Dr Luke Mandouit will join Geelong Grammar School (GGS) as Vice Principal | Learning, Teaching and Academic Innovation in January 2024. Luke is a highly accomplished school leader and educational researcher with more than 20 years of experience in the field. He replaces Chris McNamara, who has accepted a role as School Partnerships Executive with Australian education technology company Janison.

Luke joins the School from St Michael’s Grammar School, where he is Associate Head – Research, Innovation and Professional Practice (K-12). Luke is also an Honorary Research Fellow at The University of Melbourne, having completed his Doctoral degree investigating how students receive, interpret, and respond to teacher feedback. More recently, Luke received the ‘New Voice’ in School Leadership Scholarship from the Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL). The scholarship recognises forward thinking, contextually relevant, and responsive educational leaders whose work has had an impact above and beyond their immediate context.

Principal, Rebecca Cody, said that Luke had demonstrated an ability to strengthen curriculum development, pedagogy, student and staff wellbeing, and innovation at both government and independent schools across his career. “I am confident that Luke’s unique blend of leadership, vision, pedagogical expertise, and research background will contribute significantly to our School’s continued success in supporting our students to make positive progress,” Rebecca said.

Luke said that he was “thrilled and honoured” to join the GGS community. “This is an opportunity that is ‘the right fit’ given my passion for education and the importance I place on fostering an environment that thrives on the pillars of adventure, positivity and creativity,” he explained. “In my leadership I hope to uphold the School’s values and proud traditions, whilst ensuring that we adapt and grow to meet the evolving needs of our students to live happily and productively in an ever-changing world.”

We look forward to warmly welcoming Luke and his wife Leah to our School.