Principal Dr Marie Perry shares 2023 goals for Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School

A well-loved educator who has spent time at some of Brisbane’s leading private schools has revealed the exciting thing that brought her back “home” from the other side of the country.

Ipswich Girls’ Grammar exteriors. Picture: Jono Searle.

Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School’s new principal has shared her vision of innovation and opportunity that she hopes will steer its students to success.

Dr Marie Perry was excited to return “back home” to Queensland in 2023 to see Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School through its 131st year of operation, after the departure of former principal Dr Peter Britton last year.

Dr Perry moved from Sydney to Brisbane in 2000 and worked in various roles at St Margarets, Churchie, Moreton Bay Boys College and A.B. Paterson College before moving to Perth five years ago.

She flourished in the role of principal at Methodist Ladies College in Perth, but struggled being separated from family throughout COVID-19 lockdowns and ultimately decided it was time to return to Queensland.

“The [Ipswich] community has been so welcoming, they’ve made it a nice easy transition,” Dr Perry said.

Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School's new 2023 principal Marie Perry. Picture: Supplied

Dr Perry said she was “really excited” when she saw the Ipswich Girls’ Grammar position advertised, and she “knew the school well, the values of the school, and the community feel of the school”.

“Being a principal’s a 24/7 job … I believe you need to have a strong values alignment to be able to manage in the role.”

Dr Perry said she particularly resonated with the school’s priority for innovation and preparing students for the future.

“I want the students to do well while they’re at school obviously, but really it’s even more important for me that they do well after school,” she said.

She said she was also “really impressed” by the school’s community service efforts.

“I think when we’re in schools like this, we do have a certain amount of privilege and it’s really important that we understand what our privilege is and how we can serve others – and that’s very much part of what this school it about,” she explained.

Dr Perry said one of her main priorities for 2023 was diversifying opportunities for the students by offering “a variety of pathways for them that are all valued – equally valued so that the girls are taking the right opportunities and taking a chance on things”.

She said the school is particularly interested in expanding in the technology and innovation space by embedding entrepreneurial programs in the curriculum and, most recently, providing opportunities for students to participate and compete in e-sports.

“At the moment we’re really looking at our teaching pedagogy and making sure that that’s really current and future focused,” Dr Perry said.

Ipswich Girls' Grammar School.

“There’s a lot of talk in education in some sectors about banning this and banning that … Technology is here, it’s not going anywhere.

“It’s our job as parents and educators to help the students young and old learn how to manage that ethically and responsibly, and also to think about their wellbeing and where that fits in as well – so that they can thrive rather than be fearful of what’s happening and what’s coming”.

Currently, Dr Perry is collaborating with the school’s board of trustees to put together a new strategic plan, which will incorporate those new priorities and feedback from community consultation conducted last year.

The plans will be finalised for the school’s speech night on October 16, and will “set the strategy” for the next five to ten years.

“Off the back of that, we will be looking at our new campus masterplan – so depending on what the strategic initiatives finally look like, that will then direct what the campus masterplan will be for the next probably 20 to 25 years,” Dr Perry said.

Ultimately Dr Perry hopes to leave a lasting legacy at Ipswich Girls’ Grammar by ensuring its students graduate feeling “confident, capable, feel that they’re valued and heard, and that they’re really successful after they leave here”.

“The bigger picture is to make sure we’re here for another 130 years and to make sure we’re thriving and strong.”