Somerville House in Queensland and Clonard College in Victoria have appointed new principals for 2027, with both schools selecting experienced leaders with backgrounds in girls’ education.
The Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association (PMSA) Board has appointed Ms Samantha Jensen as principal of Somerville House, commencing on 4 January 2027.
Ms Jensen joins the Brisbane independent girls’ school from Mount Alvernia College, another independent Catholic girls’ school in Brisbane, where she has served as principal since 2021.
During her tenure at Mount Alvernia, Ms Jensen led academic growth, strategic renewal and campus development. The college achieved its strongest academic results in its history, strengthened student wellbeing and pastoral frameworks, and introduced innovative learning programs.
Before joining Mount Alvernia, Ms Jensen held senior leadership positions at Loreto Mandeville Hall Toorak in Melbourne for more than a decade, including eight years as Deputy Principal (Studies).
Her experience spans curriculum, staff development, governance, capital works and strategic planning across Queensland, Victoria and international education settings.
Ms Jensen serves on national and international education bodies, including the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools, and was named among the Top 50 Australian Educator Leaders in 2025.
In announcing the appointment, PMSA Board chair Wayne Knapp highlighted Ms Jensen’s commitment to girls’ education and her values-driven leadership approach.
Ms Jensen will be succeeded at Mount Alvernia College by Sharon Collins, whose appointment as principal from Term 1, 2027, has also been announced. Ms Collins joins from Siena Catholic College on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Read more in School Choice’s report on Sharon Collins’ appointment.
In Geelong, Mrs Chantelle Gauci has been appointed principal of Clonard College, commencing at the beginning of the 2027 school year.
The appointment was announced by the Kildare Education Ministries Board, following eight years of leadership and service by outgoing principal Luci Quinn.
Mrs Gauci is currently Deputy Principal Learning and Staff at Mount St Joseph Girls’ College in Altona North. Previously, she was Director of Staffing and Executive Deputy Principal at Catholic Regional College Sydenham.
Earlier in her career at St Francis Xavier College, formerly Catholic Regional College Melton, she held several leadership positions, including Year Level Coordinator, School Improvement Coordinator and Domain Leader for Mathematics and Health. She has also undertaken acting principal responsibilities at Mount St Joseph Girls’ College and Catholic Regional College Sydenham.
Kildare Education Ministries Board chair Marg Blythman said the selection process highlighted the breadth of Mrs Gauci’s experience and the strong reputation she had established at the schools where she had worked.
The board cited her experience in teaching and learning, staff development and school improvement, as well as her commitment to Catholic education and the influence of her faith on her leadership, relationships and decision-making.
Mrs Gauci said she wanted to foster a school environment where every student is known, valued and challenged to achieve her potential.
“I am particularly committed to the principle of every student, every pathway, ensuring that academic, vocational and alternative pathways are valued and supported,” she said.
The board said Mrs Gauci’s experience in Catholic girls’ education and her approach to learning and relationships aligned with the mission and values of Clonard College and Kildare Education Ministries.
Clonard College is a Catholic girls’ secondary school in Geelong, educating students from Years 7 to 12. Somerville House is an independent Christian girls’ school in Brisbane, affiliated with the Presbyterian and Uniting churches through PMSA.