Media release
Friday 31 January 2025
Hunter welcomes new principals for first day of school
Students and teachers in the Hunter are welcoming eleven new principals today, to mark the first day of the 2025 school year.
Kim Cummings, Melanie Elks and Jaclyn Zoneff have become principals for the first time at Wallsend Public School, Mannering Park Public School and Laguna Public School respectively.
All three have moved from previous roles as Assistant Principals, Ms Cummings at Rutherford Public School, Ms Elks at Swansea Public School and Ms Zoneff at Bellbird Public School.
The remaining eight new principals are moving from existing principalships:
- Kim Smith has moved to Clarence Town Public School from Goulburn Public School
- Susan Xenos has moved to Hunter River High School from Tomaree High School
- Emma Pezet has moved to Barnsley Public School from Lisarow Public School
- Peter Riley has moved to Callaghan College, Jesmond Campus from Cessnock High School
- Sharon Morris has moved to Metford Public School from Greta Public School
- Lesley Burley has moved to Nulkaba Public School from Pelaw Main Public School
- Adam Lewis has moved to Toronto Public School from Fassifern Public School
- Lisa Noble has moved to Cardiff South Public School from Hamilton North Public School.
Across NSW, 62 new principals are starting to meet staff, students and families to outline their leadership priorities and aspirations for student success for the school year.
Of these principals, 28 are taking up the leadership role for the first time and 34 are principals starting at a new school.
Education Secretary Murat Dizdar welcomed the new principals to their new schools for the start of the 2025 school year.
“Our principals and their executive teams play a vital role in providing every student in NSW public schools with a great education and the best start in life,” he said.
“They have a significant impact on classroom results, guide teacher development, and lead engagement with their school community.
“Our principals create a culture where everyone can be their best, by embedding the best teaching and learning based on evidence and growing the next generation of leaders – both students and staff.”
Research shows that effective principals play an essential role in guiding their schools and nurturing student learning.
“We invest in leadership development through our School Leadership Institute because key education research shows there is a direct connection between school leadership, teacher professional learning and improved student outcomes,” Mr Dizdar said.
“Our principals demonstrate collective responsibility for the success of the public education system by supporting the leadership development of others.”
Contact details:
MEDIA: Sven Wright, Media Officer, [email protected], 02 7814 0069