School 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
TREASURER
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.
Russell Baskerville
Russell is the founder and former Managing Director and CEO of Empired Limited, a company specializing in digital consulting and technology management.
He brings extensive expertise in leadership, finance, technology, and entrepreneurial growth strategies, as well as in financial and performance improvement initiatives, corporate transactions, and corporate governance.
Russell currently holds several prominent roles, including Non-Executive Chairman at One Click Group, Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee, and Member of the Audit and Risk Committee at Bravura Solutions Limited. He also serves as Non-Executive Chairman at Procom Holdings Pty Ltd.
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.
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.
Brooke Sanderson
Brooke Sanderson (‘03) is currently the Operations Manager at Telethon Kids Institute, where she oversees financial and program planning, management and communications for a portfolio of research projects.
Brooke holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Western Australia and a Bachelor of Science in Human Communication Science from Curtin University. Her previous roles include Chief of Staff for Celia Hammond MP and various leadership positions at Curtin University’s Faculty of Health Sciences.
Brooke has served on several boards, including as a Board Director, Vice President, and Chair of the Finance, Audit, and Risk Committee with Speech Pathology Australia.
At present, Brooke is the Secretary of the St Mary’s Old Girls’ Association.
Her professional journey reflects her commitment to equitable health and education for all.
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.
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. The immediate past President of Anglican Schools Australia, Judith 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.
Rebecca Payne
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
The Deputy Principal supports the Principal in leading and managing the school by overseeing academic programs, student wellbeing, staff development and operational matters to ensure a positive and effective learning environment.
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.
Josie Detata
DEAN OF STUDENTS
The Dean of Students is responsible for the strategic development and implementation of wellbeing and pastoral care programs across the Senior School.
Josie Detata has been a dedicated advocate for girls’ education since 2007, bringing her expertise and passion to St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School in 2014. With a wealth of experience in pastoral care roles, Josie is committed to fostering a supportive environment where students can excel academically while developing the emotional resilience and skills essential for life beyond school.
As a teacher of technologies and business, Josie combines her classroom expertise with a leadership role as Chair of the Curriculum Advisory Committee for Accounting and Finance with the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA). She firmly believes that students who feel mentally supported and valued are empowered to engage meaningfully in their learning and reach their full potential.
Chris Scholten
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL (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.
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.
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.
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.
Jennifer Patriquin
DEAN OF SCHOOL OPERATIONS
Jennifer Patriquin joined the Executive in the role of Dean of School Operations in 2024 after commencing at St Mary’s in July 2022 as Associate Dean of Cocurriculum. Prior to joining St Mary’s, Jennifer was the Director of Cocurricular and Experiential Learning (K-12) at Guildford Grammar.
As Dean of School Operations, Jennifer provides strategic leadership and oversight of the daily school operations, including the school calendar and major school events. Additionally, she provides strategic and risk management oversight of the School’s cocurricular and experiential learning programs, including sport, performing arts, outdoor learning and camps, exchanges and tours, service activities and St Mary’s Indigenous Program. Jennifer is also the liaison with our cocurricular parent support groups.