Prince Alfred College searching for a new leader as headmaster Bradley Fenner prepares to retire

Bradley Fenner has advocated the benefits of a single-sex education for boys over the past decade, but will now hand over the reins at Prince Alfred College.

Prince Alfred College headmaster Bradley Fenner with then boarders Tom Willson and Alex Glover in 2015. Picture. Noelle Bobrige

Prince Alfred College headmaster Bradley Fenner will retire next year, concluding eight years leading the prestigious boys’ school.

“I’m retiring after 40 years in schools and will be moving to our farm in central Victoria,” Mr Fenner said. “I’ve never lived there but it’s been in our family for 160 years.”

Mr Fenner said during his tenure at PAC he had focused on developing educational programs to achieve greater consistency and on building the school’s resources.

He oversaw some major infrastructure projects, including a new $20m boarding house.

“Our previous boarding facilities had come to the end of their lives and we built a state-of-the-art facility,” he said.

“We increased capacity to 150 students and we have filled that so it’s been very successful.”

Prince Alfred College from above with the boarding house in the foreground.

Mr Fenner has been a passionate public advocate for boys’ education, including highlighting how girls dominate the ranks of SA Certificate of Education high performers.

He has served on the international boys’ school coalition as well as working at state and federal levels.

“I have another year here and I’ll continue to push for a better deal and equity for boys,” he said.

“But I also recognise that when you leave any position that you can only have done your it and things will go on.

“I always say that a school is a work in progress.

“But it’ll be full steam ahead for the next year – there’s plenty going on.”

The school board will hire consultants to help recruit a successor before Mr Fenner leaves in mid-2022.