Welcome to Narelle Umbers | Interim Principal

Following a comprehensive search for an Interim Principal, we are delighted to welcome Narelle Umbers to Korowa. Narelle has returned to Australia from New Zealand where she was the Principal of Samuel Marsden Collegiate School, a high-performing Kindergarten to Year 12 independent Anglican school for girls in Wellington.

Prior to her move to New Zealand, Narelle was the Deputy Principal at Peninsula Grammar where she led the learning and staff development across Kindergarten to Year 12.

Narelle spent 13 years in a number of teaching and leadership roles including 10 years at Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School teaching Mathematics at all levels in the Senior School. Narelle also complements her impressive teaching and leadership background with corporate experience in the information technology and financial services industries.

Like so many Australians impacted by the global pandemic, after working abroad for four years Narelle and her husband made the decision to move back to Melbourne to be reunited with family and friends.

Narelle said, “I am thrilled to be joining the Korowa community. I know it has been a difficult two years with the disruption of COVID and I look forward to working with students, staff and families as we commence the new school year together.”

Narelle’s leadership actively reflects a philosophy that is aligned with Korowa’s – respecting our student-centred approach, academic excellence, offering a broad and diverse co-curricular program and nurturing a culture focused on student wellbeing and community.