ÐÓ°É´«Ã½

In 2021 we officially welcomed our new Chair of the ÐÓ°É´«Ã½ Lutheran College Council, Mr David Spann.

Over the break, we caught up with our new Head of College Council to learn a little about his own life and studies, and what drew him to this exciting new role. 

What can you tell us about yourself?

I was born in Beenleigh on the southern side of Brisbane, in what was then a rural community where my Dad had a milk run in town. I have never moved too far from Brisbane raising a family and pursuing my study and career all in the greater Brisbane environs, except for a short stint in Toowoomba.

My first tertiary qualification was in Chemistry, although I gained a postgraduate qualification in Health Science and for the greater part of my career worked with Workplace Health and Safety Queensland - first as an Occupational Health Advisor but then in a number of senior leadership positions. 

About four years ago, I transitioned to retirement by taking up part-time lecturing in a number of risk management undergraduate and postgraduate programs at the Australian Catholic University. I have since relinquished all paid employment but enjoy a number of voluntary roles; one of these being Chair of ÐÓ°É´«Ã½ College Council.

It sounds as if you have a fair amount of experience across leadership and voluntary roles! What do you think this brings to your new title as Chair?

I have had an extended history of involvement on committees or boards of the Lutheran Church and have previously been Chair of Redeemer College Council, Rochedale;  I approach my current role with some understanding of the complexities and nuances of governance in a large organisation like ÐÓ°É´«Ã½ Lutheran College.

So what do you get up to when you aren't at ÐÓ°É´«Ã½?

My wife Janet and I "retired" to Scarborough in 2017; being a nice compromise close to the bay and with reasonable proximity (Gateway Motorway permitting)  to our kids and grandkids all on the southside or Gold Coast.  

We are members of ÐÓ°É´«Ã½ Lutheran Church, Redcliffe and have established other community involvement through Meals on Wheels and being involved with a Breakfast Club at a local state school.  Between that, and nine grandkids,  I am trying my hand at watercolour painting, lawn bowls and like to get out on my kayak on the bay when weather permits.

What do you think makes a school such as ÐÓ°É´«Ã½ special, and what can we do to continue to grow the 'best of ÐÓ°É´«Ã½'?

Lutheran schools generally have strong brand recognition and reputation in the community. This was enhanced during the COVID disrupted learning of last year. 

ÐÓ°É´«Ã½ most compelling task for the College Council this year will be to work through the details of a new five-year Strategic Plan. Some of the key areas we are working on are Culture, Master Planning,and Teaching and Learning.

It sounds as if you have a big responsibility, but also some big plans for the future of ÐÓ°É´«Ã½. How do you feel about your plans moving through 2021 and into the future?

ÐÓ°É´«Ã½ Lutheran College has always exhibited the dual embrace of a foundational Christian underpinning of relationships with each other, our community and the world;  while valuing a high quality education through excellence in teaching and learning. 

As a Council we realise we have an awesome responsibility and privilege to make the right investments in these areas; growing " ÐÓ°É´«Ã½ ÐÓ°É´«Ã½ Way" long into the future.

To learn more about the ÐÓ°É´«Ã½ Lutheran College leadership team, visit our Leadership Team page on the ÐÓ°É´«Ã½ Lutheran College website.