Indooroopilly State High school principal Michael Hornby announces shock resignation

The principal of one of Queensland’s best state high schools has told shocked parents this afternoon that he will resign by the end of this year.

Indooroopilly State high School is looking for its third executive principal in three years.

The executive principal of one of Queensland’s best secondary schools, Indooroopilly State High School in Brisbane’s inner west, told shocked parents on Thursday afternoon that he would resign by the end of this year.

A two-decade teaching veteran, he steered the school through the post-Covid era in his two-and-a-half years there after taking over from long-serving executive principal Lois O’Reilly.

He grappled with a surging enrolment, driven by its top-30 NAPLAN scores and exceptional ATAR results.

Last year he announced all out of school catchment enrolments would stop, as would merit enrolments, in a bid to stabilise its 3000-plus population.

The school P&C had to mobilise just before Christmas last year when it was feared the library would be carved up for extra classrooms and some students would be learning in converted storerooms.

Two large demountables were built over the Christmas holidays, averting some of those changes.

Indooroopilly State High executive principal Michael Hornby.

Mr Hornby was widely regarded as a collaborative leader who had the support of his P&C and parents.

“After much reflection and careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to step down as the executive principal of Indooroopilly State High School and also resign from Education Queensland, to take effect before the start of the 2025 school year,’’ he said in an email to parents on October 17.

“Serving as the Executive Principal of this exceptional school has been a privilege and one of the most rewarding experiences of my 18-year career.

“I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to lead such an amazing school and community. “Indooroopilly State High School is a special place.

“I could never put my finger on what made it so special, but I think it has something to do with the fact that it has such a beautiful, dynamic, inclusive and community-centric culture. “The students are exceptional, supported by the most amazing team of teachers, support staff, parents, guardians, alumni and community members.’’

He said he would spend the rest of the year working with the school leadership team and Education Queensland to ensure a smooth transition.

Originally published as Indooroopilly State High school principal Michael Hornby announces shock resignation