Walk through Cronulla High School on Dharawal land with principal Tony Ibrahim and one thing is immediately clear: he knows his students, not just their faces, but their names, interests and stories.

And after 20 years in the role, that personal connection underpins everything the school has achieved.

When Mr Ibrahim arrived in 2006, he inherited a school of 692 students and a reputation that needed rebuilding. Two decades on, enrolments have nearly doubled, HSC results have steadily improved, and five of his former deputies have gone on to lead schools of their own.

That transformation wasn’t accidental. It came from a belief in Cronulla High’s potential at a time when community confidence was low, and a sustained commitment to proving that belief right.

Mr Ibrahim’s early days as principal were marked by honesty and vulnerability. From the beginning, he set out to build trust with staff by leading with openness, which helped lay the foundation for a connected, trusting school culture.

“I spoke about myself… what I believed in, integrity, loyalty, empathy… I thought it was good for them to get to know me. I think trust is really important,” he said.

Changing public perception was no small task, but Mr Ibrahim’s approach was simple: focus on what could be controlled and show people what the school is truly about.

"Don't worry about perception. Let's just get our backyard in order and send out a consistent message about what's going on at Cronulla High School," he said.

Mr Ibrahim has made it a priority to involve students in important decisions affecting their school experience. He shifted subject selection to be student-driven, encouraging them to share what they want to study so the timetable could be built around their choices.

“It should be student driven if they're the ones studying these. Students say what they want to do, and then you make it work,” he said.

He also consulted students about uniform changes, listening to their feedback about materials, fit, and comfort.

“We’ve listened to them, what their thoughts are and have made some changes,” Mr Ibrahim said.

Student wellbeing and citizenship are also central.

“We want them to be good citizens when they graduate from Cronulla High School,” he said. “It's having high expectations, just in the way that they carry themselves, the way that they present themselves, the way that they apply themselves. It's equipping them with those types of life skills they're going to use and need in life."

Academic success matters, but so does individual growth.

“I constantly talk to kids about doing their best, and their best will look different to their mate's best, to their parents' best,” he said. “It's just trying to reach their full potential, no matter what that potential looks like."

A defining feature of Mr Ibrahim’s leadership is his open-door policy. This approach has created a welcoming environment where students feel comfortable dropping in to share anything, from football wins to personal concerns.

“I like to take an interest in kids. They are the future, so I think they’re worth investing in,” Mr Ibrahim said.

“Our door is open to our kids. Rarely are our doors closed, and the kids know if they are, there's a reason."

Mr Ibrahim credits the school’s success to a strong leadership team and collaborative culture.

“Everyone appointed as a Deputy, I trust, and they challenge me,” he said.

That culture has supported leadership development, with five former deputies now leading other schools. Former students have also returned as staff.

“It's great seeing ex-students employed here. They know what we stand for and they're connected to the school and the community,” Mr Ibrahim said.

He also acknowledges the contributions of those who came before him.

“We were the first school to have an extension class. That started before my time, but we’ve continued with that.”

The computing faculty was also established before he arrived and soon became integral to the school's technology leadership.

Asked to sum up the school’s transformation, Mr Ibrahim points to unity and adaptability.

“It’s having all the staff on the same page,” he said. Continuing to provide opportunities, stay current. Try not to be stagnant. Be reflective.

“And we simply wouldn’t be where we are today without our dedicated staff. They are the ones working at the coal face in the classroom and creating opportunities for students both within and beyond the school.”

And, as he puts it: “If you build it, they will come.”

As Mr Ibrahim marks 20 years at Cronulla High, the school stands as a testament to what’s possible when leadership is personal, consistent and shared; built on the belief that progress is always within reach.

Cronulla High School at a glance: growth and success under Tony Ibrahim

• Nearly doubled enrolment since 2006, from 692 to almost 1,200 students

• Dramatically improved local reputation through community engagement, high expectations, and quality teaching and learning

• Consistently over 70 per cent of HSC students achieve Bands 4, 5, and 6 each year

• Average HSC score increased from 72 per cent to 77 per cent (2019–2023), with more than 60 per cent receiving first-round university offers annually

• Innovative programs: Year 12 Teacher Mentor, fast-paced formative assessment, targeted exam techniques

• Strong commitment to alternative pathways - apprenticeships, traineeships, VET subjects on site and via TAFE

• Enriching creative and performing arts, sport, and extension classes with specialised facilities and annual productions/tours

• Five former Deputy Principals now serve as principals elsewhere

• Ten former students are employed as teachers and SLSOs at the school

• Culture of excellence, opportunity, and genuine community connection.