Bondi Public School mourns death of longstanding principal
The eastern suburbs community is today mourning the sad loss of Bondi Public School principal Michael Jones, many are paying tribute to the long-time school head after his unexpected death at the weekend.
Students, teachers and members of the wider eastern suburbs community are mourning the death of Bondi Public School principal Michael Jones, who passed away at the weekend.
Parents were advised this morning that assembly for students would be cancelled, with pupils told to go to their classrooms where counselling services were available for those who required it.
Mr Jones, who took over as the school’s head 12 years ago, was on leave from duties after undergoing heart surgery this month.
Deputy principal Olivia Parry said in an email to parents: “It is with great sadness that I write to inform you of the passing of our principal Mr Michael Jones. His passing was sudden and unexpected.
“Mr Jones was incredibly proud to be principal of our school. Under his leadership, Bondi PS grew from 76 students in 2007 to the thriving school that we know and love today.
“His dedication and passion to public education can be seen in the innovative programs that he introduced here. He very much enjoyed working with students and watching them learn and grow. He will be sadly missed by our school community.”
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A champion of education in the eastern suburbs, Mr Jones worked at Glenmore Road (Paddington) and Woollahra public schools before taking the job at Bondi.
Jackie Stricker-Phelps remembered her former colleague as a generous man who dedicated more than 40 years of his life to helping children.
A week before his death, Mr Jones was campaigning for her wife Kerryn, the former Wentworth MP, on election day.
“Kerryn and I are mourning the loss of a very close friend,” Ms Stricker-Phelps said.
“(His campaigning) was just a testament to his amazing and wonderfully caring character.
“He loved his children to absolute distraction … I believe he is one of the best headmasters I have ever seen … those kids (at Bondi Public School) loved him.”
Mr Jones’ death has sent a shockwave through the teaching community, with the Department of Education remembering him as a “highly regarded educator”.
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