We are proud to introduce one of our new Principals for Catholic Schools Broken Bay who will be serving the Tumbi Umbi school community.
Chris Franklin's path into education began through coaching sporting teams, where he discovered the joy of supporting young people as they grew in confidence and capability. Now stepping into school leadership, he is excited to build strong relationships with students, families and staff, and to contribute to a culture of continual improvement. With a commitment to being visible and engaged, Chris hopes to strengthen community connections while nurturing a vibrant Catholic identity and a school where learning, belonging and servant leadership flourish.
To help our community get to know him a little better, we asked our new Principal, Chris Franklin, a number of questions about his journey and vision for the school.
What inspired your path into education?
Before entering teaching, I coached a number of sporting teams and discovered how rewarding it was to have a direct and positive impact on the growth of young people. Supporting children as they developed new skills, confidence and knowledge inspired me to pursue a career in education.
What are you most excited for in your role as Principal?
I am most excited about getting to know our students and their families, and building strong relationships across our school community. I am also very much looking forward to working alongside staff to strengthen a professional learning community that is always committed to continual improvement.
How do you engage parents/ carers, students and staff?
I believe being visible and present is vital. You will often see me in classrooms, on the playground, and at morning drop‑off and afternoon pick‑up. These moments provide valuable opportunities to connect with students, staff and families. I am also excited to work closely with our Parent Engagement Co‑ordinator and School Marketing Officer to continue the many ways that families are engaged within our school community.
What do you hope to achieve as Principal at your school?
My goal is to continue building on the excellent learning culture that already exists, with a strong focus on constant growth for everyone — students, staff and families.
What will you hope to leave as your legacy in education leadership?
I hope to leave a legacy of a strong and vibrant Catholic culture that is valued by all members of the school community. I hope to have fostered a culture of servant leadership, where every member of staff felt supported to flourish, develop their talents and feel genuinely valued. Above all, I hope our school will be remembered as a place where learning was always central, alongside a strong sense of fun, belonging and community.