As we farewell our retiring Principal Mr Stuart Meade, we reflect on his achievements and legacy over seven years at Matthew Flinders Anglican College from 2017 to 2023, and thank him for his dedication to our College.
In this Q&A piece, we invited Stuart to reflect on his career and his time at Flinders.
To learn about Stuart’s immense contribution to our College during his tenure, please click here to read on below.
Why did you decide to become a teacher in the first place?
I had two wonderful role models when I was at school. While I do not recall ever speaking directly with them about a career in the classroom, I noticed how much enjoyment they derived from their jobs - one as an Economics teacher and the other in his role as a boarding master and rugby coach. When I left school I applied for a teacher’s scholarship and went from there.
Why did you set your sights on becoming a school principal? From your vast experience, what advice do you have for early-career principals?
I never intended to be a principal. Even as Deputy Head at Cranbrook, taking the next step was not on my radar. It was the Head at Cranbrook, who had come from West Australia, who encouraged me to apply for certain roles. The one he suggested in WA was way out of my league, but I applied and was fortunate enough to be offered the role.
Starting as a principal now is very different to what it was when I commenced this journey 21 years ago. However, one thing remains important - build the best team you can around you. You do not have to be the best, most knowledgeable or smartest person ‘in the room’. Get people good at their jobs who share the same vision, not all the same ideas, around the table. Then empower them to lead.
Can you recall what you were most excited and nervous about when commencing at Flinders in 2017?
I was excited to be returning to a co-educational environment. I was excited to be coming to a ‘young’ school without 100+ years of tradition dictating what goes on. I was excited about the challenges that come with moving to a new school community; they are vibrant and energising, and I hoped I could add something to the school.
The school had been through a few rough patches in the years prior to my arrival, I was a little nervous about whether I would be the ‘right fit’ for the community and how open the staff would be to the direction I felt the school should go.
What was your vision for your contribution as Principal at Flinders?
I would not call it a ‘vision’ as I knew I had to listen for a while and work out what was going to work. A trap is to try and impose a blueprint that may have worked elsewhere onto a different environment. I soon realised the potential for Flinders was enormous. So many really good things were happening, it was a case of harnessing the energy and creativity, and putting a few different structures in place to enable the school to flourish. Hopefully, some of this has been realised.
What goals did you set for yourself or for the College that you are most proud of achieving while at Flinders?
As mentioned before, I did not have set goals in mind. I wanted to ‘read the room’ and build on all the good things that were already happening here. From a strategic perspective, I believe the College has a clear vision and direction, that may have been a bit clouded in the past; really understanding who we are as a school. When we had the 30-year celebrations, albeit muted in the COVID era, I said we were no longer a ‘teenage’ school that needed to please everyone. We had to decide who we are and what we stand for and be unapologetic about that. We could not be all things to all people. I think we have achieved that.
Without wanting to join the education ‘arms race’, there were facilities that needed an upgrade. We have set a standard going forward in this space. There are also some exciting programs in place with outstanding people in charge of them too, while our core business remains at the forefront of all that we do.
Please share some highlights of your principalship.
Without being trite, each day in this role has the potential to provide a highlight. It could be a conversation with a member of staff, a simple interaction with a student or having a ‘win’ in a difficult family situation.
On a more macro scale, aspects I am proud of include the appointment of some awesome staff, enabling students to leave as confident, caring young adults who know their place in the wider world and setting the school in a positive direction with the facilities.
What will you miss about being Principal of Flinders?
I will miss my interactions with the students; they are the reason I went into teaching 40 years ago, and remain the joy of this role. I love watching students challenge themselves, individually or in a team context, in the classroom or outside it. Seeing their satisfaction, enjoyment and/or determination as they apply themselves is priceless. I will miss being in the audience, on the sidelines, as a coach or as a ‘guide’ as they do their stuff.
I will also miss working with dedicated educators and experts in their field. The diversity of the daily interactions is enormous and feeds a desire to do better. I will miss that too.
What did you learn about yourself while at Flinders?
In some ways, Flinders has a different culture from that I have experienced before. I had to come to terms with that and change my approach to various aspects of my role. I had to choose which battles to let go of and which areas I needed to stand my ground on.
Staff wellbeing is another aspect of the role which has changed in recent years and one ignores it at one’s peril and that of the school. There is no one answer; however, it must be kept in mind at all times.
What have you and Susie enjoyed about your lifestyle on the Sunshine Coast?
The Sunshine Coast is a superb place to live. I would love for my children to have grown up here but then again, it is similar in many ways to Perth. It is still unknown to many people outside of Queensland but I guess the next few years will blow that out of the water.
Point Cartwright is our ‘go-to’ spot; the river, the beach, the park. Susie walks the dogs there every morning - rain, hail or shine - and is part of a wonderful community there.
After retiring from Flinders, what are your and Susie’s plans for the future?
Initially, we are returning to West Australia to be closer to our family who remained there when we left seven years ago. We now have a grandchild and we are keen to be part of her life as she grows up. I am sure I will find something in schools to occupy my time, not on a full-time basis but in a capacity for me to assist in some way.
Mr Stuart Meade's Legacy During his Principalship of Flinders (2017-2023)
During his principalship of Matthew Flinders Anglican College, Mr Stuart Meade has successfully led many legacy projects at the College, including the completion of the five-year Flinders Masterplan, which brought to life the Year 7 Precinct, the Flagship Centre, the Wonderarium and the state-of-the-art Infinity Centre set to open for learning in January 2024.
Stuart also supported Flinders’ smooth transition to the ATAR in 2020, developed and designed two strategic plans, and respectfully guided the College community through the uncertainty and challenges of the COVID pandemic.
Stuart has supported the College’s active and meaningful ongoing commitment to its reconciliation journey. In 2022, the College commissioned an artwork by Wakka Wakka artist and David Williams of Gilimbaa that represents the College's past, present and future. The artwork will be used to help strengthen relationships between First Nations communities and the College.
Under Stuart’s tenure, the College uniform has been modernised for the first time since our foundation in 1990. The new uniform was introduced in 2022 with a more streamlined design to improve affordability for families and better suited to our tropical climate. The new uniform also gives our students choices that support their personal preferences around style, activity levels and comfort.
As College Principal, Stuart has continuously encouraged an innovative culture and a commitment to reinvigorated approaches to the curriculum. In 2023, he celebrated with the Flinders Primary School community when it was awarded Australia’s Primary School of the Year (Non-Government) for its bespoke curriculum and innovative approach to teaching and learning. He also supported the launch of a new research institute in the Flinders Discovery Institute to build a strong culture of collaboration and innovation.
In the Secondary School, our Year 9s of 2023 have been the first to experience the reinvigorated Year to RISE program. Our elite student athletes are supported to balance their academic and sporting lives through the new Flinders Elite Athlete Program. While Music EDGE supports music excellence in the Middle School.
With an aim to foster global connectedness, one of Stuart’s proudest achievements is securing Flinders as a Round Square school in 2019. Our Round Square affiliation provides students and staff access to awesome global experiences and connects us with a network of more than 230 like-minded schools. In 2023, six students and two staff experienced an awe-inspiring trip to the international Round Square student conference in Kenya, while six Year 8 students boarded across Kinross Wolaroi School in Orange, NSW and Scotch College in Melbourne, Victoria in Term 4. And in 2024 there will be 15 of our Year 10 students engaging in short-term exchanges with schools across the globe.
Stuart’s commitment to building a strong school culture and spirit has seen him share with students his favourite books and resources on resilience, community service and belonging. He’s also wholeheartedly kept the spirit of the Beast alive in our community, encouraging us all to embrace this symbol of Flinderians at their best (and to give the Beast mascot a hug and a high five!).
There is no doubt that Stuart has been a good sport, agreeing many times when asked to participate in student and Old Flinderian projects over the years. Whether dressing up in his best loud board shorts, polo and tie for charity fundraisers, bravely walking barefoot over a carpet of lego (!) or wearing swimming goggles to endure a bin of iced water being tipped from overhead, Stuart’s courageous antics will go down in Flinders folklore!
Stuart’s wife, Susie, has also contributed her time, care and energy to our College community. Over the past seven years, Susie has attended countless events to support students, staff and families, and has volunteered as a member of the College’s Foodbank community service meal project.
Close to Stuart’s heart and indicative of the responsibility he feels for the young people in his care, he has encouraged every student to proudly build their unique personal brand, to recognise and appreciate their family, friends and support crew, and to commit to being leaders in their own lives, in their families and in the wider community.
We sincerely thank Stuart for being a fine role model and for believing in every student’s potential to lead a rewarding, positive and successful life, with people to lean on and care for, and limitless opportunities to embrace and explore.
STUART MEADE BIO
Stuart Meade has enjoyed a distinguished career. He joined Matthew Flinders Anglican College in 2017 as an established leader and retired in 2023.
Stuart was previously Headmaster at one of Australia’s leading schools, Hale School in Perth, which he led with distinction for 14 years. Prior, he served as Deputy Headmaster at Cranbrook School in Sydney and Newcastle Grammar School.
Stuart holds degrees from UNE and USQ, including a Bachelor of Arts, a Diploma of Education and a Master of Education, and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Stuart has served on the Board of the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia, was Chair of the Principals’ Advisory Panel of the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (West Australia) and is a member of the Australian College of Educators and the Australian College of Educational Leaders. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Managers and Leaders.
In 2022, Stuart was honoured as a Life Member of Australian Schools Rugby Union. The ASRU recognised Stuart's "selfless dedication to the development of our youth through rugby union" spanning 34 years – from 1987 when he coached the 1st XV of Cranbrook School Sydney to 2021 when he retired as Vice President.
Stuart’s overarching philosophy is that a school, in the context of a Christian community, should seek to inspire students to learn, lead and serve as they strive for excellence. Stuart believes the core of any great school is the quality of teaching and the calibre of its teachers. He also believes the values which are the foundation of Christian principles should underpin the leadership of the school and provide the moral compass for the students which will enable them to be well prepared as they take their place in the wider world. Stuart says that a school striving for excellence must understand that its role is not simply to achieve high academic standards but also to develop and nurture the young hearts and minds entrusted to it.
