Principal announces departure from eastern suburbs boys’ school

The head of Waverley College has announced he will leave his job at the end of this year, the latest in a string of principal resignations to rock Sydney’s private school world.

College principal Graham Leddie wrote to parents on Wednesday morning informing them he plans to leave at the end of this year and will take up a job leading St Edward’s College in Gosford.

“To have served this community as principal has been one of the great honours of my professional life,” he said.

Leddie has led the Edmund Rice school, which charges up to $25,000 for year 12, since 2017 and has overseen enrolments growth and improved academic performance.

“Together, we have achieved so much,” he told parents.

“We have grown the college, strengthened our academic outcomes, culminating in our best-ever HSC results in 2025, invested in outstanding facilities and expanded the opportunities available to our boys,” he said.

He said during his tenure, the school had bolstered gender equity across leadership and staff teams and broadened the educational experience through academic enrichment, debating, public speaking and social justice programs.

“Above all, it has been a privilege to witness generations of young men grow in character, confidence and compassion, and develop into young men who are curious, respectful, resilient and ready to make a positive contribution to the world.”

During his tenure, Waverley managed to steer clear of any major scandal that seemed to engulf other boys’ schools. However, he did hit the headlines overs its controversial mullet policy in 2023, whereby students presenting with the party-at-the-back style were charged $20 to have a haircut.

“If your son arrives at the college at the commencement of term 2 with a haircut that is not in line with college policy, he will either be sent home on his first day or we will have a hairdresser on site where he can receive a haircut at the cost of $20, charged to his school fees account,” staff warned parents.

Edmund Rice Education Australia Colleges chief executive Chris Woolley said following Leddie’s departure, Dr Michael Carroll would take the reins as acting principal during the first two terms of next year.

He said Carroll had expertise in strategic leadership, governance, school improvement, faith formation and developing thriving educational communities.

“Michael is recognised for his collaborative and relational leadership style, his commitment to nurturing young people, and his deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing contemporary Catholic schools,” he said.

A permanent principal will be recruited next year through an open merit-based process, he said.

There are currently a number of principal jobs going across Sydney’s high-fee boys’ schools.

Last week the long-serving principal of upper north shore school Knox, Scott James, announced his plans to leave the school.

That news came after the principal of The King’s School Tony George departed the school earlier this year.

Over at Bellevue Hill’s Scots College, principal Dr Ian Lambert announced plans he will leave the school at the end of next year.

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