Potts Point girls’ school St Vincent’s College to re-advertise principal job after failed headhunt
The hunt for a new principal to lead an inner-city independent Catholic school ‘into its next phase’ has been unsuccessful, adding to the all-girls school’s growing leadership woes.
The hunt for a new principal to lead inner-city independent Catholic school St Vincent’s College “into its next phase” has been unsuccessful, adding to the all-girls institution’s growing leadership woes.
Current head of the Potts Point college Anne Fry was attempting to retire from her “distinguished 30-year career” as a principal mid-next year, but will now be stuck there until at least the end of 2026 after a three-month recruitment process failed to turn up a suitable replacement.
Parents and “friends” of the school were informed of the “unfortunate” news, that “a leader of outstanding calibre” could not be found, by chairman John Finneran on Thursday morning.
“The appointment of a Principal is one of the most important responsibilities entrusted to the Board, and we remain committed to securing for St Vincent’s College a leader of outstanding calibre who upholds our values and our vision,” he wrote in the letter.
“In fulfilling our responsibility, the Board conducted a thorough process for the recruitment, selection and appointment of the new Principal which included careful consideration and deep discernment.
“This process unfortunately did not result in securing an appointment to carry the leadership of the College forward into its next phase.”
Mr Finneran went on to confirm that Mrs Fry had “generously agreed to extend her tenure” to guarantee “continuity and stability for our students, staff, and families” and that the position would be readvertised early next year.
Just one day earlier, Mrs Fry had written to parents confirming her second in charge had quit to take up the head job at rival all-girls independent Catholic school Santa Sabina College in Strathfield.
Deputy Principal Elizabeth Brooks will vacate her current position at the end of Term 2 in 2026, meaning the school will be searching for two new leaders when the summer break is over.
“During her career Elizabeth has championed the education of girls, amplified their voices and developed the deep leadership potential of young women,” Mrs Fry wrote.
“Her pastoral instincts and gentle strength have guided many young women through challenges and growth milestones.
“Elizabeth was educated by the Dominicans, spent the first twenty years of her career teaching at Santa Sabina and now will return to lead the College into the future.
“Here at St Vincent’s, we will miss her immensely, but we will dig deep to find the generosity of spirit we will need to say goodbye and wish her great success and fulfilment in her new role.”
St Vincent’s College is the oldest Catholic girls school in NSW and charges annual tuition fees between $22,800 and $26,500.
It ranks within the top 100 secondary schools in NSW, based on last year’s HSC results, and paid its two “key management personnel” over $716,000 that year.
In 2024 the City of Sydney council approved $43.5 million renovations at St Vincent’s which will include new rooftop tennis courts and a new “partially sunken multipurpose sporting facility” featuring a sports hall and indoor pool.
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Originally published as Potts Point girls’ school St Vincent’s College to re-advertise principal job after failed headhunt
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