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• Tasmanian principal to lead the Australian Primary Principals Association from 2019

Tasmanian principal to lead the Australian Primary Principals Association from 2019

The Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA) announced today that Tasmanian principal, Malcolm Elliott, would become its new president from January 2019. Mr Elliott replaces Dennis Yarrington, who will finish his term as President after leading the association over the past four years.

Mr Elliott, currently President of the Tasmanian Principals Association, was elected unopposed by the national, state and territory sector principals’ associations that make up the Australian Primary Principals Association. He joins Phil Seymour, President of the NSW Primary Principals Association, who was also unanimously re-elected as APPA Deputy President.

Mr Elliott said he looked forward to continuing the outstanding work of Dennis Yarrington on behalf of primary principals across Australia. He said,

“Leading the Australian Primary Principals Association is a wonderful opportunity to contribute at a national level to the work of primary school principals across the Government, Independent and Catholic sectors.”

In welcoming the new president, Mr Yarrington commented,

“Malcolm is a strong voice for school leaders and will join Phil Seymour in seeing that APPA continues to contribute positively and constructively to the development of school leadership and the task of ensuring every child, no matter circumstance, receives a quality education. Both have extensive experience in policy development, a strong track record in building leadership capacity and, having led a wide range of schools, an understanding of the inclusive nature of school communities.”

Mr Elliott said that he looked forward to the task of leading an association that brings together principals from all sectors in every state and territory. He further wished Dennis Yarrington an enjoyable and well-earned break after many years as an educational leader who contributed at school, local community, state and national levels.

“I pay tribute to Dennis for his leadership of APPA over the last four years. He is a respected educator with an excellent understanding of the demands of the principal’s role in metropolitan, regional and remote schools of every complexity. Recognising that effective school leadership is critical to the success of students, Dennis has been a powerful advocate for my colleagues.”

Mr Elliott said he looked forward to working with Mr Yarrington over the coming months during the transition that will take full effect in January 2019.

The Australian Primary Principals Association represents 7,200 Government, Catholic and Independent primary school principals across Australia.

Taken from APPA Media Release 1 August 2018