New Head of College on a mission to inspire futures this Catholic Education Week

29/07/2025

​(Back row) Zakkary – Year 12, Celeste – Year 7, with Head of College Tony Hytch. (Front row) Grace – Year 6, and William – Year 2. ©Brisbane Catholic Education, St Eugene College, Burpengary (2025).

As Catholic Education Week approaches (27 July – 2 August 2025), St Eugene College, Burpengary is preparing to mark the occasion with an exciting new chapter in its leadership story.  

From Semester 2, Tony Hytch has stepped permanently into the role of Head of College, bringing with him a deep commitment to community, connection and creating meaningful futures for every student. 

A proud advocate for Catholic education’s mission to nurture both hearts and minds, Tony brings with him a passion for helping every student forge their own future. 

Q: You’ve been leading the College since Term 1—now stepping into the permanent role in Semester 2, what are your goals for the remainder of 2025? 

A: I am really passionate about developing strong partnerships with our local community and exploring how we can collaborate on meaningful initiatives. For example, I’d love to build on opportunities through organisations like the CREEC Environmental Education Centre and other environmental programs. It’s also about engaging with local businesses, industries, and community groups to better understand the needs of our region. 

Many of our students will go on to enter trades or join the local workforce, so part of our role is to identify what skills and capabilities employers are looking for locally and ensure our students are equipped to step confidently into those roles. It’s about creating real-world pathways that allow students to contribute to their community. 

Q: What drew you to the Head of College role at St Eugene College? 

A: After spending a number of years working in office-based positions, I found myself missing the day-to-day connection with young people and teachers. The opportunity to return to a school community, to work closely with staff and students, really reignited my passion—it's the very reason I went into education 30 years ago. Being part of that daily learning environment and having a direct impact on young people’s growth and development is incredibly rewarding. 

Q: What do you value most about the St Eugene College community? 

A: I’ve been fortunate to work with St Eugene College over the past seven or eight years, so I already had a strong connection to the community before stepping into this role. I have immense respect for our Principal Louise Olley, who has led the College with such compassion and vision. She’s one of the most humanistic and caring leaders I’ve come across—warm, engaging, wears her heart on her sleeve, always up for any challenge and genuinely invested in the community here. 

I also work closely with Adam Fritz, our Head of Junior, who shares many of those same wonderful qualities. Adam brings genuine kindness, openness, and a friendly approachable style that makes him so easy to work with. We even share an office—we could each have our own, but it’s a reflection of how well we work together and our shared commitment to being present and accessible for staff and students. 

 

Q: Tell us a bit about your teaching background? 

A: In my early career I was an English teacher. I’ve written two high school English textbooks over the years. English was always my first love, but I also undertook additional studies in mathematics to broaden my perspective and challenge myself professionally.  

Q: What first inspired your love for English? 

A: Reading has always been a big part of my life. My mum was a great reader, and she passed that love on to me from a young age. That early passion for books really shaped my decision to pursue English teaching as a career. 

Q: On a personal note, what are some of the passions you bring with you to the College?

A: Outside of school, I enjoy mountain bike riding — it’s something I often talk to the students about. I like hearing about their bikes and encouraging them to get out and ride as well.  

I also foster dogs through the RSPCA, which has been a really rewarding experience. So far, I’ve fostered three dogs, including Cooper, a Boxer puppy, and I’ve just recently picked up Pixie, a five-year-old Staffy who’s recovering from a broken leg. The students enjoy hearing about the foster dogs, and it’s a nice way to connect with them on a personal level. 

Q: How would your students describe you? 

A: My students would describe me as someone who has high standards for them, models those high standards back to them, genuinely concerned about them and what they do, and someone who wants well for them, pushing them to achieve the best for themselves. 

 

Q: What do you find most rewarding about working in education? 

A: For me, it’s the students. Being around young people every day is incredibly rewarding. I wouldn’t want to be in any other profession. I often tell our Year 12 students to consider teaching because it’s such a meaningful career where you have the chance to make a real difference in people’s lives. I feel very fortunate to be part of each student’s journey. 

For more information about St Eugene College, Burpengary or to enrol click here. ​


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