President

Dr Mark Sly

EdD, MEdAdmin, BSc, GradDipEd, GradDipEdAdmin, GradCertTh, MACE, MACEL, JP (Qual)

Dr Mark Sly is the foundation principal of Coomera Anglican College, Queensland, and he has been in this role since mid-1996. He is the Chair of the Queensland Anglican Heads Advisory Committee and a member of the Anglican Schools Commission.

Mark says he went into teaching 'to make a difference in the lives of young people', and feels blessed that he has been given a number of opportunities to do so in a career spanning more than 30 years. He is a 'great believer in the power of positive relationships in education'. Indeed he contends, 'If we get that part right the rest is easy. All children are eager, capable learners when we find the right key to unlock their potential. Technology has played a big part in making that easier, but cannot replace the value of a good teacher.'

President Elect

Mrs Judith Tudball

BCA GradDipEd MLMEd MBA LTCL AMusA GAICD

Mrs Judith Tudball is the Principal at St Mary's Anglican Girls' School in Western Australia and the President Elect of Anglican Schools Australia. She has a proud commitment to the education of girls and a strong background in independent single sex girls' schools in Tasmania, New South Wales and Queensland. Judith's career has evolved through numerous leadership roles including Director of Music, Head of Creative Arts, Head of High School, Dean of Co-Curriculum, Deputy Principal (Operations), and Principal of St Michael's Collegiate School Hobart.

Judith holds a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Music), a Graduate Diploma in Education, a Master of Leadership and Management in Education, and a Master of Business Administration. With a keen interest in governance, Judith is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Judith believes creativity in education can enhance self-esteem and motivation, develop independence, and inspire curiosity in students. She is committed to assisting young women to contribute as confident, courageous and empathetic citizens in a global community. Judith is an enthusiastic contributor to her community and is a former member of the Executive Committee for the Alliance of Girls' Schools Australasia and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. She and her husband Rod have two young adult children, James and Emma, who are studying at university.

Immediate Past President

Mr Jim Laussen

BEd(Env Sc) MEd(Admin) MACE FACEL

Mr Jim Laussen is Principal of Overnewton Anglican Community College, a coeducational P-Y12 college with campuses in Keilor and Taylors Lakes in Melbourne?s north-west. He has led the college since 2001.

Having been involved in the teaching profession for the last 34 years Jim believes that now more than ever is 'a very exciting time to be working in education - when teachers are no longer the founts of all knowledge, as knowledge is so quickly accessible online, but where the relationships we have with students are more important than ever before'.

Jim is committed to the importance of the role of the family in education and the essential nature of the partnership that must exist between teachers and parents to enable a child to achieve and develop to their best.

Of Overnewton's students he says: 'You provide us with the joys, challenges, surprises, interactions, and personal achievements that make working in schools truly the best profession we can have.'

Jim has served on the State Executive of AHISA and recently retired after serving for six years on the Board of the Anglican Diocesan Schools Commission in Melbourne.

A member of the Anglican Church, Jim is passionate about the importance of an Anglican school education where Christian values are promoted, an active faith encouraged and children of all faiths and none can worship, learn and grow together.

Jim is married to Bev and they have two adult children, Sarah and Lucy.

Chief Executive Officer

The Reverend Peter Laurence OAM

BA(Theology) BEcon DipEd MEdLeadership FACE FAIM AMACEA GAICD

The Reverend Peter Laurence OAM is the Chief Executive Officer of the Anglican Schools Commission in Western Australia, an appointment he has held since 2003. He is also Chief Executive Officer of Anglican Schools Australia. Prior to this time, Peter served as principal of two Anglican K-12 schools, All Saints? College in Perth and Trinity Anglican School in Cairns, Far North Queensland.

Peter trained as a secondary school teacher of geography, economics and religious education, subjects he taught for many years. He also holds Bachelors degrees in Economics and Theology, a Graduate Diploma in Education and a Masters degree in Educational Leadership. He is an ordained priest in the Anglican Church (currently licensed in the Diocese of Perth) and has served as a School Chaplain, Head of House, Head of Department and Deputy Principal.

Today as CEO of the Anglican Schools Commission, Peter's role is to support Anglican schools throughout Western Australia and beyond, and to develop new schools in growth areas.

He held the position of President of Anglican Schools Australia from 2008-2011.

Peter is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and Fellow of the Australian College of Educators.

Peter has held the position of Chair and Member of the Education Committee of Associations of Independent Schools in both Queensland and WA, served on a regional Ethics Committee and was Vice President of the Royal Aero Club of Western Australia for five years. Today he sits on a number of school boards and councils. 

Peter is a passionate aviator (holding a Private Pilot's License) and also a devoted (if sometimes frustrated) member of the West Coast Eagles Football Club. 

Canberra and Goulburn Diocese

Mrs Fiona Godfrey

BSc (UM), DipEd (ACU), MEdMan (UM), GAIGC

Mrs Godfrey is the Principal of Radford College, an Anglican coeducational day school in Canberra is the first female head of the College.

Fiona is used to 'leading the way'. Prior to this appointment she was Principal of St Peter’s Collegiate Girls’ School in Adelaide for six years. She was also the first female to be appointed Head of Science at St Kevin's College in Melbourne before working in senior positions at Westbourne Grammar School and was a Deputy Principal at Fintona Girls’ School and then at Canberra Girls’ Grammar School. In 2011 she was the recipient of the South Australian Business Woman of the Year, Community and Government Award.

Fiona believes it is the quality of the human relationships within a school that defines it.

She says: "As teachers and parents we must work together in a Christian context to encourage and challenge our students to pursue excellence in all things within and beyond the classroom. Each individual should be given opportunities to achieve their highest potential in all facets of life – intellectual, spiritual, moral and social. We should work to develop in our students their God-given talents."

New South Wales' State Representative

Mr Ross Smith

MAppFin, BEc, GAICD, Chartered Accountant 

Ross Smith is the Chief Executive Officer of Anglican Schools Corporation (ASC). ASC caters for the academic, spiritual and related developmental needs of over 14,000 children and young people in NSW, ranging from pre-schoolers to post-compulsory school students. ASC currently owns and operates 19 independent schools/campuses in the greater Sydney area and in regional NSW, with an explicit mission to provide affordable quality Christian education.

Ross also holds the role of Chairman of the Glebe Administration Board, which is responsible for the investment of the Diocesan Endowment for the Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney.

Ross’ background includes both local and international experience in a consulting environment, particularly in respect of financial due diligence and corporate restructuring. His experience and professional qualifications are augmented by graduate membership of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Masters of Applied Finance.

Ross is married, with three adult children, and worships at a local Anglican parish. In his spare time Ross enjoys spending time with his wife…and also riding his beloved mountain bike.

Queensland's State Representative

Mrs Sherril Molloy

BA LLB(Hons) GAJCD

Mrs Sherril Molloy was appointed Executive Director of the Anglican Schools Commission (ASC), Queensland in July 2014. Up until then she was a practising lawyer who had recently completed her term on Diocesan Council and the Legal Committee. Sherril was a Diocesan Representative to General Synod and a member of the Diocesan Audit and Risk Committee.

Sherril is a parishioner at Surfers Paradise and became Chair of Council of St Hilda's School, Southport, in 2010. She relinguished this role to take up her position at the ASC.

Sherril hopes to strengthen goverance structures and supportive relationships with the schools. She is also aiming to raise the presence of the Anglican Ethos and make a positive contribution to the Diocesan goal of One Church One Mission.

South Australia's State Representative

Mr Chris Prance

Dip T, B.Ed, MACE, MACEL

Christopher (Chris) Prance is the Principal of St Peter’s Woodlands Grammar School, an Anglican Co-educational Early Learning to Year 7 School in Adelaide.

Prior to his appointment to SPW, Chris was the Head of Primary at Pedare Christian College in Adelaide, and before that, Vice Principal of Kormilda College in Darwin. In earlier years, Chris worked as a teacher and Principal with the South Australian Education Department, a time he describes as ‘life shaping’.

Chris is married to Judi, also a teacher, and they have two adult children who both work in Adelaide, which is a delight.

This will be Chris’ second opportunity to give back to Anglican Schools Australia as the South Australian representative on the national Management Committee. Chris believes he has been greatly blessed by participating in the life of the South Australian Anglican Heads Forum, and hence appreciates the opportunity to represent SA Anglican schools on the national ASA Management Committee.

In his spare time, Chris and Judi spend as much time as possible at their 'beach retreat' enjoying the great outdoors, the beach, and the southern vales community.

Tasmania's State Representative

Dr Rob McEwan

EdD, MEd, BEd, Dip Teach, GCertICT Ed, GCertBA 

Dr Rob McEwan has had a distinguished career in education, first as a classroom teacher of music from all levels (Kindergarten to Year 12) and more recently in senior leadership positions. Rob commenced as Headmaster of The Hutchins School in Hobart, Tasmania in January 2017 and prior to this, held the position of Head of Senior School at Scotch College in Perth, Western Australia and Deputy Headmaster/Head of Senior School at Newcastle Grammar School.

He has a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Tasmania, a Masters in Education from the University of New England and a Bachelor of Education from the WACAE. He has additional qualifications in information and communications technology and business administration. He is also a member of the Australian College of Educators (MACE) and the Australian Council of Educational Leaders (MACEL).

Rob’s doctoral thesis focused on student motivation. He is committed to excellence to education and has been involved in a range of initiatives, including the development of critical thinking skills programs in schools in Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia.

Rob is an active member of the Anglican Church. Rob is married to Gaye and has a son, Tom. His interests include music (playing the trumpet), sport (cricket and Australian Rules Football) and he enjoys classic car restoration.

Victoria's State Representative

Mrs Debbie Dunwoody

BSc DipEdGrad DipCurr Admin MACE FACEL Vic 

With a 31-year career in education, Debbie Dunwoody has held diverse leadership positions at a number of Christian schools. Debbie is currently the Principal of Camberwell Girls Grammar School in Melbourne and she is passionate about ensuring excellence in a holistic education.

Debbie's vision is to ensure that Camberwell girls develop an entrepreneurial mindset and feel confident in themselves as learners and as creative problem solvers. She is focussed on developing compassionate leaders who are prepared to be catalysts for change in the world.

Western Australia's State Representative

Ms Kerry Robertson

BA, HDE, MACE

Kerry is the Principal of Frederick Irwin Anglican School, a co-educational Kindergarten to Year 12 school with a Primary/Secondary School campus in Meadow Springs and a Primary School campus in Halls Head, Mandurah.

Kerry began her teaching career in girls’ schools in South Africa, transitioning to boys' education upon arrival in Australia, teaching English at Christ Church Grammar School for nine years and thoroughly enjoying the position of Head of House. Her next career move was to a coeducational environment at John Wollaston Anglican Community School, which took her from Head of Student Development to Deputy Principal – Pastoral Care to Senior Deputy Principal over a seven year period. She is currently in her eighth year as Principal of Frederick Irwin Anglican School.

Kerry is passionate about education and believes that students who feel safe and valued for who they are and for what they can personally achieve have the best chance of success; the same is true for staff. She is also committed to continual improvement, always looking for opportunities to enhance the many aspects of education for students.

Chaplain

The Reverend Matthew Shorten

BAppSci(SCU) BTh(CSU)

The Reverend Matt Shorten has been Chaplain at Lakes Grammar - An Anglican School on New South Wales' Central Coast for more than ten years. He says it is an absolute privilege serving the Lakes Grammar community and he particularly loves seeing 'our young people grow, learn and discover who they are in this world. To share the love of God with them and hear their faith stories is such a blessing. The older I get the more I am appreciating the significance of Jesus' action in our world and in our lives'.  

Matt and his wife, Annette, have three daughters - Edan, Brooke and Tahlia. The family loves spending time with friends at their farm. It's here that they feel they can relax and unwind. Closer to home they enjoy visiting the beach and swimming in the lake at the bottom of their street. In addition, Matt loves the round ball game and has followed Liverpool which he terms 'the greatest team' since he was eight. He still plays in an over 35s' competition but says though the 'mind is willing, the body is not so much!' 

Chaplain

The Reverend Canon Nicki Colledge

BA, GradDipEd(Sec), MTh, MEd(Leadership)

The Reverend Canon Nicki Colledge is the newest member of the Management Committee. She is currently the Chaplain at St Margaret's Anglican Girls' School in Queensland. A secondary teacher for over 20 years, Nicki combines her love of educating with her vocation as an Anglican priest. Formerly a teacher of English and geography, along with Religious and Values Education, she was ordained in 2000 in the Diocese of Brisbane. St Margaret’s is her second Anglican school as chaplain, and the third Anglican school of her teaching career.

Nicki is passionate about sharing a Christian faith and spirituality that is relevant and engaging. In her role as school chaplain a day may involve storytelling and singing with Pre-Preps to an in-depth discussion with senior students about science and religion. She recently completed a Masters of Educational Leadership, with a particular focus on Spiritual Leadership within an Anglican school. Nicki is married to Richard and their two daughters are current students at St Margaret’s.