We acknowledge and pay respect to the Kombumerri people who are the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and learn. We would like to pay our respects to all Elders past, present and emerging as they hold the memories, traditions, culture and hopes of our Indigenous people.

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As St Andrews Lutheran College continues to shape the futures of its students, we take pride in spotlighting the remarkable journey of one of our alumni, Jenna Higgins, Class of 2004. Her story is not just one of personal achievement, but a testament to the values of service, leadership, and continuous learning instilled by our community.

In 2004 Jenna bid farewell to St Andrews Lutheran College and embarked on a path that would lead her to serve the country with honour and distinction. Joining the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), her journey began at the Australian Defence Force Academy. Following three years of study, Jenna graduated with a BSc (Physics) and then undertook the Air Combat Officer course in 2008. This led to Jenna being posted to 11 Squadron, RAAF Base Edinburgh where she served as a Navigator/Tactical Coordinator on the AP-3C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

Over the next 10 years Jenna found herself at the forefront of a variety of operational missions. Jenna’s highlights include providing overland support to ground forces in Afghanistan alongside our coalition partners, conducting counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia, executing Search and Rescue missions across the Southwest Pacific and contributing to counter-terrorism efforts during the Siege of Marawi in the Philippines. Jenna acknowledges “I am not special in making this choice – a number of other St Andrews classmates have also done so” however she is grateful for the opportunity to serve her country and contribute to global security.

Embracing the value of lifelong learning, Jenna holds three Masters degrees: a Master of Science in Aerospace Systems from Kingston University, UK, a Master of Strategy and Security from the University of New South Wales (UNSW), and a Master of Military Operational Art and Science from Maxwell AFB. Currently Jenna is enrolled at the United States Air Force (USAF) Air Command and Staff College in Montgomery, Alabama. The year-long intensive program is equipping her with the necessary skills and insights to conduct command and staff positions within the Air Force. With an anticipated completion in June 2025, Jenna is poised to bring her enriched knowledge back to Canberra with a Master of Philosophy in Military Strategy.

Reflecting on her journey, Jenna acknowledges the role St Andrews played in her development. Jenna states “various educators (a special shoutout to Mr Hibbs and Mr King) within the St Andrews community fostered in me the self-assurance necessary to recognise my potential”. Jenna credits St Andrews with helping her understand the importance of a broad education and the drive for continuous self-improvement.

When asked for a piece of wisdom to share with current St Andrews students, Jenna offered a simple but profound saying; “Never be the smartest person in the room”. Jenna encourages students to embrace the knowledge and experiences of those around them, especially those different from their own.

As we celebrate the achievements of Jenna, we hope her journey serves as an inspiration for current and future generations of St Andrews students as they embrace the values of service, leadership and continuous learning in their own paths to success.


 

Do you have an alumni story to share with our community? We would love to hear from you! Send your stories and photos to alumni@salc.qld.edu.au

We acknowledge and pay respect to the Kombumerri people who are the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and learn. We would like to pay our respects to all Elders past, present and emerging as they hold the memories, traditions, culture and hopes of our Indigenous people.