St Peters Girls principal Julia Shea announces new appointment at Methodist Ladies’ College in Melbourne

St Peters Girls is on the hunt for a new leader, after principal Julia Shea announced a move interstate – the third major leadership change at a prominent Adelaide school this month.

St Peters Girls is on the hunt for a new principal, after Julia Shea announced she would move to Melbourne to head up its Methodist Ladies’ College.

It is the second school within a fortnight to inform its community about a departing principal, with Walford also losing its leader Rebecca Clarke to Perth’s Methodist Ladies’ College from next year.

In a letter to parents, board of governors chairman Jeremy Schultz said Ms Shea would take up her new role at the start of 2023.

He said the institution could take pride in her new appointment because it reflected her credentials and the way the school was seen as a “global leader in girls’ education”.

Julia Shea is leaving her role at St Peters Girls to become principal at Methodist Ladies' College in Melbourne from the start of 2023 Picture: Supplied

“We … commend Julia for her commitment to supporting our staff in the staunch pursuit of continuous improvement through her passionate belief that education should be a lifelong companion,” he said.

Mr Schultz said Ms Shea had experienced the benefits of an all-girls’ education from a parent’s perspective as she watched her three daughters thrive during their time at Saints Girls.

“We have no doubt that Julia and her daughters will maintain a lifelong connection to the school; as Julia has said on many occasions, ‘Once a Saints Girl, always a Saints Girl’,” he said.

Ms Shea, who has worked as principal for more than eight years, said leading Saints Girls was “one of the greatest honours” of her life.

St Peters Girls principal Julia Shea, left, pictured in 2017 with teacher Monique Green and Year 9 students Renee Lawrence and Hannah Keough. Picture: Heidi Linehan

“Our amazing students have made each and every day a joy to come to work,” she said.

Ms Shea said her time at the school was “filled with many precious moments and amazing highlights”.

“I’m so proud of what we have achieved together for our girls – the consolidation of a truly values-based, holistic, world-class education,” she said.

“It’s the girls who make this school. Their fundamental optimism, their courage to take the initiative, the fact that they dare to lead is what sets us apart.”

Mr Schultz said St Peters Girls was starting a “comprehensive recruitment process” to find a new principal.

Scotch College this week also announced that Trent Driver, who has held senior leadership roles at Newington College, Sydney and Brisbane Girls Grammar School, would replace John Newton as principal next year.

Dr Newton, who has led the school since 2015, had previously said he would move to the UK with his wife Catherine to be closer to family.

An Advertiser analysis of school finances this week found St Peters Girls had a gross income of $20.9m in 2020, bringing in the equivalent of about $27,600 per student.

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