Walford Anglican School for Girls appoints Deborah Netolicky as its new principal

Walford Anglican School for Girls has appointed a new principal on the day it opens the first stage of a $5m redevelopment, including a new performing arts complex.

South Australia’s most expensive school has appointed a new principal as it embarks on a “bold and ambitious future”.

Walford Anglican School for Girls has announced West Australian educator Deborah Netolicky will replace principal Rebecca Clarke at the beginning of the next school year.

The appointment comes as the Hyde Park reception to year 12 school undertakes a $5m upgrade, including a new performing arts complex, garden and location for its historic bell.

It also follows a significant drop in enrolments at Walford over the past five years, from 618 students in 2016 to 492 last year.

The 129-year-old school charges an annual base fee of $28,500 for its year 10 to 12 students – the highest of Adelaide’s non-government schools.

Walford Anglican School for Girls principal Dr Rebecca Netolicky.

Governing council chairman Peter Hastings said Dr Netolicky was recruited following a “comprehensive search to find the right candidate to lead Walford into a bold and ambitious future”.

“Deborah is an exceptional appointment for Walford, bringing skills, highly regarded experience and a philosophy that will enable her to provide inspirational leadership to our school,” he said.

Dr Netolicky is the head of teaching and learning at St Mark’s Anglican Community School in Perth.

She previously had worked at several single sex girls’ schools, including Brentwood School for Girls in England, Methodist Ladies’ College in Melbourne and Presbyterian Ladies’ College in Perth.

Mr Hastings said Dr Netolicky, an author and podcaster, had received several awards, including being named as one of the country’s most influential educators.

“In particular, she believes that teaching and learning should focus on who we are preparing our young people to be and to become for their future in the world,” he said.

“Walford Council is particularly excited that Deborah is passionate about empowering women to live a life of confidence, courage, compassion, and learning.

“These are ambitions that all of us share for our girls.

Walford earlier this year played down its large enrolments drop, saying it came amid a reduction in international students because of Covid and its “boutique and family-focused ethos”.

An artist's impression of the new open space area at Walford.

Rebecca Clarke with students upon her appointment as Walford principal in 2012.

Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) data showed the school had an overall 20 per cent decline in enrolment between 2016 and 2021.

The Advertiser analysed enrolment data over six years for 34 of the state’s most prominent schools, finding Walford suffered the largest enrolment decrease over that time.

The average enrolment growth across the Adelaide-based schools was 5.33 per cent.

Ms Clarke said Walford had implemented changes, including a refreshed middle school curriculum with new electives, extra resources for its wellbeing program and strengthened sports offerings.

Ms Clarke, who opened the first stage of the school’s redevelopment on Friday by ringing the bell, is leaving to take up a new position as principal of Methodist Ladies’ College in Perth.