News
22 January, 2026
GPS school parts way with headmaster
The King’s School has parted ways with its headmaster, Tony George.
The King’s School has parted ways with its headmaster, Tony George.
Tudor House in Moss Vale is a campus of The King’s School.
The school has advised parents that Mr George’s term as headmaster “concluded by agreement on 19 January, 2026” after eight years.
The Southern Wire has been advised that conditions around a Federal Court agreement relating to his departure are confidential and were finalised “behind the scenes”.
The school has appointed an interim principal, but a source says the school will take a global approach to finding a long-term replacement.
The source said it would probably take another 12–18 months to find a replacement and the impact would be cultural rather than operational.
There would be little impact on students.
In the interim, he said staff were comfortable with the appointment of a “remarkably good man”.
The school would be in a “safe and comfortable pair of hands”.
The school has sent a letter to parents acknowledging that the past few months have been “challenging for everyone” and that it regrets “any disruption or difficulty this has caused students”.
The accusations against Mr George and his accusations against his former employer – while widely discussed in school circles – have never been detailed publicly and will obviously now remain confidential.
It is widely believed he allegedly ‘clipped’ a student on the head and then bought legal proceedings against the school in relation to his employment after being dismissed from his role as head of one of the nation’s most prestigious boys’ schools.
The letter to parents, signed by chairman of The King’s School council Ken Chapman, says public commentary around Mr George’s departure “has not reflected the correct or complete facts”.
“Both the council and Mr George recognise that this has contributed to uncertainty within the community,” the letter states.
“Both the council and Mr George acknowledge that it has been a difficult period that has been approached with grace.”
Mr Chapman issued another statement on Wednesday (January 21) announcing that Reverend Stephen Edwards would step in as interim headmaster while The King’s School “considers the pathway for identifying and selecting the next headmaster”.
The school – and Mr George – have both moved to play down any controversy relating to his departure.
In the school-issued statement, Mr George said he was grateful to members of the school community who had expressed their support in recent months.
“I appreciate the goodwill with which that support has been offered,” Mr George said.
“I also appreciate the care and diligent work that the chairman and the council have done for the school, demonstrating commitment to the strong child-centric culture and workplace conduct framework that I have promoted throughout my tenure and that we all strive to maintain.
“I remain deeply thankful for the privilege of serving this school for the past eight years and I have it in my prayers as it continues its important work to educate young men bravely and faithfully.”
Unfortunately – for reasons that will never be fully known – Mr George’s position had become untenable.
Mr Chapman acknowledged the school’s ‘significant’ achievements during Mr George’s term as headmaster.
He said academic results were at an all-time high, the school had enjoyed success in sport and co-curricular activities, enrolments had reached record levels with strong waiting lists “and the expression of Christian community has been strengthened”.
“The council extends its good wishes to Mr George and his family for the future,” Mr Chapman said.
His comments only add to the confusion and controversy over Mr George’s departure.
Mr Chapman said the selection of a new headmaster would be undertaken “with care, diligence, consultation and contemplation”.
“Selecting a new leader for a school like King’s cannot be achieved quickly and the council expects that an appointment will not be announced before the middle of 2027, with the appointment unlikely to take effect until the beginning of 2028,” he said in a statement to parents.
As interim headmaster, Reverend Edwards will assume the full range and responsibilities of headmaster.
The council expects these arrangements to be in place until the end of 2027 and has full confidence in Reverend Edwards in fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of headmaster during this period.
Effective from the beginning of Term 1 next week, the current head of Tudor House Mr Adam Larby will be appointed acting deputy headmaster.
In this role, Mr Chapman said, Mr Larby would assume responsibility for a range of whole-of-school programs and initiatives with a particular focus on ensuring that the Preparatory School and Tudor House continue to work collaboratively and develop closer educational alignment.
He will also be responsible for The King’s School Institute and the development and implementation of the School Improvement Plan, which began in 2025 and will be fully implemented during 2026 and 2027.
Reverend Edwards will continue in his role as head of senior school for the next few weeks in addition to his duties as interim headmaster.
“The council recognises the importance of ensuring that the school’s programs, culture and daily rhythms continue without disruption,” Mr Chapman said.
“Teaching and learning, co-curricular activities, pastoral care and the broader life of the school will remain central to our focus throughout this period.”
Read More: Southern Highlands, Moss Vale