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John Metcalfe

Principal

John and his wife are teachers, and both work in Christian schools. They have two sons who are graduates of Christian education. John attends Plentylife Church, an Anglican church plant. He is a member of the board of Christian Education National and chairs the board of the Australian Association of Christian Schools. John believes that schools should offer strong academic opportunities. Even more importantly, students should have faith and commitment to others strengthened as they work out how to use their gifts to serve the Lord in whatever activity they choose to pursue with their lives.

Lily McDonald

Deputy Principal

Lily has worked in executive leadership roles in schools for the past 15 years. Prior to becoming a teacher, Lily worked in media and marketing and in tertiary administration. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Economics), a Bachelor of Primary Education and a Masters of Educational Leadership. Lily is passionate about education and giving students and staff opportunities to understand who they are in Christ and to take hold of their learning, to grow and flourish.

Peter Bain

Business Manager

Peter has spent over twenty years in executive and governance roles spanning the corporate and not for profit sectors.  He has worked in various fields including health, education, international aid, aged care, disability, and housing.  He holds a Bachelor of Economics from Monash University.

Daniel Symons

Assistant Principal

Dan has served in a range of executive, pastoral, and pedagogical school leadership roles over the last 14 years. He holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Grad. Diploma in Education, and a Master of Education. Dan’s family has three generations of engagement within the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ community, including graduating as a student in 1999. Dan is enthusiastic about the intersection of personal development and organisational change, developing systems and cultures that empower students to make a difference in the world. He is also rather fond of this Jesus guy.

Ange Smith

Chair

Ange has four sons and one daughter-in-law. All of her children have been or are current students at аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ, and Ange has been a part of the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ community as a parent since 2006. Ange is currently the global Communications Director for World Outreach International and the owner of a digital marketing business. She is an active member at Mill Park Baptist Church. Ange serves at her church on the preaching team, creative communications team and kids outreach ministry. Ange considers it an honour to serve the college through a role on the Board and is keen to help shape the future legacy God has in store for the college and its community.

Chris Griffin

Chris Griffin and his wife have six children, three of whom are currently studying at аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ. Chris has a Bachelor of Theoretical Physics and a PhD from Melbourne University. Chris has spent many years working in science, engineering, quality, and product development both overseas and in Australia. As a Christian, Chris is passionate about the synergy between science and faith and continues to work in his local church particularly in the areas of teaching youth and Sunday school. Chris embraces the mission of encouraging the next generation to develop a robust belief in Christ as Lord and Saviour, and a truthful, authentic, and obedient walk with God.

Vanessa Ogden

Vanessa has been a parent at аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ for over 11 years. She and her husband have four children. Vanessa attends Plentylife Anglican Church in Doreen where her husband is the pastor. Two of Vanessa’s children have graduated аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ in recent years, and two remain in Secondary. She works as a Cardiac Clinical Nurse Consultant for St Vincent’s Public Hospital and is currently studying a Masters of Nursing. Vanessa has a long history of involvement in Christian education having attended Mountain District School and Mount Evelyn Christian School. Vanessa is passionate about sharing the God-given gift of educating children within a school that encourages and supports the partnership with parents.

Garreth Le Page

Gareth has been involved with аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ for the past 15 years in a professional capacity as a master plan and landscape designer. Gareth grew up in a Christian household and is a member of Eltham Presbyterian Church. He and his wife have two daughters, both of whom attend аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ. Gareth is inspired by the Christ-focussed devotion the college is committed to, and is excited to continue being a part of it.

Ashton De Silva

Ashton and his wife Jennifer (a primary school teacher) have two children at аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ.  He has a PhD from Monash University in econometrics.  He is active in the local community and contributes to various activities of a local church that he has attended for approximately 20 years.  He has a passion for education and sharing with people the hope and certainty that only a close relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ can bring.

Greta Dench

Greta has been a parent at аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ since 2013. She has eight children, of which seven are currently enrolled at the College, ranging from kinder to Year 12. Her firstborn graduated from аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ in 2022.  She is a Primary School Teacher, having previously taught at Oxley College before having her children.  She owns a small business with her husband Simon, acting as Marketing Manager and overseeing their online store.

Greta has been an active member of several local churches for over 25 years, serving in various leadership roles.  She is extremely passionate about Christian Education and its future.  Her extended family has been involved in аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ for several decades and she wants nothing more than to see the College thrive and positively impact the wider community, by authentically displaying Christ’s love and servant heart.

Christine Ernest

Christine has been a аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ parent since 2008. Four of her five sons are currently at the college, the eldest graduating in 2020. Christine is passionate about Christian education and decided to move to the area specifically so that her children could attend a Christian school with a Christ-centred ethos, principles, and worldview. Christine works part-time as a Registered Psychologist.

Christine’s educational qualifications include Bachelors & Masters degrees in Psychology, obtained in the US, and a Doctor of Psychology (Neuropsychology) from the University of Melbourne. She is a member of Mill Park Baptist Church. Her desire is to serve on the Board at аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ and help maintain the strong Christian foundations and the community spirit instilled by the founders, and to support the student’s growth in wisdom and knowledge, in Christ.

Oliver Somanader

Oliver and his wife Kathleen have been actively involved at the College since their two children started in kindergarten there. As members of Mill Park Baptist Church, they serve in various areas including Kids Church.

Oliver is a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) with 20+ years’ experience in Risk Management and Governance within the Banking and Financial Services industry.

I find it to be a real blessing to be part of a school that is passionately centred around the Christian faith and its values and supports us parents instill these into future generations.

Courtney Chhuon

Courtney and her husband Buntha have two children, one of whom has graduated high school, and one currently attending primary school at аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ. As a past student at the College, she feels blessed to be a part of the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ community. Courtney attends Planetshakers Church and has served in a variety of ministries.

With 16 years’ experience in education, she is currently a Curriculum Leader and a Primary School teacher. She is passionate about education and feels honoured to serve on the Board to assist in upholding Christian values, and building strong educational foundations for students, with a Christian worldview.