Willunga Primary School principal Alison Colbeck will lead the new Aldinga B-12 school, due to open in 2022.

She is one of three experienced educators appointed to lead three of South Australia’s brand new schools; Joe Priolo will lead the new Angle Vale B-12 school and Tricia Richman will lead the new Whyalla secondary school.

The three new principals will all start in their new roles on August 3, with the Education Department and local education teams working closely with them to ensure they are well prepared to welcome students at the start of the 2022 school year.

Education Minister John Gardner said the appointments all bring exceptional qualities to their respective roles.

“Our nationwide search identified a number of quality candidates for these roles, but it was a combination of educational experience and proven leadership that made these three principals the outstanding candidates,” he says.

“Ms Colbeck, who has been principal of Willunga Primary School for the past five years, is a successful and respected education leader in Adelaide’s south (who) will help shape a wonderful future for the new school and local community in Aldinga.

“Mr Priolo, principal of Salisbury East High School, has vast experience as an education leader in the Adelaide’s north.

"His passion for building a culture of excellence and equity in education, as well as community connection will put the new Angle Vale school in great hands.

“Ms Richman, who is principal of Edward John Eyre High School and previously of Whyalla High School, has many years of experience as an education leader in Whyalla.

"Her connection with the local community will help ensure a smooth transition of the existing high schools into the new school, which will create something unique and fantastic for the city.

“This is a unique opportunity where these three principals can collaborate with each other as they embark on a similar journey of creating a new school, each with their own individual environment, personalities and respective communities.”

The announcement comes after the state government announced it would open another new school at Goolwa last week, providing a public high school offering in the town for the first time.

All four new schools are set to open in Term 1, 2022.

To find out more about South Australia’s new schools, as well as the Government’s record $1.3 billion education capital works program, visit the Department for Education website.