Peter Thatcher
Tarcoola Beach,Australia
Summary
Dynamic senior leader and educator with extensive experience in diverse educational settings. Demonstrated expertise in fostering innovation and sustainable development in schools. Committed to educational excellence, teacher development, and community engagement. Skilled in strategic planning, operational improvement, and evidence-based educational reform. Advocates for collaborative leadership and transparent, accountable school management.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
College Principal
Narre Warren South P-12 College
01.2021 - Current
- Lead College Community of 2,700 students, 350 Staff
- Lead with innovation a multicultural school population – 65% MENA, Afghan, Asian, Indigenous and Pacifica (57 languages)
- Lead Team of 10 Associate Principals, HR Manager, Business Manager, Facilities Manager, Wellbeing/Inclusion Manager, IT Manager and 40 Leading Teachers
- Direct oversight of College Budget set at AUS $37.5million
- Direct oversight Educational Leadership, Performance, Strategic & Operational Planning, Governance, Recruitment, Accountability & Quality Assurance
- Board Member of the Victorian Outer South-Eastern Melbourne ‘Headstart’ Cluster (VET, Headstart & School Based Apprenticeships & Traineeships, Local Learning Employment Network and Australian Apprenticeship Support Network)
- Chair Marrung (Koorie) Steering Committee - Casey Central Network of Schools
- MEMBER VIC DE African / Australian Roundtable Conference
Chief Education Officer
Manar Al-Tarbyah Company Schools
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Managed 5 schools with 3,500 students and 400 staff
- Led a US$75m International School Project
- Established partnerships with MISK Foundation, Cambridge English Program, EMKAN Consultancy, KSA University Graduate Program and British Council
College Principal
East Kimberley College
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Kindergarten – Year 12, 1100 students, 125+ staff
- Led with innovation a multicultural school population – 60% Indigenous Australians
- Led leadership team of 9 Associate Principals
- Led the formulation of the School’s Strategic Business Plan, Implementation Plans and Annual School Report
- Delivered excellence in the management of all internal school operations with a budget of AUS $13million
- Performed quality assurance responsibilities for whole-of-school
- Led stakeholder engagement with health and welfare, justice, other education and not-for-profit partners
- Coordinated school community engagement through P&C meetings and forums
- Guided the Aboriginal and Islander Education Officers (AEIOs) and EAL direction and delivery
- Led implementation of multiple Inter Agency Differentiated Educational Programs
- Led policy implementation of the ‘Disability Resourcing and SEN Reporting and School Readiness Programs and Pathways’ for K-12 (inclusive of National Collection of Consistent Data)
Interim Director
Qatar Leadership Academy
01.2013 - 07.2013
- Assisted in school reviews and established new governance structures
Founding Principal
Roleystone Community College
01.2009 - 01.2014
- Kindergarten – Year 10, 900 students, 100 staff
- Onsite ‘After Hours School Care’ accredited program
- Led the amalgamation and project management of 3 existing schools to form a new College on behalf of the Minister for Education
- Led Educational Leadership, Performance, Strategic & Operational Planning, Governance, Marketing and Recruitment, Accountability & Quality Assurance
Principal
Koorana Primary and Learning Support Schools
01.2001 - 01.2009
- Led a school with 1,100 students and 100+ staff, focusing on innovative pedagogy.
- Conducted action research on creative and innovative pedagogy, policy and strategic reviews aligned with communities identified as ‘low socio-economic’ and ‘at extreme risk’
- Established the first ‘Rebound Centre’ for Students At Severe Educational Risk acknowledged as a model of ‘best practise’ both by the Department of Education and Training and the state Government
- Developed innovative and creative ways of customizing curriculum improvement to facilitate targeted differentiated learning for the ‘whole child’
- Built the schools collective capacity to engage in partnerships with the broader school-community and external agencies
Principal Consultant
Department of Education and Training
01.2009 - 08.2009
- Provided guidance to multiple schools in performance management and strategic planning
Founding Principal
Neerabup School in Houses Project
01.1998 - 01.2000
- Launched an innovative pilot project, overseeing all foundational aspects
Teaching Principal
Department of Education and Training
01.1991 - 01.1997
- Roles at various schools, focusing on educational leadership and community engagement
Education
Harvard Global Leadership Internship -
Harvard Graduate School
DataWise Institute Australia02.2024
Doctor of Education (Summa Cum Laude) -
Utah
USA01.2019
Master's in Educational Management -
University of Western Australia
Unknown, WA01.1992
Graduate Diploma of Education -
Claremont Teachers College
Unknown, WA01.1983
Bachelor of Business and Marketing -
Monash University
Victoria, Australia01.1979
Skills
- Transformational leadership in educational settings
- Expertise in leading structural and cultural change in schools
- Creation of inclusive, innovative learning environments
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
- Effective translation of educational strategies into tangible outcomes
- Application of adult learning principles for staff development
Affiliations
- American International Accreditation Association for Schools and Colleges
- British Council Riyadh KSA
- Member of the Council of International Schools
- Australian College of Education
- Victorian Association of State Secondary Principals
- Head Start Victoria
- The University Club of Western Australia
Registration
- Victorian Institute of Teaching, 10147615
- Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia, 32027367
- Working with Children, 2096452A-01
Personal Achievements
Coach
- Winning State School Teams AFL and Cross-Country titles
- Wesley College First VIII (2nd place) Head of the River
- Individual State All Schools Cross Country and 800m Track Championships U15, U13
- Manager State All Schools Cross Country Teams Australian Championships, Canberra
- Winning School, State U15 Schoolboy Volleyball Championships, Perth
- WA State U15 Schoolboy Volleyball Team (4th place), Canberra
State Representative Western Australia
- 4th World (Masters) Kayak Marathon Championships
- Open K2 Marathon and Sprint Kayak Champion Western Australia
- Australian K4 (>35) Sprint Canoe (500m) Champion Y2000 Olympic Kayak Selection Trials
- University of Western Australia 'Oarsman of the Year'
- Olympic Trials (K1, K2,K4) Kayaking (Sprint/Marathon)
- Lightweight Eights Rowing (University of Western Australia)
State Representative Victoria
- U16 Victorian Football Association
- U16-18 Athletics/Cross Country
Awards
Winner, Outstanding Leadership Award for Excellence and Innovation, WA Excellence in Leadership in Indigenous Education Awards, WA
References
Dr Robert Stephens
Senior Reviewer
VIC DE and Monash University Review Unit
M: +61 411 479 020
E: stephens.robert.rj@gmail.com
Mr. Lionel Cranenburgh
Chairperson, Board of Governors
Roleystone Community College
M: +61 413 565 474
E: shannonq@bigpond.net.au
Mr Ian Trust
WA's 'Indigenous Citizen of the Year 2014'
Chair, Wunan Indigenous Corporation
M: +61 419 949 856
Mr. Greg Smith
Senior Principal Consultant
Department of Education & Training
M: +61 455 283 538
E: greg.smith@ocdata.com.au
Timeline
College Principal
Narre Warren South P-12 College
01.2021 - Current
Chief Education Officer
Manar Al-Tarbyah Company Schools
01.2018 - 01.2020
College Principal
East Kimberley College
01.2015 - 01.2017
Interim Director
Qatar Leadership Academy
01.2013 - 07.2013
Founding Principal
Roleystone Community College
01.2009 - 01.2014
Principal Consultant
Department of Education and Training
01.2009 - 08.2009
Principal
Koorana Primary and Learning Support Schools
01.2001 - 01.2009
Founding Principal
Neerabup School in Houses Project
01.1998 - 01.2000
Teaching Principal
Department of Education and Training
01.1991 - 01.1997
Harvard Global Leadership Internship -
Harvard Graduate School
Doctor of Education (Summa Cum Laude) -
Utah
Master's in Educational Management -
University of Western Australia
Graduate Diploma of Education -
Claremont Teachers College
Bachelor of Business and Marketing -
Monash University
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