Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers 

As we approach the end of Term 3, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on some important milestones and share a few updates with our community.

Many of you will have seen that Paul Leech has announced his decision to retire at the end of his current leave. Paul’s leadership over nearly 12 years has shaped Applecross Senior High School into the vibrant, high-achieving school it is today. His legacy is one of vision, care, and unwavering commitment to excellence. We thank him for his remarkable contribution and wish him all the very best in his next chapter.

As Acting Principal, I feel honoured to be supporting our school during this transitional period. I remain committed to working closely with our staff, students, and leadership team. A process will be run during Term 4 to select and appoint a new Principal who will commence in January 2026.

To ensure continuity in leadership for Term 4:

• Toni Jones will remain in the Vice Principal role,
• Bek Smith will continue in Toni’s Associate Principal role, and
• Donna Collins will continue as Acting Head of Learning Area for Mathematics.

Year 12 – Final Weeks

To our Year 12 students:

You are nearing the end of an incredible journey, and we are so proud of all you’ve achieved. These final weeks are a time to reflect, focus, and prepare for the next exciting chapter in your lives. Stay confident, stay resilient, and know that your Applecross community is cheering you on every step of the way.

Mock Exams begin on Monday 22 September in N Block. Students have been asked to enter and exit via Ardessie Street, and exams will be supervised by external invigilators. 

Athletics Carnival – Thank You!

A huge thank you to all staff and students who participated in our recent Athletics Carnival. It was a fantastic day filled with energy, teamwork, and school spirit. Special thanks to our Health and Physical Education team for their outstanding organisation and tireless efforts.

Looking ahead to 2026, we’re excited to announce that the Athletics Carnival will become a whole-school event, with all staff and students—including our Allied Professional Team—joining in. We’re also looking forward to seeing our new House Leaders bring some healthy team rivalry to life—bring on the banners, chants, and colour!

Wishing You a Restful Break

As we wrap up Term 3, I want to thank all families for your continued support and partnership. To our students and staff—enjoy a well-earned break. May the holidays bring rest, joy, and time with loved ones. We look forward to welcoming everyone back, refreshed and ready for a strong finish to the year.

Warm regards,

Angie Thomas, A/Principal