50 School Heads at Independent Queensland Schools

Last updated: 13 August 2026

Independent schools across Queensland are led by people shaping culture, learning and community every day. This list brings together 50 school heads and executive leaders working outside Brisbane, from the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast hinterland to Toowoomba, the Fraser Coast, Central Queensland, Mackay, Cairns and Townsville.

Across Queensland beyond Brisbane, independent school leadership comes in different forms. The names below represent whole-school leaders and heads responsible for major phases of school life. Each profile gives one practical reason to learn more about that leader and their school.

Current as at 13 August 2026.

What these leaders show us about school leadership

The strongest pattern across this group is that school leadership is both strategic and deeply local. These leaders are responsible for direction, but their public profiles also return to relationships, belonging, student wellbeing and the daily work of helping young people grow.

The regional setting matters. A school in Cairns, Mackay, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, the Fraser Coast, Toowoomba, the Sunshine Coast or the Gold Coast hinterland serves a particular community, with its own history, families, industries and opportunities. Leadership is therefore less about copying a metropolitan model and more about knowing what this place needs next.

There is also a useful mix of leadership pathways. Some leaders have moved between schools and systems. Others have built long careers in one community. Some work as principals or headmasters, while others lead a primary, middle or senior school within a larger college. That range is a reminder that school leadership is not one job shape.

For anyone working with schools, the practical lesson is simple. Listen carefully to the story a school tells about its people, its place and its future. Those three things usually reveal more about the leadership challenge than a job title alone.

How to use this list

Use this list as a starting point, not a final verdict. If you are looking for a school, begin with the official school page and look for the leader's welcome, the school's values and the way it describes learning and belonging. If you work with schools, notice the language leaders use about staff, students, families and the wider community.

You can also use the list to prepare better conversations. Read the leader's profile, write down one genuine question about the school's direction, and connect your question to the school's own language. That creates a more respectful starting point than a generic sales pitch.

If you are comparing schools, keep the comparison practical. Look at the year levels, boarding or day structure, location, learning model and the kind of community the school says it serves. The best fit will depend on the child, the family and the season of life, not on a single label.

1. Karen Gorrie

Principal, St Andrew's Anglican College

The current principal profile describes the college as an independent private school for Prep to Year 12 and notes her arrival in 2025. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Sunshine Coast.

2. Michelle Carroll

Principal, Matthew Flinders Anglican College

The leadership page names her as principal, and the college profile says she was appointed in January 2024 after leading an all-girls school in Melbourne. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Sunshine Coast.

3. Jason Locke

Head of Primary, Matthew Flinders Anglican College

The college announced his January 2026 appointment after nine years as Head of Primary at Toowoomba Anglican School. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Sunshine Coast.

4. Anna Owen

Principal, Sunshine Coast Grammar School

The school profile says she became its fourth principal in 2022 after leadership work in Queensland and Canberra. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Sunshine Coast.

5. Craig Angel

Head of Primary, Sunshine Coast Grammar School

The school says he was appointed Head of Primary in 2023 after more than two decades in its teaching and primary leadership team. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Sunshine Coast.

6. Eloise Beveridge

Principal, Immanuel Lutheran College

Her principal profile says she brings more than 20 years in Lutheran education and leads the Immanuel community. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Sunshine Coast.

7. Leon van Niekerk

Principal, Caloundra City Private School

His welcome describes a non-denominational independent Prep to Year 12 school focused on personalised and future-focused learning. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Sunshine Coast.

8. Bronwyn Rosendahl

Principal, Noosa Christian College

The college handbook identifies her as principal, following the 2025 leadership transition announced in the college news. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Sunshine Coast.

9. Mike Curtis

Principal, Glasshouse Christian College

The principal welcome describes an independent private Prep to Year 12 college and records his long-term leadership of the school. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Sunshine Coast.

10. Bronwyn Dolling

College Principal, Pacific Lutheran College

Her principal welcome sets out a community-of-learners approach and names her as College Principal. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Sunshine Coast.

11. Vince Wakefield

Principal, Caloundra Christian College

The staff page names him as principal and records more than 25 years in education, including executive leadership. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Sunshine Coast.

12. Geoff van der Vliet

Executive Principal, Nambour Christian College

The principal page says he has been at the college since 1988 and has served as Executive Principal since 2018. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Sunshine Coast.

13. Fiona Stevens

Principal, Tamborine Mountain College

The college describes itself as independent and co-educational, and her welcome records more than 20 years at TMC. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Gold Coast hinterland.

14. Justin Andrews

Head of Secondary, Tamborine Mountain College

The leadership page names him as Head of Secondary and records his education experience across Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Gold Coast hinterland.

15. Patrick Innes-Hill

Principal, Coomera Anglican College

The college describes itself as an independent Early Learning to Year 12 college and records his appointment as its second principal in 2023. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Gold Coast.

16. Rees Davis

Executive Principal, King's Christian College

The college newsletter identifies him as Executive Principal in its senior management discussion. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Gold Coast.

17. Rob Verreynne

Campus Principal, King's Christian College

The official Pimpama welcome identifies him as Campus Principal and describes the Early Learning to Year 12 campus. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Gold Coast.

18. Jeff Davis

Executive Head of College, Hillcrest Christian College

The governance page identifies him as Executive Head of College and places the role within the college's future-focused educational model. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Gold Coast.

19. Virginia Warner

Principal, St Hilda's School

The governance page says she was appointed the school's twelfth principal in 2024 and has extensive Anglican schools experience. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Gold Coast.

20. Chris Ivey

Headmaster, Somerset College

The official profile identifies him as the fourth Headmaster and says he joined Somerset after leading St Andrew's Anglican College. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Gold Coast.

21. Michael Kleidon

College Principal, Saint Stephen's College

His current principal welcome describes his responsibility for a multi-award-winning school grounded in Christian values. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Gold Coast.

22. Joanne Sheehy

Principal, A.B. Paterson College

The principal welcome names her and describes the college's relationship-centred approach to teaching and learning. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Gold Coast.

23. Dan Brown

Principal, Emmanuel College

His principal welcome connects his leadership to the lived experience of having children in the college community. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Gold Coast.

24. Chris Henderson

Head of Senior School, Emmanuel College

The college's executive team page identifies him as Head of Senior School. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Gold Coast.

25. Ian Macpherson

Interim Principal, The Kooralbyn International School

The current principal page records his interim principal role from July 2025 and describes the school as independent and co-educational. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Scenic Rim.

26. Nick Johnstone

Principal, Toowoomba Anglican School

His welcome identifies him as principal of a K to 12 co-educational independent day and boarding school. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Toowoomba.

27. Pam Stains

Head of Primary, Toowoomba Anglican School

The executive team page identifies her as Head of Primary, with the school announcing her 2026 appointment. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Toowoomba.

28. Stephen Koch

Principal, Downlands College

The college website identifies him as Principal of the independent Catholic day and boarding college in Toowoomba. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Toowoomba.

29. Emma Lowry

Principal, The Glennie School

The governance page names her principal and records more than 20 years in independent girls education, alongside her work as an author and speaker. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Toowoomba.

30. Leigh Hobart

Principal, Fairholme College

The current welcome names her as principal and describes her return to Toowoomba after more than 30 years in education. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Toowoomba.

31. Kerrin Budden

Principal, Toowoomba Christian College

The school executive page identifies her as Principal within the current executive team. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Toowoomba.

32. Anton Prinsloo

Head of College, Concordia Lutheran College

His welcome identifies him as Head of College and describes Concordia's day and boarding community. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Toowoomba.

33. Joe Wright

Principal, Fraser Coast Anglican College

The principal office says he was appointed in 2018 after senior leadership roles at the college. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Fraser Coast.

34. Brendan Hosking

Principal, Bundaberg Christian College

The current executive team page names him as principal of the independent college. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Bundaberg.

35. Matthew Hughes

Principal, St Luke's Anglican School

The school homepage describes St Luke's as an independent Pre K to 12 school and names him as principal. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Bundaberg.

36. Alwyn Prinsloo

Head of College, Victory College

The current staff page identifies him as Head of College in the school's leadership team. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Gympie.

37. Phillip Moulds

Headmaster, The Rockhampton Grammar School

His welcome identifies him as Headmaster and describes the school as a major regional boarding school. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Rockhampton.

38. Kate Harris

Head of Primary, The Rockhampton Grammar School

The leadership team page identifies her as Head of Primary. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Rockhampton.

39. Andrew Wheaton

Principal, Whitsunday Anglican School

The school welcome identifies him as its sixth principal and describes a co-educational K to 12 school. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Mackay.

40. Jamie Novosel

Deputy Principal, Pastoral and Head of Senior School, Whitsunday Anglican School

The senior school page identifies him as Deputy Principal, Pastoral and Head of Senior School. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Mackay.

41. Lesley Tunnah

College Principal, Mackay Christian College

The current newsletter page identifies her as College Principal in the 2026 principal address. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Mackay.

42. Paul Sjogren

Principal, Trinity Anglican School

The principal page says he was commissioned as the eighth principal in 2017 after roles at regional and metropolitan Anglican schools. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Cairns.

43. Tim Manea

Deputy Principal, Trinity Anglican School

The senior leadership page identifies him as Deputy Principal and describes his curriculum and teaching leadership work. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Cairns.

44. Luke Baills

Principal, The Cathedral School of St Anne and St James

The official welcome identifies him as the eighth principal and former Head of Junior School. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Townsville.

45. Kylie Baker

Head of Junior School, Nambour Christian College

The college prospectus names her as Head of Junior School among the current heads of school. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Sunshine Coast.

46. Tonia Lassman

Head of Primary School, St Luke's Anglican School

The school newsletter identifies her as Head of Primary School in a current primary update. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Bundaberg.

47. Bert Kasselman

Head of Senior School, Glasshouse Christian College

The management page identifies him as Head of Senior School. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Sunshine Coast.

48. Amber-Lee Donahoo

Head of Secondary Learning Community, Caloundra Christian College

The current staff page identifies her as Head of Secondary Learning Community and records her work in inclusive education and differentiated teaching. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Sunshine Coast.

49. John Kinniburgh

Headmaster, Toowoomba Grammar School

The executive page identifies him as Headmaster and describes the school's long regional history and Prep to Year 12 boys education. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Toowoomba.

50. Andrew Hawkins

Headmaster, The Southport School

The school website presents the Headmaster's Welcome for its independent Anglican day and boarding school for boys. This role gives a useful window into how independent education is being led in Gold Coast.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an independent school in Queensland?

An independent school is a non-government school managed outside the Queensland state school system. Schools may be co-educational or single-sex, day or boarding, and may have religious or non-religious foundations. Check the school's own current information for its structure, year levels and enrolment details.

Are these all principals?

No. The list includes principals, executive principals, headmasters, campus principals and heads of primary, middle or senior schools. Each person is included because their current role carries meaningful responsibility for a school community or a major part of one.

Does the list include Brisbane schools?

The focus is Queensland beyond Brisbane. It includes regional centres and large surrounding areas such as the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Mackay, Cairns and Townsville.

How should I learn more about a leader?

Start with the leader's current school page, then read the school's values, learning pages and recent news. A thoughtful question about the school's own priorities will usually lead to a better conversation than a broad question about education.

Conclusion

School leaders carry a wide brief. They shape the conditions in which teachers can teach, students can learn and families can feel part of a community. In regional Queensland, that work is connected to place, relationships and the long-term future of the communities these schools serve.

The leaders in this list represent different school sizes, traditions and roles. Some lead whole colleges. Others guide a primary, middle or senior school within a larger organisation. Together, they offer a useful map of the people shaping independent education beyond Brisbane.

The next step is to choose two or three schools that matter to you, read their current leadership pages and write down one question you would like answered. Good school conversations usually begin with careful attention, a clear question and genuine respect for the work already under way.

Related Reading

If you want to go deeper, read 33 Inspiring School Leaders Building Staff Culture, 11 Proven Ways to Get Your Leadership Team Aligned, 21 Practical Working Genius Tips for Leaders, and 25 Ways Working Genius Transforms Executive Teams.

A practical next step

If your school leadership team is carrying a big change, the next step is to make the work clear, practical and shared. Jonno White helps school and organisational leaders turn good intentions into habits people can use on Monday morning.

If you would like to explore a keynote, workshop or facilitated leadership session, email jonno@consultclarity.org.

About the Author

Jonno White is a Brisbane-based leadership consultant, keynote speaker and Certified Working Genius Facilitator, and the author of Step Up or Step Out. He works with schools, corporates and nonprofits around the world. To enquire about a keynote, workshop or facilitated leadership session, email jonno@consultclarity.org.