Seminar for New Principals

Valerie Gould became the Executive Director of the Association of Independent Schools of WA in July 2008. She has worked for many years in the Western Australian education system with her first four years teaching Economics and Mathematics. The following seven years were spent working in New York with Ernst and Young, and being greatly involved in the introduction of microcomputer applications into business. She returned to WA in 1986 as Director of Computing at St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School for seven years.

During the early 1990s she worked with the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (at the time the Secondary Education Authority) for four and a half years before joining AISWA as the Manager of Curriculum and Australian Government Targeted Programs. She has been with AISWA for more than 10 years and has worked closely with schools and other stakeholders in the areas of curriculum change, Curriculum Framework and Senior Secondary Education; and in meeting government regulations from a national and state perspective. Valerie has a Bachelor of Economics and a Diploma of Education, and is a Fellow of the Australian College of Educators and the Australian Council for Educational Leadership.

Ron is Deputy Director of AISWA. He has extensive experience in teaching and leading a diversity of schools in WA and Victoria.  Ron manages innovative programmes and university partnerships for AISWA. He is a member of the Global Educators Leaders Partnership and has been awarded Fellow of Australian Council of Educational Leadership (WA). Ron is also past-Chair of the Australian Children’s Laureate Foundation, advocating for Australian authors and illustrators and working closely with the Australian Children’s Laureate.

Jan Clarke has been with AISWA since 2008. She has 40 years of primary and secondary teaching experience, including G&T and Computing, HoLA for T&E and Certificate qualifications. She actively incorporated ICT in her teaching for over 30 years and has a strong belief in its potential for student engagement and learning. Jan has a BEd (Curriculum), Grad Dip in Comp Sci (Education) and a Cert IV in WTA. On behalf of AISWA she has: led the roll-outs of all WACE T&E subjects, the ICT Capabilities and K-10 Technologies subjects; represented AISWA for ISA, SCSA and ACARA and various STEM initiatives; supported the DER; collaborated with universities on research projects; delivered keynotes, papers and workshops at national and international conferences; developed and shared many practical ICT-related resources, including internationally published works; and managed the multi-skilled AISWA Tech Team. She takes great pride in supporting WA Independent Schools.

Toni Tomlin is a Lead Psychologist with the AISWA School Psychology Service who has been working in Independent schools for almost 25 years. Toni has a special interest in autism, speech and language disorders, and trauma-informed practice.

Lisa Robertshaw  has been with AISWA for over 20 years and is the Executive Officer of the AISWA Capital Grant Association and AISWA Low Interest Loans Committee. Lisa can be contacted to discuss your school’s eligibility for Commonwealth Capital Grant funding and/or State Government Low Interest Loan Scheme funding.

Kris has 30 years of experience in School and tertiary education, and education policy across a variety of roles. She has a deep understanding of State and National curriculum policy and the policy process, and best practice in curriculum leadership, and teaching learning. Since 2017 at AISWA, she has designed and led many effective education initiatives focused on improving teacher quality and facilitating student success. Kris currently represents the WA Independent school sector on the Department of Premier and Cabinet (and Ministerial) appointed School Curriculum and Standards Authority Curriculum and Assessment Committee. 

Between 2007-2014 Kris was A/Manager & Principal Consultant at the School Curriculum and Standards Authority, where she provided leadership and strategic policy advice for all WA schools. Kris has a Master of Education and has lectured widely in Pre-Service Teacher Education and Public Health.

Wendy manages the Early Childhood consultant team for AISWA. Her role involves supporting all Independent Schools across WA with children aged from 3 to 8 in matters relating to early childhood pedagogy, compliance, curriculum, assessment, and leadership.   Wendy manages the Preschool Reform Agreement implementation for the Independent School sector. Wendy also represents AISWA in the Independent sector on policy and regulatory matters.

Wendy has gained experience and wisdom from working across a variety of school settings in her 30 years as an early childhood teacher and leader.

Wendy has a strong belief that a high-quality early education program is a right for all children and that this will support them to become healthy, engaged, active, and informed citizens of the future.  

Lynne joined the Inclusive Education team at AISWA in April 2017 where her roles have included Inclusive Education Consultant, Inclusive Education Coordinator, and currently Consultant - Child Protection.  She brings experience in filling various roles within schools, particularly in the areas of disability and leadership. During her time as Principal, Lynne has been passionate about creating an inclusive school culture and community, and quality teaching and learning. She has been involved in supporting and mentoring school leaders, and school registration, particularly in child protection and disabilities. 

Lynne currently provides support to all AISWA schools in child safety and child protection. She is the AISWA contact in assisting inquiries related to child abuse including mandatory reporting and works with other child safe /child protection agencies.