Natasha Wicks is currently the Principal at Caloundra SHS, a large 7-12 public school with over 1300 students on the Sunshine Coast in QLD. In this role she also oversees and manages the strategic direction of the Sunshine Coast Technical Trade Training Centre (SCTTTC) which supports the Vocational Learning of another 200+ students annually from local schools. Key areas of responsibility include leading the teaching and learning at Caloundra SHS aligned to the Department of Education’s Equity and Excellence strategy and strategically supporting young people with the knowledge, skills and resources to successfully transition into meaningful pathways beyond school. Since graduating from the University of Queensland in 1991, Natasha has worked for Education Queensland for over 30 years She has held a range of positions ranging from school leadership to being an active member/chair on many community and governance groups. She has worked in smaller schools (500) students to larger schools (2800+), in both regional and metropolitan, and in low to high socioeconomic areas. Her extensive experience in state schooling, has allowed her to develop a unique skill set that supports her current role at Caloundra SHS. Throughout her career, Natasha has developed a passion for all things Senior Schooling and in particular, building connections with the broader community to support student transitions from school to work and further study. Modeling lifelong learning, Natasha has furthered her tertiary study in line with this passion and has successfully completed a Masters in Vocational Education and Training and Workplace Learning as well as several Vocational Certificates in the areas of Career Development, Competency-Based Training and Assessment, Tourism and Public Safety.