Headquarters:
Daisy Hill
Year founded:
1982
Number of employees:
580
Phone:
07 3826 3333
Email:
hr@jpc.qld.edu.au
Website:
jpc.qld.edu.au
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/school/john-paul-college
“Ambition is a positive thing”
Rebecca Hodges,
Westbourne Grammar School
Craig Merritt
Principal
Mark Zietsch
Deputy Principal – Head of Secondary
Lindsay McQuattie
Deputy Principal – Head of Primary
Leadership
Craig Merritt was appointed as the sixth principal of John Paul College in 2023. His teaching and learning experience in co-educational schools spans more than 30 years. Before commencing at JPC, he was the principal of St Luke’s Anglican School in Bundaberg.
After graduating from the University of Queensland, Merritt commenced his teaching career at Ipswich State High School before moving into leadership positions at Hillbrook Anglican School and Whitsunday Anglican School.
Merritt is committed to academic excellence, inclusive and diverse leadership within a modern multi-faith context and building a strong sense of community. His wish for all JPC students is for them to feel empowered to develop a strong sense of positive character, to be optimistic, to excel and ultimately to be an instrument of positive influence in their communities.
Principal
Craig Merritt
Mark Zietsch has more than 25 years of experience in independent school education, beginning his teaching career as an HPE and science teacher. For the last 20 years, he has served in leadership positions including head of year, head of house, head of middle school and deputy principal. He commenced at JPC in 2012 as head of middle school, fulfilling this role for seven years prior to his appointment as deputy principal (operations) and now deputy principal (head of secondary school).
In his current role, Zietsch provides support to the principal across K–12 with specific responsibilities for the extensive co-curricular programs (sports, activities and performing arts) of the Christian Ecumenical Program and is a key liaison with the Parents and Friends Association. In addition, he has experience as a board director in the not-for-profit sector (community and education) and currently serves on the board of an independent school in Brisbane. Zietsch is passionate about the holistic education provided by JPC and believes every student has a pathway to success within an environment of high expectations and high support.
Deputy Principal – Head of Secondary
Mark Zietsch
Since commencing at John Paul College in 2011, Lindsay McQuattie has undertaken a number of leadership roles. including year five team leader, primary curriculum leader and dean of pedagogy (primary). She holds a Master of Leadership (Curriculum and Pedagogy) and is a well-respected International Baccalaureate PYP Workshop Leader and School Visitor. In 2020, she was appointed head of primary while continuing in her role as a workshop leader in the International Baccalaureate Education Network.
Graduating from the Queensland University of Technology, McQuattie commenced her teaching career in West London, followed by five years teaching at the Australian International School in Singapore, where she was first introduced to the International Baccalaureate Organisation. In recent years, she has completed a Master of Leadership through Monash University, which has given her greater insight into leading pedagogical and curriculum change and innovation.
With a career spanning two decades, McQuattie’s educational philosophy is underpinned by the belief that every student has the ability to achieve individual success and excellence within a culture of high standards and high expectations. As a student-centred leader, she encourages all members of the school community to be active, engaged participants in their own learning experiences. Her leadership focuses on both the learners and the learning of the school, demonstrating ethics of care and justice within inclusive learning environments.
Deputy Principal – Head of Primary
Lindsay McQuattie
“Ambition is a positive thing”
Rebecca Hodges,
Westbourne Grammar School
“We are seeking to make our workforce paid in the top 10 percentage of all schools in Australia, to reduce workloads in different ways, and to provide even greater flexibility in relation to their practice”
Adrian Camm,
Westbourne Grammar School
Leadership
“We are seeking to make our workforce paid in the top 10 percentage of all schools in Australia, to reduce workloads in different ways, and to provide even greater flexibility in relation to their practice”
Adrian Camm,
Westbourne Grammar School
“Ambition is a positive thing”
Rebecca Hodges, Westbourne Grammar School
Leadership
David Ferguson
Director of John Paul International College
David Ferguson has been working in the International Education and Training (IET) industry since 2007, beginning his career as an English as a second language teacher. With a wealth of experience both abroad and in Australia, he leads John Paul College’s international operations and John Paul International College. After joining John Paul College in 2016 managing international study groups, he served as the deputy head of international operations from 2019 to 2022. In 2023, he was appointed as director of John Paul International College.
Ferguson taught English as a second language in New Zealand and Germany while studying linguistics and language acquisition. Following his five years in Germany, he embarked on further studies in the fields of education and business administration at the University of Queensland and the Queensland University of Technology.
At the start of 2023, Ferguson began serving as the chair of the Education Working Group for the Australia China Business Council QLD Branch. In 2021, he was the first person to be awarded ‘Master Practitioner’ status by the National ELICOS Accreditation Scheme (NEAS) and is a NEAS-endorsed English Language Teaching Professional.
Ferguson’s leadership delivers data-led solutions that are customer-centric, removing barriers and creating positive outcomes for overseas students and their families. He is an enthusiastic contributor to IET discourse communities at conferences and networking events.
Director of John Paul International College
David Ferguson
Belinda Guerra
Deputy Principal – Head of Secondary (Acting)
Belinda Guerra has more than 35 years of experience in secondary school education in Australia, Asia, Germany and the United States. She began her teaching career as a mathematics and science teacher in Brisbane and transitioned to rural opportunities in Mount Isa and Whyalla before taking on international teaching positions. Guerra served in leadership positions in schools in the United States before commencing at JPC in 2007 as the numeracy team leader in the middle school. She was appointed as director of teaching and learning in the middle school in 2008 and, in 2010, became the director of teaching and learning across all year levels in the secondary school. She fulfilled this role for three years before her appointment in 2013 as dean of studies at the secondary school. In her current role, she supports the principal across Years 7-12 with specific responsibilities for the extensive sports and activities co-curricular programs and the Christian Ecumenical program.
Guerra's unwavering belief in the potential of all students to learn, her desire to challenge them and her commitment to their growth are truly inspiring. She is dedicated to fostering a passion for learning within the JPC community and inspiring lifelong learning and excitement for educational opportunities. She sees school as a transformative experience through which students can prepare themselves to succeed in the many and varied roles they will undertake in their future lives.
As a leader, she aims to integrate reforms, oversee student achievements and support improvement initiatives. Guerra prioritises open communication with parents and the community, advocating for strong partnerships to enhance student learning and development.
Deputy Principal – Head of Secondary (Acting)
Belinda Guerra
John Paul College (JPC) is an independent stand-alone school, free of any systemic institutional oversight to set its own strategic agenda.
It operates under the following values:
“We are seeking to make our workforce paid in the top 10 percentage of all schools in Australia, to reduce workloads in different ways, and to provide even greater flexibility in relation to their practice”
Adrian Camm,
Westbourne Grammar School
Amrita Ahuja, MCom, BCom (Hons), BEd, MEd (Leadership and Management)
Head of Senior School
Andrea Elliot, BEd, Dip Teach, PGradDipEd
Head of Junior School
Clinton Gray
Campus Director – Savio
Simon Williams
Chief Strategy & Distribution Officer, Arch Insurance International
and Active Underwriter, Syndicate 1955
An accomplished and results-driven educator, Amrita Ahuja has a strong desire to empower students to become independent and lifelong learners. She is committed to unleash student potential and ensure that all students experience a high-quality, balanced program of learning opportunities.
Ahuja oversees learning and wellbeing in senior school by actively fostering staff and student talent in a safe and supportive environment.
Head of Senior School
Amrita Ahuja, MCom, BCom (Hons), BEd, MEd (Leadership and Management)
Andrea Elliot is a learning leader with an outstanding record of innovation. As head of junior school, she focuses on developing and delivering an educational program that inspires Westbourne’s junior students to acquire a love of learning and attain their personal best. Elliot works collaboratively with her team to provide an environment that enables students to master the essential skills of numeracy and literacy and to grow and thrive.
Head of Junior School
Andrea Elliot, BEd, Dip Teach, PGradDipEd
Clinton Gray is the executive campus director of Savio Campus (Years 7–10). He has been at the college since 2019. His previous roles have included director of Bosco campus – learning, director of Savio campus – learning, leader of curriculum and assessment, and leader of learning – innovation. In his former life, he was a history teacher but now teaches mostly senior English classes.
Gray has completed a Master of Asian Studies and is about to complete his Master of Education, specialising in management and leadership. His approach to leadership is strongly informed by the instructional leadership model. He continues to strive to build a dynamic learning community at Salesian by focusing on teacher improvement and developing a shared teaching and learning vision to drive deeper learning with both students and teachers.
Campus Director – Savio
Clinton Gray
Kimi leads the Estate Planning and Wealth Protection team and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. She understands the complex and delicate nature of family estate planning, the technical requirements around probate and estate administration, and the importance of preserving wealth for future generations. Her advice is accurate, commercial, strategic and tailored to each situation.
Partner
Kimi Shah
Kimi leads the Estate Planning and Wealth Protection team and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. She understands the complex and delicate nature of family estate planning, the technical requirements around probate and estate administration, and the importance of preserving wealth for future generations. Her advice is accurate, commercial, strategic and tailored to each situation.
Partner
Kimi Shah
Kimi leads the Estate Planning and Wealth Protection team and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. She understands the complex and delicate nature of family estate planning, the technical requirements around probate and estate administration, and the importance of preserving wealth for future generations. Her advice is accurate, commercial, strategic and tailored to each situation.
Partner
Kimi Shah
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mutual respect
integrity
compassion
excellence
Principal Craig Merritt says, “All members of the community – staff, students, parents, contractors and volunteers – are held to these values as we strive towards our purpose – to educate, to inspire and to make a difference.”
With a reputation as a leading employer, JPC has built a reputation for enabling staff to develop and thrive in their careers. It takes pride that its remuneration policies, employment practices, professional development activities, proactive leadership enhancement opportunities and work environment are superior to peer schools.
Various internal leadership development and aspiring leader pathways exist, which are all multifaceted.
“We have this culture of supporting and enabling leadership development opportunities for our people, and they can actively pursue developmental options that work best for them, their personal circumstances and their professional aspirations,” explains Merritt.
JPC actively enables ‘acting up’ opportunities. When a staff member in a position of leadership accesses extended leave, such as long service, short-term contracts are offered for aspirational leaders to assume the promoted role during that period of leave.
“We intentionally manage these opportunities and then support them with training and mentoring. We have created this momentum around facilitating leadership opportunities,” adds Mr Merritt. “It’s an approach to building a sustainable leadership pipeline.”
In 2024, the school introduced a Respectful Workplaces and Code of Conduct for Staff and Community as an effort to support the psychosocial welfare of staff. JPC has also communicated with their community about the expectations when interacting with school employees.
Mr Merritt adds, “We also delivered engaging and thought-provoking education for all staff on the topic of professional boundaries for everyone who works with young people.”
JPC’s executive team has further initiatives in the planning stages, including:
cost-of-living benefits
women’s health support and education, for example, in relation to menopause
men’s health support and education
provision of skin cancer checks
JPC adopts a comprehensive and detailed approach to not only creating a collegiate atmosphere, but also an engaging and dynamic environment for all of its staff.
“We embrace a holistic approach to creating a positive culture for our employees by providing opportunities for professional development, creating a supportive working environment and recognising and rewarding the achievements of our staff, “says Mr Merritt. “Overall, our goal is to create an inclusive and motivating environment that values each staff member’s contributions and their positive impact on our wider college environment and provides opportunities for career development.”