Dear WestMAC Community, 

I write to inform you that following an extensive national recruitment search, the College Council, in collaboration with the Anglican Schools Commission, has recommended an outstanding candidate to the Archbishop as the fourth principal of West Moreton Anglican College.

As such, I am delighted to announce that Archbishop Jeremy Greaves has appointed Mr Andrew Peach as our next principal. Mr Peach has a reputation as one of Australia's preeminent educational leaders. His most recent experiences in schools were as Executive Principal of Marsden State High School and prior to that as Principal of Bundamba State Secondary College here in Ipswich.

Marsden State High School flourished under Mr Peach’s leadership, with enrolments increasing from 1800 to 3700 students. The school, and its 450 staff, has received widespread national acclaim through multiple national education and human resources awards over many years. Mr Peach’s educational leadership, enhanced by two leadership programs at Harvard University, is regarded as key to the success of the schools he has led.

In 2022 and 2023, Mr Peach, who holds a Bachelor of Education and a Masters of Business Administration, was appointed by the Federal Minister of Education to the National Teacher Education Expert Panel. He is a former winner of the Government Principal of the Year (2020 Australian Education Awards) and has held advisory roles for multiple local universities.
In the last two years, Mr Peach has stepped out of schools to widen his commercial experience and pursue a personal passion as a sports administrator. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Former Origin Greats (FOGS), a role which includes oversight of an extensive and successful Indigenous Education Program.

This opportunity to serve as principal at West Moreton Anglican College has prompted Mr Peach to reengage with his dedication and passion for schools. Upon having his appointment confirmed, Mr Peach said:

I am really excited by the opportunity to lead the West Moreton Anglican College community. I am passionate about the role that education plays in helping our community continue to evolve and develop, and schools are at the forefront of that. I have missed the daily interaction with education, and the opportunity to come back to lead West Moreton Anglican College was too good to resist. The work of Geoff McLay in leading the school over the last 14 years has been outstanding, so I am grateful to be able to come in to such a high performing environment, work closely with the WestMAC Team, and lead the College through its next phase of challenges and opportunities.

Mr Peach and his family have previously lived in our local area as Fernvale residents for a number of years. As such, they are well acquainted with, and longstanding supporters of, Ipswich and surrounding communities. His wife Krystin and eldest daughter Sophie were successful members of the equestrian community before Sophie moved to Sydney for university, while youngest daughter Charlotte is currently completing Year 12.

I am sure the West Moreton Anglican College community will join me in warmly welcoming Mr Peach and his family. I look forward to introducing Mr Peach to our community at events later this year.

Our current principal, Mr Geoff McLay, was delighted upon hearing the news of Mr Peach’s appointment. Quite serendipitously, Mr McLay first met Mr Peach almost 30 years ago when Mr Peach was a preservice teacher. They have a strong professional respect for each other and are looking forward to working together, and with the College’s Executive Leadership team, to execute a smooth transition of leadership at the end of the 2024 year.

Yours faithfully,
Mr Bruce Sackson
Chair of West Moreton Anglican College Council