A warm welcome from students, staff and families has marked Jessica Mutton’s first weeks as Acting Principal of St Elizabeth’s Catholic Primary School in Tarragindi, where relationships and student wellbeing are shaping her approach to the role.
Mutton officially commenced at St Elizabeth’s at the beginning of Term 3, stepping into a school community that had already made an impression on her before she took up the position.
It was the relationships across the school that first caught her attention. During her initial visit, Mutton noticed the enthusiasm of students, the dedication of staff and the partnership between families and the school.
Those connections have remained central as she settles into daily life at St Elizabeth’s.
The school also publicly recognised its new Acting Principal for Primary Principals Day on 7 August, acknowledging the care, dedication and commitment she had brought to students, staff and families in the early weeks of her appointment.
Relationships At The Centre In Tarragindi
For Mutton, strong relationships are closely tied to the kind of school environment she wants to help maintain.
Her experience as both a teacher and leader has shaped a belief that students are better placed to thrive when staff feel valued and supported and families remain connected with the school.
At St Elizabeth’s, that approach extends across academic, social, emotional and spiritual development.
The range of experiences available to students was another part of the school that appealed to her. Students are encouraged to discover their strengths, pursue their interests, challenge themselves and contribute positively to the community around them.
That combination of learning and connection is expected to remain a focus during the remainder of the school year.
Building On What Is Already There
Rather than arriving with plans to reshape the school, Mutton’s priorities centre on working with staff and continuing to build on the foundations already in place at St Elizabeth’s.
High-quality learning experiences remain a key part of that work, with attention on helping students grow in confidence, experience success and reach their potential.
The school’s existing balance of high expectations and student wellbeing is also part of the approach she wants to continue.
Mutton sees the Principal’s role as extending beyond individual classrooms to the whole school community. Teaching and learning, faith values and wellbeing sit among the areas she wants to keep at the centre of school life.
Her longer-term hope is that students leave St Elizabeth’s with strong academic foundations as well as the confidence, resilience and values needed to contribute positively beyond the school gates.
Two New Leaders Recognised By BCE
Mutton was one of two recently appointed school leaders featured by Brisbane Catholic Education for Primary Principals Day.
The other was Kelli Broadbent, Principal of St Brigid’s Primary School at Rosewood. Broadbent began as Principal earlier in 2026 and became substantive in the role at the beginning of Term 3.
While their paths to leadership have been different, both were recognised as part of Primary Principals Day on Friday, 7 August 2026, which marked the end of National Primary Education Week from 3 to 7 August.
For Tarragindi, the occasion also provided an early opportunity for the St Elizabeth’s community to recognise its new Acting Principal as Mutton continues settling into the school and working alongside its students, staff and families.
Published 11-August-2026
