and 2024, the number of Year 12 students accepted into universities nearly doubled, rising from 31 to 54. Similarly, the number of students securing apprenticeships jumped from 29 to 58. These improvements were not just statistics; they represented lives transformed and futures brightened. As Roberts noted, “Every time that improves, a group of students feel more confident, they feel more successful. It’s like a tidal wave that’s gaining momentum.”

A Brighter Future for Bairnsdale

Today, Bairnsdale Secondary College stands as a testament to the power of resilience, collaboration, and visionary leadership. Students like Maddison Flynn, a senior student leader, take pride in their school and celebrate the progress made. “We’ve come a long way since that initial [TV report]. In a way, it’s laughed at now. That’s not the case at all,” Flynn said, highlighting the school’s transformation.
Programs like the Clontarf Academy, which supports Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander students, have played a key role in this turnaround. For students like Latrell Harrison, who credited the program with helping him stay on track, these initiatives have been life-changing. “If I had a bad day, they encouraged me to keep going. It’s pretty important. They just encourage me to be the best version of myself,” Harrison shared.
As Bairnsdale looks to the future, the school remains committed to its core belief: that every student deserves the opportunity to thrive. With a focus on wellbeing, relationships, and academic excellence, Bairnsdale continues to prove that even in the toughest of times, transformation is possible. As learning specialist Mills aptly put it, “We work in education because we want what’s best for the students. So if you just keep that at the front of your mind … we are living proof you can turn it around.”