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04 October, 2022 Community

Our new Head of the School

Mr Gerard Houlihan has commenced in his new role as Head of St Michael’s Grammar School. Gerard was appointed to the role after an extensive selection process. He is a well-respected and highly credentialled educator who has served as Deputy Head of St Michael’s since 2015.

Commencing at the School in 2001, Gerard possesses an unrivalled depth and breadth of knowledge about St Michael’s. He has occupied positions across the School including Head of Science and Technology, Head of Breen House, Head of Information Technology and Learning Technologies, Dean of Teaching and Learning and Head of the Senior School.  Gerard has also twice acted as the Head of the School for periods in 2017 and 2022.

In 2020 Gerard was awarded a Victorian Fellowship from the Australian Council of Education Leaders. He has been a member of, or provided consultancy services to, a range of education advisory boards including, the Education Secretary’s Advisory Group: School Leaders for Gender Equality and Respect,  the VCAA as adviser and writer of the VCE Psychology Study Design, and is a past Vice-President of the Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria. He has authored numerous articles on education and presented at conferences nationally and internationally.

Throughout Gerard’s time at St Michael’s, he has been responsible for significant innovations such as the SchoL-AR online learning program. Most notably, he was responsible for the design and implementation of the School’s Wellbeing Triage and Restorative Practices Framework, Student Profile Dashboard and Navigator program, which ensured that all students and families were well supported during successive COVID-19 lockdowns.

As a member of the Executive, Gerard has been integral to the realisation of the School’s Strategic Direction: Towards 2030 and has played a substantial role in the implementation of several of the strategic priorities.

In appointing Gerard to the role, the Board believed that his extensive understanding of the School will maintain the momentum with the implementation of the Strategic Direction and ensure stability and continuity for our community. The Board were also in no doubt that Gerard’s values are very much aligned to St Michael’s, and his passion for the School is apparent for all to see.

The entire School community has welcomed Gerard’s appointment to the role.