On behalf of the Board of John Paul College, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Craig Merritt as John Paul College's sixth Principal.
Mr Merritt is a highly experienced and respected educator and an accomplished Principal of a Kindergarten to Year Twelve school. With a clearly demonstrated commitment to academic excellence, Mr Merritt strongly advocates inclusive and diverse leadership within a modern multifaith context. He has a proven track record of building a strong sense of community and is a warm, people-focused leader.
He is committed to empowering young people 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.
As the Principal of St Luke's Anglican School in Bundaberg, where he commenced in 2017, Mr Merritt leads talented educators in an Early Learning Centre to Year Twelve co-educational day school of over 1000 students. Under Mr Merritt's leadership, St Luke's has become one of Queensland's leading regional schools, with an impressive record of NAPLAN and ATAR performance.
Before St Luke's, he was Deputy Principal at Hillbrook Anglican School (2010-2016) and Head of Senior School at Whitsunday Anglican School (2007-2009).
Mr Merritt holds a Master of Education (Leadership and Management), Diploma of Education, Bachelor of Arts (History and Economics) and is currently undertaking a Graduate Certificate of Theology.
As a knowledgeable and engaging leader, he has a strong foundation of experience to build on. This, paired with his values, vision and passion, will ensure John Paul College continues to strengthen its reputation as one of Australia's leading schools. We look forward with enthusiasm to this new era for our College.
Along with his wife Tamara, their two children, Chloe and Ashton and their mischievous Cavoodle, Captain, Mr Merritt is looking forward to joining the John Paul College community, with Chloe and Ashton joining our Secondary and Primary schools.
The new Principal appointment is made following an extensive national and international search, assisted by specialist executive recruitment firm Lyngcoln Consulting. On behalf of the Board, I thank the John Paul College community for their involvement in the recruitment process by providing feedback on the key characteristics of the new Principal through the recently conducted parent survey. This valuable data informed what sort of leader would be required to continue to drive improved academic outcomes and ongoing community engagement.
Mr Merritt will commence as Principal in early January 2023. We look forward to introducing him to the College community later this term and to his visits through Terms Three and Four.
The Board of John Paul College warmly congratulates Mr Merritt on his appointment. The Board has every confidence that he, alongside the John Paul College Executive Leadership Team and staff, will continue to build on Mrs Spiller's wonderful legacy, continuing to enhance our reputation as a national leader in education, providing a breadth and depth of academic and co-curricular opportunities for our students. The John Paul College Board appreciates that the College has benefited from the leadership of Mrs Spiller, an outstanding educator whose credentials and commitment to John Paul College are absolute.
Mrs Spiller will continue to lead the school until her retirement in December, undertaking a thorough transition and handover process with Mr Merritt. We look forward to honouring and thanking Mrs Spiller for her leadership of John Paul College in Term Four, with further details to follow.
