Will Duffield Awarded Rising Star of the Year
St Joseph’s Nudgee College is proud to congratulate Mr Will Duffield (NCOB 2023), on being named Rising Star of the Year by The Educator.
A past student of Nudgee College, Will returned in multiple coordinator roles, bringing both passion and creativity to the Performing Arts program. For him, the award is less about personal recognition and more about shared purpose.
“Receiving The Educator’s Rising Star Award is both humbling and incredibly affirming,” he said. “It is not something I view as an individual achievement, but rather a reflection of mentors who modelled excellence, colleagues who generously share their wisdom, and students who have allowed me to walk alongside them in moments of growth.”
Will sees recognition in education not as an endpoint, but as an affirmation of direction. “This award affirms that relational, student-centred education matters. That creativity matters. That belonging matters. When we create spaces built on trust and challenge in equal measure, young people flourish.”
That philosophy is evident across the many programs he leads. Under the leadership of Director of Performing Arts, Mr Sam Smith, Nudgee’s Debating, Esports and Writers’ Circle continue to grow in both participation and profile, grounded in the belief that intellectual and creative formation is central to educating the whole person.
Mr Smith echoed this sentiment, highlighting Will’s impact across the program. “What sets Will apart is his ability to combine vision, initiative, and genuine care for students. Across Debating, Writers’ Circle, and Esports, he has created inclusive, engaging programs that cater to a wide range of student interests and abilities. He doesn’t just run programs, he develops communities where students feel valued, challenged, and inspired to grow.”
This impact is evident in the strong relationships he builds with students and staff alike. “I have often seen how much the boys enjoy being part of his programs and the mutual respect that has developed between the students he works with and his fellow colleagues,” Mr Smith said. “He is an excellent role model; smart, caring, and willing to use his talents to help others.”
Whether it is a student delivering his first speech despite nerves, mentoring a younger peer in an Esports session, or sharing his writing publicly for the first time, Will sees these as transformative moments. Having once experienced the culture of belonging as a student himself, he is intentional about recreating it for the next generation.
I have come to understand that some of the most meaningful teaching happens beyond formal instruction, in conversations after class, in mentoring moments, and in the shared energy of after-school activities. It is in those spaces that trust is built, and it is trust that enables growth.”
Looking ahead, his focus remains clear: continued growth with depth and purpose. “My aspiration is simple, that every student who steps into a Performing Arts space at Nudgee leaves feeling more confident, more capable and more connected than when they arrived.”
Mr Smith believes the recognition reflects both Will’s contribution and the strength of the broader program. “This award is a stepping stone in his journey towards leadership in Australian education. It is also an acknowledgement of the innovation and success we are seeing in our Performing Arts programs, which continue to grow in reputation both in Queensland and nationally.”
For Will, the recognition is a reminder that inspiring young people and helping them find their voice is the greatest reward of all.