Contemporary Leadership and Governance: A Snapshot

Article by Nigel Bailey, Board Chair

The Board of Launceston Church Grammar remains focused on high-performance governance and supporting the senior leadership team with the resources needed to thrive. Over the past two years, the Board has empowered the Principal and senior leaders to manage operations while it concentrates on strategic oversight. A key initiative has been the adoption of the Human Synergistics framework, aimed at fostering a constructive leadership culture built on collaboration, open communication, and shared goals. With the leadership team now at full strength, the next phase involves deeper engagement of middle leaders in strategic initiatives. This work, led by the Principal, reflects the School’s commitment to distributed leadership and long-term capability building.

Governance has also evolved, with the Board establishing a new Governance Charter and refreshing Committee Terms of Reference. While the Christ College Act (1926) remains the legal foundation, the Board recognises the need for agile, contemporary governance that supports innovation and responsible risk-taking. The appointment of a Risk Officer enhances the School’s capacity to identify and manage risks in an increasingly complex environment.

This term we farewell two esteemed senior leaders. We acknowledge Nick Foster’s outstanding 34 years of service. A loyal educator and leader, Nick’s contribution, including being Acting Headmaster for 3 terms in 2022 and more recently as Director of Grammar Enterprise leaves a lasting legacy. We wish him every success in his next chapter. Linda Holdaway, Chief Financial Officer, has provided exceptional financial leadership over the past three years, embedding strong processes and transparency. We thank both of you for your contribution to the Grammar journey.

Despite funding pressures and broader economic challenges, 2025 is shaping up to be another strong year for Grammar. In Term 3 we will officially open the now complete Patricia Roberts ELC precinct. This transformative development on the Junior Campus is indicative of the future direction of the School in its provision of exceptional learning facilities to meet the needs of contemporary learners. We are grateful for the generous support of our community be it through the giving of your time, sharing of your talents or financial donations. These significant contributions benefit our current and future students and reflect a community that is unwavering in their assistance, ensuring that Grammar remains one of Australia’s leading schools. Our strength lies in our united and spirited community, thank you for your continued encouragement and demonstrated support.