John Cooper

John Cooper completed 46 years as an educator being a Principal since 1966. Following NSW postings from 1963 (North Star, Goodooga, Bass Hill, Asquith, Goolgowi and Mullengandra) John spent eight years in PNG in a range of schools. On returning to Australia, John became Principal at Darwin Primary School, then opened Jabiru Area School followed by a year at Bradshaw Primary before becoming the first Principal of the new Anzac Hill High School. Proud moments for John were; his school being recognised as one of 100 “Innovative and Best Practice” schools in 1998 and winning the John Laing Professional Development Award in 2005. John focused on the holistic well-being of his school’s community incorporating cultural understandings with Choice Theory and adopting a bilingual vision statement in the local language and English. National awards for parental engagement and literacy success were significant achievements. John completed his Master of Education, majoring in Performance Management and gained Certificates in Reality Therapy and Investigations. He continues his studies in Choice Theory as his career continues as a consultant.

John has a deep commitment to the creative arts and fostered the performing arts as part of the school curriculum over many years whilst a member of Alice Spring Youth Arts Group (ASYAG) Steering Committee guiding the organisation to incorporation as InCite Youth Arts.

To prove he is “balanced”, he is currently Vice-President of School Sport Northern Territory and President of the Eagles Rugby Union Football Club, Alice Springs Town Band and Eisteddfod Council and member of a motoring club.