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Chrissy Gamble, principal of Kingswood College, deems one of her professional strengths to be her ability to motivate people. “I love to inspire people through vision, optimism and authentic relationships,” she says. “I genuinely believe in the potential of others, and I work hard to create cultures where people feel encouraged to grow and contribute.”
It is a philosophy shaped early in life. Chrissy points to her father, who lost his sight as a young boy, as a lasting source of inspiration. “It was teachers, family and mentors who saw possibility where others saw limitation, and he went on to become a manipulative physiotherapist,” she says. Watching education transform her father’s life made a deep impression on Chrissy, but she never entered the profession with ambitions of becoming a principal. Leadership, she says, evolved “through encouragement and a willingness to say yes to challenges and opportunities.”
That same optimism now shapes how Chrissy leads Kingswood College. She describes leadership as beginning with relationships: “When staff feels valued, students feel known and families feel connected, schools flourish. I also believe in being visible, optimistic and solutions-focused.” It is a mindset she credits with helping the school prove that academic rigour and student wellbeing need not compete. “Too often, schools are made to feel they must choose between excellence and wellbeing. I do not believe that is the case,” she says. Under her leadership, Kingswood College has combined explicit teaching, the science of learning, wellbeing, creativity and innovation, with a deliberate focus on ensuring every student is known, challenged and encouraged while staff are supported to keep growing professionally.
Chrissy also leads with courage, describing schools as needing leaders “prepared to embrace change, challenge outdated thinking and remain future-focused, while still deeply caring for the people they serve.” That combination of vision and heart underpins her broader strategy as a changemaker, one built on trust and continuous improvement. “The most meaningful change happens when leaders inspire others to believe that something better is possible,” she adds.
355 Station Street, Box Hill, Melbourne 3128
+61 (0)3 9896 1700
principal@kingswoodcollege.vic.edu.au
linkedin.com/in/chrissy-gamble-4689b2149
kingswoodcollege.vic.edu.au
Chrissy Gamble
Principal
Kingswood College
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Bio
Milestones
2013–2017
2017–2018
2019–2022
2023–2024
Present
Deputy Head of School (P–12) and Head of Junior School at Cranbrook School
2013–2017
Principal at Christ Church Grammar School – led an independent school with a focus on educational excellence
2017–2018
Deputy Executive Director of Independent Schools Tasmania – supported school improvement initiatives
2019–2022
The Educator’s Hot List
2023–2024
Principal at Kingswood College since 2023 – leading whole-school strategy, culture and innovation
The Educator’s Most Influential Educator
Present
Milestones
“My role as a leader is to create the conditions where others can shine, contribute ideas and feel inspired to do their best work”
Chrissy Gamble,
Kingswood College
“I believe leaders should endeavour to inspire people through vision, optimism and authentic relationships”
Chrissy Gamble,
Kingswood College
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Despite individual recognition, Chrissy is quick to frame her success as a shared achievement. “No meaningful progress in education is ever achieved alone,” she explains. “My role as a leader is to create the conditions where others can shine, contribute ideas and feel inspired to do their best work. Any recognition I receive reflects the collective efforts of many people.”
Looking to the future, Chrissy hopes her legacy will be measured in the students who come after her. She wants to help build more courageous, compassionate and future-focused schools and prepare young people not just academically but emotionally, socially and ethically.
And being recognised by The Educator as one of the Most Influential Educators of 2026 has only strengthened her resolve. Chrissy says, “I remain deeply passionate about helping schools evolve to meet the needs of future generations while holding firmly to the values that matter most: kindness, courage, excellence, integrity and human connection.”