We're now at 251 signatures and the story has been covered twice by the Courier Mail/Sunshine Coast Daily this week.

 

Our community's voice is being heard loud and clear.

 

The PMSA AGM is coming up in June — and right now is the time to make sure they understand exactly how much this community cares about transparency, strong leadership, and the future direction of SCGS.

It's also worth noting that Anna Owen is not the first female principal to depart a PMSA school under unclear circumstances. The recent resignation of Dr Sandra Hastie at Somerville House raises the same question: why does the PMSA struggle to retain and support women in top leadership roles? Our community deserves an answer.

 

If you haven't shared the petition yet — please do it now. Many people are still telling us they haven't seen it. Every signature counts before the AGM.

 

📢 Share it wherever you can — Facebook, school WhatsApp groups, the car park — anywhere.

Thank you for standing with us.

 

Transcript Of Article Below - It's Behind a Paywall

 

A long-serving parent at an elite Sunshine Coast school has continued to fight for answers as to why the school principal’s contract was not renewed.
Sally Doran, who has been a parent at Sunshine Coast Grammar School in Forest Glen for more than 13 years, said many parents believed the school was on the “right track” under principal Anna Owens.

She said parents and teachers at Sunshine Coast Grammar School received a “curt” email from the Presbyterian and Methodists School Association (PMSA) last week advising Ms Owens would not have her contract renewed at the end of the year.

She said Grammar was a “highly successful school with a waitlist to get into”.

“We felt there was real direction (with Ms Owen),” she said.

She also believed there was strong value in having female leadership at the top.

 
Sunshine Coast Grammar School principal Anna Owen. Picture: Patrick Woods.
Ms Doran said many mothers at the school had daughters, and they wanted to see women in high-performing roles.

A petition has been launched calling for the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association to explain why the contract was ended.

The petition has amassed 239 signatures as of May 20.

Ms Doran highlighted the recent resignation of another female principal at Brisbane’s Somerville House as another example where the school board could better communicate with parents.

Principal Dr Sandra Hastie announced her resignation in January due to “family reasons”.

The resignation happened weeks after an unrelated data breach issue where teachers uploaded personal comments about students to an unsecured internet server.

Ms Doran hoped the petition would lead to more transparency surrounding the decision.

Many petitioners expressed their disappointment on the controversial move.

“Anna Owen is an amazing leader of our school community, I’m deeply saddened to hear of the board's decision to not renew her contract,” one petitioner stated.

“She is always there out on the school grounds actively communicating with the children, welcoming us and acknowledging us all.

“The school will not be the same without her continued leadership. Please reconsider this decision to keep her at SCGS.”

The PMSA has been contacted for additional comment on the latest concerns raised.

A PMSA spokeswoman previously said planning was underway for the transition to a new leader at the school.

“We have advised the school community that Mrs Anna Owen’s contract as principal of Sunshine Coast Grammar School will conclude at the end of 2026,” the spokeswoman said on Monday.

“We are grateful for the significant contributions that Mrs Owen has made to our school community over her term as principal and for the positive outcomes achieved under her leadership.

“Our priority is ensuring stability and continuity for students, staff and families throughout the transition. Planning is underway for a smooth leadership transition, and further updates will be shared with the community in due course. We thank the community for their ongoing support of Sunshine Coast Grammar School.”

The elite school was ranked 43rd in the top 100 private primary schools in Queensland, and the third highest on the Sunshine Coast.