Executive Leadership Team

​Qualifications: BA, Dip Ed, MEd (Leadership and Management)​

Mr Craig Merritt was appointed as the sixth Principal of John Paul College in 2023. Craig’s teaching and learning experience in co-educational schools spans more than 30 years. Before commencing at JPC, he was the Principal of St Luke’s Anglican School in Bundaberg.

After graduating from the University of Queensland, Craig commenced his teaching career at Ipswich State High School, before moving into leadership positions at Hillbrook Anglican School and Whitsunday Anglican School.

Craig is committed to academic excellence; inclusive and diverse leadership within a modern multifaith context; building a strong sense of community. Craig’s wish for all JPC students is for them to feel empowered to develop a strong sense of positive character, to be optimistic, to excel, and ultimately to be an instrument of positive influence in their communities. He will continue to deliver on our promise to all students - ​An unwavering commitment to educate and develop exceptional individuals who courageously enrich society.

Qualifications: DipT (Secondary), M.Ed.

Mrs Belinda Guerra has more than 35 years of experience in secondary school education in Australia, Asia, Germany and the USA. She began her teaching career as a mathematics and science teacher in Brisbane and transitioned to rural opportunities in Mount Isa and Whyalla before taking international teaching positions. Belinda served in leadership positions in schools in the USA before commencing at JPC in 2007 as Numeracy Team Leader in the Middle School. She was appointed as Director of Teaching and Learning in the Middle School in 2008 and, in 2010, became the Director of Teaching and Learning across all year levels in the Secondary School. She fulfilled this role for three years before her appointment in 2013 as Dean of Studies in Secondary School.

In her current role, Belinda supports the Principal across 7-12 with specific responsibilities to the extensive sports and activities co-curricular programs and Christian Ecumenical program.

Belinda's unwavering belief in the potential of all students to learn, her desire to challenge them, and her commitment to their growth are truly inspiring. She is dedicated to fostering a passion for learning within the JPC community and inspiring lifelong learning and excitement for educational opportunities. Belinda sees school as a transformative experience through which students can prepare themselves to succeed in the many and varied roles they will undertake in future life.

As a leader, she aims to integrate reforms, oversee student achievements, and support improvement initiatives. Belinda prioritises open communication with parents and the community, advocating for strong partnerships to enhance student learning and development.​

Qualifications: B.Ed. (Prim), MLDrshp.

​Since commencing at John Paul College in 2011, Miss Lindsay McQuattie has undertaken a number of leadership roles including Year Five Team Leader, Primary Curriculum Leader and Dean of Pedagogy (Primary). Lindsay holds a Master of Leadership (Curriculum and Pedagogy) and is a well-respected International Baccalaureate PYP Workshop Leader and School Visitor. In 2020, Lindsay was appointed to Head of Primary, whilst continuing in her role as a workshop leader in the International Baccalaureate Education Network.

Graduating from the Queensland University of Technology, Lindsay commenced her teaching career in West London, followed by five years teaching at the Australian International School in Singapore where she was first introduced to the International Baccalaureate Organisation. In recent years, she has completed a Master of Leadership through Monash University which has given her greater insight into leading pedagogical and curriculum change and innovation.

Qualifications: BA, GradDipEd (Sec), MBA, MAHRI

Mr Graham Toon is a dedicated Human Resource professional with more than 30 years of international business management and human resources experience in education, wholesale, retail and professional service firms. Strong people performance is an essential element of all effective organisations. John Paul College is a people-centric organisation, its success and our student outcomes are dependent on the quality of the relationships between our students and our staff.

Tasked as the College Executive with oversight of our people, Graham's role is to develop staff capacity, professional capability and human resources strategies and systems to strengthen the culture of excellence, accountability and mutual respect. He is a registered teacher with the Queensland College of Teachers, holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the Queensland University of Technology and has attended executive education programs at two of the world's premier business schools - Harvard and Wharton.

Before being appointed to this role at JPC, Graham spent 12 years as General Manager at Livingstones, a Brisbane-based management consultancy in industrial relations, human resources and organisational development.  His career before that included roles in staff training and development at Harrods (London), DFS Galleria and Kleenmaid.

Graham's deep connection to the College began 33 years ago with his marriage to an Alumnus and continues as a parent of four children who all commenced their education at JPC in Kindergarten​. He has been involved in all aspects of College life during this time, particularly as a volunteer parent in cricket, club football and aquatics.

Qualifications: BBus, MBus, GradCertProjMgmt​, GAICD, CPM​​

With a passion for Marketing and Engagement, Mrs Claire Henkey brings more than 25 years' of marketing and student recruitment experience to John Paul College from the education, retail and franchise industries. Previously General Manager of Future Students at Bond University, Group Marketing Manager at Terry White Chemmart as well as Marketing Manager roles at Hans Smallgoods and Lenard's Poultry, Claire's strategic skillset has shaped the admissions, student services, marketing, public relations, fundraising, community engagement and Alumni functions of the College.

Claire is committed to creating a memorable and unique customer experience for new families from the first point of contact. Her work in the digital touchpoints within the College, ​from the new website to digital communications will help build a str​onger connection within the JPC community. Claire enjoys spending time within the community to understand what is important to our JPC Family and how we can improve our engagement programs to build a deeper community connection.

A member of the Board for Hockey Queensland and Vice President, Claire is also the Marketing chair for the Queensland Committee for Educate Plus.

​Qualifications: BSc, BIT, JP (Qual)​​​​

Mr ​Mark Pearce, with over 25 years of experience in IT leadership, joins John Paul College as Chief Information Officer (CIO). He brings extensive expertise in strategic planning, business transformation, and the implementation of innovative information systems. As the former Director of Information Systems at Accor Apartments & Realty, Mark led large scale technology initiatives, enhancing operational efficiencies, developed AI and RPA capabilities, significantly contributing to improved productivity and cost savings. His proficiency in change management, coupled with a track record of managing large-scale infrastructure, has supported organisations with assets exceeding $8 billion.

Mark's strong financial acumen has driven substantial savings through effective budget management and negotiation. He is well-versed in IT security, compliance, and risk management, ensuring alignment with standards such as PCI-DSS and GDPR. Mark holds a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Information Technology and is certified in ITIL V3 and Prince2 Project Management, among others. Mark’s leadership style is grounded in fostering high trust teams and nurturing a collaborative environment, making him well-suited to drive technology initiatives at JPC. His commitment to leveraging technology to support educational excellence aligns perfectly with the College’s strategic vision for the future.

Mark is also a long-time supporter and volunteer with the Kokoda Youth Foundation having been involved with Kokoda Challenge events since 2006 and was appointed to the Board of Management in 2019.

He is greatly looking forward to helping the College fulfill its strategic vision, delivering outcomes that positively impact the education and future success of all our students. ​

​Qualifications: GCertBus, MEd, GradDipEd(sec), BHum(Hons)​​​​

Mr David Ferguson has been working in the International Education and Training (IET) industry since 2007, beginning his career as an English as a Second Language teacher. With a wealth of experience both abroad and in Australia, David leads John Paul College’s international operations and John Paul International College. After joining John Paul College in 2016 managing international study groups, David served as the Deputy Head of International Operations from 2019 to 2022. In 2023, David was appointed as Director, John Paul International College.

David taught English as a Second Language in New Zealand and Germany whilst studying linguistics and language acquisition. Following his five years in Germany, David embarked on further studies in the fields of Education and Business Administration at the University of Queensland and Queensland University of Technology.

At the start of 2023, David began serving as the Chair of the Education Working Group for the Australia China Business Council QLD Branch. In 2021, David was the first person to be awarded ‘Master Practitioner’ status by the National ELICOS Accreditation Scheme (NEAS) and is a NEAS endorsed English Language Teaching Professional.

David’s leadership delivers data-led solutions that are customer centric, removing barriers and creating positive outcomes for Overseas Students and their families. David is an enthusiastic contributor to IET discourse communities at conferences and networking events.

​Qualifications: DipBus; Bed; GradCertEdLaw; GradDipApplCorpGov; MBA​​​​

Mr Mark McFie was appointed to the position of Director of Business Operations and Company Secretary at John Paul College in 2023. Mark has 30 years of experience in schools across various roles. After graduating from QUT with a Bachelor of Education he started his career as a PE teacher and later a Head of Department. Being a firm believer in lifelong learning, Mark completed a Master of Business Administration which then inspired the pathway towards leadership positions and later a desire to move into business administration roles. In 2007, Mark left teaching to become a consultant and trainer in the area of Workplace Health and Safety.

During his time as a consultant, he worked with numerous schools and Regional Councils helping them to improve their safety management systems. After numerous visits to many schools across Southeast Queensland, Mark again wanted to get back into education. As a result, he transitioned back into schools in the role of Business Manager at Immanuel Lutheran College on the Sunshine Coast. During this time he developed a passion for classroom and campus design and the impact this can have on student outcomes.

Mark is active in the School Business Manager networks across Queensland. He is an active member of the ASBA (Qld) and is the current Vice President of this Association’s Management Committee. ​