Matthew Flinders Anglican College has welcomed Jason Locke as the new Head of Primary in January 2026. We sit down with him to discuss school culture, preparing children for the real world, and what matters most in helping young learners thrive.
What drew you to this role at Flinders, and at this point in your career?
I was drawn to Matthew Flinders Anglican College due to its reputation for academic excellence and pastoral care. I have followed the progress of the school over many years.
How would the students describe you if we asked them?
I think students would describe me as firm but fair and as someone they can rely on to keep them safe, which is the most important part of my role.
What’s one decision you’ve made as a school leader that shaped the way you lead today?
I aim to be an inclusive leader, so I make decisions about individuals based on their circumstances, needs, and developmental level. A “one size fits all” approach does not sit well with me.
What do you think schools need to do better to prepare children for the world they’re actually growing up in?
Schools need to equip students with the language they need to reflect on and problem-solve situations that are not always easy to navigate. The more we save children when things get tough, the more difficult it will be for them to cope under pressure in the outside world.
When you think about the kind of school you want to help lead, what really matters most to you, and why?
I want to lead a school that challenges students to be independent thinkers and learners in a supportive environment. Leading a school such as Flinders, which has both a Teaching and Learning and a Wellbeing Framework embedded in everything we do, means that the job of teaching and caring for students is a shared responsibility of all staff.
Every school has a ‘feel’. How would you describe the culture here to a new family on their first visit?
The “feel” of Flinders is one of community. I see this every morning at the school gate, throughout the day as students interact with staff, and every afternoon when students leave with parents. While we have planned events that involve our community, the “feel” is evident in everyday interactions that are respectful and joyful.
What’s something about school leadership that parents might not realise?
It doesn’t stop at the end of the day. You are always leading and representing your school in the community. I enjoy attending students’ co-curricular activities to show support for the things that they love to do.
Outside the school gates, what helps you switch off and reset?
I love fishing, cooking and gardening. I am happy to stand on the beach for hours just trying to hook an elusive fish! I also love to read. Over the Christmas holidays I read four books.
If you could give parents one piece of advice about supporting their child through school, what would it be?
It’s healthy for children to make mistakes, as it’s one of the ways they learn, grow and develop problem-solving skills. When adults step in to fix every little setback, even with the best intentions, it can stop children from learning how to manage challenges and build resilience in the real world outside of school.
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