Bishop Druitt College is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs Suzanne (Sue) O’Connor as its new Deputy Principal following an extensive recruitment process involving multiple applicants from across Australia.

Mrs O’Connor is a highly respected leader within the college community, having served at Bishop Druitt College since 2000 in a variety of roles, including classroom teacher, Year Coordinator, Director of Student Wellbeing (K–12), and most recently Acting Assistant Principal – Head of Secondary.

“Mrs O’Connor brings a wealth of experience, a deep commitment to student wellbeing, and a clear vision for the future of Bishop Druitt College,” said Principal Simon Doyle. “She has been an integral part of our community for more than two decades, and her leadership has shaped initiatives such as the Wellbeing Hub, the Wellbeing Dog program, the driving force behind the Waratah Project, leading on-country learning experiences and strengthening cultural understanding, student voice and leadership opportunities across the college. We are excited to see Sue continue her outstanding work in this new capacity.”

Mrs O’Connor has dedicated her career to creating a culture of care, belonging, and excellence, while also driving educational innovation. Sue demonstrates her growth mindset through the prestigious AISNSW National Flagship Leadership Program, which develops the next generation of educational leaders across the independent school sector.

“I am deeply honoured to be appointed as Deputy Principal at Bishop Druitt College, a place I have proudly called my professional home for more than 25 years,” Mrs O’Connor said. “I look forward to working with staff, students, and families to build on our strong foundations while embracing innovation, equity, and inclusion. My passion has always been ensuring that every student feels a sense of belonging and is equipped to thrive in an ever-changing world.”

Mrs O’Connor’s leadership has also been marked by her commitment to cultural responsiveness and community connection. Through projects such as the Waratah Project and the Stronger Smarter Leadership Program, she has worked closely with Indigenous communities and supported staff in developing high-expectation relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

As one of his final responsibilities as Chair of College Council, outgoing Chair Mr David Ford said, “By appointing Sue, we have built a strong leadership team with Simon as Principal, Sue as Deputy Principal, and Shane Oxley as Chief Operating Officer. The leadership of BDC has never been stronger.”

Pictured above: Mr Simon Doyle and Mrs Sue O'Connor.