Dr John Collier BA, DIP.ED., DIP

Dr John Collier BA, DIP.ED., DIP. BIBL.ST., ED.D, FACE, FACEL

Our Head of School, Dr John Collier, has had 45 years thus far teaching experience and is in his 28th calendar year as a Principal (Head of School).

Dr Collier is deeply interested • Principal, St Paul’s Grammar School in academic excellence, Penrith, 1997 – 2009. St Paul’s is a strong pastoral care, vibrant P-12 Independent interdenominational Christian School which grew to 1350 co-curricular programmes, students. At the time of his departure, modes, including within the academic results were the equal Christian education, of of elite schools in the northern engaging young people in suburbs and inner west of Sydney. authentic and critical thinking, Under his leadership, St Paul’s was and the development of well- the first school in NSW to introduce the Primary Years Programme and rounded young people who Middle Years Programme of the will become successful adults International Baccalaureate. and active citizens. Indeed, • Founding Principal, Thomas Reddall these areas were the subject High School, a government school of his doctoral research. in Campbelltown, south-western He advocates a style of Sydney, 1990 – 1997, appointed when there were no other staff, and Christian education which is no buildings. Thomas Reddall High open and inclusive, encourages School grew to 1100 students by 1996. Dr Collier regards critique and thoughtful He was amongst the first group of working with young analysis, and permits respectful people appointed to government people as his life’s work. dissent. Dr Collier believes school Principalships through a merit He finds them immensely Heads of Schools should also selection process, and at the time be students themselves, and of appointment, was the youngest encouraging and government school Principal in the vibrant. Each new year, writers, who seek to contribute state (still in short trousers, he says!). as students are about to to the way in which education • Leading Teacher (Deputy Principal), is conceptualised and delivered return to school, he is so Elderslie High School, Camden, excited by the resumption, School roles 1989 – 1990. Leading Teacher roles he can’t sleep! This being were positions awarded for the first the case, retirement is • Head, St Andrew’s Cathedral School time in 1989 and, somewhat not imminent (or even Sydney from the beginning of 2010. controversially, to those identified by the Department of Education as the on the horizon!). St Andrew’s is the central Anglican School of the Sydney Anglican 53 best teachers in the state. They were Diocese, with approximately 1200 merit appointments designed to fast track these teachers, particularly in students K-12. the areas of curriculum, assessment, • Also Head, St Andrew’s Cathedral teaching methodology, staff Gawura School, an Indigenous K-6 development and community liaison. day school of 28 students on site in Within the 53 choices of schools St Andrew’s House. available to those selected, he was very fortunate in being placed in his • Member (Observer status) • Leader of review teams to inspect first choice, Elderslie High School, of the Board of the Association and report, according to normal which was then the academically of Independent Schools (AIS) NSW, Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation top performing school, government, 2011-2013 serving as a board of evaluative cycle, on St Luke’s Anglican non-government or independent, in governance for provision of services Grammar School, Dee Why and south-western Sydney. At the end of to the independent sector, including Richard Johnson Anglican College, curriculum, financial, legal and 1990, he was one of only two of the Oakhurst. industrial advice. 53 promoted to the Principalship. • Member of Australian Christian • Member of AIS Committees: Forum of Education and Teachers’ Beyond school roles Election Strategy; Professional Christian Fellowship of NSW; Executive Development; Employment Member of TCF 1997 – 1998. • Chair, AHISA (NSW/ACT) Relations; and Great Teaching from 2011 - 2013. Inspired Learning; former member AHISA (Association of Heads of of AIS Languages Committee. Sabbatical leave professional Independent Schools of Australia) development • AIS and AHISA Mentor for is the peak body for Heads in the emerging leaders (those aspiring sector. In addition to advocacy and 2003 to Principalship) in schools. consultation with statutory bodies Three weeks in Toronto, Canada, and politicians, leadership of this 120 • Chair 2016-2017 and Vice Chairman studying Anglican Schools in Canada school member group has included Independent Sporting Association and spending time with Professor (ISA), 2006 – 2007, 2010 – 2015. induction of new members to the Michael Fullan, international authority which, along with GPS, CAS and Association (and often to Principalship on school change processes and AHIGS constitutes the Saturday Sport itself), Chairing of meetings, building quality into teaching. associations in the independent sector. leadership of the Branch Executive, The role of Chairman is part of the and troubleshooting and pastoral 2012 Executive on a Board of Directors of advice for Principals. this 20 member Association. One month spent visiting Anglican Schools in England, particularly studying As Chair at a time of political • Former Chair of Head Masters’ English methods of tracking student discussion over the Gonski reforms, Conference (HMC) Education engagement and achievement, and involved in meetings with the Prime Research Group, targeting current building school culture; Minister, Premier and State and educational research of high value Federal Ministers for Education. to Principals. Conference attendance: • International Professional Development Also initiated a Coalition with • Initiated and Chaired Collegial Group Conference for school leaders; successive Presidents of NSW State of Principals of new government • British Christian Education Conference; Secondary Principals’ Council to schools in NSW 1992-1997 and • Two short courses at Regent College instituted conferences, visits to one lobby politicians, ACARA (Australian in Vancouver, Canada. Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting another’s schools and joint lobbying Authority) and the NSW Board of of the Department of Education 2015 Finances Directorate and the Director Studies on, respectively, funding for – General over appropriate resourcing • Seven weeks in Scandinavia and all sectors, and curriculum matters. of new government schools. This Europe attending the International • Chair, AHISA (NSW/ACT) developed into pastoral support of Principals Confederation Conference Academic Committee 2004-2011, some new Principals who were in Finland on quality education, visiting dealing with the BOS and ACARA on all struggling with aspects of establishing schools and meeting with principals matters of curriculum and assessment, their schools. and education system leaders including Chairing termly meetings • Recipient of NSW State Secondary • Australian Institute of Company with the President and Chief Executive Principals Council Travelling Directors course. of the NSW Board of Studies. Fellowship 1996 and 1997 to visit and study 19 new high schools in NSW, 2016 • Member of AHISA National Board Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania, 2011 – 2013, governing the • EurECA (European Association of and subsequently developed a kit on association of 430 independent Christian Educators) International commencing new schools for the schools in Australia. Conference in Lisbon, Portugal. NSW Department of School Education. • Solo Representative of AHISA at • Member of the Issues in Education Academic qualifications the ICP (International Confederation Committee and Anglican Education and honours of Principals) Board meeting in Commission of the Sydney Anglican Cairns, 2013, attempting to manage Diocese since 1994, contributing BA DipEd (Sydney University), Diploma professional development and to development of Anglican policy of Biblical Studies (Moore Theological networking for Principals across to support education in government College), Doctor of Education (University the globe. and independent schools. of Western Sydney) Doctoral Thesis (2008) on the Role of Busby High School, • Collier, J., (2017), Finding an effective Leadership in Developing New Schools, Liverpool West, 1981 – 1985 model of Christian proclamation in Academic Excellence, and School Culture (Head Teacher History) schools Goodlet, K., Collier J., and and Ethos, and Christian Education. George, T., (eds), Better Learning. Macquarie Fields High School, Trajectories for educators in Member of Chapter of St Andrew’s Campbelltown, 1986 – 1988 Christian schools. Cathedral and Lay Canon of the Cathedral, (Head Teacher History) • Goodlet K. and Collier J. (eds), (2014), which has ultimate responsibility for Elderslie High School, Teaching Well. Insights for Educators St Andrew’s Cathedral School. Camden, 1989 – 1990 in Christian Schools, Barton Books, Fellow of Australian College of (Leading Teacher) ACT. As well as co-editing, Educators and the Australian Council Thomas Reddall High School, contributed four pieces to the book, for Educational Leaders. These are the Campbelltown, 1990 – 1997 (Principal) which was launched in late February ultimate honours for educators in 2014, but will go into its fourth Australia, from the peak professional St Paul’s Grammar School, Penrith, 1997 – 2009 (Principal) print-run in May, comprising around bodies. 2,000 copies so far. The book has St Andrew’s Cathedral School, Winner of the Alan Laughlin Medal been set as a text for 14 courses at Sydney, from 2010 (Head of School) (2012) from the Sydney Branch of the Excelsia College (formerly, the Wesley Australian College of Educators, St Andrew’s Cathedral Institute) in teacher training units, and for school leadership. Gawura School, (Indigenous), Sydney, is already in use in Tanzania, New from 2011 (Head of School) Zealand, England, the USA, Malaysia, Winner of the J.T. Laing Award for Norway, Denmark, Holland, France, Principals’ Leadership (2014) from the • Married to Kate for 36 years (so far). Switzerland and Germany. Principals Australia Institute Three adult children, all married, and so far five grandchildren and one • Collier J. (2014), Our mission: Earlier career highlights ‘grand-dog’. transforming the lives of students, in Goodlet, K. and Collier, J., Teaching • Passions and hobbies: authentic • Executive Member of History Well. Insights for Educators in Christian education, excellence in Teachers’ Association of Christian Schools, Barton Books, ACT schooling, history, bushwalking, NSW (Metropolitan South-West); international politics, theology and • Collier J. (2014), Church and School, • Liverpool Area Regional History jazz (John maintains the last part of in Goodlet, K. and Collier, J., Teaching Curriculum Committee Chair; Revelation 5 is a picture of Heaven as Well. Insights for Educators in • Regional History Adviser to the an eternal improvised jazz concert). Christian Schools, Barton Books, ACT approximately 50 schools in the • Other Association Memberships: Church • Collier J. (2014) The icing or the cake? Metropolitan South West Region; Missionary Society, Jazz Action Society Current research on the impact of (NSW), National Maritime Museum, • Part-time Board of Studies History schools with a Christian ethos, in Renault Car Club of Australia. Assessment Adviser, visiting schools Goodlet, K. and Collier, J., Teaching to advise on assessment programmes. Well. Insights for Educators in Publications Christian Schools, Barton Books, ACT • Convenor of Metropolitan South West • Collier J. (2012), Models of Christian Leading Teachers’ Cluster Group. Education in Frame, T. (ed), Ministry in Anglican Schools: Principles and Summary of schools Practicalities, Anglican Schools in brief: Australia, Barton Books, ACT.

45 years thus far in eight schools, initially Worked with a small working party as an English and History teacher, then for two years on writing. Cairney, as a Head of History in two government T., Cowling, B. and Jensen, M. (2011), schools, as one of the first cohort of New Perspectives on Anglican Leading Teachers (Deputy Principals Education, Anglican Education appointed through a merit selection Commission, Sydney. This book process as change agents responsible extensively quotes preparatory papers for curriculum staff, development and Books written by him as part of the book’s community liaison), and then as Principal development. • Goodlet, K., George, T. and Collier, J. in four schools over the last 28 years. (eds.) (2017), Better Learning, Barton Lurnea High School, Books, ACT. Refereed Journals Liverpool West, 1973 – 1979 • Collier, J., (2017), The uncommitted and Monographs (English and History Teacher) and a school’s Christian stance in • Collier, J. (2013), Gawura (the Whale): Leumeah High School, Goodlet, K., Collier J., and George, T., an indigenous school within a school. Campbelltown, 1980 (eds), Better Learning. Trajectories Journal of Christian Education, 55, 1, (English and History Teacher) for educators in Christian schools. 51-58. • Collier, J., Models of Christian of the secondary head of department. • Collier, J. (2001). Following a standard. Education in Teach. 7 (1), 2013. International Studies in Educational Nexus, 34(3), 1-4 and 34(4), 5-8. This is a reworked version of what Administration, 30(2), 17-26. • Dinham, S., Brennan, K., Collier, J., appeared in Frame (ed), Ministry in • Collier, J. (2001). Establishing culture, Deece, A., & Mulford, D. (2000). Anglican Schools. ethos and market niche in new state The secondary head of department. • Collier, J., The Role of the Principal: A schools. Leading and Managing, 7(2), Duties, delights, dangers, direction Multi-faceted Role in Teach. 6 (2), 2012. 151-162. and development. Sydney: University of Western Sydney, Nepean. • Collier, J. & Dowson, M. (2008), • Dinham, S., Brennan, K., Collier, J., Beyond transmissional models of Deece, A., & Mulford, D. (2000). • Collier, J. (1997). Starting a new Christian education. One school’s The secondary head of department. school. Department of School initial attempt at recasting values Key link in the quality teaching and Education (NSW) Kit. education. Journal for Research on learning chain. Canberra: Australian • Collier, J. (1996). New schools on the Christian Education. 17 (2), 199 - 216. College of Education Occasional block. A beginner’s guide to success. Papers No. 2. • Collier, J. (2007). A manifesto for Principal Matters, 8(3), 30-33. Christian education. Issues in Christian Other Journals • Collier, J. (1996). Teaching. A sacred Education Series, The Center for Human or secular activity? Nexus, 28(14), 4-5. Interaction Learning and Development. • Collier, J., (2017), The head and Christian Sydney: Australian College of Ministries. education, Christian Teachers Journal, • Collier, J. (1994). Starting a new (ISBN 1740580087) 25, 1, 8-10 school – reflections three years down the track. Principal Matters, 5(4), 4-7. • Collier, J., & Dowson, M. (2007). • Collier, J., (2016) School development Applying an action research model toolkit: strategies to enhance senior • Collier, J., Fowler, V., Kalgovas, K., to improving the quality of Christian secondary outcomes, Independence, Levins, G., O’Kell, S., Tan, L., et. al. education – one school’s experience. 41, (1), 4-11. (1986). Let’s visit Liverpool and The Journal of Christian Education, • Collier, J., On the Death of a Student, Campbelltown. National Trust of 50(1), 27-36. Independence, 38 (2), 2013. Australia.

• Collier, J. (2006). Enhancing academic • Collier, J. (2007), Christian perspectives. • Collier, J., Wasson, L., & Whitby, G. outcomes in senior high school. Independence, 32(1), 4-7. (1984). Present approaches to the University of Western Sydney, past. Liverpool Area History • Collier, J. (2006 March,). School Bankstown, Higher Degree Conference Curriculum Committee, Department security. Teacher, Australian Council on-line publication. (ISBN 174 108 1270) of Education (NSW). for Educational Research, 39-40. • Collier, J. (2006). Encouraging high • Collier, J., (1983). Setting up 2 Unit • Collier, J. (2004). Towards high performance from the first cohort in general ancient history for the first achievement in Year 12: A principal’s a new school. Canberra: Australian time. History Teachers Association approach to monitoring and College of Educators, Occasional of NSW, 4, 24-27. intervention. The Practising Papers No. 9. Administrator, 26(2), 10-13, 41. • Collier, J., (1983). The Amarna period of • Deece, A., Dinham, S., Brennan, K., new kingdom Egypt. History Teachers • Collier, J. (2003). Flexible hours and Collier, J., & Mulford, D. (2003). The Association of NSW, 4, 28-37. extended days. The Practising leadership capabilities and decision Administrator, 25(4), 28-30. making of the secondary head of department. Leading and Managing, • Collier, J. (2002). Developing internal 9(1), 38-51. and external accountability. The Principal’s School Leadership Program, • Collier, J., Dinham, S., Brennan, International Exhibition Specialist K., Deece, A., & Mulford, D. (2002). Conference Papers, Sydney, 35-42. Perceptions and realities of the work 10/04/2017

St Andrew’s Cathedral School Sydney Square, Sydney NSW 2000 ABN 34 429 367 893 phone +61 2 9286 9500 fax +61 2 9286 9550 email [email protected] CRICOS Registration: The Council of St Andrew’s Cathedral School 02276M