Peter Westhead

Background

About Peter Westhead

Peter is an experienced leader with a diverse professional background from a range of educational sectors in England and Australia. He enriches student learning through building the capacity of others and by fostering a culture of excellence. He is fervent in his belief that everyone’s capacity, including their capacity to lead, is not fixed; irrespective of the starting point, everybody can grow – be they students or staff. Peter recently relocated to Queensland to take up the position of Deputy Principal at the Springfield Anglican College. In 2019, Peter moved from South Australia to Melbourne and joined Westbourne Grammar School as their Director of Learning. He was appointed as Director of People Strategy and Culture in 2020. In the classroom, Peter has taught geography, history, critical thinking, epistemology and research methodology. He has had responsibility for a broad range of roles beyond the classroom - including subject leader, faculty leader, timetabler, data analyst, student counsellor, wellbeing curriculum developer, Year Level Manager and Director of Learning (P-12 and 7-12). He was also a curriculum developer and Chief Assessor for the SACE Board of South Australia and has considerable experience of the International Baccalaureate. Peter leads and make active contributions to teams that initiate and shape change. His ability to engage others and drive innovation has produced significant advances in short time frames; his leadership style garners trust. Evidence-based reflective practice, coaching, mentorship, and trust-building are some of Peter’s hallmarks. These are evident in his current work as Director of People Strategy and Culture – a role that utilises his expertise in pedagogy, curriculum design and innovation, leadership development, industrial relations, human resource management, compliance and school improvement. In 2023, Peter became Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and recently completed the ISV/AHISA Aspiring Principals Program. He is a father of two grown up children who now live in Melbourne and Brisbane.