Cornerstone College principal Tom Brennen quitting private Adelaide Hills school
The principal of the Adelaide Hills’ largest private school has resigned, citing “personal family reasons”.
The principal of the Adelaide Hills’ largest private school has resigned, two and a half years into his contract.
Staff at Cornerstone College in Mount Barker were told on Monday that Tom Brennen had resigned for “personal family reasons”, board chair Noel Mifsud said, while thanking him for his “dedicated leadership”
“I write with a heavy heart to inform you that Tom Brennen has resigned as principal of Cornerstone College,” Mr Mifsud wrote in a letter to parents.
“We are grateful for Mr Brennen’s leadership over the past two and a half years. During his tenure, the College has continued to grow in educational outcomes, student experience, and enrolments. We thank him sincerely for his service and wish him and his family every blessing into the future.”
Mr Mifsud told The Advertiser that under Mr Brennen – who resigned as of Monday – the college had strengthened enrolments and its reputation as a “leader in quality education grounded in Lutheran values”.
“Mr Brennen’s leadership as principal has been instrumental in advancing the college’s contemporary and innovative learning vision,” he said.
The 7-12 Lutheran secondary school has more than 900 students across its sprawling campus.
Mr Brennen said Cornerstone was honoured to have served as principal of such a “special” school.
“There is a richness of character in this community, and I have no doubt it will continue to go
from strength to strength,” he said in the letter.
“It is a college full of decent human beings – students, staff, and families. I thank all community members for their support, their commitment to the growth of our young people, and their faithfulness.”
Mr Brennen’s resignation comes days after the second court appearance of ex-Cornerstone teacher Symon Gogel, who is charged with one count of unlawful sexual intercourse.
Mr Mifsud said Mr Brennen’s resignation was “not in relation to any matter related to the college”.
He said associate principal Kaye Mathwin-Cox, who has been at the school for the past 12 months, would step into the role of acting principal during a “transitional” period for the rest of the year.
“We are fortunate to have such a distinguished Lutheran educational leader to lead the college while the recruitment process for a new principal begins.”
The college is now beginning the recruitment process and hoped to have a new principal for the 2026 academic year.
“There will also be an opportunity for the community to acknowledge Tom’s leadership of Cornerstone College in our end-of-year celebrations,” Mr Mifsud said.
Mr Gogel was fired in July after his first court appearance where he was accused of sexually assaulting a child 17 years ago. He is yet to enter a plea.
Last Thursday, Adelaide Magistrates Court heard Mr Gogel, 55, of Mount Barker, heard prosecutors were seeking access to journal entries made by the alleged victim.
The school has said there was “no evidence” any current students were impacted by the allegations.
