Headquarters:
John Paul College, Entry 1, John Paul Drive, Daisy Hill, QLD 4127
Year founded:
1982
Number of employees:
580
Phone:
07 3826 3333
Email:
community@jpc.qld.edu.au
Website:
jpc.qld.edu.au
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/school/john-paul-college
Craig Merritt
Principal
Jacob Elms
Deputy Principal - Head of Secondary School
Lindsay McQuattie
Deputy Principal - Head of Primary School
Leadership
Craig Merritt was appointed the sixth principal of John Paul College in 2023, bringing more than 30 years of experience in teaching and leadership across Queensland co-educational schools. Prior to joining JPC, he served as principal of St Luke’s Anglican School in Bundaberg. Since commencing at JPC, Merritt has led the College through the launch of its Ignite Ambition Strategic Plan, focused on innovation, excellence, wellbeing and global citizenship.
Merritt is passionate about academic excellence, inclusive leadership and fostering a strong sense of community within a modern, Christian Ecumenical environment, empowering students to enrich society with courage, character and optimism.
Principal
Craig Merritt
Jacob Elms commenced as deputy principal – head of secondary school at John Paul College in 2025. An experienced and relational educational leader, he brings extensive expertise in pastoral care, curriculum, compliance and strategic leadership within independent schools. Prior to joining JPC, Elms served as head of secondary school at AB Paterson College, where he led initiatives focused on student outcomes, staff development and a culture of excellence and care.
Holding a Master of Education (Leadership), he is passionate about the transformative power of education and committed to fostering authentic relationships, high expectations, and a future-focused learning environment grounded in unity, service and learning.
Deputy Principal - Head of Secondary School
Jacob Elms
Lindsay McQuattie commenced at John Paul College in 2011 and has held several leadership roles, including team leader, primary curriculum leader and dean of pedagogy (primary). Appointed head of primary school in 2020, she now serves as deputy principal – head of primary school, with oversight of the College’s Performing Arts program.
McQuattie holds a Master of Leadership (Curriculum and Pedagogy) and is a respected International Baccalaureate PYP Workshop Leader across Asia and Australia. Passionate about innovation, collaboration and student-centred learning, she is committed to empowering teachers and fostering a culture of excellence, growth and collective success.
Deputy Principal - Head of Primary School
Lindsay McQuattie
David Ferguson
Deputy Principal - International & Accommodation
David Ferguson is deputy principal – international and accommodation operations at John Paul College, leading one of Australia’s largest school-based international student programs, supporting more than 250 students across boarding, homestay and day student pathways. An executive leader at the College for the past decade, he oversees the strategic direction of international operations and curriculum licensing initiatives through John Paul International College.
A qualified secondary teacher and TESOL educator, Ferguson holds postgraduate qualifications in education and business. He is passionate about delivering sustainable, research-informed international education programs that enhance student outcomes, operational excellence and global engagement opportunities.
Deputy Principal - International & Accommodation
David Ferguson
Claire Henkey
Chief Marketing Officer
Claire Henkey is chief marketing officer at John Paul College, leading strategic marketing, communications, enrolments, community engagement, philanthropy and alumni relations. With more than 25 years of experience across education, retail, and franchise sectors, she brings expertise in brand strategy, stakeholder engagement, and organisational growth.
Prior to JPC, Henkey held senior roles at Bond University and TerryWhite Chemmart. She has strengthened the College’s brand presence through integrated marketing and community-focused initiatives that enhance the family experience. A collaborative and strategic leader, Henkey is passionate about building meaningful connections and supporting the long-term aspirations of the College and its community.
Chief Marketing Officer
Claire Henkey
Kerryn Campbell
Chief Financial and Operations Officer
Mark Pearce
Chief Information Officer
Adam Wollins
Director of ICT
David Sexton
Director Business Services
Kerryn Campbell is chief financial and operations officer at John Paul College, bringing more than 30 years of experience as a Chartered Accountant and over two decades in independent education leadership. She has extensive expertise in financial stewardship, governance, enterprise risk management, ICT strategy and capital development, successfully overseeing major projects across Queensland schools.
A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Campbell also serves on two independent school boards. Known for her values-driven leadership, she combines strategic insight with a strong commitment to service. She is passionate about supporting initiatives that reflect the College’s values of integrity, compassion, excellence and community.
Chief Financial and Operations Officer
Kerryn Campbell
Mark Pearce joined John Paul College as chief information officer, bringing more than 25 years of experience in IT leadership, strategic planning and business transformation. Formerly director of information systems at Accor Apartments & Realty, he led major technology initiatives that improved operational efficiency, innovation, and productivity.
Pearce has extensive expertise in IT security, infrastructure, compliance and change management, supporting organisations with significant operational scale. He is passionate about leveraging technology to enhance educational excellence and future-focused learning. A collaborative leader, he is committed to building high-trust teams and delivering technology solutions that support the College’s strategic vision and student success.
Chief Information Officer
Mark Pearce
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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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
While many schools compete for exceptional educators, John Paul College (JPC) has quietly become one of Australia’s most respected employer brands in education. Recognised as a 5-Star Employer of Choice for the sixth consecutive year since 2021, the Brisbane independent school has built a culture in which professional ambition, wellbeing and purpose are intentionally embedded in everyday life.
For more than four decades, JPC has earned a reputation extending well beyond academic achievement. Guided by its values of Mutual Respect, Integrity, Compassion and Excellence, the College has cultivated a connected and future-focused community where educators and professional staff are empowered to grow, contribute and belong.
Culture anchored in trust and belonging
At the heart of JPC’s appeal as an employer is a highly relational culture in which every role – from classroom teachers and wellbeing staff to administration, operations and professional services – is recognised as contributing to the success of the wider College community.
Many staff not only build long careers at JPC but also choose to educate their own children at the College, reflecting the trust and connection that exists within the community they help shape every day. This people-first philosophy has helped JPC create a workplace where collaboration, professional trust and meaningful contribution are prioritised alongside performance and innovation.
Supporting staff beyond the classroom
JPC takes a deliberate, long-term approach to employee experience, benchmarking salaries above Education Queensland rates with a built-in 4% premium and automatic Senior Teacher progression at nine years of service without attestation requirements.
Beyond remuneration, the College has intentionally designed a workplace that supports wellbeing, family life and career sustainability through initiatives including paid parental leave, complimentary gym access, discounted tuition fees for staff children, complimentary Outside School Hours Care for staff families and flexible work arrangements where possible.
Growing leaders from within
Professional development at JPC is intentionally personalised, recognising that ambitious educators require different pathways at different stages of their careers.
The College offers structured development opportunities, including the 15 Disciplines Leadership Program, Aspiring Leaders pathways, HALT and HAT accreditation support and the JPC Soaring Scholarship Program developed in partnership with Queensland University of Technology.
Many of JPC’s current leaders have progressed internally through College-supported pathways, reflecting the College’s strong commitment to succession planning and long-term workforce development.
Globally connected and genuinely inclusive
With students and families representing 57 nationalities, JPC reflects one of the most globally connected school communities in Queensland. That diversity is viewed not as a standalone initiative, but as an everyday strength shaping learning, leadership and workplace culture.
Staff also benefit from Teacher Global Exchange initiatives, International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program experience and outbound cultural programs that connect educators with contemporary international practice.
Leadership that listens
Under principal Craig Merritt and the college executive leadership team, visibility, accessibility and authentic staff engagement have become defining characteristics of leadership culture at JPC.
Staff are encouraged to contribute ideas, engage in strategic conversations and pursue leadership opportunities at every career stage, creating a culture where people feel heard rather than simply managed.
In a sector increasingly challenged by workforce shortages and changing expectations, JPC has built something increasingly rare: a high-performing school where people genuinely want to stay, grow and belong.
Learning designed for educators
The centrepiece of Hills Grammar’s approach to staff development is its Professional Learning Model, led by director of professional learning Dr. Chris Furner. Grounded in adult learning pedagogies, aligned with the school’s strategic intent and staff profile and standards, the model deliberately moves away from compliance-driven professional development towards something more meaningful. This is delivered as learning that is authentic, research-based and tailored to where each educator is in their career journey.
Supporting this is the Learning Centre Staff Program, which creates structured opportunities for staff to share practice, reflect on their work and learn from one another. Mentoring, leadership development and action research opportunities are embedded throughout, making professional growth a continuous and collegial practice rather than a periodic obligation. It is a model that reflects Hills Grammar’s commitment to investing in the people responsible for delivering its educational vision.
Future-forward leadership
The school’s commitment to its team extends to how Hills Grammar approaches leadership. Working in partnership with the governing council, school leaders maintain a shared focus on developing what the school describes as a ‘future fit’ graduate and the workforce equipped to teach them. Innovation is encouraged, and the culture is one where academic ambition and professional development are seen as inseparable.
Wellbeing in a remarkable setting
Staff also benefit from complimentary wellbeing programs, a genuine commitment to work-life balance and access to an Employee Assistance Program. Additionally, for educators who value a workplace where the physical environment itself is part of the daily experience, Hills Grammar’s picturesque campus offers a setting that is as restorative as it is inspiring.
There is also a proactive approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), such that employees are informed and educated through integrated professional learning frameworks. Hills Grammar is proud to be actively shaping bold thinkers, and in turn empowering the people who teach them.
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