Scotch College appoints Trent Driver to lead school from 2023

A first-time headmaster is on the way to Scotch – the second leader with links to a prestigious Sydney college to join Adelaide’s independent schools recently.

Scotch College has appointed a first-time principal to take the helm next year, cementing the school’s focus on student wellbeing.

Trent Driver, who has held senior leadership roles at Newington College, Sydney and Brisbane Girls Grammar School, will replace John Newton as principal at the start of 2023.

Scotch is the second Adelaide independent school to draw from the ranks of Newington over recent months after Prince Alfred College announced it had appointed the school’s deputy headmaster David Roberts to head up the Kent Town institution.

Mr Driver will start in Term 4 and move up to the principal position next year, and acknowledges he has big shoes to fill.

“He brings enormous energy to the role,” he said of Dr Newton, who he noted had a friendly relationship with Scotch’s students.

Trent Driver has been appointed Scotch College's new principal, starting in the role next year. Picture: Supplied

“I’m really conscious that for me it’s as much of a learning experience in that role, but I’m hoping that having been in many places over my career, that breadth of experience will come back and help me add a bit of value at Scotch.”

Mr Driver’s children Aiden, 14, and Eleanor, 12, will attend the college, leaving him to be a “principal on one hand, and a dad on the other” while on campus.

Scotch is building a $27m wellbeing and sports hub, called the Purruna Spencer Newton Centre, which he was also eager to explore.

“I’m really keen to see how the new wellbeing set up that the school has invested so much time and energy into can be used as a bit of a lighthouse and jumping off point for better conversations about student wellbeing,” Mr Driver said.

An artist’s impression of Scotch’s $27m wellbeing and sports centre.

“It is exciting to become part of a school that prioritises student wellbeing in a proactive way as much as it does academic and character education.”

Mr Driver spent seven years as deputy head (academic) at Newington, and was previously dean of academic development at Brisbane Girls Grammar.

He’s currently working at MLC School – a Uniting Church college for girls in Sydney – in a staff coaching and mentoring role.

Scotch College principal John Newton will finish in the role at the end of 2022.

Principal Dr John Newton, who has led the school since 2015, had previously announced he and his wife Catherine would return to the UK at the end of this year to be closer to family.

Scotch governing council chairman Todd Roberts said Mr Driver would bring to the school a rare blend of enthusiasm, experience and vision.

“Trent has a strong connection to the future of education and a clear commitment to wellbeing – the core of everything we do at Scotch,” Mr Roberts said.

“He has the skills, passion and energy to guide the college in the next phase of its strategic plan, which will see further investment into a holistic education program, supported by modern infrastructure and leading technology.”

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