From student to school leader – Principal of Kingswood College in Victoria, Chrissy Gamble (79–84–90), reflects on a life shaped by education, family, and fearless ambition.

Chrissy Gamble (OW 1979–84–90), now Principal of Kingswood College in Victoria, brings a deeply human approach to leadership – one shaped by her formative years at Wesley. Her recent keynote at the AHISA conference, where she spoke on ‘Courage in Curricula,’ reflects a lifetime commitment to values-driven education…”

YOU STARTED AT WESLEY IN 1979 IN YEAR 1 – HOW DID YOU BECOME A WESLEY STUDENT?
Wesley College was always part of my family’s story. My three brothers attended Wesley, while my sister was at Penrhos, so it was only natural that I followed in their footsteps. I still vividly remember my first day of school – the excitement of wearing my uniform for the first time, stepping into a world that felt so big and full of possibilities. I remember looking around and wondering why so many mums were crying! I couldn’t understand it at the time because I was just so eager to be there – to learn, to meet new friends, and to be part of something special.

WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER FROM YOUR TIME AT WESLEY?
My memories of Wesley are filled with warmth and joy. I was one of only a few girls in my class and was surrounded by teachers and friends who made school a place of happiness and discovery. Mr Ritchie was the Junior School Principal, and under his leadership, I thrived. I loved learning, I adored my friends, and I absolutely loved to sing. Music was such a big part of my life – even at lunchtime, I would gather my friends and insist we all sing along to The Sound of Music. Looking back, I was probably a little bossy, but my love for collaboration and creativity started early! I also loved returning to the College to complete a teaching practicum during the final years of my teacher training.

WAS THERE A TEACHER OR MENTOR WHO HAD A BIG IMPACT ON YOU, AND WHY? 
Absolutely. Mrs Haig, my Year 1 teacher, was like a warm hug. She created a classroom that was safe, loving, and full of possibility. She taught us to read and write, but more than that, she made us feel seen and valued. Her kindness was a gift. She also knew the power of small joys – if we were good, we got to watch Play School and Sesame Street! Miss Palmer and Mrs Gill were also extraordinary teachers, and I remember them with deep gratitude.

WHAT DID YOU DO WHEN YOU FIRST LEFT SCHOOL?
After finishing at Wesley, I moved to Penrhos for my senior years, and there was never a question in my mind about what I would do next – I had always known I was meant to be a teacher. From my earliest memories, education called to me. As soon as I finished school, I went straight to Curtin University and began my studies. I was eager, focused, and excited to start the journey toward the career I had always dreamed of.

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER IN EDUCATION?
My father was my hero, and he taught me that education is transformative. As a young boy, he was blinded in an accident, and in those days, expectations for people with disabilities were low. But great teachers and mentors saw his potential. They believed in him, supported him, and encouraged him to pursue his dreams. Through education, he was able to travel to the UK to study and became the first blind manipulative physiotherapist in the world. His journey taught me that courage, perseverance, and grit can overcome any challenge. His story – and the role that education played in it – ignited my passion. Education changes lives. It opens doors. It gives people a future they might never have imagined. There is no greater job in the world.

WHAT ARE YOUR CAREER HIGHLIGHTS?
There are too many to count! Every step of my journey has been filled with incredible moments. I loved my time in the classroom – it shaped me in ways I could never have anticipated. While running a Junior School and raising a young son, I completed my Master’s degree by dissertation. I never set out to be a leader, but others saw something in me, and I was honoured to become a Head of Junior School before I turned 30. I was especially proud to be a woman leading an all-boys Junior School at Scotch College in Perth. Later, I had the privilege of being Head of Junior School and then Deputy Head at Cranbrook School in Sydney. And now, I have the immense joy of leading Kingswood College in Melbourne – a K–12 school where I get to see the transformative potential of education unfold every single day.

AS THE CURRENT PRINCIPAL OF KINGSWOOD COLLEGE IN VICTORIA, WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE THE MOST REWARDING PART OF YOUR ROLE?
People. Every day, I get to work with great people – students, staff, families – all united by the belief that education shapes lives. I love taking a bold vision and making it part of our daily practice. I love working with young people; their energy, curiosity, and potential make this the most rewarding job in the world.

WHAT IS THE MOST UNEXPECTED PART OF BEING A PRINCIPAL?
How much fun it is! The role of a Principal often gets a bad rap, but the reality is, there is so much joy in what I do. Yes, it’s fast-paced and demanding, but hard work leads to great outcomes – and that’s something I thrive on. And then, of course, there are the moments you never see coming – like chasing our College chickens around the school!

AS SOMEONE IN A LEADERSHIP POSITION, WHAT TRAITS DO YOU THINK A GOOD LEADER NEEDS?
Inspiration. Courage. Kindness. Integrity. Love. These are not just words – they are the foundation of leadership. A great leader lifts others, believes in people, and leads with heart.

IF YOU COULD BRING ONE OF YOUR FAVOURITE CHILDHOOD SCHOOL TRADITIONS OR ACTIVITIES TO SCHOOL TODAY, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I miss the freedom and adventure of school excursions and camps. In today’s world, schools are bound by so many regulations and compliance measures – which is understandable – but I do wish students could experience some of the more adventurous activities that shaped us when we were young. Those experiences built resilience, teamwork, and independence – things that can’t always be learned in a classroom.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO CURRENT STUDENTS WHO ARE CONSIDERING A CAREER IN EDUCATION? 
Teaching is awesome. We need our best and brightest minds in education because teachers shape the future and they change the trajectory of young lives.

WHAT PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUR 18-YEAR-OLD SELF? 
Start running now! I only truly discovered running at 51, and I’ve since completed half-marathons. I think I could have been quite a good runner if I had started earlier. But more than that, running is a powerful tool for mental health and wellbeing. Also, don’t doubt yourself. Spend more time with the people you love, because one day, they won’t be there, and you will miss them always. And finally, know that you will make a difference in the world, so don’t waste a moment.

This article was originally published in the Summer 2025 edition of The Wesleyan. To read more, click here.