Primary and secondary school leader from across the region open up about their jobs

The Gympie region’s school leaders have a demanding job, guiding their schools and shaping the futures of tens of thousands of students. But their lives are not one dimensional. Here they open up about their careers leading to this point in time, and the side of them most don’t get to see.

Gympie’s school leaders may spend their days helping the region’s youth become the stars, thinkers, leaders and entrepreneurs of the future, but appear to have just as much fun themselves too.

From bike riders to bee keepers and Richmond Tigers fans, Gympie’s principals share an amazing array of hobbies and interests outside the successful education careers they have spent decades building.

The Gympie Times reached out to more than a dozen schools across the region and has compiled a fresh look at the leaders of Gympie’s education system, ranging from their own professional backgrounds to where their interests lay outside the school grounds.

Meet Gympie’s principals of 2022.

Scott Thompson, Chatsworth State School

Chatsworth principal Scott Thompson loves working with his community and giving his students the best possible chance of success.

“Across my 27 years in education I have taught in a number of schools, from Townsville to the Sunshine Coast and internationally in New Zealand.

“In the Gympie region I have been extremely privileged to have been the principal of Gympie East State School and am currently proudly the principal of Chatsworth State School.

“When I am not at work or hanging out with my own children, I have a keen interest in Rugby Union and Rugby League and have spent many years coaching in this space.

“To relax and rejuvenate I love to surf, kayak and ocean swim.”

Ross Waltisbuhl, Cooloola Christian College

Ross Waltisbuhl has a passion to see each child reach their God-given potential.

Mr Waltisbuhl has been instrumental in many of CCC’s success stories such as Beyond the Classroom, Outdoor Education and Nature Space, Music Immersion and designing the Early Learning Centre.

He and his wife have experienced the CCC way first-hand, watching their three children journey from Prep to Year 12 and graduate from CCC.

Mr Waltisbuhl’s early years were spent leading rock bands and teaching Industrial at James Nash, teaching at Brisbane Girls Grammar, and completing a tenure in Canada.

He has completed his master’s degree in Educational Leadership.

In his spare time, you can find him tending to his bees, writing children’s songs, cycling around the countryside, or hiking mountains.

Glenn Cafferky, Gympie Central State School

Glenn Cafferky and his family first moved into the Gympie region for his children’s education and to be closer to extended family.

“After working for almost 20 years as a teacher in Central Western Queensland and principal in the Central Highlands, our family moved to the beautiful southeast for our children to complete their secondary schooling and be closer to family.

“On a weekend you’ll find me near the water- fishing in the local river or off Rainbow Beach – either there or enjoying watching my kids at their sporting matches.

“Gympie Central is such a friendly school full of dedicated staff, respectful students and welcoming families.

“I am proud to be principal of this school and am a steadfast advocate for state schooling.”

Matt Elson, Gympie East State School

Gympie East principal Matt Elson started his career in St George and had his first position as a principal at Widgee.

“I have been at Gympie East for a year and the staff, students and community have made me feel extremely welcome.

“I love making a positive difference in students’ lives and continuing Gympie East’s proud environmental traditions as a green and healthy school. I started my career in St George teaching H & PE (health and physical education) before moving to Hervey Bay as a classroom teacher.

“My first principalship was at Widgee State School where I was principal for five years before moving to Gympie East.

“Outside of education, I am a keen basketballer and am heavily involved with coaching local teams as well as coaching Gympie representative and Wide Bay basketball teams.”

Geoff Pelling, Gympie South State School

Gympie South principal Geoff Pelling has lived in the Gympie region since 2008, and was principal at Cooran and Central before taking on the job at Gympie South.

“My role as a teacher started in 1998 in Charters Towers at Millchester SS and became a small school principal in 2001 at Maidavale SS, Mingela SS and Cooyar SS and back to far north Queensland to Mossman SS.

“Since moving to the Gympie area in 2008, taking the role of principal at Cooran SS, Gympie Central SS and now Gympie South SS.

“My wife and I have three boys and we have been actively involved in many sports over the last 14 years around Gympie.

“We are involved in our local swimming club, soccer club, volleyball and golf club.

“Over the last 10 years, I have been working with Shereene Moy to facilitate school sports in the 10-12 years age group.

“Sport helps young people learn to deal with success and failure as well as the understanding of the importance of friends.

“With a personal goal to create a school environment my children want to attend, my current school Gympie South SS is well positioned to help our children become the best learners and people, they can be.

“Seeing a child grow as a person is truly rewarding and what makes me work that little bit harder every day.”

Anthony Lanskey, Gympie State High School

Having grown up in Far North Queensland, Anthony Lanskey studied education in Brisbane before commencing his teaching career in Mareeba in 1990.

Following promotions to Gin Gin and Bundaberg, Mr Lanskey was appointed principal of Gympie State High School in 2015.

Throughout his career Mr Lanskey has championed public education, particularly focussing on opportunities for students in regional and rural locations.

With a particular interest in engaging students through sport, Mr Lanskey has been chairman of the Wide Bay School Sport Board for six years and has been President of Australia Secondary Schools Rugby League since 2016.

It is impossible to forget Mr Lanskey’s other claim to fame: his part ownership of Melbourne Cup winning race horse, Vow and Declare.

Jackson Dodd, James Nash State High School

James Nash principal Jackson Dodd grew up on a sheep property in western NSW, and attended boarding school from the age of 12.

“My tertiary education included a degree in Agricultural Science from Queensland Agricultural College (now UQ Gatton) and a postgraduate qualification in Education from University of New England.

“I commenced teaching at Aldridge SHS in Maryborough as an Agriculture teacher in 1992 and progressed through a number of positions including Head of Department and Deputy Principal.

“I was promoted to principal of James Nash SHS in 2018 after a number of acting principal opportunities and have tasked myself with empowering the James Nash students to take advantage of the opportunities afforded them in order to lead a life of choice.

“I am surrounded by teachers with my wife and now both of my children entering the profession.

“I am a keen cyclist (of the Lycra wearing description) and enjoy the camaraderie of the range of people I have met through cycling.”

James Watt, Jones Hill State School

Jones Hill principal James Watt has been in education since 1999.

Mr Watt has a Bachelor of Education in primary and human movements and is an experienced principal, having been a teacher and principal at 14 schools.

He is the proud father of three daughters and his wife is also a teacher.

He enjoys biking riding, golf, tennis and restoring his beloved old Landcruiser.

Mr Watt and his family have travelled extensively to many beautiful locations throughout Queensland, the Northern Territory, New South Wales and South Australia.

He enjoys relaxing around the campfire and exploring new places and 4WD tracks.

Renai McLean, Kilkivan State School

Kilkivan principal Renai McLean began her teaching career in the Torres Straits 20 years ago, and has worked in the North Coast and Central Queensland regions.

“I have worked in a range of roles in Education Queensland, including as a teacher, project officer, literacy coach, head of department and principal.

“I have spent most of my teaching career working with families in rural and remote areas, in both mainstream and distance education schools.

“In the last 18 months I have returned to the North Coast region in principal roles at Wolvi State School, Woolooga State School and now at Kilkivan State School.

“I feel very humbled to work with the amazing staff, students and families at these great schools.

“When I have spare time, I love heading away camping with my husband and three daughters.”

Tanya Hayden, Mary Valley State College

Mary Valley College principal Tanya Hayden holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Education and a Masters of Education.

“I started as a performing arts, English/humanities teacher at Ferny Grove SHS later moving to Ayr SHS where I also ran my own speech and drama academy and taught dance in the local community.

“I moved to Morayfield SHS and then Deception Bay SHS where I was the Arts Head of Department and later deputy principal.

“I relocated as DP to Beerwah SHS in 2010 where I also acted as principal for approximately two-and-a-half years.

“I began my move into primary schools with acting principal roles at Moreton Downs SS and Beerwah SS before taking up the principal position at MVSC P-10 term two of 2019.

“I love travelling and have taught overseas in England, Canada and Hong Kong.

“I have a very supportive husband, two wonderful step daughters and five fabulous grandchildren.

“I love animals and performing/creative arts and encouraging all students, especially girls, to strive and find their passion so they can be happy and successful in the future.”

Mark Newton, St Patrick’s College

St Patrick’s College principal Mark Newton in enjoying his fourth year as principal of St Pat’s and loves the lifestyle and community of the Gympie region.

“We come from the Mid North Coast of NSW.

“I had a career change from sports administration into Catholic education in my 30s and began teaching humanities and HPE at St Clare’s High School in Taree.

“I eventually obtained a position in middle leadership as a student co-ordinator and then became Leader of Curriculum at Newman Technical College, Port Macquarie.

“We then moved to Queensland for a position at St Catherine’s Catholic College Whitsundays and then was appointed as principal at St Joseph’s Cloncurry.

“I am now in my fourth year as Principal at St Patrick’s College and as a family we love the Gympie region lifestyle and community.”

Daman Weir, Tin Can Bay P-10 State School

Tin Can Bay P-10 State School principal Daman Weir has worked in education for more than 20 years and held teaching and principal positions across the state.

“I grew up and attended school on the Sunshine Coast and went on to study a Bachelor of Education at QUT.

“I have held a range of positions in a wide variety of locations, including five years on beautiful Thursday Island in the Torres Strait and numeracy coach at Chancellor State College on the Sunshine Coast.

“I took up my first principal position at Yorke Island where my family and I got to spend two wonderful years.

“I was then appointed to the Principal position at Biggenden P-10 State School where I spent three years enjoying the country life before being appointed to principal at Tin Can Bay State School.

“I feel very fortunate to have lived and worked in a variety of settings and to have been welcomed in all of these wonderful communities.

“I am passionate about providing a high-quality education that caters to the needs and abilities of all students and am thoroughly enjoying my time at Tin Can Bay State School.

“I am an avid surfer, designing and making my own surfboards and testing them on the breaks at “Double Island and on the Sunshine Coast.”

Peter Teagle, Two Mile State School

Two Mile principal Peter Teagle started his career with Education Queensland in 1987, his first posting being at Pialba State School in Hervey Bay.

He took some time off to travel in the early 1990s before returning to work at various schools on the Sunshine Coast.

After a long tenure as a teacher at Coolum State School, both in the classroom and teaching PE (physical education), in 2011 he worked in the remote community of Doomadgee.

In 2015 he was appointed principal at Gindie SS in Central Queensland.

Since 2017 he has been principal at Two Mile State School.

Mr Teagle enjoys stand-up paddle boarding and watching the Richmond Tigers win premierships.

Alwyn Prinsloo, Victory College

Victory College principal Alwyn Prinsloo is the Head of College at Victory after overseeing (the school’s) primary college for two years.

Originally from South Africa, where he was a principal for eight years, Mr Prinsloo arrived in Australia in 2015.

Prior to joining Victory College, he taught mathematics at St Teresa‘s in Noosaville.

For Mr Prinsloo, “being involved in teaching provides an opportunity to have a positive influence on the future of our students”.

A long-time lover of Rugby Union, Mr Prinsloo has been involved in the sport since the age of six and still makes his way down to the training grounds as much as possible.

He is married to Michelle and has four children.

Mr Prinsloo is also proud of becoming an Australian citizen earlier this year.