From the Principal’s office to your child’s classroom, every leader here is accountable by name.
John Paul College opened in Brisbane in 1982. Its international college followed in 1997, and this year we mark our 30th anniversary. Your child is not enrolling in a separate language centre. They join an established Australian school, led by the same Principal as every other student.
Select any leader to read their background.
Principal
Craig Merritt is the sixth Principal of John Paul College, appointed in 2023. He brings more than 30 years of teaching and leadership experience in Queensland co-educational schools.
A University of Queensland graduate, Craig began his career at Ipswich State High School. He then held leadership roles at Hillbrook Anglican School and Whitsunday Anglican School, and joined JPC from St Luke’s Anglican School in Bundaberg.
He leads a modern, multifaith College built on academic excellence and inclusive leadership. His commitment is that every student builds strong character and becomes a positive force in their community.
Deputy Principals
Jacob Elms leads the Secondary School, Years 7 to 12. He joined John Paul College in 2025.
Before JPC, Jacob was Head of Secondary School at A.B. Paterson College. He has also served as Dean of Academic Welfare and Acting Deputy Principal. His experience covers pastoral care, curriculum design and compliance.
Jacob holds a Master of Education (Leadership) and a Bachelor of Education (Secondary), and is a member of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders. In 2021 he was named to The Educator’s Rising Stars list — one of 32 early-career leaders recognised nationally that year, awarded to him at John Paul College.
Lindsay McQuattie leads the Primary School, Prep to Year 6. She joined John Paul College in 2011.
Lindsay understands international families from the inside. She began teaching in West London, then taught for five years at the Australian International School in Singapore. She is an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) Workshop Leader and trains teachers across Asia and Australia.
She holds a Master of Leadership (Curriculum and Pedagogy) from Monash University. In 2025 she was named in The Educator’s Most Influential Educators list, awarded to her at John Paul College.
David Ferguson leads international education and student accommodation, across boarding, homestay and day-student arrangements. He has been at John Paul College for more than ten years.
A qualified secondary school teacher and TESOL educator, David directs JPIC’s English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) preparation programs, its business operations and its curriculum-licensing work with partner schools.
In 2021 he was named to The Educator’s Hot List — one of 36 education professionals recognised nationally that year, awarded to him at John Paul College.
“through different languages, we engage with different experiences and perspectives”
International Leadership
Rebecca leads JPIC, the College’s English preparation arm. She is responsible for the strategy and daily running of our preparation programs — from Primary School Preparation through the five levels of High School Preparation.
Her experience spans international education and pastoral care. Rebecca is passionate about inclusive classrooms where students from every background can reach their potential.
Allan leads John Paul College’s global engagement and partnership strategy. His work covers international enrolments, market development, alumni relations and the College’s digital presence worldwide.
He works with education agents, partner institutions and families across Asia and Latin America. His focus is simple. Every step should feel personal and easy — from a first enquiry to a first day at school.
Allan has more than 15 years in international education marketing. He is bringing systems powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to the international school sector, so parents, students and agents get the right information at the right moment, in their own language.
All three of our Deputy Principals have been recognised by The Educator, Australia’s national school-education publication. Each is an individual honour, awarded to them at John Paul College.
Jacob Elms
Rising Stars 2021 — one of 32 early-career leaders recognised nationally that year.
Lindsay McQuattie
Most Influential Educators 2025.
David Ferguson
Hot List 2021 — one of 36 education professionals recognised nationally that year.
John Paul International College is part of John Paul College. These are individual honours awarded to each leader; we show them with their recipient named, and never claim them as the College’s own.
Three things you can check for yourself.
Every international application is weighed on three things together — English proficiency, academic reports from the last two years, and a personal interview. No single factor decides. Every international applicant completes that interview before an offer. For Primary applicants, that sits with the Head of Primary School. For Years 7 to 12, it sits with the Head of Secondary School.
In 2025, 54.78% of our graduates placed in the top 10% of the state. 32% placed in the top 5%. Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) attainment reached 99.4%. Our top graduate, Chanu Jung, achieved an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 99.95 — the highest rank possible.
Accommodation and welfare report to the same executive as academics. That is why the JPC CARE framework — Connect, Achieve, Respect, Empower — is built into every placement, with 24/7 support behind it.
Results as of 18/12/2025. 88% of the total cohort are ATAR eligible and 81% have consented to share their data.
You can speak to our international team before you apply. Ask about programs, entry, fees or homestay — in your language, in your time zone.
Or call us on (+61) 7 3826 3474
Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00am–4:00pm (AEST).