Headquarters:
1-47 Stringybark Road, Buderim, Sunshine Coast, 4556, Queensland
Year founded:
1990
Number of employees:
280
Phone:
07 5477 3200
Email:
reception@mfac.edu.au
Website:
mfac.edu.au
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/school/matthew-flinders-anglican-college
Michelle Carroll
Principal
Anita Gibson
Deputy Principal, Secondary - Student Engagement
Bill Hooper
Deputy Principal, Secondary - Academics
Leadership
As the fifth principal of Matthew Flinders Anglican College, Michelle Carroll is a distinguished leader committed to adolescent health and academic excellence. Since 2024, she has championed a culture of enduring scholarship, notably launching the College’s evidence-based Teaching & Learning, and Wellbeing Frameworks.
With extensive experience, including a decade as principal of St Catherine’s School, Melbourne, Carroll is a Menzies Leadership Foundation Fellow who has collaborated on transformative pedagogical research. A lifelong learner with credentials from Harvard and Melbourne Business School, she remains dedicated to Flinders’ core values, ensuring every student thrives within a community defined by belonging and integrity.
Principal
Michelle Carroll
In January 2026, Anita Gibson became deputy principal – student engagement at Matthew Flinders Anglican College, overseeing wellbeing, pastoral care, and co-curricular programs. A compassionate leader, she balances student connection with pedagogical expertise and the business acumen required for effective school operations.
Gibson’s leadership at Flinders is well-established, having served as head of secondary school and head of middle school. Her experience also includes a tenure as acting deputy principal at Coomera Anglican College. A community-focused leader, she holds a Master of Education (Leadership & Management) and a Bachelor of Education (First Class Honours) from the Queensland University of Technology.
Deputy Principal, Secondary - Student Engagement
Anita Gibson
In 2026, Bill Hooper was appointed deputy principal – academics at Matthew Flinders Anglican College. Overseeing the secondary school’s academic strategy, he ensures the College remains at the forefront of educational excellence through rigorous, future-focused learning.
A cornerstone of the Flinders community since 1996, Hooper has built an impressive legacy as head of English, head of teaching and learning and, most recently, head of curriculum. This extensive experience provides him with a deep understanding of the College’s educational landscape. Hooper holds a Master of Education and is dedicated to fostering an intellectual culture that empowers students through evidence-based practice and innovation.
Deputy Principal, Secondary - Academics
Bill Hooper
Jason Locke
Head of Primary
Jason Locke joined Matthew Flinders Anglican College as head of primary in January 2026, bringing over 30 years of expertise across P–12 and tertiary education. Prior, he served nine years as head of primary at Toowoomba Anglican School. His leadership is anchored by a passion for early literacy and extensive experience in pedagogical reviews and school improvement.
Locke previously served as head of teaching and learning at Toowoomba Grammar School and managed literacy programs across 126 schools. Holding a Master of Education, he maintains industry leadership through active memberships with the Australian College of Educators and the Independent Primary School Heads Association.
Head of Primary
Jason Locke
Heidi Müller
Director of Business and Operations
As director of business and operations at Matthew Flinders Anglican College, Heidi Müller provides strategic direction and leadership of the College’s commercial activity. She contributes vast experience, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant while at KPMG and working in independent schools. She also worked at Microsoft over nine years, responsible for the finance functions of regions in Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands.
Müller holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, which enables her to teach School Economic Management Sciences and Accounting. Her roles in education include St Peter’s School in Johannesburg, South Africa and Masada College in New South Wales.
Director of Business and Operations
Heidi Müller
Christine Furner
Director of Professional Learning
Claire Napoli
Director of Advancement and Engagement
Adam Wollins
Director of ICT
David Sexton
Director Business Services
Chris Furner has held a number of teaching and leadership positions across state and independent schools. A career highlight has been the completion of a PhD on how to boost teacher learning across all career stages as a means to improve practice and accelerate student learning outcomes. She enjoys developing whole-school staff development initiatives and professional learning programs that inspire and encourage teachers and leaders and coaching them towards “outstanding teaching”.
Director of Professional Learning
Christine Furner
As the director of advancement and engagement, Claire Napoli’s role encompasses internal and external communications, enrolment, branding, school events, community relations, alumni, archiving and reception. She has a degree in business and over 20 years of marketing and business development experience. Napoli started her career in public relations and event management before moving into marketing and business development roles in the professional services sector, particularly corporate law firms.
Director of Advancement and Engagement
Claire Napoli
Adam Wollins joined Hills Grammar in July 2023. He has over 20 years of experience in the education sector, including in schools, TAFEs, universities and the NSW Department of Education. He has a proven track record in the effective creation, development and leadership of high-performing ICT transformational and operational support teams.
Director of ICT
Adam Wollins
As Director of Business Services, David oversees the financial, operational and commercial aspects of the School. In this role, he contributes to shaping and implementing strategic initiatives, supports business sustainability and enables the next phase of campus development, including the 10-year Master Plan and Strategic Plan (2026–2028).
He is an accomplished executive leader with over 25 years of experience at C-Suite and Board level spanning diverse sectors including education, not-for-profit, disability, sport and professional services. He has extensive experience shaping and executing strategic plans, driving income growth and diversification, master planning and major capital projects, stakeholder engagement, leading high-performing teams and managing complex budgets.
Director Business Services
David Sexton
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Matthew Flinders Anglican College
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Adam Basaldella
Manager – Claims
Stephen McMillan first entered the financial services Industry when he joined GE Capital as a finance analyst in 2008, from which he progressed through roles working both onshore and offshore. From there, he moved into Pacific Premium Funding as a financial planning and analysis leader in 2012 and was a key resource in the evolution of the business, first with the successful sale to Macquarie Pacific Funding and then the following progression into IQumulate Premium Funding, where he is now the commercial manager.
As commercial manager, McMillan leads a team that is responsible for commercial analysis and business support, identifying and reporting improvement initiatives, and the securitization and treasury functions of the business.
Product Manager
Claire Watson
Stephen McMillan first entered the financial services Industry when he joined GE Capital as a finance analyst in 2008, from which he progressed through roles working both onshore and offshore. From there, he moved into Pacific Premium Funding as a financial planning and analysis leader in 2012 and was a key resource in the evolution of the business, first with the successful sale to Macquarie Pacific Funding and then the following progression into IQumulate Premium Funding, where he is now the commercial manager.
As commercial manager, McMillan leads a team that is responsible for commercial analysis and business support, identifying and reporting improvement initiatives, and the securitization and treasury functions of the business.
Commercial Manager
Stephen McMillan
“Having close connections with our parents, staff and community, is integral to a rich learning environment. When we work together, we can achieve amazing things”
Karen Yager,
Hills Grammar
“I believe that students learn in a supportive environment with passionate and inspiring teachers and staff. We surround our students with positive creative and inspiring people, enthusiastic about their own learning and keen to immerse students in the spirit of life-long learning across the whole community”
Karen Yager,
Hills Grammar
Matthew Flinders Anglican College stands as a leading educational institution, providing an exceptional learning experience to over 1,400 students from Prep through Year 12. Established in 1990, the college is honoured to be named for the second consecutive year among Australia’s 5-Star Best Schools for 2026.
The Flinders Early Learning Centre is renowned for its high-quality Pre-Kindy and Kindy programs, underpinned by outstanding accreditation and a well-earned reputation for nurturing early childhood development.
At the heart of the college is a strong, caring community that cultivates a vibrant and supportive environment. Every student is encouraged to realise their academic potential, engage in a diverse range of co-curricular opportunities and develop the character, skills and wellbeing to lead meaningful lives and make a positive impact in the world.
Demonstrating an ongoing commitment to educational excellence, Flinders is a three-time Excellence Awardee in 2026, shortlisted for Secondary School of the Year, Primary School of the Year and Best Professional Learning Program. This follows the college being named Primary School of the Year (Non-Government) at the 2023 Australian Education Awards.
Innovation remains a core focus; in 2024 the college received the Sustainable Programs Award from The Educator for its innovative Flinders Farm initiative and was named an Excellence Awardee for Innovation in Curriculum Design at the Australian Education Awards. Flinders has also been named a 5-Star Innovative School over three consecutive years, a testament to its forward-thinking education.
