Our Principal

Dr Helen Drennen is the 16th Principal of Wesley College and the first female Principal. Dr Drennen has a deep understanding of the College, its educational philosophy; and the role it plays in Australian and international education.

Dr Drennen believes that learning opportunities are enhanced by the application of an international and holistic approach to education. Previously the Head of Wesley’s Glen Waverley campus, Dr Drennen became the Director of Academic Affairs with the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) in Wales and subsequently a Director for the Asia Pacific region, based in Singapore.

Her international achievements at the IBO include:

• Worldwide introduction of the Primary Years Programme in September 1997
• Introduction of new developments in the IB Diploma Programme in 2000
• Establishment of IBO online curriculum centre for teachers worldwide, in 2001

At Wesley College, her achievements include:

• Introduction of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in 1992
• Opening of the Early Childhood Centre at Glen Waverley and the City Curriculum Project in 1995
• Instigation of many of the relationships that the College holds with its international partner schools today. Rugby School in England, Geneva International School in Switzerland and Dwight School in New York
• Initiation of Fitzroy Valley community partnership in 2004
• Establishment of the Wesley College Institute, 2005
• Restructure of the sub-schools at Wesley in 2006
• New partnership with The University of Melbourne, 2006

Like many of her predecessors, Dr Drennen has wide interests in the visual and performing arts, architecture and sport. Her leadership is taking Wesley into the future through innovative programs such as the Wesley College Institute. Through an enhanced emphasis on internationalism, we embrace the concept of being responsible citizens of the
world community.

Under Dr Drennen’s leadership, Wesley College will remain focused on its vision of developing the whole person through timeless principles of learning:

• To know
• To do
• To live with and
• To be

with innovation and wisdom.