Newcastle Grammar School has appointed former Deputy Head of Barker College, Matthew Macoustra, as its new Head of School, following what it called an “extensive international search” over several months.
Macoustra succeeds Erica Thomas, who has overseen the role for the last eight years.
“Mr Macoustra has a wealth of experience in the Independent Schools sector and expressed an appreciation of the School’s commitment to educational excellence in an environment that equips our students to be their best,” the school’s Board Chair, Catherine Wilkinson, said in a statement.
“We’re excited, both for Matt and for our community, to build on the School’s current successes and move into the next phase of our strategic plan to be recognised as the leading regional school and a world-class centre for learning and wellbeing.”
Macoustra, who was Deputy Head of Barker College in Hornsby, Sydney, for the last seven years, will bring over 30 years’ education experience to the role when he commences in July 2023.
In 1992, Macoustra received his Bachelor of Education from the University of Sydney, and a Master of Leadership and Management in Education, with Distinction, from The University of Newcastle in 2013.
Following three years at Macquarie Boys’ High School in Parramatta, he joined the staff of Barker College as a Science, Geography and Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) teacher in 1997. In 2001, he accepted the role of Director of Sport and in 2008 joined the Barker College Senior Executive Team: firstly, as Head of Middle School and finally as the Deputy Head of School (K-12).
In his leadership roles, Macoustra has strong experience in managing the day-to-day operations of the school, planning and implementing strategic priorities and working in tandem with the finance, works and building committees. He expressed excitement at Newcastle Grammar’s commitment to providing a world-class, holistic education for each student and working with the Board and the Executive Team to implement the Strategic Plan 2023-2025 and Masterplan.
“It is an absolute privilege to be afforded the opportunity to lead a school that so clearly values the holistic development of the young people within its care,” Macoustra said.
“Newcastle is a city that offers so much. There can be no doubt that the School is in an exceptionally strong position to be an institution that leads the way as the city reinvents itself and continues to thrive.”
Macoustra added: “I am genuinely excited about all that lies before me in terms of getting to know the city, the broader region and most significantly, the people. There are so many strengths to this school community, none more so than the wonderful young people who we have the privilege of working with.”
Thomas departs Newcastle Grammar at the end of 2022 after eight years of leadership to return to Sydney and will be commencing as Principal of Kincoppal-Rose Bay School in Term 1, 2023.
Dr Alan Parsons, Newcastle Grammar’s current Deputy Head, will step in as Acting Head for the first semester in 2023, working closely with the Executive Team and School Board.
The original version of this article appeared as a media release from Newcastle Grammar School.