Western Australian Secondary School Executives Association

Melissa Gillett

President WASSEA Melissa comes to the role of WASSEA President after more than 30 years working in Public education. Her leadership journey is different from most; starting out as a School Psychologist before taking on roles in Staffing, District/Regional Office and Royal Street. Realising how much she missed working directly with students, Melissa won a six month acting position at Balga Senior High School… and stayed for nearly 10 years! She was then appointed as Principal of John Forres...
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WASSEA Management Committee member Alan Brown

Alan Brown

Principal Rossmoyne Senior High School Alan has experience as a teacher and leader across rural, regional and metropolitan schools, mostly in low ICSEA contexts.  He believes that all schools across our system are unique but our strength lies in working together to improve outcomes for students. Over the years, Alan has been involved in a number of system wide initiatives and has been an Independent Public School Coach and Aspirant Principal Mentor. This aligns with his belief that the s...
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WASSEA Management Committee member Leanne Prior

Leanne Prior

Principal Mount Barker Community College Leanne has been an Associate Principal since 2008 and in that time has taken responsibility for everything it is possible to in that role. One area of focus for many years has been around students and mental health – as the whole college was taken on a journey around building the college value of Belonging and being mentally healthy. Working in a K- 12 context, in the country, with a 237 ha Farm and a Trade Training Centre for Engineering, Leanne’...
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WASSEA Management Committee member Kath Ward

Kath Ward

Principal Denmark Senior High School Kath is an advocate for the value of a quality public education, having commenced her teaching career in the Wheatbelt town of Merredin in 1988. She had a somewhat unusual trajectory to the principalship, serving as a classroom teacher, a Head of English, a Deputy Principal, and then Principal - all in the same school! Kath joined WASSEA as a deputy principal many moons ago and was an active member of the Executive Committee for over 15 years. Kath rel...
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WASSEA Management Committee member Kelly Bennett

Kelly Bennett

Principal Comet Bay College Kelly brings over 20 years of educational leadership experience - 10 years in Australia (5 as Principal) and 10 years in the UK. She hopes that her background as a Mathematics teacher will come in handy with her role as Treasurer. As current Principal of a large secondary school and former Principal of a small, low ICSEA high school, Kelly has successfully lead diverse teams and implemented innovative programs. Kelly currently chairs the South Metro Principal N...
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WASSEA Management Committee member Kelly Anderson

Kelly Anderson

Principal Bridgetown High School Kelly started her teaching career in the South West and has been there ever since. She has worked at Agricultural Colleges, Senior High Schools and is currently Principal at Bridgetown High School. Kelly is passionate about the system providing a valuable and equitable education to all students. Kelly came from a working class family and knows that education can be transformative. She nominated for the WASSEA Committee as she believes that this organisatio...
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WASSEA Management Committee member Vicki Bogensperger

Vicky Bogensperger

Deputy Principal Eastern Goldfields College Vicky is passionate about public education and providing opportunities for all students to achieve potential. School leadership provides an avenue to support school staff in creating and maintaining optimum positive learning environments. Vicky joined WASSEA Committee to make a difference and looks forward to the opportunity to provide regional representation on the Committee and engage with peer school leaders on matters which directly impact r...
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WASSEA Management Committee member Jonathan Bromage

Jonathan Bromage

Principal Mindarie Senior College Currently Principal of Mindarie Senior College, Jonathan has held leadership roles across schools and central office. In a varied career starting in inner London, then country WA, distance education, the IPL, central office and senior colleges, providing high quality and meaningful pathways for all students has been central to Jonathan’s work. These previous roles cemented Jonathan’s passion and commitment to the use of learning technologies and this ...
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WASSEA Management Committee member Trevor Hunter

Trevor Hunter

Principal Willetton Senior High School Trevor has held teaching positions and been an administrator in a number of schools in both metropolitan and country locations for over 35 years. His experience in Economics and History teaching, a range of administrator positions, including as Principal of Belmont City College, Byford Secondary College and most recently Willetton Senior High School. Trevor has gained his experience in a number of educational settings including 11 years in the Pilbara a...
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WASSEA Management Committee member Steve Jurilj

Steve Jurilj

Deputy Principal Margaret River Senior High School Steve has 15 years of leadership experience in public schools, including roles as Deputy Principal at Duncraig SHS, Perth Modern School, and now Margaret River SHS. Steve brings a wealth of knowledge to the WASSEA Board with valuable insights on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by regional schools in an ever-evolving educational landscape.
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