Baxter Holly came to Kingswood College from Bacchus Marsh Grammar School where he had been principal.  Prior to that, he had been head of the Knox School and a senior member of staff at Scotch College.

Holly commenced his term at Kingswood College in July 1998 with a brief from an external consultant’s review that led to a period of strategic planning and the identification of key development areas.

He implemented a study into the needs of the junior school with formative plans developed for its upgrading.

Facilities for Year 7 students were a high priority during Holly’s term and he also oversaw the construction and opening of the new middle school building – the Jack Grimshaw Centre – which provided not only classrooms, but a much-needed base for middle school students and staff.

Holly was very active in developing an international student program for Years 10-12 and provided a team of staff for student support. The college’s relationship with its current sister school, the Gaoxin School in Xian China, was fostered at this time.

A strong supporter of the visual and performing arts, Holly was also an advocate of technology for use within the school’s curriculum and programs.