The School Board plays an important role in contributing to good school governance so that school resources are used efficiently, and community expectations and the school’s priorities reflect the needs of students. The functions of councils and boards are covered by legislation and include both approval and advisory roles.
The School Board is made up of the Principal, elected community members, teachers, parents and students. The Board meets in our Board Room twice each term, at 5.15pm on Monday, Week 3 and 7. Meetings times may change so please check our school calendar to keep abreast of any changes.
Board 2024
Chairperson
Mathew Della Franca
Mathew is the current Chair of the Board and a member since 2021. His focus is working with school leadership on strong governance of the school, focussing on the planning and funding for the new STEM facility, as well as improving the facilities of the school. Mathew has lived in Lesmurdie and Pickering Brook all his life and has a business background of 25 years in Sales and Project Management in the Oil & Gas and Mining industries.
Vice Chair
Chris Wessels
Chris has served as a Board member since 2021 working closely with the school leadership to ensure a positive impact on our students’ learning environment while maintaining good governance. Chris has called Lesmurdie/Kalamunda home for the past 10 years and currently works as a Financial Accounting Manager for an Engineering firm.
Principal
Kerry Chipchase
As a long serving Public School Principal and teacher for over 40 years, Kerry has worked on many school Boards in different secondary and primary contexts. She has been a member of the Lesmurdie Board for 5 years. Kerry’s focus is to ensure that the Board has authentic and positive relationships with the school and community to improve policies and practices, provide approvals and advise on board matters. This includes a focus on future building planning and works, exploring new community and industry partnerships, involvement in the new STEM build and participating in school events.
Manager Corporate Services (ex-officio)
Bronwyn Thornton
Bronwyn has worked for the Department of Education in a Manager, Corporate Services role for over 20 years and in Independent Public Schools since their inception. She has a background in banking and holds a Certificate IV in Business and a Graduate Certificate of Education Business Leadership. Her “Why” is to enhance possibilities to ensure our students have the best possible start to lifelong learning during and following school.
Staff Representatives
Emma Gallager
New to the role of Board member in 2023 and currently Senior School Manager, Emma has been involved with Lesmurdie Senior High School as a staff member, parent and citizen in the community since 2005. With a strong interest in building links between the school and the wider community, her position on the LSHS Board allows her the opportunity to have a genuine impact in more areas of school operations and business.
Donna Gardiner
Donna has previously been on the school Board at both Mt Lawley SHS and Willetton SHS. An English teacher by training, she has worked in public education for over 30 years both in the Goldfields and metropolitan schools and has a strong interest in Gifted Education and working with students at educational risk to create success for all students! She is the Deputy Principal for School Improvement and Innovation.
Hayley Trueman
Hayley qualified as a HaSS teacher in the UK prior to emigrating to Australia in 2006. Since Hayley joined Lesmurdie in 2020, she has taught a range of classes and abilities, ranging from ATAR modern history to the focus Year 7 HaSS/ English class. She is passionate about students of all abilities reaching their full potential and using a wide and varied style of teaching methods to engage students in their learning. She was the Teaching and Learning Coordinator in 2022.
Parent Representatives
Brendon Boyes
Brendon has been community representative on the Board for 18 months prior to joining as a parent representative. He is passionate about promoting education and recreation opportunities and environments to assist all students towards a bright future. He is a professional engineer in the oil and gas industry and bring to the board skills in data analytics, finances, document review and communication.
Renee De Prazer
Renee is a newly appointed parent representative to the LSHS Board commencing this year. With a background in nursing, and current role as a hospital executive, Renee is keen to offer her transferrable skills in governance, leadership and management. She is passionate about hearing the voice of the vulnerable and facilitating a platform to strengthen governance, improve culture and enhance performance.
David Hodges
Dave has spent the last 25 years as a professional engineer and business leader in the Oil and Gas industry. Recently appointed to the board in 2024 and currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Teaching, Dave is excited to apply his passion for STEM to enhance the school community’s educational programs.
Chris Tung
Chris has been a Community Representative on the LSHS board for several years and in 2023 moved to become a Parent Representative. Chris brings a wealth of life skills and IT expertise to LSHS, supports strong governance of the school and is driven to make a better place for students, teachers and the school community.
Community Representatives
Anmol Kumar
Anmol is one of the new additions to the School Board as a community representative. Having studied Biochemistry, he currently works as a chemical specialist within the oil and gas industry. Being a graduate of LSHS in 2018 and a local, Anmol is eager to voice the concerns of the surrounding Lesmurdie community and students alike.
Student Representatives
Year 12
Grace Innes, Grace Reid, Annabel Zwickl
Board Minutes
Terms of Reference
Code of Conduct