Announcement from the Chair of the College Board and Rector

Announcement from the Chair of the College Board and Rector

Today we are announcing with mixed emotions that Mr Mark Tannock has accepted the position of Principal of Saint Ignatius’ College, Riverview, and will commence in that role from 1 January, 2025. We have a deep sense of gratitude for Mark’s leadership and understandable sadness in making this announcement.

Those who have been part of the Aloys community for a number of years will know that since assuming the role of Principal at St Aloysius’ College, in early 2014, Mark quickly and enthusiastically embraced the core blend of our Ignatian spirituality and pedagogy which is the hallmark of the Society’s schools.

In over ten years at the helm, Mark has guided significant renewals in teaching and learning, developed a very capable leadership team, and executed several building projects across all the campuses. Most significant have been the implementation of the new contemporary Year 9 campus at Rozelle with the goal of creating a bespoke middle-school learning and enrichment experience for boys transitioning into the senior years; and the co-leadership of the Companions in Learning program with Loreto Kirribilli. In addition, the significant infrastructure enhancement of the Pedro Arrupe Senior School campus, over several stages with the final stage on track for completion in Term IV 2024 under Mark’s supervision. Mark will leave the College at the end of 2024 in a strong position, enhanced by these renewals, and with a clear strategic focus for the future.

More broadly, together with his family, Mark is a regular parishioner at St Mary’s Church, North Sydney, where he is also a member of the Parish Advisory Group.

All of the above have understandably contributed to forming Mark as the preferred candidate for leading our brother school in the next phase of its development. Mark’s commitment to Parish life, and the benefits of connection between the Jesuit Colleges (particularly Aloys and Riverview) will continue to be strengthened under Mark’s leadership.

A global search with an external recruitment firm will be underway shortly for Mark’s successor – we are in a strong position to attract high calibre candidates both locally and abroad. A sub-committee of the Board has been established to oversee the search. The search will commence with a discernment process that will include a diverse mix of representatives from our broad community, to ensure we adequately reflect on the qualities we are seeking in our next Principal, and the next phase of the life of our College.

We congratulate Mark on his new role, wish him and his family a smooth transition and thank him for such a significant contribution during his time at Aloys. As a community we will look forward to celebrating Mark’s many achievements and contributions to the College when we farewell him toward the end of this year.

Michael Morgan (SAC 1973)    
Chair - St Aloysius' College Board  

Fr Ross Jones SJ 
Rector