Leadership
The members of our Board of Governors hail from a variety of professional backgrounds. They work collaboratively to set the strategic direction of the School and foster a respectful and supportive environment which allows our students to pursue personal and academic excellence.
St Mary’s operates under the guidance of the Anglican Church. The Perth Diocesan Council appoints some Board members in consultation with the School and the Archbishop, who is the Visitor to the School, appoints two members of the Board.
The Board of Governors reports to Synod annually, so that the whole ‘Parliament’ of the Church knows how St Mary’s is educating its students.
Board of Governors
Elizabeth Carr AM
CHAIR
Elizabeth Carr (’81) holds a number of Board positions, including Director of icare NSW, Chair South Metropolitan TAFE (WA), Chair St Catherine’s Aged Care, Chair of the Murrumbidgee Local Health District and Vice-Chair of the Kokoda Track Foundation. She has a BA (Hons) from the University of Western Australia, a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University, and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. In the 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours, she was recognised “for significant service to the community through voluntary contributions to the health, aged care, education and social services sectors”.
Glenn Barrett
Glenn Barrett has previously served as a St Mary’s Foundation Board of Management member from 2018 to 2021. He has more than 30 years’ experience in the information technology sector in both Australia and the United Kingdom, operating across a diverse range of industries, technologies and disciplines. Glenn specialises in commercial management, contract negotiations and corporate governance, providing management and insight services for large contracts with corporate organisations and all levels of State and Federal Government agencies.
David Bean
David Bean boasts more than 30 years’ experience in education and is currently the Deputy Headmaster of Hale School. He was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship in 1976 and ACEL Excellence in Teaching Award in 2014. David has held various roles with the Curriculum Council and AISWA, and is the co-founder of Hale School’s Indigenous Scholarship Program.
Amy Dawson
OLD GIRLS’ REPRESENTATIVE
Amy Dawson (Fraser ’94) is the current President of the Old Girls’ Association. She has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Western Australia majoring in Accounting and Marketing and minoring in Business Law. Amy also has a Diploma in Property Services and holds a Real Estate Agent Licence.
Amy runs a real estate agency based in Trigg which specialises in all areas of residential and commercial property.
Michelle Houwen
Michelle Houwen is St Mary’s Director of Business Operations.
She began her career in the banking and mining/engineering industries before moving into Education and completing her Masters of Business Administration. Michelle was St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls’ Business Manager for 11 years.
She has served on several committees in the Education sector, including as National President of the Association of School Business Administrators and President of the AISWA Capital Grants Association.
Craig Muir
Craig Muir is a Director of GHDWoodhead, a global Australian architectural firm, and his industry experience encompasses project definition, master planning and design across the education, residential, retirement living, industrial and commercial sectors. He is currently GHDWoodhead’s National Leader for Residential, Retirement Living and Aged Care.
Nikki Panotidis
Dr Nikki Panotidis (’92) is an experienced paediatrician who has worked as a doctor in a wide variety of settings. She currently practises privately in the specialty area of developmental paediatrics. Nikki was a Founding Board Member of the Neurodevelopmental and Behavioural Paediatric Society of Australasia and served on the Board of the WA Autism Diagnosticians Forum. She has published a digital media package aimed at teachers which was rolled out across primary schools in Victoria to support children with ADHD. Nikki was also part of a Child Development Service team who developed and ran workshops for teachers and school psychologists in WA. She currently mentors medical students from the University of Western Australia and has taught, examined and written curricula and assessments for medical students. Her grandfather and father both served on St Mary’s Board of Governors.
Peta-Jane Secrett
Peta-Jane Secrett (’98) currently teaches at the University of Western Australia’s Law School, where she is also completing her PhD. She has previously practised in corporate law and professional services, boasting experience in the areas of governance, contract negotiation, business development and communications strategy.
Liam Twigger
Liam Twigger has more than 30 years’ experience in investment banking and corporate finance and is currently Deputy Chair and Executive Director of Argonaut Limited, a Perth-based investment banking, stockbroking and funds management firm. He is also Chair of London Stock Exchange-listed SolGold Plc, a copper and gold exploration company with world-class copper projects in Ecuador, and Chair of Lunnon Metals Limited, an ASX-listed, Kambalda-focused nickel and gold explorer.
Judith Tudball
PRINCIPAL
Judith Tudball was appointed as the tenth Principal of St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School in 2019. She previously held posts as Principal of St Michael’s Collegiate School, Hobart, and Deputy Principal (Operations) at Brisbane Girls’ Grammar School. Judith has a Bachelor of Creative Arts, a Graduate Diploma of Education, a Master of Leadership and Management in Education and a Master of Business Administration. Currently President of Anglican Schools Australia, she has also served on the National Executive for the Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia and the Board of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.
Kirrilee Warr
Kirrilee is a co-director of a large, diversified farming enterprise. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Western Australia, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a Graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program.
She is currently the President of and a Councillor for the Shire of Chapman Valley and is a member of the FRRR Strengthening Rural Communities Program Advisory Committee, the Hale Boarding Parent Liaison Group and the Midwest Regional Committee of AICD.
Executive
Judith Tudball
PRINCIPAL
Judith Tudball was appointed as the 10th Principal of St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School in 2019. She previously held posts as Principal of St Michael’s Collegiate School, Hobart, and Deputy Principal (Operations) at Brisbane Girls’ Grammar School. Judith has a Bachelor of Creative Arts, a Graduate Diploma of Education, a Master of Leadership and Management in Education and a Master of Business Administration. Currently President of Anglican Schools Australia, she has also served on the national executive for the Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia and the Board of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.
Helen Adams
HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL
The Head of the Junior School leads, develops and manages all aspects of the Junior School, while also contributing to the overall direction of the School and implementing the School’s strategic plan.
Helen Adams joined St Mary’s in 2011. She has extensive experience working in independent and government schools in leadership, curriculum and assessment, development of learning programs and staff development.
She is an advocate for providing an holistic education which focuses on the academic, physical, emotional and spiritual growth of the child.
Helen strongly believes in educating girls to be strong and compassionate members of the community who are prepared to thrive in an ever-changing world through the development of their learning and thinking skills.
She is committed to providing girls with opportunities to connect with their local communities and to be immersed in real-world scenarios that contribute to their academic development.
Adrian Beck
DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS
The Director of Information systems is responsible for the planning, deployment and integration of information systems within the school.
Adrian Beck has worked in independent schools for more than 40 years, beginning as a senior school teacher. He became a head of department and after completing post-graduate studies in computer science, he moved into administration. He has also authored upper school texts, been a tertiary entrance examiner and the President of the Educational Computing Association of WA.
Adrian is a firm believer in the power of collaboration, whether it is in small groups across day-to-day tasks or in setting a direction for the next five years and striving for our goals.
Possessing both a Bachelor degree in Education and an Masters of Business Administration, specialising in information systems, Adrian brings a wealth of experience and analytical skills to the Executive team.
Kellie Douglas
HEAD OF BOARDING
The Head of Boarding is responsible for strategic leadership of the boarding house, as well as overseeing a holistic pastoral care program. The Head of Boarding also ensures that day-to-day boarding house operations are consistent with and integrated into the whole school.
Kellie Douglas joined St Mary’s in 2021. She has 23 years’ experience in the boarding and education sectors, working in a variety of non-denominational, independent and faith-based schools across Australia. She has a passion for student wellbeing and is a strong advocate for a balanced, healthy and active lifestyle being coupled with supportive structures for the students in her care.
Kellie also has diverse leadership experience in school pastoral care, careers and Vocational Education and Training (VET), which has helped her enhance the development of several key boarding house programs to support student and family needs.
Kellie brings strategic, organisational and communication skills to the executive team. She is also currently completing her Masters in Education (leadership and Management) at the Queensland University of Technology.
Michelle Houwen
Director of Business Operations
Michelle Houwen is St Mary’s Director of Business Operations.
She began her career in the banking and mining/engineering industries before moving into Education and completing her Masters of Business Administration. Michelle was St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls’ Business Manager for 11 years.
She has served on several committees in the Education sector, including as National President of the Association of School Business Administrators and President of the AISWA Capital Grants Association.
Brenda Komaromi
DEAN OF ACADEMIC SERVICES
The Dean of Academic Service’s key responsibilities are managing the school’s timetable, calendar and other daily operational matters.
Originally a mathematics teacher with broad experience across public and independent schools, Brenda joined St Mary’s in 2020. By combining her mathematical, analytical and creative skills, Brenda ensures that our students get the most out of their time at St Mary’s and experience everything that the school has to offer.
As an advocate for female education, Brenda is passionate about increasing the number of girls that study Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.
Paul McCarthy
DEAN OF SCHOOL OPERATIONS
The Dean of School Operations’ key responsibilities are managing the School’s community relations, calendar, scholarships and outdoor education, Indigenous, service, and co-curricular programs.
Paul joined St Mary’s from Penrhos College, where he was the College’s Director of Operations and Co-curricular (Whole School).
As Dean of School Operations, Paul will be responsible for the strategic oversight of our Senior School co-curricular and experiential activities, including excursions, camps, exchanges, service activities, and our Indigenous Program. He will also oversee the school calendar and our scholarship application and testing processes.
For parents, Paul will be the main point of contact with the Parents’ Society.
Rebecca Payne
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL (STUDENTS and WELLBEING)
The Deputy Principal (Students and Wellbeing) leads our wellbeing team and is responsible for the strategic development and implementation of wellbeing and pastoral care programs across the Senior School. They also deputise for the Principal when necessary.
Rebecca Payne joined St Mary’s in 2020. She has a broad range of experiences in various pastoral care and curriculum leadership roles and is committed to ensuring that all students feel known, safe and respected within the St Mary’s community.
Rebecca is driven by the notion that when students feel good about themselves, they perform to the best of their ability and positively engage with and serve the community around them.
Rebecca’s teaching area is French and as a true ‘Francophile’, she loves everything about the French speaking world. She also sits on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority French Curriculum Advisory Committee for Years 11 and 12.
Chris Scholten
DEAN OF STUDIES
The Dean of Studies is responsible for the strategic development and implementation of curriculum, assessment and reporting policies and procedures within the school.
Chris Scholten joined St Mary’s in 2021. He is a strong advocate for neuroscience in education and is particularly interested in how the human brain develops knowledge and skills into lifelong habits and dispositions.
He is also a passionate believer in self-determination, the idea that students are more likely to be happy and academically successful when they feel competent, feel that they belong, and exercise a degree of autonomy over their lives.
Chris has a background as an educational workshop leader, school evaluator and as a teacher of Politics and Law.
He brings to the Executive an ability to communicate a vision and transform ideas into reality. Most importantly, Chris is passionate about the teachers, students and parents he works with on a daily basis and their capacity to effect positive and lasting change on the world around them.
Louise Tyson
DEAN OF TEACHING AND LEARNING
The Dean of Teaching and Learning is responsible for the professional development of teaching staff, implementing pedagogical developments, and promoting collaborative and reflective practices.
Louise Tyson originally joined St Mary’s in 2003 as Head of Science. In 2012, she was awarded the Centenary of Federation Award for excellence in Chemistry teaching from the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.
In 2014, Louise joined the Executive team as St Mary’s inaugural Dean of Teaching.
Developing critical thinking skills and the ability for students to learn how to learn are two areas of interest for Louise, particularly in the context of girls’ education. Most recently, she has led an action research project with Year 7 teachers and students, implementing a Thinking Science Program to foster these skills.