Principal Paul Easton “called back to school life”

Gold Coast Principal Paul Easton is journeying back to the school yard!

 The former Senior Leader for Brisbane Catholic Education has been appointed to the substantiative role of Principal at St Joseph’s College, Upper Coomera beginning Term 1 of 2026.

In this Q&A Paul talks about why he returned to school life, his commitment to student voice, and the importance of providing students the opportunity to find deeper meaning within their educational journey.

Q: Who or what inspired you to take on this journey at St Joseph’s College? 

A: When the Acting Principal position came up in Term 1 2025, I knew it was what I had spent the last 20 years preparing to do. I could see all the wonderful people around me and thought if we rolled up our sleeves and worked together, we could create something very special here. That’s what we are doing as a team and as a community. 

Q: What do you hope to accomplish in 2026 that will leave a lasting impact? 

A: I’m very conscious of where we are in the school journey as a relatively new school. What we do today will have a lasting impact. I’d like the school to be known for providing an excellent holistic Catholic education, allowing each student to find their gift, while also empowering them to share it with our community and then beyond the school gates as a St Joseph’s graduate.  

Q: As a Principal, what inspires you in your role?  

A: As Principals we need to be mindful of our humanness, and who we are in the eyes of God. We need to ensure schools are welcoming, joyful and allow all students to experience success. When people walk through our school gate, they need to have equal opportunities to experience and celebrate success. This is the Catholic College we want to create, and this is what drives me. 

Q: How will you foster a strong community in your new role?  

A: Community is about working together and providing opportunities that students, families and staff are wanting. Capturing their voice and responding to provide authentic opportunities for success has to be the cornerstone of building a strong community. 

Q: What do you think makes your school and Catholic education in general special?  

A: Catholic education provides a special opportunity for us to connect the educational journey with the ‘why.’ We know from positive psychology that understanding needs to be rooted in meaning and purpose. Catholic education places the gospel message and Jesus at the centre, which helps students better come to understand their ‘why.’  

At St Joseph’s College we develop the attributes of the St Joseph’s graduate, we also focus on the Josephite touchstones of Servant Leadership, Excellence, Integrity and Service of Community, which help students contextualise the gospel message for the challenges they face today. 

Q: What are your hobbies or interests outside of work and how do you share these with your students and community?   

A: I love riding bikes and staying fit. My earliest memories are of me being on two wheels. As a youngster I travelled everywhere on my BMX Mongoose, I was a bit of a daredevil and had plenty of accidents. I got my first motorbike when I was 12 and joined a motorbike club. Nowadays I’m a bit more sedate, but I enjoy getting out in the forest on my mountain bike or going for a ride up to Mt Glorious on my motorbike. 

A few days a week I ride my mountain bike to school. I like to model being active to our students.  

Q: How do you like to connect with students on a personal level? 

A: Students want to know you are listening, and you are supporting them in their journey. They want to be heard and to be valued. I focus on being present in and around the school, participating in activities and having a go at what they are doing. 

Q: What is your favourite way to celebrate student achievements? 

A: With ice cream!

Q: Do you have an inspiring quote or phrase you use in your interactions as a leader?  

A: Our school theme for 2025 was taken from Saint Mary MacKillop, ‘never see a need without doing something about it’.  That nails it for me – it mobilises our school motto that calls us to act with courage to love, learn and serve. 

I do also like the Disney version from the movie Robots, ‘see a need, fill a need’. 

For more information about St Joseph’s College, Upper Coomera or to enrol click here.

Image caption: St Joseph’s College, Upper Coomera Principal Paul Easton. ©Brisbane Catholic Education, St Joseph's College, Upper Coomera (2025).