John Paul College names new principal

A renowned South East Queensland school has confirmed a changing of the guard, announcing who will take on the role of principal following the current principal’s decision to retire after 40 years.

A changing of the guard at one of Queensland’s most prestigious schools will see a Bundaberg principal take on the top job at John Paul College.

Craig Merritt will replace the renowned Karen Spiller from January 2023.

Announcing the appointment on Friday morning, JPC board chair Dominic Taylor said the appointment of Mr Merritt – principal of St Luke’s Anglican School in Bundaberg – followed an “extensive national and international search” plus feedback “on the key characteristics of the new principal through the recently conducted parent survey”.

“This valuable data informed what sort of leader would be required to continue to drive improved academic outcomes and ongoing community engagement,” Mr Taylor said.

He said Mr Merritt was an accomplished principal of a kindergarten to Year 12 school, with a “proven track record of building a strong sense of community” as “a warm, people-focused leader”.

John Paul College principal Karen Spiller is retiring.

Mr Taylor said under Mr Merritt’s leadership, St Luke’s – which has more than 1000 students – had become one of Queensland’s leading regional schools, with an impressive record of NAPLAN and ATAR performance.

John Paul College, in Daisy Hill, south of Brisbane, has 1933 students from more than 43 different nationalities each speaking a home language other than English, and according to its latest annual report.

Mr Taylor said Mr Merritt, a previous deputy principal at Hillbrook Anglican School in Enogerra, was “committed to empowering young people to develop a strong sense of positive character”.

“Along with his wife Tamara, their two children, Chloe and Ashton, and their mischievous cavoodle, Captain, Mr Merritt is looking forward to joining the John Paul College community, with Chloe and Ashton joining our secondary and primary schools.”

Craig Merritt will become the new principal at John Paul College. Picture: Supplied

He said the board “appreciates that the college has benefited from the leadership of Mrs Spiller, an outstanding educator whose credentials and commitment to John Paul College are absolute”.

Mrs Spiller announced her decision to retire, after a distinguished 40-year education career, in March 2022.

She has been credited with turning around the academic performance of the school since her appointment in 2018.

Almost one-quarter of 2021 seniors achieved an ATAR of 95 or higher, placing them in the top five per cent of the state.

Mrs Spiller – who received a Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to women and education in the Queen’s Birthday 2017 Honours – will remain a member of the QUT Council.