Profile
Fifteen years ago, Arndell Anglican College was staring down a debt of more than $20 million and a shrinking student body. Today, it is debt-free, growing, and building for the next decade - a turnaround that has helped earn headmaster, Dr Gareth Leechman, a place among The Educator's Most Influential Educators for 2026.
Leechman never set out to lead a school. “My path has been a natural progression of clear vocational intent combined with a willingness to step forward when major leadership opportunities appeared,” he says. What did drive him was the classroom itself and a conviction that great teaching transforms lives.
That was put to the test the moment he took the top job at Arndell in 2010. Leechman set about a sweeping strategic restructure, built on deep community consultation and a values-driven vision. The result: historic debt-free status and record enrolments of more than 1,250 students.
For all that, Leechman has stayed firmly on the ground. “I still teach History classes each week, take on routine playground and bus duties, and stand at the school gates.” These are deliberate choices to keep executive decisions tethered to the everyday reality of teachers, students and families.
Financial stability has, in turn, unlocked a bigger vision which includes a 15-year comprehensive Master plan building program guaranteeing that coming generations will learn in world-class facilities. Leechman says. “By championing diverse curricular innovations like vocational trade exploration, advanced agricultural technology, and dedicated wellbeing frameworks, we are creating a legacy where future students can discover their distinct strengths and graduate prepared for purposeful lives beyond the classroom.” Those innovations are already bearing fruit, such as the Year 10 Pathways to Trades Program and an advanced Agricultural Program that has pushed the College to achieve fourth in the state in Agriculture, with a student named on the 2025 High Achievers list.
Leechman's reach stretches beyond Arndell's gates. As national chair of the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA), he represents more than 470 independent school leaders across the country and has co-developed the AHISA Executive Education Coaching Program and the Flourish Movement initiative to bolster the wellbeing and resilience of school heads nationwide. His doctoral research into school governance produced the Good School Governance Framework, now used by independent school associations and boards to sharpen accountability and effectiveness sector wide.
None of it, Leechman insists, has been a solo effort. Every milestone at Arndell has been shaped by staff, students, parents, the College Council and external partners, just as the national work reflects close collaboration with the AHISA CEO, National Board and conference committees. He sees himself less as an architect of change than as, in his words, “a temporary custodian of the communities I lead”- and someone charged with mentoring the next wave of leaders and leaving things stronger than he found them.
That sense of purpose hasn't wavered. “My mindset remains firmly fixed on leading with faith, integrity, and a desire to cultivate environments where both students and educators can truly flourish.”
104 Wolseley Road, Oakville, NSW 2765
02 4572 3633
enquiries@arndell.nsw.edu.au
linkedin.com/in/dr-gareth-leechman-1918b16b
arndell.nsw.edu.au
Dr Gareth Leechman
Headmaster
Arndell Anglican College
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Bio
Milestones
1996–2007
2007–2010
2021–2026
2023
Present
1996: graduated and joined the NSW Department of Education and Training; commenced teaching career at Pennant Hills High School
1998: Assistant Boarding Housemaster, School House at Shore (Sydney Church of England Grammar School)
1999–2005: Master, Assisting in History at Shore (Sydney Church of England Grammar School)
2003–2005: Head of Emery House at Shore (Sydney Church of England Grammar School)
2006–2007: Head of History at Shore (Sydney Church of England Grammar School)
1996–2007
Principal at Clarence Valley Anglican School: led the school through a period of growth and development and strengthened academic performance, student wellbeing, community engagement, and the school’s reputation within regional independent education
2007–2010
Leadership roles with the Australian Heads of Independent Schools Association (AHISA)
2022–2024: Chair at NSW/ACT Branch
2024–present: Elected National Chair, representing more than 470 independent school heads across Australia; co-developed the Executive Education Coaching and Flourish Movement initiatives; advanced professional development collaborations across the sector; conference committee chair for the 2025 AHISA Biennial Conference in New Zealand; led the delivery of an international conference promoting thought leadership and professional exchange
2021–2026
Completed PhD doctoral research in school governance
Authored and developed the Good School Governance Framework
Established a practical framework used by independent school associations to enhance school effectiveness and board accountability
2023
Headmaster at Arndell Anglican College since 2010: has led the college’s transformation to a historic debt-free position, increased student enrolments to more than 1,250, and introduced innovative Year 10 pathways in trades, agriculture and wellbeing
Present
Milestones
“By focusing on doing the best possible job for every client, they naturally tell their friends and family. That organic growth has been very rewarding”
Alan Borthwick,
DUX Financial Services
“Our goal is not to speed up transactions but to slow down where it matters, taking the time to truly understand each client’s situation and deliver thoughtful, personalised guidance”
Alan Borthwick,
DUX Financial Services
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