Ms Elisabeth Lenders OAM commenced as Principal at Kingswood College in January 2011.
Elisabeth is President of the Centre for Strategic Education (CSE), a leading provider of teacher professional development, publications, and consultancy in education.
In 2022 Elisabeth received an Order of Australia Medal for her service to education.
She was previously deputy principal at Carey Baptist Grammar School (2006-2010) and head of middle school; head of English at Billanook College (1993-1998), special education teacher at Ivanhoe Grammar School (1987-1992), and English and geography teacher at Trinity Grammar School (1985-1986).
Elisabeth studied at Korowa Anglican Girls’ School in Glen Iris, where she represented Victoria in junior hockey teams, was school captain, magazine editor and a member of choir and madrigals groups.
She completed a Bachelor of Arts (with honours) in geography and a Diploma of Education at Monash University before awarded a commonwealth scholarship to complete a masters in education at La Trobe University.
Her education philosophy is based around the belief that educators have the rare privilege and opportunity to help young people find their place in the world and in doing so help uncover the unique coalescence of gifts, talents, and possibilities which exist in each young life.
She says the celebration of Kingswood College’s 125th anniversary is a significant milestone in the journey of a remarkable school.
‘Founded on a philosophy of responsive and progressive education, Kingswood College is a school with a proud and resilient history that has consistently focused on student character and wellbeing.
In 2015, our students are living in a world of technological and social change that’s rapid-pace, dramatic and unprecedented. This means that as educators, we need to think differently. How do we prepare our students for a largely unknown future?
The history of Kingswood College tells us of challenges, changes and a courageous, ‘can-do’ attitude. Building on our heritage, we have recently embarked on an innovative, learning-reform journey.
With a strategic navigation plan in place, Kingswood College is building a contemporary and vibrant approach to education delivery: an approach that enables our students to thrive in the complex, evolving, 21st century environment; an approach that shapes Kingswood College as a world-class school ‘where potential soars’.
Our 125th anniversary is a timely juncture for both looking back and looking forward.
Many extraordinary players have trod the Kingswood College stage in a range of leading, diverse and influential roles. Their legacies reflect different eras and they have shaped different generations.
But at the very heart, the narrative of Kingswood College remains unchanged: it is a school that embraces holistic education and one that is deeply committed to the wellbeing of the individual.
In this rapid-pace world, it is reassuring to know that the Kingswood College’s founding goals continue to be at the core of its future.’
