THE outgoing headmaster of Taunton School has been praised for his “energy and dynamism” as he prepares to leave for a new role in Australia.

Dr John Newton is moving on after ten years at Taunton School, to take up the post of principal at Scotch College in Adelaide.

Taunton School’s chair of governors, Jane Barrie, described Dr Newton as “an outstanding headmaster.”

She said: “He has led Taunton School with energy and dynamism and leaves us with a fine legacy. Our best wishes go to him and his family for the future.”

Jeremy Browne, MP for Taunton Deane, said Dr Newton had “given a decade of visionary and charismatic leadership to Taunton School.”

He added: “He will be missed but future generations of young people will benefit from his impressive legacy.”

Rebecca Pow, Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Taunton Deane, said Dr Newton had thrown himself not just into the life of Taunton School but also the life of the town.

“He has set many balls rolling and, when he returns from Aus, I hope that he will see they have gathered momentum.”

On January 1, Dr Newton will be replaced as headmaster by current deputy head Lee Glaser.

Mr Glaser described his predecessor as “inspirational, driven, enthusiastic, energetic, caring and focused.”

He said Dr Newton was “a man who has put Taunton School on the map and has still managed to put his family first.”

A succession of presentations have taken place to mark Dr Newton’s departure as headmaster and gifts included a specially-commissioned painting of his beloved Quantocks from the board governors.