Deputy principal at Wilderness, Ben Manifold, to take over as head of St John’s Grammar

The deputy principal of a top Adelaide girls school will take over at St John’s Grammar School after the current head announced his retirement.

St John’s Grammar School in Belair has revealed the new principal who will take over from current head Richard Anderson after he announced his retirement last year.

Wilderness School deputy principal Ben Manifold will begin at St John’s from term 3 this year after Mr Anderson formally retires.

St John’s Grammar School chair of the board of governors, Naomi Lindermeyer announced the appointment in a message to its community on Tuesday.

Ms Lindermeyer highlighted Mr Manifold’s decade of leadership experience at Wilderness School, in Medindie.

Wilderness deputy principal Ben Manifold will take over as head of St John's Grammar School. Picture: Supplied

“During his tenure there, Ben has combined his strategic and operational expertise with a commitment to fostering respectful relationships and community engagement whilst championing academic growth,” she said.

“A long-time resident of the Adelaide Hills with his family, Ben is already deeply connected to the wider community.”

Mr Manifold said he was “thrilled and humbled” to join St John’s.

“Exceptional educational outcomes occur when students, staff, families and the broader community come together to create a place where everyone feels valued, empowered and connected,” Mr Manifold said.

“I know that these values are at the heart of St John’s Grammar School.”

Mr Manifold holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Education.

The incoming principal will engage in a handover process over multiple weeks in term two in which he will work closely with Mr Anderson and members of the school leadership team.

Premier Peter Malinauskas with St John's principal Richard Anderson, who will retire at the end of term 2. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Anderson announced his retirement in October 2024, after more than 25 years at the school and more than four decades in education.

“Despite the fact that I love the school and I love the people in it, I’m looking forward to having the capacity … to think about post-school life,” Mr Anderson said at the time.

He joined St John’s in 2000 and was appointed by the then principal to be co-ordinator of student welfare and head of mathematics.

The mid-year timing of his resignation “allows for the successor to come in and spend a little bit of time with me in handover”.

Originally published as Deputy principal at Wilderness, Ben Manifold, to take over as head of St John’s Grammar