Queenwood is delighted to welcome Ms Nikki Kirkup as its new Principal in 2027.
Ms Kirkup joins Queenwood from The Knox School in Melbourne, where she is currently Principal. She brings a deep commitment to meaningful community engagement, academic excellence and a clear vision for a school where every girl is known, challenged and encouraged to thrive.
“I am beyond excited to undertake my leadership at Queenwood, where my leadership will be reflected in the impact I have on others and discovered within the layers and folds of their lives.”
Queenwood is an independent girls’ school in the heart of Mosman, offering both HSC and IB pathways, strong academic results and a caring, close-knit community. Ms Kirkup will lead the School through an important period of development, with several significant initiatives already underway. These include the opening of Artemis, Queenwood’s new Arts and Design Centre at Balmoral, and the development of the Character Education Institute. She will also lead the implementation of the School’s strategic priorities, strengthen opportunities for staff to contribute and lead, and build on Queenwood’s standing as one of Australia’s leading girls’ schools, including its growing international reputation.
Ms Kirkup will lead a strong executive team that recently includes Dr Rachel Horton, Deputy Principal, who joined Queenwood in Term 2 2026, and Mrs Karen Smith, Director of Admissions & Community Engagement, who joined in October 2026.
Families considering Queenwood are warmly invited to meet Ms Kirkup and the team, tour the School and experience Queenwood in action. To arrange a visit, contact our Admissions team at enrol@queenwood.nsw.edu.au, call +61 2 8968 7712 or visit Queenwood Enrolments.
Queenwood educates girls from kindergarten to Year 12, setting high academic goals enriched by a strong cultural and sporting program […]