Grammar principal quits in fourth PMSA school resignation

The head of a prestigious southeast Queensland grammar school has quit, becoming the fourth principal in as many years to depart the beleaguered Presbyterian and Methodist Schools’ Association.

The well-regarded principal of a prestigious grammar school has quit, becoming the fourth head of a Presbyterian and Methodist Schools’ Association school to leave in as many years.

It is understood the departure of Maria Woods, head of Sunshine Coast Grammar since July 2012, has shocked students, parents and teachers.

She will finish at the end of 2021 and start as principal of Hillbrook Anglican School in Enoggera next year.

PMSA chair Peter Barker said Mrs Woods’ leadership had been inspirational, and she would play a key role in the recruitment of her replacement.

Mrs Woods said she was “very humbled” to have helped shape the next generation.

“I feel incredibly privileged to have led a very special school community,” she said in a PMSA statement.

Mrs Woods’ resignation follows those of Paul Brown from Brisbane Boys’ College in February, Kathy Bishop from Clayfield College in 2019, and Flo Kearney from Somerville House in 2017.

Sources claim Mr Brown was “unfairly pushed” by the PMSA after the Toowong school’s handling of an alleged sexting and gang-bashing scandal that resulted in parents suing for $750,000.

The claim has been settled.

Ms Bishop left Clayfield College after a drop in enrolments and OP results and a controversial report alleging mismanagement of school funds by the PMSA.

Maria Woods.

The PMSA has denied the allegations pertaining to BBC and to Clayfield College.

Ms Kearney quit Somerville House in October 2017, outraging the close-knit school community which took to the streets to demand her reinstatement and “the PMSA must go”.

Ms Kearney left amid a scandal involving an alleged privacy data breach by a former PMSA staffer involving some of the state’s wealthiest donors, an alleged PMSA cover-up of lewd text messages, a secret report to integrate its four schools into one, and clandestine trysts by key figures at a nude Korean bathhouse.

Nineteen months later, the PMSA publicly acknowledged it was “sorry for the part we played in, and regret the circumstances leading to, Ms Kearney’s early departure”.

At its annual general meeting in June this year, the new-look PMSA and its incoming chair Mr Barker announced sweeping changes.

These included the appointment of highly respected entrepreneur and CEO Catherine O’Sullivan as chair of Clayfield College school council, and wealthy property developer Don O’Rorke and retired air force vice marshall Ken Watson to the same roles at BBC and Sunshine Coast Grammar respectively.

It also includes a $75 million spend on capital development projects including a new Prep building to begin at Sunshine Coast Grammar in September.

On Mrs Woods’ departure, Mr Barker said: “Maria’s leadership has inspired a generation of Grammarians, their families, Grammar staff and our greater community. She has led Grammar through a wonderful period of success across all aspects of school life.

“We thank Mrs Woods for her remarkable service and wish her all the very best as she starts the next chapter in her career with Hillbrook. Over the coming six months, the Grammar community will come together to celebrate the enormous contribution she has made.

“A mark of a great principal is the legacy they leave.”

Mrs Woods said: “I am immensely grateful to have worked alongside passionate and dedicated staff who are loyal and committed to their profession and the students they teach.

“The students themselves are exceptional people who are indeed leaders of today and tomorrow. I feel very humbled that I have played a small part in shaping the next generation. It is a role I have never taken for granted.”