St Joseph’s Nudgee College principal announces resignation

The “highly esteemed” principal of St Joseph’s Nudgee College has called it quits, moving to a newly created role that will extend his influence across Queensland Catholic schools.

St Joseph’s Nudgee College.

The “highly esteemed” principal of St Joseph’s Nudgee College has called it quits, moving to a newly created role that will extend his influence across Queensland Catholic schools from 2024.

Peter Fullagar informed the Nudgee community his decision was “the result of considerable discernment about my future”.

Mr Fullagar, who became principal of the prestigious 132-year-old day and boarding school in Boondall in 2015, will take up the inaugural position of regional director of education for EREA (Edmund Rice Education Australia) Colleges.

The role will see him influence the direction of schools including Nudgee, St Joseph’s College Terrace Gregory Terrace (Spring Hill), Ambrose Treacy (Indooroopilly), St Laurence’s (South Brisbane), St Patrick’s (Shorncliffe), St James (Brisbane), St Edmund’s (Ipswich), St Brendan’s (Yeppoon), Ignatius Park (Townsville) and a host of flexi-schools across the state.

Mr Fullagar’s gambit also takes in the ACT and Tasmania.

Peter Fullagar has announced his resignation.

In a statement, he said: “While I am excited about the challenging opportunity that this change offers, I am also deeply saddened to be leaving St Joseph’s Nudgee College, a school community that I have loved serving as principal”.

Mr Fullagar said he had deep gratitude for his associations over the past nine years, starting with the students.

“I have been energised by their passion for their school and their mates, inspired by their courage in the face of adversity and privileged to witness beautiful little boys grow into the very best of young men,” he said.

Mr Fullagar was an outspoken education figure during state government imposed Covid lockdowns, opposing restrictions which saw boarders separated from their families.

Chris Woolley, CEO of EREA Colleges, said he understood news of Mr Fullagar’s move “may evoke mixed emotions within the (Nudgee) school community”.

“Simultaneously, we are excited about Peter’s opportunity to contribute significantly to the broader EREA community. Peter is a highly esteemed and revered educational leader,” Mr Woolley said.

The recruitment process for the new Nudgee principal has begun.