Gold Coast's Aquinas College new principal Marcus Richardson says he brings 22 years experience to the table
One of the Coast's top schools has a new principal, and despite being in the middle of a Covid-19 lockdown he's still smiling. READ WHY
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AQUINAS College’s new principal Marcus Richardson has been in the top job for less than a month and already he’s having to navigate the school through a Covid lockdown.
“Professionally we’ve all grown because of Covid-19 and had to face some pretty steep learning curves, but I know it’s incredibly fatiguing for families,” he said.
“What I do know is that often the best outcome that comes from such trying circumstances is solidarity.”
Mr Richardson, 47, took over as the head of the Gold Coast’s oldest coeducational catholic college when Peter Hurley retired at the end of term two this year.
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With 22 years in the education sector, 12 of those in leadership positions at schools in and around Ipswich, where he lives, Mr Richardson said he’d made a conscious decision to slide quietly into the top role.
“As a principal you’ve got to work hard to understand the kids and our students need to be valued and feel valued,” he said.
“Where they are at right now is so critical to them and teenagers all go through a phase where validation comes from their peers.
“Sometimes they might find that adults in their lives are inhibitors but the wisdom around that is crucial and teachers absolutely critical in imparting this, especially older ones.”
Used to living within five minutes of the school where he worked in Ipswich, Mr Richardson is keen to move alongside the Aquinas community, saying it brings with it “an accountability” and the chance to get to know families outside of school gates.
“My initial reaction is this school community is a good one, with nice parents who’ve attended the school themselves so are invested in it,” he said.
“But my first priority is knowing this place, knowing its journey and knowing where it’s at and only then can I take it forward.
“The least I can do is give parents and students the respect of getting to know the school.
“In saying that, my message to students is that I want it (the school) to be better, because I want the same thing for myself.
“We want to grow, we want to improve, we want great outcomes for our students.”
Growing up in Goodna as one of three sons and attending St Edmund’s College in Ipswich, Mr Richardson said he had “aspirational parents”, a nurse and a taxi driver, who worked hard with what they had and valued education.
Working in a bank before retraining as a teacher, the father of boys in year 6 and 9 said his first posting was in Bundaberg but that since then he’s worked at an all-girls school and a co-ed school.
"Knowing the nuances of both boys and girls is very critical,” Mr Richardson said.
Describing himself as a “bit of an extrovert”, the principal said he was also “relational” and for him the most important part of his job was making sure students felt valued and respected no matter where they were in their journey.
“I want the kids, and I call them kids because it’s the pastoral nature of me, to feel as though they can have a chat with me,” he said.
“What I hope is that after they’ve spent some time with me they feel valued.”
‘Humbled’ principal’s inspiring message as he retires from top Coast school
June 25
RETIRING Aquinas College principal Peter Hurley is a third generation teacher who has devoted 42 years to educating, nurturing and encouraging more than 10,000 students across eight schools and three states and territories.
“Teaching is about working with young people. They keep me young and active. I will miss having them around and their love of learning and wonder in their eyes. I love being with them and will miss the odd game of handball or table tennis in the hub,” said outgoing principal Mr Hurley.
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The 63-year-old’s last day at the Ashmore school is Friday June 25, with the educator saying he was ready for the next phase of his life and looking forward to spending time with his wife Susan, their five sons, and their seven, soon-to-be eight, grandchildren.
“I plan to do the ‘big lap’ at some stage and travel overseas when Covid allows such travel. I also would like to fully restore my 1984 Alfa Romeo Spider convertible,” said Mr Hurley.
His career started in the Northern Territory in 1980 when he taught 15 indigenous students at Daly River, and after that he had various positions in the NT as a maths, science and religious education teacher.
Always with a thirst for knowledge and learning, Mr Hurley furthered his training by completing a Bachelor of Education and Masters in Educational Leadership.
“I always enjoyed school and loved learning – not in a nerdy kind of way but loved finding out about new stuff,” he said.
“My mother and grandmother were teachers, as is my son – Matthew. He’s a fourth generation teacher.”
In 1990 he moved to Canberra where he was a science co-ordinator, and biology and chemistry teacher at St Peter’s College.
A few years later, in 1997, he moved to Queensland to become the assistant principal and RE teacher at St Ursula’s Toowoomba. He stayed there for more than 10 years before starting at the Gold Coast’s Marymount College in 2008.
In 2011 he was the head of senior school at Assisi College and in 2016 took up the position of principal of Aquinas College.
“I think a highlight of my career is the creation of a Masterplan for Aquinas, to take it from a good school to be a great school,” he said.
“The building of stage one – the St Thomas Aquinas Centre – is the beginning of this masterplan.
“The building provides staff and students with a contemporary learning, teaching and work space. By providing a professional space, we hope the students reap the rewards.”
Mr Hurley said while he recognises the importance of compliance and accountability, he won’t miss the paperwork that “tends to build up and can take you away from the interpersonal aspect of various roles”.
If he could offer some advice to the young teachers of today it would be this …
“Education is relational. Build relationships, know and care about the young people. If they feel a connection, the learning and teaching comes easily.
“Don’t stop learning yourself. In my teaching area of science, the changes that have happened over my career are amazing.
“Learn from the students in your care. They can teach us much – personal resilience from a student struggling with illness, drive and determination from the athlete that trains 20 hours per week, compassion from the student who cares for their younger brothers and sister when mum and dad work long shift work.
“I am humbled by the gifts our young people can provide us ‘oldies’.”
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