Pymble Ladies’ College and Newington paid their executive teams in excess of $5 million in 2024.The Sydney Morning HeraldSt Catherine’s School in Waverley,Riverview and Shore all paid more than $4 million per year to managers. A St Catherine’s spokesman said it reflected a period of “restructure and change” across its school and the education sector.
Management pay information has been publicly available since 2022 followinga shake-up of charity rules. Reported figures relate to senior decision-makers in an organisation,according to the charities commission,and not team leaders or operational managers.
Some schools recorded two managers,while several others had teams of more than a dozen. SCEGGS Redlands had 21 in 2024 – an increase of 10 people on the previous year,which a spokeswoman said reflected those closely involved in the management of the school.
Public school principals make up to $236,318 a year.
A spokesman for Independent Schools NSW said private school pay reflected enhanced responsibilities,qualifications and skills required to manage organisations turning over millions of dollars every year.
The NSW Education Standards Authority said schools must demonstrate a “clear and documented rationale” for their remuneration decisions.
SCEGGS Darlinghurst principal Holly Gyton said an additional staff manager,salary increases for all staff and additional superannuation costs had driven up the amount paid to managers.
Scott James,headmaster of Knox Grammar,where total management remuneration fell,said:“Remuneration is set in line with responsibilities and sector benchmarks,and pay rates themselves have not declined.”
Education Minister Jason Clare said every dollar that schools spend must support the education of students.
“I think it’s fair enough that if parents are paying school fees,they deserve to know how much principals are being paid,” he said.
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