Cathedral School announces new Head
The council of St Andrew’s Cathedral School has issued the following statement to announce a new Head of School. The announcement is on the School’s website here and reproduced below.
It is with much pleasure that I write to inform you that Dr John Collier has accepted the School Council's unanimous invitation to be the next Head of St Andrew's Cathedral School. Dr Collier was chosen from a distinguished field of candidates after an exhaustive and thorough selection process. Korn/Ferry International, our executive recruitment consultant rates Dr Collier as an outstanding choice to succeed Mr Heath as Head of School.
Dr Collier is currently the Principal of St Paul's Grammar School at Cranebrook, a position he has held for 12 years. He will commence at St Andrew's in Term 1, 2010.
He was the foundation Principal of Thomas Reddall High School at Ambarvale from 1991 until 1997. On his appointment in 1991 he was the youngest Principal in any secondary Government school in NSW. In 1997 he commenced as Principal at St Paul's Grammar, which is a non-selective, coeducational and non-denominational School with over 1,300 students from Pre Kindergarten to Year 12. Dr Collier has led St Paul's with distinction. The school has the largest International Baccalaureate candidature in Australia and its combined IB/HSC results have been exceptionally strong.
His key educational philosophy is that "education is about, for, and of students'. He believes that schools should be caring environments where students receive intellectual stimulation, thoughtful pastoral care and spiritual guidance. He understands how St Andrew's is a very open and tolerant community, welcoming families from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Dr Collier recognises the value of a school's staff in achieving this vision. He emphasises the importance of the Head of School in attracting, developing, inspiring and retaining quality teaching and support staff.
Apart from his understandable focus on the academic programme at St Paul's, Dr Collier has supported and encouraged cocurricular activities, including sport, music and the arts. He was instrumental in establishing Rural Fire Service Cadets at St Paul's so that students could have the opportunity to be involved in community service as well as learn important life skills.
He has profound respect and regard for the learning needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. As Principal of Thomas Reddall High School, he was noted for his rapport with the local Indigenous community. He believes in educational programmes that promote the self-esteem of Indigenous students, while honouring their own culture.
Dr Collier is highly regarded by his peers in both Government and Independent schools. He is widely recongised as an innovative educator. He chairs the Academic Committee of AHISA (Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia) and, in this capacity, is responsible for liaison between the Independent sector and the NSW Board of Studies on all issues relating to curriculum and assessment. He has been a member of the Anglican Education Commission Issues and Education Group from 1993-2009.
Dr Collier is a committed Christian who is keen to promote the Christian ideals of St Andrew's. He is an active member of his local church where he has been a lay preacher and Bible study leader. As Head of School he will give strong spiritual leadership to the St Andrew's community.
Dr Collier is married to Kate, and they have three adult children. They intend to live as close as possible to the School so as to be fully involved in the life of our community.
I am very excited by Dr Collier's appointment and I look forward to his leadership and vision for our Cathedral School in this next new and exciting phase of its history.
Yours sincerely
The Reverend Dr Colin Bale
Chairman of School Council
4 June 2009
