Executive Leadership Team

​Qualifications: BA, Dip Ed, MEd (Leadership and Management)​

Mr Craig Merritt was appointed as the sixth Principal of John Paul College in 2023, bringing over 30 years of teaching and leadership experience in co-educational schools across Queensland.

A graduate of the University of Queensland, Craig began his career at Ipswich State High School before taking on leadership roles at Hillbrook Anglican School and Whitsunday Anglican School. Most recently, he served as Principal of St Luke's Anglican School in Bundaberg.

​Craig believes in academic excellence, inclusive leadership, and building a genuine sense of community within a modern, multifaith environment. He is deeply committed to empowering every JPC student to develop strong character, embrace optimism, strive to excel, and become a positive force in their communities — fulfilling the College's promise to educate and develop exceptional individuals who courageously enrich society.

​Qualifications: MEd (Lead), BEd (Sec), MACEL​

Mr Jacob Elms commenced as Deputy Principal – Head of Secondary School at John Paul College in 2025​. He is a dedicated and relational educational leader with broad experience across pastoral care, curriculum design, compliance, and strategic school leadership in independent school settings.

Before joining John Paul College, Jacob was Head of Secondary School at A.B. Paterson College, where he led all aspects of the Secondary School’s operations and strategy. His work focused on building high-performing teams, enhancing student outcomes through data-informed practice, and fostering a culture of care, excellence, and continuous improvement. He has also held senior leadership positions including Dean of Academic Welfare, Acting Dean of Studies, and Acting Deputy Principal, with a strong focus on empowering students and staff to thrive.

Jacob holds a Master of Education (Leadership), a Bachelor of Education (Secondary), and is a member of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders. His leadership is driven by a belief in the transformative power of education, and he is deeply committed to ensuring every student experiences success in a safe, supportive, and challenging learning environment.

​Jacob leads with integrity and empathy, placing people at the heart of his leadership. He is deeply committed to building authentic relationships with students, staff and families, creating a culture of trust, care and high expectations. With a strong strategic mindset and a values-driven approach, Jacob focuses on purposeful, future-oriented change that aligns with the mission of John Paul College and fosters a community grounded in unity, learning and service.

Qualifications: B.Ed. (Prim), MLDrshp

​Since commencing at John Paul College in 2011, Miss Lindsay McQuattie has undertaken a number of leadership roles including Team Leader, Primary Curriculum Leader and Dean of Pedagogy (Primary). Lindsay holds a Master of Leadership (Curriculum and Pedagogy) through Monash University, and is a well-respected International Baccalaureate PYP Workshop Leader, facilitating professional learning for teachers across Asia and Australia. In 2020, Lindsay was appointed to Head of Primary School, and subsequently to her current role as Deputy Principal – Head of Primary School, with additional oversight of the College's co-curricular Performing Arts program​.

​Graduating from the Queensland University of Technology, Lindsay commenced her teaching career in West London, followed by five years teaching at the Australian International School in Singapore where she was first introduced to the International Baccalaureate Organisation. A member of the AHISA Leaders Programme and IPSHA, Lindsay is deeply committed to her own ongoing growth as a leader and to the professional development of the teachers she leads.

​​With a career spanning more than two decades, Lindsay's educational philosophy is underpinned by the belief that every student has the ability to achieve individual success and excellence within a culture of high standards and high expectations. Lindsay brings a strategic and future-focused approach to leadership, setting bold goals that strengthen academic achievement, drive innovation and shape learning environments that are designed for the needs of today's learners. She is passionate about nurturing teachers at every stage of their career, from early career teachers entering the profession, through to aspiring leaders stepping into new challenges. As a student-centred leader, she places collective efficacy at the heart of her leadership fostering a culture where teachers collaborate, share their practice, and grow together in pursuit of excellence. Lindsay believes that when educators learn alongside one another, the impact on student outcomes is far-reaching.

​Qualifications: GCertBus, MEd, GradDipEd(sec), BHum(Hons)​​​​

Mr David Ferguson is Deputy Principal – International and Accommodation Operations at John Paul College in Queensland, Australia, where he leads one of Australia's largest school-based international student programs, supporting over 250 students across boarding, homestay, and day student arrangements. With 10 years at the College, David serves as an executive member responsible for the strategic direction of international operations, including John Paul International College's curriculum licensing initiatives.

A qualified secondary school teacher and TESOL educator, David brings extensive experience across schools, universities, and language school settings in Australia and abroad. He holds postgraduate qualifications in both education and business, combining pedagogical expertise with strategic planning and implementation capabilities. David's work focuses on developing sustainable, research-driven approaches to international education that deliver measurable student outcomes and enhance operational excellence.​

Qualifications: BBus, MBus, GradCertProjMgmt​, GAICD, CPM​​

Mrs Claire Henkey is the Chief Marketing Officer at John Paul College, leading the College’s strategic marketing, communications, enrolments, community engagement, philanthropy, and alumni relations functions.

With more than 25 years of experience across the education, retail, and franchise sectors, Claire brings extensive expertise in brand strategy, stakeholder engagement, customer experience, and organisational growth. Prior to joining John Paul College, she held senior leadership roles including General Manager, Future Students at Bond University and Group Marketing Manager at TerryWhite Chemmart.

Claire has played a key role in strengthening the College’s brand presence and community connection through integrated marketing strategies, enhanced digital engagement, and a future-focused approach to the family experience. She is passionate about building meaningful relationships with students, families, alumni, and the wider community, ensuring every interaction reflects the values and vision of the College.

A collaborative and strategic leader, Claire is committed to fostering engagement initiatives that deepen community connection, elevate the College experience, and support the long-term aspirations of John Paul College. Outside of the College community, Claire serves on the Board of Hockey Queensland as President ​and contributes to Educate Plus Queensland.

​Qualifications: BSc, BIT, JP (Qual)​​​​

Mr ​Mark Pearce, with over 25 years of experience in IT leadership, joins John Paul College as Chief Information Officer (CIO). He brings extensive expertise in strategic planning, business transformation, and the implementation of innovative information systems. As the former Director of Information Systems at Accor Apartments & Realty, Mark led large scale technology initiatives, enhancing operational efficiencies, developed AI and RPA capabilities, significantly contributing to improved productivity and cost savings. His proficiency in change management, coupled with a track record of managing large-scale infrastructure, has supported organisations with assets exceeding $8 billion.

Mark's strong financial acumen has driven substantial savings through effective budget management and negotiation. He is well-versed in IT security, compliance, and risk management, ensuring alignment with standards such as PCI-DSS and GDPR. Mark holds a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Information Technology and is certified in ITIL V3 and Prince2 Project Management, among others. Mark’s leadership style is grounded in fostering high trust teams and nurturing a collaborative environment, making him well-suited to drive technology initiatives at JPC. His commitment to leveraging technology to support educational excellence aligns perfectly with the College’s strategic vision for the future.

Mark is also a long-time supporter and volunteer with the Kokoda Youth Foundation having been involved with Kokoda Challenge events since 2006 and was appointed to the Board of Management in 2019.

He is greatly looking forward to helping the College fulfill its strategic vision, delivering outcomes that positively impact the education and future success of all our students. ​

​Qualifications: BCom CA GAICD GIA(Cert)​​​​

Kerryn Campbell brings over 30 years of experience as a Chartered Accountant to her role as Chief Financial & Operations Officer at John Paul College, specialising in strategic leadership within the independent education sector.​

Kerryn has served in leadership roles in the education sector for over 20 years and has demonstrated exceptional capability in financial stewardship, corporate governance​​ and capital development. Her expertise spans master planning, enterprise risk management, ICT strategy, and stakeholder engagement, with a proven track record of successfully managing capital projects valued between $1 million and $35 million.

As a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and member of the Governance Institute of Australia, Kerryn currently serves as a director on two independent school boards across Queensland. She is known for her values-driven leadership approach, combining strategic acumen with emotional intelligence and a genuine commitment to service.

Beyond her professional achievements, Kerryn is actively involved in community service, supporting homelessness, women's cancer charities and environmental regeneration projects—commitments that align closely with the College's core values of Mutual Respect, Integrity, Compassion, and Excellence.​ ​