On Friday 28 February, we celebrated a momentous occasion – the formal Commissioning Service of our newly appointed Principal, Mr Nate Atkinson, to Northholm Grammar School following his official commencement in January of 2025.
Commissioned by The Reverend Christopher Welsh (Headmaster of Northholm Grammar from 1985–1995), not only did this event mark a commitment to guiding, inspiring and shaping the future of our students, it also celebrated the foundation and the vision of the School. The ceremony saw all students from Kindergarten to Year 12, staff, community members and dignitaries along with Mr Atkinson’s family, Dr Yvonne Smith (Northholm Principal 1995–2008) and Mr John Hayes (past Chair of School Council) unite to formally welcome Mr Atkinson to the School community.
Deputy Principal, Andrea van den Bol, said the following during her speech at the Service:
“Today, we extend our warmest welcome to our new Principal, Mr Nate Atkinson, as he joins our community and marks the beginning of fresh opportunities for growth, learning and innovation… We see this transition as an opportunity not just for our students to flourish, but also for us as educators to continue developing our skills, broadening our perspectives and strengthening our commitment to excellence…
Mr Atkinson, we embrace this new era with optimism and enthusiasm. We welcome you not only as a leader but as a valued member of the Northholm family. Together, we will continue to create an environment where both students and staff thrive, where innovation and tradition go hand in hand, and where every challenge becomes an opportunity for growth.”
Mr Atkinson brings with him a wealth of experience in education leadership roles, along with a passion for a truly future-focused education for our young people. Displaying a strong alignment with our School values, in the most recent edition of The Record, Mr Atkinson spoke on the value of character education, citing, “We must be building our young people up in some key personal dispositions, so they are well placed to maintain a life of continuous learning. The dispositions I believe our young people need to excel in school and beyond will allow them to live an exceptional life… I do believe that the ‘Heart of education is the education of the heart’.”
With faith, wisdom and a heart for service, Mr Atkinson steps forward to lead us with integrity and purpose. May he be blessed with strength and unwavering dedication to our School and students as we move from strength to strength in 2025 and beyond.
Hear Mr Atkinson’s vision for Northholm Grammar here.
