On the recommendation of the Xavier College Council, the Provincial, Fr Brian McCoy SJ, has appointed William Doherty as the next Principal of Xavier College, from the beginning of the 2018 academic year.
The appointment follows the announcement earlier this year that former principal, Dr Chris Hayes, had been appointed as Headmaster to St Joseph’s College, Sydney, from the commencement of 2018.
Mr Doherty has been Deputy Headmaster of St Kevin’s College, Toorak, Vic., since 2014, including acting as Headmaster in term two of 2015. He commenced his teaching vocation at St Ignatius’ College, Riverview, where he taught for seven years and developed an appreciation of Ignatian spirituality and pedagogy.
He held numerous roles across the College in these years, assisting in the leadership of the Middle School, the pastoral care and administration of a number of year levels and co-curricular activities.
He has also been the Head of the Waterford Campus (year 9) at St Kevin’s, the Head of Middle School at SCECGS Redlands, Sydney, and the Head of Middle School Boarding at The Armidale School in country NSW.
Mr Doherty also gained international experience at the co-educational Australian International School in Singapore, engaging in curriculum leadership and development through the implementation of the International Baccalaureate at the school. His academic qualifications include a bachelor of arts and a masters of educational leadership.
‘William is deeply committed to Jesuit education’, Fr McCoy said in announcing the appointment. ‘He is thoughtful and articulate and is experienced in developing and implementing educational and operational policies across a large Catholic boys’ school. He has also had significant international, interstate and boarding experience.
‘He is committed to academic excellence and strong pastoral care and co-curricular programs [and] very good at articulating vision and developing strategy around innovative learning models and continual improvement in the performance of staff and students.’
Over the coming months Dr Hayes and Xavier College Rector Fr Chris Middleton SJ will assist Mr Doherty in his preparations to take up his appointment. This will include learning about the various works of the Australian Province and participating in Ignatian formation programs where possible.
‘The Province and the College Council look forward to acknowledging and to celebrating the outstanding contribution of Dr Chris Hayes to the College later in the year and to welcoming William Doherty and his family to the Xavier community from the commencement of 2018’, said Fr McCoy.