Leadership and Governance

With over 35 years’ experience, Wendy has worked in manufacturing, accounting services, independent schools and tertiary colleges. She has qualifications in accountancy, education and philanthropy.

Wendy’s experience includes financial management, strategic planning, risk management and governance. She is the Chair of the Invergowrie Foundation, a philanthropic Foundation focused on advancing the education of girls and women in Victoria.

Wendy is also Executive Officer of the Collier Charitable Fund. She was CEO of Girl Guides Victoria from 2004-2014.

Ted is an independent Information Technology (IT) consultant across a range of business sectors including Education, Federal, State and Local Government and utilities throughout Australia and New Zealand.

His background includes more than 30 years of Executive Management roles in the ICT industry, with experience in leading-edge technology including software development and requirements, business application consulting, plus technical, infrastructure and strategic ICT consulting.

Ted’s first contact with The Knox School was in 1997 when his son and daughter started in Years 7 and 5 respectively. In 2000 Ted joined the School Council, which he chaired from 2003 to 2007. Ted commenced as a member of the Board in August 2007.

Craig is a Solicitor and Notary Public and is Principal of Spagnol Legal, a city-based legal practice.

Before taking up law, Craig was a teacher at The Knox School from 1989 to 1999. He held positions including House Coordinator and Head of the Commerce and Humanities Faculties.

Sandra currently holds the position of Project Director at the VET Development Centre. Her business background includes executive management in the arts and education sector, including international students and the ESOS Act. She has attained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, together with additional studies in Human Resources, Education Law, Registered Training Organisation legislation, Compliancy, and Training & Assessment in the Vocational Education and Training sector. Sandra was also awarded an AbaF Margaret Lawrence Scholarship which enabled her to undertake professional development at Melbourne Business School, Mt. Eliza Campus.

Sandra’s first contact with The Knox School was when her daughter and son commenced Pre-Prep in 2001 and 2003, respectively.

Sarah is a former student of The Knox School, which she attended from 1988 to 1995. Sarah returned to the school in 1999 to form the Alumni Association and in 2001 joined the school council for four years until 2005, when she resigned to relocate to London to work at one of the Magic Circle law firms.

Sarah returned from London in 2009 and is currently a Senior Lawyer at ANZ.

Ahmad is a finance and accounting professional with over 14 years of experience in audit and assurance. He is a Director and Head of Audit & Assurance at Accru Melbourne and is passionate about helping the not-for-profit sector. Ahmad has served on not-for-profit Boards previously and works with numerous independent schools in achieving their financial objectives.

With over 20 years of experience in education, Nikki, originally from the UK, came to Australia from St George’s International School in Switzerland where she held the role of Head of the English and Drama faculty for seven years. In this role, she implemented the International Baccalaureate Diploma and redesigned the Middle Years English program.

Prior to joining The Knox School at the start of 2020, Nikki was Director of Senior Years at Melbourne Girls Grammar (MGGS) and Acting Deputy Principal. She was instrumental in leading various projects and teams in the Middle and Senior School.

Student agency and “leadership beyond the badge” are areas that Nikki has championed, working closely with students to develop a range of philanthropic and enterprise initiatives.

With her passion for collaborative leadership, student-centred approaches, community engagement and innovation in education, Nikki continues to be excited about her role at The Knox School, especially a return to co-education and furthering the four pillars of our strategy.

Outside of school, Nikki enjoys spending time at the beach with husband, Bren, and her pet spoodle, Dood!

Dwayne, a Chartered Accountant, worked for 13 years as Financial Controller of the Australian Football League (AFL). He has amassed a wealth of experience in the not-for-profit and professional sporting sector, having held various roles during this time working with Boards and Executive teams across the country.

Dwayne enjoys spending time and travelling with his family, playing football, basketball and golf, and enjoying learning how to make his own wine at a family vineyard in the King Valley.

Liana has amassed a wealth of experience in the field of education, having worked in five schools across three countries in various leadership positions focused on enhancing teaching and learning.

Passionate about education, Liana exhibits a fervent interest in numerous facets, such as curriculum design, pedagogy, learning spaces, professional development, student well-being, project-based learning, technology integration, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

Phillip joined TKS from mid-2022 with over 17 years’ experience as a passionate Teacher of History, specialising in Ancient History, and educational leader having worked in several of Australia’s high-profile schools.

His educational philosophy is entrenched in the importance of ‘belonging’ and the development of each student as a whole person – mentally, physically, and socially/emotionally – and giving them every chance to lead, flourish and grow whilst helping them develop the necessary skills to succeed in the 21^st Century.

Phillip has a keen passion for travel, and has visited some amazing countries in the world with highlights including Iran, Papua New Guinea, and Nepal.

Simon is a TKS alumni from 1995. Upon graduating from TKS, he completed a degree in Community Development at Deakin University, leading him to work in the international community development sector. He was a board member of an educational charity in Cambodia, and this position directed him to education. Simon completed a degree in both primary and secondary education. He has taught in various roles across both primary and secondary in the UK and  Australia, with his last position being at Melbourne Grammar School.

Simon has a strong focus on the inquiry process through a concept-driven curriculum and the Design Thinking Model. In the Junior School, Simon oversees curriculum development with a strong emphasis on student agency and voice. He collaborates and plans with all Junior School staff.

In his own time, he enjoys travelling, especially to Cambodia, where he still maintains strong connections to the educational set.

Toni-Ann started her teaching career in South Africa, cementing her belief that all students have the right to access quality education that provides the best opportunities available and meets students’ academic and pastoral needs.

Further teaching and leadership roles in the UK and Australia provided a wealth of operational, administrative, curriculum and strategic experience across a range of learning environments.

She hopes her enthusiasm and love of learning inspires others to engage positively with their education.

Outside of School, Toni-Ann enjoys spending quality time with friends, motorsport and travelling extensively with her husband, Brian.

Travis is an Educational Leader at The Knox School.

He is an authority in Learning and Teaching with expertise in Assessment, Digital Project Implementation, Mentorship and Timetabling.

He is a passionate advocate for designing and teaching transdisciplinary electives that encourage student agency and choice who believes the skills and dispositions acquired by students through these programs are of vital importance as they leave school and enter an increasingly uncertain world.