Meet Liz Free: 10 Questions with OIC Brighton's New Principal

As OIC Brighton's new Principal, Liz brings a wealth of experience, a passion for education and a strong belief in helping every student thrive, both academically and personally.  From her childhood career aspirations to her thoughts on AI, leadership and what makes a successful student, we sat down with Liz for a Q&A to learn more about the person leading the next chapter of OIC Brighton. 

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

The thing is, it changed all the time. At one point I wanted to be a journalist and I worked in a newspaper for a little while as a community correspondent, which was great. 

I also thought at one point that I'd quite like to be a barrister because I enjoy debating, researching and thinking deeply about things, and then standing up for what is right. 

But when I graduated from university, I started to look at all those skills and the things that I really care about. I care about justice. I care about people. I want the world to be a better place. Teaching brings all those components together, so that's how I ended up becoming a teacher. 

Do you have a secret talent? 

I was going to tell you all about my musical prowess, but it's not really prowess! I play the clarinet and saxophone, but not particularly well. 

What I do think I'm quite good at is remembering things about people. I like to know every student's name in the college, understand their interests and see them for who they are as individuals. 

What excites you most about joining OIC Brighton? 

When I first visited the school, it was a rainy winter's day, but when I entered the campus there was an incredible energy. 

It was an energy focused on ambition, looking to the future and thinking deeply about how young people can make a difference in the world beyond the college. That ambition is what brought me here. 

What does a successful student look like to you, beyond great exam results? 

A successful student is one who thrives and flourishes. 

They have aspirations, care about people, think as global citizens and understand the impact they can have on the world around them. 

For me, success is also seeing former students years later and hearing about the extraordinary things happening in their lives that make them happy. That's when we know we've truly succeeded. 

What do you enjoy most about working with students? 

The thing I've loved since I first became a teacher is seeing those lightbulb moments. 

It's when a student suddenly understands a concept, asks a brilliant question or becomes inspired to explore an idea more deeply. 

When students learn how to learn, they gain a skill that will help them thrive anywhere in the world. 

AI is everywhere. What role should technology play in learning? 

Technology is a huge asset to learning. It can help us process information quickly and support our understanding. 

However, it doesn't replace thinking. It doesn't replace the human skills that we bring to the world. 

Our role as educators and students is to harness technologies such as AI to enhance learning, not replace it. 

How can students share their ideas or concerns with you? 

Every student will see me every day because I'll be outside greeting students each morning. 

Those moments create opportunities for conversations, questions and ideas. 

My office is also always open. Students can email me, drop by and speak with any member of our leadership team. At OIC Brighton, we want students to know that support is always available. 

Finish this sentence: "I know it's going to be a good day when..." 

A student asks me a great question before my first coffee. 

Finally, is there one message you'd like to share with the OIC Brighton community? 

When you come to OIC Brighton, we are ambitious. 

We are ambitious for ourselves and we are ambitious for our students. We want you to be challenged, to embrace not always knowing the answers and to be open-minded, curious and ready for the adventure ahead. 

That's the journey we're going to go on together. 

 

At the heart of Liz's vision for OIC Brighton is a commitment to ambition, curiosity and creating an environment where students can flourish. As she begins her journey as Principal, she looks forward to getting to know every student, supporting their aspirations and helping them develop the skills, confidence and mindset to make a meaningful impact on the world.