It is with real pleasure that we share the news that Dr Kelly Sharp has been appointed as Deputy Principal of Scotch College Adelaide, commencing at the start of Term 3.
Facilitated by an external recruiter, the school and College Council undertook a rigorous selection process which drew highly experienced candidates from across South Australia, from independent schools across the country, and from international schools in South East Asia. The depth and quality of applicants reflects highly upon Scotch and our reputation.
Kelly is well known in the Scotch Community. Having begun her career teaching in Whyalla, Kelly brings a breadth of experience in schools and educational communities. Having served as the Head of Middle School at Scotch from 2013 through to 2020, there are a generation of our graduating students who she has guided and led through their first years of secondary school. Prior to that, as Head of Special Programs, she supported students with diverse needs and academic giftedness, shaping specialist pathways through SACE studies and developing tailored curriculum.
In 2021 she left the College to drive the development of Scotch Enterprises. In that time, she led the establishment of Scotch Australian Grammar School (AGS) in Ho Chi Minh City, now a thriving multi-campus R-12 school that graduates its second cohort of SACE students this year. Having worked alongside Vietnamese staff to develop curriculum, learning, staffing and wellbeing structures, she understands intimately how all the parts of schooling work together to shape a student’s experience. In recent years she has led the development of Beyond Early Learning for Scotch Enterprises, establishing early childhood centres in Eden Hills, Mt Gambier, Goolwa and most recently Port Lincoln, having transitioned to CEO of that organisation.
Kelly is a passionate and experienced educator whose diverse background will offer much to Scotch in the years ahead. Following the completion of her undergraduate studies in education to train as a teacher, Kelly completed a Master of Education (Special Education) at Flinders University. In 2015 she was awarded her Doctorate by Flinders, having completed research into the drivers of differentiation of student learning in the classroom practice, and the role of professional development for teachers in building their capacities in that space. As a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course (GAICD), and with qualifications in Early Childhood Education, Kelly understands the complexity of schools as modern organisations and the breadth of what Scotch offers as an ELC to Year 12 educational institution.
Kelly has a deep commitment to the wellbeing and success of young people, and the role independent schools play in fostering that. With children of her own at the College, she knows the influence of the diverse parts of the life here at Scotch on the young people in our care and we are excited as to how her vision for what education can be will shape us in years to come.
We hope that the Scotch community joins with us in congratulating Kelly on her appointment, and we look forward to celebrating the impact she will have on the College in coming years as she serves the College as our next Deputy Principal.
