Board Announcement: Principal Mal Cater
Dear Members of the Mentone Grammar School Community,
As you are aware, our Principal, Mr Mal Cater wished to complete his tenure at the end of 2021 but agreed to continue leading our School during the challenging COVID period. The Board remains extremely grateful for his decision which has benefited our School in multiple ways.
Recently Mal advised the Board that he will end his contracted tenure in December 2023. This will conclude 17 years of exemplary service as Principal, preceded by six years as Deputy Headmaster.
Mal has led the School with great vision, energy and distinction in a changing 21st century world. By any standards, his contribution has been immense.
He has built a “Happy, Healthy & High Achieving” culture at Mentone Grammar. His relationships with our students, alumni and wider community have always been warm, authentic, and meaningful to each and every person he has come into contact with.
Whilst his achievements are too numerous to list here, they include successfully transitioning the School from all-boys to a contemporary coeducational environment; more than doubling enrolments; significantly elevating our academic results and overseeing a major on-site building and facilities program.
We will continue to benefit from Mal’s leadership throughout our 2023 centenary year. There will be many opportunities for you to recognise and honour his exceptional service.
The Board will soon initiate a national and international search for a new Principal to join us from the beginning of 2024. We are confident that there will be strong expressions of interest, given our School’s excellent reputation. The recruitment firm assisting us has already started consulting with a broad range of the School’s stakeholders to help determine the desired attributes for the new Principal.
A Board committee has been formed to focus on the recruitment and, as Chair of the Board, I will lead that group. There will be ample time to effect a smooth transition and we will keep you appropriately informed of progress.
We extend to you every best wish as we near the last term of the year. In particular, we commend our senior students as they, with the support of our staff, finalise their vital preparation for exams and the culmination of their school journey.
On behalf of the Board, I thank you for your ongoing support of Mentone Grammar.
Warmest regards,
Ross Joblin
Chair