Experienced educator is the new Canning College Principal
Ms Leila Bothams has been appointed Principal of Canning College.
Leila, one of the Department of Education’s most senior and experienced secondary school principals, has extensive educational management experience in international settings. For 10 years, Leila was Principal of one of Australia’s leading schools, Rossmoyne Senior High School, and she has worked as a Director of three education districts.
Leila’s appointment coincides with a recent Department of Education decision to reintroduce local students to Canning College.
She is looking forward to the challenge of building on the College’s successful history.
“Canning College is a centre of excellence and, under my leadership, the College will continue as Western Australia’s leading school provider for international students, whilst opening enrolments to selected local students who wish to pursue a senior secondary education pathway,” she said.
“I believe that such change will only further enhance the College’s reputation as one of the nation’s best international schools.”
Leila has many fond memories of the Canning College campus and its facilities.
Her connection goes back to when the College site was known as Bentley Senior High School. Leila completed her secondary schooling in classrooms that now form part of Canning College and, early in her career, returned to Bentley Senior High School as a teacher of English.
She has returned to Perth from her most recent role as Director of Education in the Goldfields, the largest education region in Western Australia.
Leila replaces Adelfo Sabatini, who had been the acting Principal following the retirement of Wayne Axford last year. Adelfo spent 14 years at Canning, starting as Head of Science before his promotion to Deputy Principal in 2014. He moved into an Acting Principal role in 2022.
