Appointment of New Principal

Dear Members of the St Mark’s community,

Appointment of New Principal

I am delighted to advise you of the appointment of Mr Darren McPartland as the next Principal of St Mark’s Anglican Community School.

This appointment follows a thorough process undertaken by AngliSchools, in partnership with the School Council. I acknowledge the significant contribution of Mr Franzl Shannon (Chair of Council), and the members of the Selection Panel who joined Mr Shannon and me: The Right Reverend Kate Wilmot (Assistant Bishop of Perth), Mrs Lynne Thomson (AngliSchools Board Chair), Mrs Tina Campbell (Principal of St George’s Anglican Grammar School) and Mr Yung Nguyen (Deputy Chair of School Council).

Mr McPartland brings more than two decades of leadership experience across Anglican schools in Western Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. He will join St Mark's following a highly successful tenure as Principal of St Peter's Anglican College in Broulee NSW, where he has led a period of significant growth, innovation, campus development and the enhancement of the College’s Anglican identity. Throughout this period of change, his leadership focus was on academic excellence, student wellbeing, performing arts and sporting success.

Mr McPartland holds a Bachelor of Physical Education and a Diploma of Education, with specialisations in Mathematics and Physical Education. He began his teaching career at St Mark’s, making this appointment a particularly special return.

Mr McPartland’s approach to leadership is defined by a genuine care for young people and a conviction that every child should leave school proud of who they are and of the community to which they belong. He champions a holistic education grounded in Anglican beliefs and values, one that values the arts, sport, service and outdoor learning alongside academic achievement. He leads with a visible, relational presence, and we are confident he will honour the rich legacy of St Mark’s while leading the School into its next chapter with wisdom, warmth and purpose.

Mr McPartland is married to Kelly and they have two children, Deakin (19) and Rosie (17). Both Deakin and Rosie attended St Mark's before the family relocated to New South Wales.

Mr McPartland writes: I am honoured to be rejoining St Mark's Anglican Community School as Principal. As a proud West Australian, I can't wait to come home. St Mark's has always held a special place in our family's story, and I am excited to get to know everything and everyone that makes up the St Mark's community in 2027.

Having worked in a number of outstanding Anglican schools across Australia, I know the strength that comes from a school grounded in the AngliSchools values of Faith, Inclusion, Respect and Excellence; a school with committed staff and young people who are encouraged to pursue excellence. I am excited by the opportunity to lead the dedicated staff and students of St Mark's as we write the next chapter together. The future of the School is incredibly exciting, and I look forward to building on its strong foundations while embracing new opportunities for innovation, growth and service.

We're looking forward to spending more time with family and friends, enjoying the best sunsets in the world and simply being back in Perth. Personally, I can't wait to get back to surfing some of my old breaks, paddling along the coast and cycling around the river.

Mr McPartland will commence as Principal at the beginning of next year. In the meantime, Ms Roseanne Madden will continue as Interim Principal. She is providing purposeful and assured leadership during this important period of transition, whilst continuing to move the School forward. I am grateful to Ms Madden and the School’s Senior Leadership for their continued dedication to and care for the St Mark’s community.

There will be opportunities later this year for staff, students and parents/carers to meet Mr McPartland at the School.

AngliSchools and the School Council are thrilled to welcome the McPartlands back to the St Mark’s family next year.

With good wishes.

Yours sincerely,

The Reverend Peter Laurence OAM
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER