Fremantle College 2024 Board Members

Connection with Fremantle College: I am the father of two boys, one currently finishing Year 8 and one who will start year 7 next year. I live in Hamilton Hill and love to be involved in the community. I was a volunteer coach and manager at Fremantle City Football club for 5 years. I also volunteered at the East Fremantle Sailing Club for a number of years.I was born in Canada and emigrated in Australia in 2004. I have a Bachelor in Psychology and Master Degree in Career Counselling. I have 20 years of my career working in Human Resources in a number of different industries (Financial, Engineering, Law, City Planning, Local & State Government, International Mining). I am now working as a permanent Change Manager Lead for the Water Corporation supporting a portfolio of IT projects for the Corporate Services Group.I believe in education and cultivating a growth mindset, being inclusive and the importance of having difficult conversations. I am very happy with how my oldest son has thrived in the Specialist Marine and Specialist Contemporay Music program. As a sailor and musician, I am loving the type of young adult he is becoming, and we have been able to bond over a lot of the experiences that Fremantle College has offered him. I am looking forward to my other Son having his own journey through the College and grow into his own interest in the Specialist ITC and Specialist Marine pathway.I would love to be on the College Board and help influence decisions that will help future generations to thrive like my sons have.

Skills and attributes:My career in HR has given me a strong understanding of organisations from a business and people perspective.I have supported leaders and managers with their people strategies in numerous scenarios, Performance management, employee relations, industrial actions, business planning, recruitment, terminations, etc. I have also supported employees in career development, leadership skills, conflict resolutions, complaints and grievances. As a Change Manager I have developed a focus on gathering a holistic view of an organisation based its people, processes, information and technology which I believe will provide valuable insights to the board. I value collaboration and group dynamics which are inclusive and high performing.

Connection with Fremantle College: I used to teach occasionally at South Fremantle SHS and I did my first ever teaching practice at Hamilton SHS. I represented Curtin University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Deborah Terry, at the official opening of Fremantle College. I have been a Board member at Yule Brook College. I am a well-credentialled and awarded educator with recognition across the globe. My daughter, has been at Fremantle College in the Specialist ICT and GATE programs since Year 7. I grew up and completed all my schooling in and around Fremantle, and was a member of the inaugural Youth Involvement Committee with Fremantle City Council.

Skills and attributes: I bring a critical perspective to education and am a global thought-leader in Educational Innovation and Transformation. I have experience across all sectors and levels of education and bring with me the combined global network I have built and maintained over the past 30 years in education. My network includes senior industry and education figures. I have been a judge for the WA Governors School STEM Awards, working with Brad Krueger and Prof Lyn Beazley. I established the Learning Futures Network and have built global opportunities for schools, educators and students across Australia. I have more than a decade of experience as a preservice teacher-educator in higher education on both sides of Australia. I am a well-cited educational researcher and am still active with the ShapingEDU community as a Lifelong Changemaker, and on the expert panel, editorial board and community engagement group for the Consortium of Schools Networking Driving K-12 Innovation initiative.

Connection with Fremantle College:My name is Miriama, I am from New Zealand and have been in Perth for 12 years now. My eldest daughter attends Fremantle College and my youngest will be joining in 2025 . I would love to be more involved with Fremantle College with how things are run and hopefully be able to give something back to my community and make a difference for our future.

Skills and attributes:I believe I will be a great asset as I am.supportive of all backgrounds . I am reliable, respectful and trustworthy. I am a great listener with understanding. I value my input and can bring creative ideas to the table. I have a history in customer service that allows my communication skills to shine. I am great with technology, Microsoft and handling large documents and/or audiences.

Connection with Fremantle College: I joined College Board in 2022 and am currently the Co-Chair of the College Board with David Raftery. I am very proud of the acheivements of our students and staff and have been working with my colleagues on the board to gain government funds to upgrade our infrastructure which is currently aged and not fit for purpose.

Skills and attributes: I have enjoyed my 2 years on the College Board so far and would like to continue to serve the College community and succeed in gaining additional funding for much needed infrastructure including an Indigenous Learning Centre, a modernised Recreation Centre and much needed new classrooms and facilities.

Connection with Fremantle College:My Son is enrolled to join Year 7 in 2024 at Fremantle College. I am a Senior Engineer and am interested to learn more about  High school education. I was impressed during my visits to Fremantle College and consequently am looking for an opportunity to contribute in any way possible.

Skills and attributes: I have served as an Executive Committee member for Cricket Associations and Clubs. I always take a long term approach and I work well in collaboration with others.

Connection with Fremantle College: I am a Beaconsfield resident and mother of 2 children, one of whom is at Fremantle College in Year 8 in the Specialist Contemporary Music program. I am passionate and committed to public education and eager to see our local public primary and high schools flourish and excel. I was involved in the local community push for the re-vitalisation of Fremantle College 10 years ago and am so excited to see how far the school has developed since this time. I have worked as an Occupational Therapist at Fremantle Hospital for the past 17 years.

Skills and attributes:I have been a highly active member of my kids' primary school community and active P&C member for 8 years until they both finished primary school in 2021, so have significant experience in school processes from this perspective.
I am passionate about Fremantle College being an inclusive school for all local high school students, not just for those who find their school years easy. I am enthusiastic about contributing to a well-rounded school experience for all.
I have experience in leadership within the health setting and currently lead a team of 20 staff so have experience in recruitment, excellence in performance, high level negotiation and communication skills and am a great team player.

Connection with Fremantle College: My son attends Fremantle College and is currently in Year 10. My younger son is planning to start next year in year 7.

I’ve sometimes felt a little lost with how the college works, and felt a bit disconnected from events happening at the college and with my son. This might help me become better informed, for both children - but also benefit the college from any ideas and collective knowledge that I may have in related (and unrelated) areas.

Skills and attributes: I hold a Bachelors Degree, a Masters Degree and three VET Diplomas. Two Diplomas are in Training and Education. I have had a lifetime of experience in corporate, working directly for companies like BHP, Rio Tinto and various government organisations. I’m a dad. Three kids. So I know a thing or two about family life and children.

Connection with Fremantle College: I am an executive in the field of Cybersecurity, originally from the United States, but also a dual citizen due to my mother's origins in Sydney, Australia. This has always fostered a deep connection for me with Australia. About a year and a half ago, I relocated to Western Australia with my son for a professional opportunity at Rio Tinto. Upon our arrival, it was suggested that I enroll my son in a private school, although the reasoning behind this suggestion was not entirely clear to me, beyond the mere perception associated with private schooling. However, we opted for our local public school, Fremantle College, to give it a fair chance. My son has since happily settled in, giving me no cause to reconsider this decision.

Skills and attributes: I possess a 30-year career in the Technology Industry, with over 16 years spent in various Senior Executive roles. I have had the honor of serving on volunteer boards at San Diego State University, as well as on two customer advisory boards within the United States. This experience has given me a clear understanding of the responsibilities and limitations of an advisory board role. Additionally, I bring to the table years of management and technology experience.In terms of educational qualifications, I hold a Master's Degree in Public Administration and Post Graduate course work in Technology management. Furthermore, I am a veteran of the United States Army.

Connection with Fremantle College: In 2024 we're new to Fremantle College and excited about our son participating in the Specialist Marine Science and Autism Programs.  We’ve lived and worked around the Fremantle area for many years and have strong ancestral and historical links to the Fremantle area.  

Professionally, as a Consultant I have consulted to the Department of Education extensively, including supporting the Corporate Executive with executive search, and restructure support. I have a strong understanding of the Departments remit, values and mission. I’m a strong advocate for Independent Public Schools and committed to their role in public education.

Skills and attributes: I have previous board experience including as Chair, along with over 20 years of consulting and leadership experience in Western Australia.  Within the public sector I have extensive experience in human resources, change management and organisational strategy development, organisation and job design, workforce planning, executive search and recruitment.

As a Consultant I have led strategic reviews within a wide range of local and state government organisations to assess efficiency of organisational structure and realign work. I have assisted many local and state government clients in managing large change projects and establishing new functions and divisions.

I would bring strong industrial relations knowledge and project management skills to the Board having managed strategic and organisational change, internal and national recruitment centres and significant global recruitment campaigns.   I have considerable executive search and recruitment experience within state and local government, including ministerial board searches.

KEY AREAS OF EXPERTISE
• Previous board experience including as Chair
• Workforce planning
• Human resource and recruitment policy development
• Recruitment and selection management and planning
• Organisational reviews and restructures
• Exit and culture survey design
• Classification and job analysis
• Project management and special project recruitment
• Executive search
• Job design & classification
• Boards and committees, corporate governance

Connection with Fremantle College: I have a son currently in Year 9 at Fremantle and my daughter attended until last year. With the assistance of Student Services she was able to obtain a Childcare traineeship and leave school. I have lived in the Fremantle area for the past 30 years.
I have worked in the Vocational Education Training sector for over 26 years, with 15 years working in International Student Support Services at the old Beaconsfield TAFE.
The past four years I have been the Team Leader in South Metro TAFE's Education Pathways Office. Our office liaises with over 150 schools in regard to providing courses for Vocational Education and Training Delivered to Secondary Students (VETDSS).

Skills and attributes: I am hoping to provide further advice and assistance to the college in continuing their excellent Student Services and pastoral care to the student body.
I would also like to be able to contribute to the college in enabling the students to prepare for their future jobs/careers via the extensive knowledge that I have of the Vocational Education Training sector.

THANK YOU!