Anglican Schools Commission
Tribute to a
Great Principal
The Revd Peter Laurence OAM, CEO, Anglican Schools Commission
Research out of the University of Queensland suggests that the average fifteen-year-old today will have 17 different jobs in their working lifetime, and will change whole careers five times.
In my world of ‘schools’, the average tenure for a principal to serve in the same school in Australia is about four years. The headmaster of my alma mater served for 38 years and today is the School’s longest-serving principal and one of Australia’s longest also. The great Peter Moyes (after whom we named a school in Mindarie) served Christ Church Grammar School as its Headmaster for 31 years.
In a fast-changing world, those days are all but over. It is rare indeed for a chief executive (or senior leader of any form) to clock up decades of leadership in the same institution.
One such extraordinary person is about to retire from the principalship of John Wollaston Anglican Community School in the south-eastern suburbs of Perth. When Ms Anne Ford retires early next month, she will do so as the longest-serving principal within the Anglican Schools Commission’s history, completing over 23 years of exemplary service to the students and staff in her care.
Anne joined the ASC family in 2001 following a most successful career, including as Deputy Principal of a government high school prior to John Wollaston. From the beginning, Anne brought an energy, determination and compassion to John Wollaston.
With a commitment to the wellbeing of every child, Anne oversaw the growth of all aspects of the School. Her desire to fulfil the ASC’s missional commitment to students with diverse needs has seen John Wollaston become renowned as a school that cares for all. Over her 23 years of leadership, hundreds of young people with different abilities have received an education that equipped them for an adult life that wouldn’t always be straight forward.
Whilst catering to a wide range of abilities, John Wollaston students’ academic achievements are well known. From exceptional ATAR results year after year, to vocational and career achievements in trades and beyond, the typical John Wollaston student under Anne’s tenure has gone on to areas of study, work and life in general that they chose, thanks to their rich school days.
Anne has served well beyond John Wollaston, within the ASC and Diocese (including as a Trustee), and across independent schooling in WA and nationally. She is committed to Anglican schools and our Church, and lives the ASC’s core values of faith, excellence, justice, respect, integrity and inclusion.
Occasionally you come across a person about whom it can be said they are an extraordinary leader and role model, dedicated beyond question to those in their care. Anne Ford is such a principal, and both John Wollaston and the ASC have been so much the better for her 23+ years of service.
Thank you Anne! We know this won’t be the last we see of you in the ASC and across the diocese, but in the meantime, enjoy a well-deserved rest before you embark on the next part of your life of service to others.
Images from John Wollaston Anglican Community School Website (jwacs.wa.edu.au)
