AHISA MEDIA RELEASE
31 May 2024 

AHISA welcomes Dr Gareth Leechman as its new National Chair

Dr Gareth Leechman has been elected as National Chair of the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia at the May meeting of the National Board.

The appointment follows the Chairmanship of Rev Chris Ivey, Principal of St Andrew’s Anglican College in Queensland, who was National Chair from 2019 to 2024.

Dr Gareth Leechman is Principal of Arndell Anglican College in Oakville, New South Wales, a Kindergarten to Year 12 co-educational day school with 1200 students.He commenced as Principal at Arndell in 2010.

Dr Leechman has been a member of AHISA’s National Board since 2021 and has served on the NSW/ACT Branch Executive since 2013, most recently as Branch Chair.

‘Since joining AHISA in 2007 I have benefited both personally and professionally from the collegiality, development, diversity of membership and networking opportunities that this association has provided,’ said Dr Leechman. ‘The collective support and wisdom of our members, combined with their willingness to share it, is unique and something which we must continue to hold onto.’

‘Whilst AHISA seeks to be an active and strong voice for independent education within Australia and the region, it has as one of its main priorities the continued desire to support the development of our members; the educational leaders of their respective learning communities,’ Dr Leechman added. ‘Effective and strong educational leadership undoubtedly leads to positive outcomes for those communities who receive it. I look forward to serving our members and working with our new set of Directors in my time as Chair.’

ENDS

Contact: Dr Chris Duncan, AHISA CEO, Mobile 0408 890 885

AHISA is a professional association of 490 Heads of independent schools. Its members lead schools that collectively account for 12 per cent of total Australian school enrolments.

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