AHISA > About us > Chairman’s Message

Chairman’s Message

Mr Andrew Barr, AHISA’s National Chairman

Welcome to AHISA’s website.

Through their schools, AHISA’s 390 members are helping to educate some 389,000 students, including students from overseas. That represents 11 per cent of Australia’s school population.

As a professional association, AHISA supports high standards of collegiality, professional practice and conduct among our members. By supporting excellence in school leadership we are contributing to the quality of education enjoyed by all Australian school students.

We also contribute to Australian education and school leadership by collaborating with other principals’ and schools’ groups, and by freely sharing our collective expertise.

I warmly invite you to explore our website. You will find much wisdom from past and present Heads in the pages of our journal, Independence and in our online Leadership Perspectives series. There is also stimulating professional learning available in the presentations at AHISA conferences posted on this site.

I also recommend viewing the pages linking to our members’ schools.

The education and development of young people is one of the most important tasks anyone can undertake. AHISA is proud of the outstanding leadership that our members give to their schools and our role in supporting members’ professional aspirations.

National Chair 2011-2013

About Andrew Barr

Andrew Barr was appointed Principal of Geelong College, Victoria in 2013 after ten years as Principal of Scotch Oakburn College. He has also held senior positions at Caulfield Grammar School and Scotch College in Melbourne, Victoria. Before entering the teaching profession, Mr Barr was a newspaper journalist.

Mr Barr has served on AHISA’s Board since 2003 and has also contributed to Australian school education through representation on various curriculum committees in Tasmania. He has also served as a member of the Board of Independent Schools Tasmania.

Mr Barr’s areas of particular professional interest include the application of developments in mind-brain research in education, educational innovation, pastoral care of students, strategic planning and leadership development within schools.