Wesley College announces new Principal

The Wesley College Council is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Nicholas Evans (OW1985) as the 17th Principal of Wesley College, commencing at the beginning of Term 3, 2019.

Mr Evans has a long association with Wesley College in teaching and leadership roles spanning 20 years, and for the last four years has held the roles of Deputy Headmaster and Head of Senior School at Melbourne Grammar School.

Following a rigorous and comprehensive national and international search, the Council’s Selection Committee is excited that the College has found in Mr Evans an education leader of exceptional calibre. The Council was impressed by the breadth of Mr Evans’ experience in the provision of academic and co-curricular programs across the spectrum of Early Learning to Year 12. Mr Evans brings to Wesley a deep understanding of curriculum development in support of Victorian Certificate of Education and International Baccalaureate programs, and extensive experience of coeducational and residential school environments, as well as programs to support teaching excellence to meet the learning needs of students across the full spectrum of abilities, backgrounds and interests.

Mr Evans has a deep and personal affinity with Wesley’s ethos, vision and values. This was cultivated not only during his own school days at Wesley but also in the years that followed as a history teacher and in his leadership roles as Head of the Humanities Faculty, and Head of Middle and Senior Schools at St Kilda Road. Frequently combining school leadership positions with teaching senior History, Nick considers himself a teacher first and foremost and is looking forward immensely to supporting the wonderful work Wesley teachers do on behalf of their students.

As an Old Wesley Collegian, Mr Evans will be the second OW to be appointed Principal, after Mr Harold Stewart, ninth Principal of Wesley College.

He will succeed Dr Helen Drennen AM, who has led Wesley with exceptional distinction since 2003. As Dr Drennen will complete her tenure at the conclusion of 2018, Deputy Principal Mr Richard Brenker will be Acting Principal during this period of transition in addition to his ongoing role as Head of Campus at Glen Waverley. Mr Brenker will resume his roles as Deputy Principal and Head of Campus, Glen Waverley from Term 3 2019.

Mr Evans is married to Elly who is a French teacher. They have two children, Stella, aged 17, and Sam, aged 16. Mr Evans’ interests include theatre, football, running, cycling, travel and history.

Mr Evans holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and a Master of Education from the University of Melbourne in addition to a Graduate Diploma of Education from La Trobe University.

Please join me in warmly welcoming Mr Evans back to our College community in 2019.

Marianne Stillwell
President of Council