Nick Jones could have been forgiven for wondering whether his cross-country relocation had been the best idea, as he took up the principalship at Cathedral College Wangaratta in 2020.

Mr Jones, who will depart the school at the end of 2025 after six years in the role, arrived at the Murdoch Road college from Western Australia for his first principal's stint amid the North East's devastating January bushfires.

Soon after, he was navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and working to keep the school community connected while it was forced apart.

"There have been two distinct phases of my time here," he said.

"In 2020-'21 and into '22, it was about navigating restrictions and supporting the school community from afar.

"In '23, '24 and '25, we've reached a good place, and it's been about consolidation of development.

"I do feel it's gone very quickly, and I reflect back now and think it's been great preparation for my new role (at All Saints' College in Perth), because surely nothing could be thrown at me that I wouldn't be able to handle."

Mr Jones will return to WA with wife Jodie and children Maddie and Luke for an opportunity he simply couldn't pass up.

"It's a different challenge; All Saints is not part of AngliSchools (as Cathedral College is) so it will be different, but I'm looking forward to the challenge," he said.

"Overall, we've loved Cathedral College and Wangaratta, and we weren't really looking to head back to Perth, it's just that the opportunity came up.

"It's a great community where people provide support for each other; it doesn't matter whether you're the principal or the cleaner, we gather together as one."

Mr Jones said he had enjoyed gathering regularly with the principals of Galen Catholic College and Wangaratta High School to discuss secondary schooling issues in the district, and had also loved seeing the development of Cathedral College's offering.

"I've been proud of the way we've introduced more pathways for senior students and are known for providing Vocational Major and Vocational Education Training," he said.

"Our learning framework gives us great opportunities for staff development.

"And there's also our STRIVE athlete development program, which started in 2020 and has now extended to a number of different sports including hockey and basketball."

Mr Jones said he felt he was leaving Cathedral College in a good place, with a period of consolidation following significant building works, and the construction in recent years of the school's longed-for chapel.

"We have increased enrolment from 980 in 2020 to 1135 for 2026, which is the largest it's been, and are bringing in an extra year seven class next year which will flow through to 2027 and '28," he said.

"It's exciting to see strong interest in the college, but we are not growing too big too quickly; we are managing our growth sustainably.

"There is still lots to do, with our masterplan and strategic plan for the next five to 10 years soon to be released, and I see a strong future for the college.

"It's in a great space, and a new principal will come in with a strong platform for bringing in new ideas."

Current head of middle school Lauren Lee has been appointed acting principal at Cathedral and will hold the position for the first two terms of 2026, with recruitment for a new principal under way and the new appointment expected to begin at the start of term three next year.

"It's nice to be heading back to home territory and a new challenge, but we will miss the friendships we've made here, and we will be back to visit," Mr Jones said.