Karen Endicott, Principal, Sarah Redfern High School

Karen Endicott inspires others with her energy and innovative thinking. A creative mind and driving force of educational change, she has been principal of Sarah Redfern High School in South West Sydney since 2009. Under her leadership, the school has experienced exponential growth in student achievement and engagement, as a result of the introduction of innovative curriculum and management structures. Enrolments have grown significantly, with a 26% increase from Year 7-12 and, most notably, a 66% increase in Year 7 enrolments over the seven years of her principalship.

Among her achievements, Endicott has strategically implemented a management structure that challenges the traditional model of staffing public schools. Her model features managers who oversee well-defined portfolios in the areas of curriculum, operations, business, student well-being, leadership and learning, and strategic planning. The model remains a popular source of interest from the school’s local and interstate colleagues.