Judith Mitchell was appointed as Kingswood College’s first female principal during the third school term of 1987.

With an outstanding reputation in education, she was considered by the school’s council as a principal who could drive the school forward into the rapidly-changing educational environment.

Ms Mitchell came to Kingswood from Methodist Ladies College where she was director of special education and director of research and professional development.

Educated in the USA, she had taught both there and in Switzerland before moving to Australia in 1974 to take up an appointment as a special education lecturer at Monash University.

One of her first tasks at Kingswood was to address the issues of curriculum cohesion and structure. The school’s programs broadened to incorporate the fast-growing world of information technology and they also focused on Australia’s international links and the teaching of languages. Importantly, emphasis was given to equal opportunity issues and special education.

In addition to assessing the school’s profile, Ms Mitchell undertook an evaluation of the school’s physical environment and developed sound education, marketing and financial plans to ensure Kingswood College was ready for the approaching new century.