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Announcing our new Executive Principal

Dear Beaconhills College community,

On behalf of the Board, I am delighted to announce that Mr Stephen McGinley has been appointed as our new Executive Principal, succeeding Mr Tony Sheumack from the start of the 2022 school year. 

As many of you will be aware, Stephen currently holds the position of Deputy Headmaster and Head of Education with Beaconhills College and plays a key role in providing leadership and support across all aspects of the College.  Since joining Beaconhills in 2009, Stephen has applied the latest research and developments in education to progress student development, with a focus on high quality academic, pastoral, co-curricular, and spiritual programs. Before joining Beaconhills College, he gained exceptional experience in a number of roles at St Catherine’s School, Melbourne, including Director of Learning Innovation and Director of Strategy and School Performance.

Stephen’s appointment concludes an extensive national and international search which has seen the Board consider an impressive field of educators. We are so pleased to have selected an Executive Principal of such outstanding capabilities, to continue our vision and mission to be leaders in personalised holistic education and give each student an opportunity to let their light shine and be a beacon in the lives of others.

Throughout his career, Stephen has developed wonderful relationships with students, staff, and the broader school communities where he has worked.  He is passionate about working in a school that is committed to providing programs that support positive student outcomes.  Stephen is highly engaging and articulate and has the natural ability to bring a range of stakeholders along the journey. Providing outstanding leadership, he encourages an environment of continuous improvement and he is passionate about Beaconhills College.

“Beaconhills is a wonderful College that has achieved so much for its community during its proud history of nearly 40 years. Our focus on holistic education resonates with me strongly. I am a proud proponent of the importance of a broad and meaningful education, setting our young people on a path towards a full and rewarding life. It is an honour to lead our learning community in this next exciting chapter of the College’s future.”

– Stephen McGinley

Thank you Tony Sheumack

Tony Sheumack has led Beaconhills College with distinction for 24 years and the Board would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank him for his outstanding contribution to the College.

Under Tony’s leadership, Beaconhills College has achieved sustained excellence in academic results and become a leader of education and innovation in independent schooling. The Learning That Matters framework that Tony has led is delivering high-quality teaching and learning, service, environmental, cultural, international, sporting and wellbeing programs.  As the remainder of Tony’s appointment unfolds, we will have a number of opportunities to celebrate his many achievements with the whole school community.

Stephen is very much looking forward to continuing to support Tony over the remainder of the year and building on his legacy when he begins his role as Executive Principal in January 2022. 

We warmly welcome Stephen McGinley to his new role and look forward to this exciting new era for the Beaconhills community.


Yours sincerely,

Dr David Moseley
Chair, Beaconhills College

Stephen McGinley, Beaconhills College Executive Principal