Somerset College Headmaster Craig Bassingthwaighte announces retirement

The headmaster of one of the Gold Coast’s most successful independent schools has revealed his plans after announcing he is to step down from the role. Here’s what he said.

Somerset College will begin the search for a new Headmaster after Craig Bassingthwaighte on Thursday announced he will step down from the role at the end of next year.

Mr Bassingthwaighte, who was Somerset’s third headmaster, has overseen a major expansion of the Mudgeeraba school which now boasts more than 1700 students – up from about 1100 when he took over in 2009.

Mr Bassingthwaighte told the Bulletin he was proud that growth had allowed many more children to be educated at the school.

“We were 1100 students then. We’re 1730 now. That’s quite dramatic, that’s an over 50 per cent increase in the student base so it’s been great to be able to provide that opportunity for many, many more Gold Coast families. I’m excited by that,” he said.

“To be part of the growing up and the maturation of the Gold Coast, that’s been something I’ve really been happy about.”

Somerset is regularly found to be among the top schools in the city for academic achievement

Mr Bassingthwaighte credited those results on the commitment of students who were “prepared to work with their teachers rather than against them.”

“That’s been an enormous part of our success, that it’s a real partnership,” he said.

Somerset College Headmaster Craig Bassingthwaighte in his office at the school.

Somerset College Chairman, Tony Hickey OAM, said Mr Bassingthwaighte had made an enormous contribution to education in Queensland and in Australia.

“Craig has been instrumental in enhancing Somerset College as one of the leading independent coeducational schools in Queensland, and during the last 16 years he has continued to build on that wonderful footprint to create today’s campus and legacy,” said Mr Hickey.

“Craig has always demonstrated an absolute commitment and concern for the growth of our students and the growth of the business to support students, and we will forever honour and be thankful for his service and wish him all the very best for his next chapter.”

In a 45-year career which started at TSS, Mr Bassingthwaighte also served as Principal of Whitsunday Anglican School Mackay, on the Board of the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia, on the Board of Independent Schools Queensland and on the Governing Council of his Alma Mater at Griffith University.

He said that his plans for retirement revolved around spending more time with his family – in particular his grandchildren.

“My plans are really focused on our two granddaughters, to be available to them, and as I said to the staff this morning, to repay some of the debt that I owe my wife for all the sacrifices I made,” he said.

Somerset College said it will commence a recruitment process and announce the school’s 2025 Headmaster later this year.

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