31 Independent School Principals in South East QLD

Last updated: August 2026

Independent school principals shape more than timetables and policies. They set the tone for learning, staff culture, student wellbeing and the relationship a school has with its families. This list recognises 31 current principals and heads whose schools sit across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, within the South East Queensland school landscape.

As of August 2026, these are people worth knowing if you work with schools, lead a school community, or want a clearer picture of the region’s independent education sector.

Why Independent School Principals Matter

Independent schools are close-knit communities with a wide set of responsibilities. A principal has to hold the school’s educational purpose, culture, people and long-term direction together, while staying close to the daily experience of students and families.

That makes the person at the top of the school especially important to understand. Their words, priorities and choices help explain what a school is trying to become, not just what it offers on a prospectus.

South East Queensland also has a broad mix of independent schools. Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast include single-sex and co-educational schools, different faith traditions, boarding and day settings, and communities that range from primary through to senior secondary years.

The principals below are not presented as a league table. They are a practical starting point for understanding the people shaping schools across the region. If you are looking for a school, supporting a leadership team, or exploring a partnership, begin with the school’s own priorities and context.

1. Catherine O'Kane

Principal, All Hallows' School

Catherine O'Kane is Principal at All Hallows' School in Brisbane City. That makes Catherine O'Kane a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The school profile says the school has educated young women in the Mercy tradition since 1861 and describes itself as Queensland's oldest secondary school. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title.

2. Andre Casson

Headmaster, Brisbane Boys' College

Andre Casson is Headmaster at Brisbane Boys' College in Toowong. That makes Andre Casson a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The school profile says he is the college’s tenth Headmaster and led its 2024 to 2028 Strategic Plan and Campus Vision. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title.

3. Jacinda Euler Welsh

Principal, Brisbane Girls Grammar School

Jacinda Euler Welsh is Principal at Brisbane Girls Grammar School in Brisbane. That makes Jacinda Euler Welsh a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The school profile says the school introduced a dedicated Junior School for Years 5 and 6 in 2026. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title.

4. Anthony Micallef

Headmaster, Brisbane Grammar School

Anthony Micallef is Headmaster at Brisbane Grammar School in Spring Hill. That makes Anthony Micallef a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The school profile says he is the school’s 12th Headmaster and has served Brisbane Grammar in leadership roles for 33 years. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title.

5. Deborah Priest

Principal, Somerville House

Deborah Priest is Principal at Somerville House in South Brisbane. That makes Deborah Priest a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The school profile says the school profile notes that she previously served as Head of Senior School and was a parent before leading school communities in Australia and overseas. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title.

6. Andrew Cousins

Principal, Clayfield College

Andrew Cousins is Principal at Clayfield College in Clayfield. That makes Andrew Cousins a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The school profile says the school profile links his PhD work with papers in the Cambridge Journal of Education and the International Journal of Science Education. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title.

7. Ben Lowrie

Principal, St Laurence’s College

Ben Lowrie is Principal at St Laurence’s College in South Brisbane. That makes Ben Lowrie a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The school profile says his welcome places the college in the Edmund Rice tradition and frames education as liberation. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title.

8. Maree Trims

Principal, St Rita’s College

Maree Trims is Principal at St Rita’s College in Clayfield. That makes Maree Trims a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The school profile says the college’s current message connects her leadership with Presentation traditions including compassion, hospitality and simplicity. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title.

9. Kim Wickham

Principal, Loreto College Coorparoo

Kim Wickham is Principal at Loreto College Coorparoo in Coorparoo. That makes Kim Wickham a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The school profile says the Loreto page points to a 2028 centenary and the wider global Loreto network. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title.

10. Paul Begg

Principal, Villanova College

Paul Begg is Principal at Villanova College in Coorparoo. That makes Paul Begg a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The school profile says the college describes its boys’ education through a Catholic Augustinian tradition and traces its community to 1948. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title.

11. Paul Blinkhoff

Head of College, Marist College Ashgrove

Paul Blinkhoff is Acting Head of College at Marist College Ashgrove in Ashgrove. That makes Paul Blinkhoff a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The school profile says the college describes itself as Brisbane’s only Catholic boys’ day and boarding school in the Marist tradition. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title.

12. Trevor Goodwin

Principal and CEO, Iona College

Trevor Goodwin is Principal and CEO at Iona College in Lindum. That makes Trevor Goodwin a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The school profile says the college was established in 1957 and is conducted by the Missionary Oblates. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title. It also gives families a useful way to read the school’s identity.

13. Samantha Jensen

College Principal, Mount Alvernia College

Samantha Jensen is College Principal at Mount Alvernia College in Kedron. That makes Samantha Jensen a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The school profile says the college describes its Franciscan tradition and its place as an all-girls independent secondary college. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title.

14. Maria McIvor

Principal, St John's Anglican College

Maria McIvor is Principal at St John's Anglican College in Forest Lake. That makes Maria McIvor a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The school profile says the college motto is Faith, Service and Courage and its structure spans four sub-schools. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title.

15. Toni Riordan

Principal, St Aidan's Anglican Girls' School

Toni Riordan is Principal at St Aidan's Anglican Girls' School in Corinda. That makes Toni Riordan a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The school profile says the school’s foundation page notes her advocacy for girls and STEM and her published education work. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title.

16. John O'Sullivan Williams

Principal, St Paul's School

John O'Sullivan Williams is Principal at St Paul's School in Bald Hills. That makes John O'Sullivan Williams a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The school profile says the school describes its 50 hectare campus on the east bank of the South Pine River. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title.

17. Darrin Schumacher

Principal, Redeemer Lutheran College

Darrin Schumacher is Principal at Redeemer Lutheran College in Rochedale. That makes Darrin Schumacher a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The school profile says the college highlights a full month of outdoor education for Year 9. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title. It also gives families a useful way to read the school’s identity.

18. Mark Zietsch

Principal, Hillbrook Anglican School

Mark Zietsch is Principal at Hillbrook Anglican School in Enoggera. That makes Mark Zietsch a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The school profile describes Hillbrook as an academic, co-educational secondary school founded in 1987 by teachers and parents. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title. It also gives families a useful way to read the school’s identity.

19. Tim Kotzur

Head of College, St Peters Lutheran College

Tim Kotzur is Head of College at St Peters Lutheran College in Indooroopilly. That makes Tim Kotzur a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The school profile says the college’s welcome identifies its Christian co-educational Prep to Year 12 setting and Plus Ultra motto. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title.

20. Kate Mortimer

Principal, Sheldon College

Kate Mortimer is Principal at Sheldon College in Sheldon. That makes Kate Mortimer a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The school profile says the college’s strategic direction page records a 2025 Australian Education Awards Excellence Award for Best School Strategic Plan. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title.

21. Gary O'Brien

Principal, Cannon Hill Anglican College

Gary O'Brien is Principal at Cannon Hill Anglican College in Cannon Hill. That makes Gary O'Brien a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The school’s current page says Gary O’Brien has led the team at CHAC since 2019. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title.

22. Andrew Johnson

Principal, Redlands College

Andrew Johnson is Principal at Redlands College in Wellington Point. That makes Andrew Johnson a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The school profile says the college describes a Christ-centred Prep to Year 12 community with curiosity and student flourishing in view. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title.

23. Michael Hornby

Headmaster and CEO, Ormiston College

Michael Hornby is Headmaster and CEO at Ormiston College in Ormiston. That makes Michael Hornby a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The school profile says he became the college’s fifth Headmaster and CEO in January 2025. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title. It also gives families a useful way to read the school’s identity.

24. Chris Ivey

Headmaster, Somerset College

Chris Ivey is Headmaster at Somerset College in Mudgeeraba. That makes Chris Ivey a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The school profile says the college leadership page notes that he chaired AHISA nationally from 2019 to 2024. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title.

25. Virginia Warner

Principal, St Hilda's School

Virginia Warner is Principal at St Hilda's School in Southport. That makes Virginia Warner a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The school profile says the school says she became its 12th Principal in 2024 and uses a strengths-based leadership approach. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title.

26. Andrew Hawkins

Headmaster, The Southport School

Andrew Hawkins is Headmaster at The Southport School in Southport. That makes Andrew Hawkins a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The school profile says the school’s current people page shows the Headmaster role alongside a dedicated Head of Senior School. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title.

27. Matt Corbett

Principal, All Saints Anglican School

Matt Corbett is Principal at All Saints Anglican School in Merrimac. That makes Matt Corbett a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The school profile says the school describes a 40 hectare campus with Junior, Middle and Senior sub-schools. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title. It also gives families a useful way to read the school’s identity.

28. Anna Owen

Principal, Sunshine Coast Grammar School

Anna Owen is Principal at Sunshine Coast Grammar School in Forest Glen. That makes Anna Owen a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The school profile says the school describes a 100 acre campus with lakes and rainforest and a Prep to Year 12 community. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title.

29. Michelle Carroll

Principal, Matthew Flinders Anglican College

Michelle Carroll is Principal at Matthew Flinders Anglican College in Buderim. That makes Michelle Carroll a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The school profile says the college lists adolescent wellbeing among her professional interests and identifies her as its fifth Principal since 2024. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title.

30. Eloise Beveridge

Principal, Immanuel Lutheran College

Eloise Beveridge is Principal at Immanuel Lutheran College in Buderim. That makes Eloise Beveridge a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The school profile says the college says she brings more than 20 years in Lutheran education and frames its work as growing good people. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title.

31. Karen Gorrie

Principal, St Andrew's Anglican College

Karen Gorrie is Principal at St Andrew's Anglican College in Peregian Springs. That makes Karen Gorrie a clear fit for this guide to current leaders of independent secondary schools in South East Queensland. The role sits close to the work families and school communities feel every day: setting direction, shaping culture and supporting learning.

The college’s current leadership page names Karen Gorrie as Principal. See the school profile That detail gives readers a clearer sense of the school’s character and the responsibility behind the principal’s title.

What These School Leaders Show Us

Across this group, the schools’ identities are visible in different ways. Some are grounded in long traditions, some are expanding their campuses or year levels, and some emphasise a particular approach to wellbeing, faith, service, innovation or community. The common thread is that school leadership is both strategic and deeply personal.

The most useful question is not which school is best. It is what each school is trying to do, how clearly it can explain that purpose, and whether that purpose fits the needs of its students and families.

How to Use This List

Use the list as a map, then read the school’s own leadership and community pages before making a decision. If you are working with a principal or leadership team, look for the language they repeat about culture, learning and belonging. Those patterns often tell you what matters most in practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many principals are included?

This guide includes 31 current principals and heads of independent secondary schools across South East Queensland. The number reflects the set of profiles that could be written with a clear current role, organisation and distinctive school detail.

Does the list cover Brisbane only?

No. It includes schools in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, because all three areas form part of the wider South East Queensland school landscape.

Are these schools all the same type?

No. The group includes co-educational, boys’ and girls’ schools, as well as schools with Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Franciscan, Marist, Augustinian, Mercy, Loreto and other independent school identities.

What should I do next if I am choosing a school?

Start with the school’s current information for families, visit where possible, and ask questions about learning, wellbeing, culture, communication and support. A principal’s public priorities are useful context, but fit depends on the child and the family.

Conclusion

The people in this guide give South East Queensland’s independent school landscape a human shape. Their schools are different, but each principal carries responsibility for a community with its own story, hopes and expectations.

If you are learning about a school, start with the person, then look closely at the culture and practices around them. That is where a leadership promise becomes a daily experience.

Related Reading

For a broader sector view, read 50 Essential Thought Leaders in Independent Schooling. If your focus is team development, 31 Best Leadership Development Experts for Schools is a useful next read, while 35 Best School Culture and Wellbeing Consultants explores a related part of school life.

Working With School Leadership Teams

I help leaders build organisations people would move cities to work at. If your school is working through culture, communication or team alignment, practical facilitation can help turn good intentions into habits people can use on Monday morning.

About the Author

Jonno White is the founder of Consult Clarity, a leadership consultant, keynote speaker and author. He helps leaders build organisations people would move cities to work at, with practical tools teams can use on Monday morning.