Doors open to SA private schools new leader
South Australia’s peak advocacy body for private schools has made its next CEO pick after an Australia-wide search.
Tracey Taylor has been appointed as the next chief executive of the Association of Independent Schools of South Australia (AISSA) – the peak body for the independent school sector in South Australia.
Taylor, who is currently executive director of the Association of Independent Schools of the ACT, starts her new job on January 11, 2027, before the new school year starts.
Before this, she was director of Samford Valley Steiner School in Queensland and principal of Michael Park School in New Zealand; she is also the former chief executive of Steiner Education Australia and was director of Education Policy at Independent Schools Australia.
According to AISSA, there are more than 100 independent schools across South Australia.
Latest Australian Bureau of Statistics Data showed that in 2025, South Australia was the Australian state with the highest percentage of students enrolled in private schools, with 111,121 students at non-government schools compared to 173,438 in public schools.
Taylor currently sits on the boards of Independent Schools Australia, the Teacher Quality Institute and the ACT Registration Standards Advisory Board.
AISSA chair Shannon Warren said the appointment follows a national recruitment process to replace current chief executive Anne Dunstan, who will leave the organisation on January 15 after four years at the helm.
“Ms Taylor spent her early childhood in Adelaide and we are delighted to welcome her back to South Australia,” Warren said.
“The board is confident that her experience in advocacy, governance and stakeholder engagement will ensure the association continues to be a strong and trusted voice for our member schools.
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“Anne and Tracey will work together to ensure a smooth transition, and we look forward to providing opportunities for member schools to meet Tracey and to farewell Anne.”
According to AISSA, there are more than 100 independent schools located across South Australia.
Latest Australian Bureau of Statistics Data showed that in 2025, South Australia was the Australian state with the highest percentage of students enrolled in private schools, with 111,121 students at non-government schools compared to 173,438 in public schools.
Taylor acknowledged Dunstan for her “highly valued contribution to the SA Independent school sector and leadership of AISSA”.
“I am excited to lead the association into its next phase, working with the AISSA Board, connecting and collaborating with the team and member schools as we continue to be a trusted voice representing and advocating for our sector.”
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