Matthew Flinders principal Stuart Meade announces his resignation

Another elite Sunshine Coast school principal has announced his departure, the second to call time in the past week. Read why he will head for the exit door here.

Principal Stuart Meade in class with Year 12 students at Matthew Flinders Anglican College.

Matthew Flinders Anglican College principal Stuart Meade has announced when he’ll depart after guiding the school through Covid-19 and the overhaul of the Queensland tertiary entrance system, among other achievements.

Mr Meade, who started at the school in 2017, has made the decision to move back to Western Australia to be with his family.

He has been one of two senior educators on the Coast to announce their departure in as many weeks, with Immanuel Lutheran College principal Colin Minke also announcing his resignation on July 10.

The school announced on Monday, July 17 that Mr Meade would be seeing out the school year before his departure.

Mr Meade has 21 years’ experience as a school principal and said he was honoured to have led the college over the past several years.

“It has been a pleasure to have contributed to providing our students with a quality education,” he said.

His tenure at the school faced significant challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic and the overhaul of the OP system to the ATAR system for tertiary entrance.

Despite that, the college said that enrolments have increased during his time a principal, and the graduating classes at the school continue to achieve some the highest rankings in the state.

Matthew Flinders Anglican College principal Stuart Meade during the Covid-19 pandemic.

There are currently 1380 students at Matthew Flinders, with waiting lists for all intake years.

In 2022, both the primary and secondary schools ranked with the highest NAPLANs on the Sunshine Coast.

The Flinders board chairwoman Peta Grenfell said they were grateful for his “hard work and tireless service”.

“Particularly with his contribution to the strategic direction, successfully navigating COVID and ensuring an ongoing and safe learning environment for our students,” Ms Grenfell said.

Matthew Flinders Anglican College principal Stuart Meade with students.

Flinders Parents and Friends’ Association president Caroline Edwards said Mr Meade had led the school with strength and integrity over the past seven years.

“Especially through the pandemic,” she said.

“Despite the disruptions to our sense of community, Mr Meade has encouraged our parents and friends to connect.”

Mr Meade said he had enjoyed working with the school’s more than 250-strong staff.

“I appreciate their continued support, passion and steadfast commitment,” he said.

Ms Grenfell said the board had begun the recruitment process for his a successor.

“In the interim, we will maintain our high standards of education,” Ms Grenfell said.

Originally published as Matthew Flinders principal Stuart Meade announces his resignation