New Anglican school appoints its first principal

By Caleb Francis

Dec 13, 2022

Top job: Jim Laussen is the first principal of All Saints Anglican School. Photo by Megan Fisher

“What an amazing opportunity to be at the school when it starts and build that culture and community. Shepparton’s (also) a fabulous town.”

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James ‘Jim’ Laussen is fully aware of the historic role he is taking on as the first principal of All Saints Anglican School in Shepparton, which is due to open for Prep to Year 7 in 2024, followed by years 8 to 12 by 2029.

Mr Laussen will leave his position as principal of Overnewton Anglican Community College in Melbourne to take up the role.

Originally a “Melbourne boy” who attended Box Hill Boys High School, he has worked in education for 42 years, 22 of them as a principal.

He has two children: Sarah, a physiotherapist in England, and Lucy, who works at a school as its head coach of rowing.

Ready to lead: Jim Laussen at the construction site of the new school. Photo by Megan Fisher

Mr Laussen said he was passionate about working with families and children, and he believed that bringing that passion into a school was “great for building a community”.

“I’ve got a lot of experience. I’d like to think that there’s some wisdom I could bring,” he said.

He has a connection to the Goulburn Valley extending back to his childhood when his father studied agricultural science at the University of Melbourne’s Dookie Campus, and as a child, Mr Laussen said he would “come up here all the time”.

School site: Jim Laussen walking on what will be the school’s campus on Verney Rd. Photo by Megan Fisher

All Saints is an Anglican school, but Mr Laussen said it would welcome students of other faiths and those with no faith.

“There will be great diversity,” he said.

This will be evident through the incorporation of a hijab and a turban into the school uniform, which is still in the process of being designed.

Although students will not be walking into lessons until 2024, Mr Laussen’s first official day as principal will be April 17 next year.

During 2023 he will spend time handling enrolments for students, employing staff, setting policies, and overseeing the construction of the school’s buildings at its campus on Verney Rd.

The school will offer traditional subjects such as science, technology, English and maths. The curriculum will also provide vocational major programs, VET programs and school-based apprenticeships for the senior year levels.

Co-curricular activities, such as sports and clubs, will also be offered.

Mr Laussen is encouraging educators and families alike to adopt his willingness to be among the first names involved with a new school.

“The opportunity of being at a school when it first opens and being part of culture building is really an exciting thing,” he said.

“The opportunity to be part of what we believe will be a quality education is also a great opportunity for the people of Shepparton to have another quality option for them in this part of the world.”