Geelong Grammar gets new principal
Cody to replace Meek
VETERAN Geelong Grammar headmaster Stephen Meek has overseen the last day of term for the final time, making way for the school’s first female principal.
Mr Meek, who was appointed head of the school in 2004, has led the school through some difficult periods, including the revelations of historical abuse at the school and findings that at the time the school took “no steps” to protect students. The Oxford University graduate has held the school’s headmaster position for close to 14 years after previously serving as headmaster of Hurstpierpoint College in the UK.
Mr Meek has overseen transformation at the school, including the development of its award-winning positive education program.
“I have never stayed in one place anywhere for as long as I have stayed at Geelong Grammar School,” Mr Meek said of his time at the school.
“That simple statement tells you how much ( my wife) Christine and I have enjoyed being part of this special community and how sad we are that it is now the time to move on. We will miss it, possibly more than even we know, but we will be buoyed by the joyous memories which we have from our time here, by the as- sociations which we have formed with so many wonderful people and by the knowledge that this great school will continue to grow and flourish, long after we have gone.”
Mr Meek will be succeeded by Rebecca Cody, who will start her new position from next term.
Ms Cody was principal of Methodist Ladies’ College in Perth from 2009-17.
The University of Tasmania graduate began as an English and Drama teacher at St Michael’s Collegiate School in Tasmania and continued at PLC Perth, where she rose to head of senior school.
She was appointed to her first principal position at Woodford House, a prestigious boarding and day school in New Zealand, in 2004, at the age of 31.
Ms Cody will be Geelong Grammar School’s first female principal and first Australianborn principal in the school’s 163-year history.