Brisbane Boys’ College announces new Deputy Headmaster

One of Queensland’s top private schools has announced its new Deputy Headmaster. It comes as one of the state’s best girls’ schools has begun advertising for a Deputy Principal.

Brisbane Boys' College has announced a new headmaster. Source: Hutchinson Builders

Toowong GPS school Brisbane Boys’ College this afternoon (November 14) announced it had chosen a new Deputy Headmaster.

It comes after Damon Emtage earlier this year resigned to take up a senior leadership role in his New Zealand homeland.

Mr Emtage , whose wife was associate dean of student wellbeing at Somerville House girls’ school in South Brisbane, revealed in August that he was leaving to become principal at Saint Kentigern College in Auckland.

After a national and international search, BBC Headmaster Andre Casson confirmed Scott Murphy had been chosen to become his Deputy and Head of Senior School, starting in January.

“The selection process was rigorous, hence the lengthy time frame, and involved key stakeholders in our community to assist in making the most informed decision possible,’’ Mr Casson said.

Brisbane Boys' College's new Deputy Headmaster.

“I am grateful to all involved with this process and I am extremely excited to have Mr Murphy join our community and continue the legacy of our wonderful school.’’

Mr Murphy is the Deputy Head of Secondary School at the Australian International School (AIS) in Singapore.

Brisbane Boys’ College. Picture: Supplied

Mr Casson, a Harvard Business School graduate, was head of the AIS for about a decade before being headhunted following the resignation of Paul Brown in February last year.

He has stabilised BBC after a troubled period and is highly regarded within the school community.

Mr Murphy will take charge of a Secondary School with 1100 students from Year 6 to Year 12.

While at AIS he has had oversight of the pastoral care and wellbeing of all students and staff.

Mr Casson said the BBC job selection panel was particularly impressed by Mr Murphy’s work in academic wellbeing, an area in which he has presented talks at several international conferences.

Brisbane Boys College Headmaster Andre Casson. Picture: Supplied

Mr Murphy has written a dissertation on the field, which considers how a school can better use data to understand each individual student’s welfare, as well as their academic needs, to create the most successful environment for them to thrive.

He has more than 18 years’ teaching experience internationally and in Australia, specialising in adolescent development.

Before moving to Singapore he held several leadership positions in schools in Victoria.

A keen sportsman, he was looking forward to engaging with BBC, which this year won a number of prestigious sporting competitions including the GPS Head of the River regatta for the second year running.

He has a wife, Shannon, and two sons.

Stuartholme School, a leading Catholic girls’ school, also in Toowong, meanwhile has been widely advertising for a new deputy principal after Acting Principal Danny Crump took on the top job last month.