Staff Story

I was lucky to be a student at Melbourne Grammar from Prep right through to Year 12. One of the many lessons I took from my time here is that being a leader can be about supporting and encouraging others, and about service. Now that my role involves taking care of our boarders as Head of Perry House, I can see how the culture of the School reinforces this idea, in big and small ways.  

Melbourne Grammar’s culture is one where people take the time to consider what it means to look after others and the community as a whole. Within the boarding community, we talk about the importance of showing up for the people around us, because next time, we might need that same support. We understand that going the extra mile for someone else helps everything to function that little bit better.

Another aspect of the School that makes our culture unique is the fact that academic excellence is something both students are teachers are always truly proud of. There’s a shared understanding that this is a high-performing academic culture, and that’s what we’re here to do. For our students, it’s always ok to be curious, to ask questions, and to want to know more.

That said, this is also a School where academic focus is balanced with a huge range of co-curricular opportunities. The diversity of my day, and the diversity of the students, are important aspects of what makes my job enjoyable. Alongside my role leading Perry House, I coach football in the afternoons, and I still have the chance to teach in the classroom. No two days are ever the same, which is something I really value.

Working in our boarding houses, we’re on call pretty much all the time, and we take our pastoral care role very seriously. Something I always keep in mind is that help-seeking behaviour doesn’t always come naturally to young men. I know it’s up to me to build trust with my students, so that when they do face challenges, they know there’s someone they can turn to. I make sure I have some kind of communication with every student in Perry House, every single day, to build that trust.

Alongside my teaching and boarding house roles, Melbourne Grammar also keeps me in touch with one of my biggest passions—cricket. I’m proud that cricket has been such a strong sport at Melbourne Grammar for such a long time. I love the way it teaches lessons about how to build relationships, how to enjoy success, and how to bounce back from failure by staying focused on the moment.

James Harrod (OM 2006) took up the role of Head of Perry House in January 2024. He has previously taught Humanities and Geography at the School as well as being a Boarding Tutor for several years.

James has also held teaching and leadership roles at other independent schools in Melbourne and the UK.

His qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Teaching, both from the University of Melbourne.