LPA Membership Stories

Anton Prinsloo

Head of College
Concordia Lutheran College, Queensland

My Head of College role at Concordia in Toowoomba is the third leadership position which I have held in Lutheran schools. My previous leadership roles were as the Head of Junior School at Ocean Forest Lutheran College in WA and then as the Principal at St. Paul’s in Queensland. 

Having come from leadership roles in the state system in New Zealand and South Africa, I was amazed by the level of support available to me at both District and National level. Education researchers tell us that being a Principal can be one of the loneliest jobs out there and this had been my personal experience before coming into the LPA fold.

Both LEQ and LPA have offered me a collegial network and support system which have enriched me both on a professional and personal level. I have sought and received timely advice, wisdom and guidance from LPA while at the same time forging friendships and receiving affirmations that “we are all in this together”. I am in awe and thank the LPA giants’ shoulders on which I now stand as a Lutheran Principal.

Eloise Beveridge

Principal of Immanuel Lutheran College
Buderim, Queensland

I have been fortunate to have served Lutheran Schools across the three districts since joining St Martin’s Lutheran College, Mount Gambier in 2000. There are days where I jokingly refer to it as being in ‘the wrong place at the wrong time’ but, in reality, I know it was the complete opposite, which led to my appointment as Deputy Principal in 2002. A Queensland girl, I returned home in 2005 and served as Head of Junior School at Faith Lutheran College Redlands until my family and I headed south for our ‘desert change’ to Mildura in Victoria in 2019 as Principal at Trinity Lutheran College.

In that time, I have met the most amazing colleagues, many of whom I now call friends. I still look back on my first National Lutheran Principal Conference that I attended as an Acting Principal with a smile. Here I was, worried that I didn’t "belong", and yet I couldn’t have been further from the truth! LPA has provided an opportunity for me to learn and grow in my professional skills, it has connected me with peers, and provided me with the chance to be inspired and encouraged by those around me. The learnings and professional development are invaluable, but more than that, the connections are lifelong.

When I reflect on my journey in Lutheran Education, it is the amazing leaders and colleagues around me with whom I have been able to learn from and they have played such an important role in who I am as a leader.  I am not a person who specifically had a goal to be a principal, it just seemed that each new door that has opened in my life has taken me a step closer to where I am today.

Planned or not, one thing that I know for sure, is that I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Angela Branford

Principal of Calvary Lutheran Primary School
Morphett Vale, South Australia

Calvary Lutheran Primary School in Morphett Vale is my second principal position in the Lutheran System. Prior to commencing at Calvary, I was head of Junior School at Unity College, Murray Bridge for 6 years, Principal at Vineyard Lutheran School in Clare for almost 4 years and Head of Primary at Living waters Lutheran College in WA for a term before being seconded to Clare.

Overall, I have experienced 21 of my 28 years in education as a school leader in some capacity. I entered leadership quite early, I was 30yrs old, and this was both a blessing and a challenge.  I had a Junior Primary and Music background and no real intentions of seeking out leadership roles as I was content working alongside my classroom teaching peers and spending my days with small people!

20+ years down the road I still miss my classroom teaching days, and whilst I have opportunity to be in classes, it’s not the same as when you have your ‘own’ class. I am grateful for the opportunities the leadership roles I’ve held have provided me, and I have had the chance to learn and grow alongside some remarkable educators and leaders.

Having the opportunity to be a member of LPA has provided me with strong collegial supports, professional learning opportunities with amazing speakers and experts in the field of education.

Damian Pietsch

Principal of Sunshine Christian School
Sunshine North, Victoria

My journey to becoming a principal was certainly a ‘slow burn’. Throughout my 30 years of service in my chosen vocation of teaching, I had no desire to take on the role. However, an unexpected turn of events and some unusual circumstances thrust me into the role of Acting Principal at the end of 2017. A role I have now grown to love and embrace. 

I have had the privilege of working under the guidance of various caring and experienced principals, whose mentorship and support helped me grow both personally and professionally. I learned the importance of compassion, empathy, and resilience in leadership. Previous experiences of immersing myself in the diverse culture of Malaysia further broadened my horizons, allowing me to appreciate different educational approaches and cultural perspectives. Teaching in a multicultural school environment in England was another pivotal experience, teaching me the value of inclusivity and the richness that diverse backgrounds bring to education.

Reflecting on my journey, I see how each phase was part of a larger plan God had laid out for me. The challenges and experiences I faced were instrumental in shaping me into the leader I am today. Looking back, I am grateful for the path I took, as it prepared me to serve, grow and inspire others in my role as a principal.

Kelvin Grivell

Principal of Encounter Lutheran College
Victor Harbour, South Australia

Having served as Principal in two Lutheran schools (Our Saviour, Aberfoyle Park 2007-2011 and Encounter, Victor Harbor 2012-current) over 14 years, enough water has passed under the bridge for me to now reflect upon the journey and the significant events, milestones and people which have shaped my leadership.

Without question, it has been the collegial connections within LPA that have been central to me being able to survive and thrive as a Lutheran Principal. Sharing professional dialogue and personal insights amongst leaders, many of whom have become friends, have sustained and inspired me to continue serving in the unique and precious context of Lutheran schools.

When we meet at a National Conference every two years the professional learning and authentic connections are so valuable. They serve to provide me with challenges for the months ahead as I seek to instigate change and improvement in my own community. I still recall the immense value of being part of a Resilience Institute workshop at Palm Cove in 2016, where some valuable wellbeing advice helped to reframe how I lead and live, both professionally and personally.

Kelvin was appointed as an LPA Director at the 2023 LPA AGM and currently serves on the LPA Board.