Thank you to everyone in our community for your interest and feedback following my previous VSV Life piece. Your engagement is deeply valued and reminds us how important it is that every voice is heard in shaping our school’s future.
This year, our School Council brings together a remarkable group of individuals whose diverse backgrounds, skills, and experiences are a true asset. I’m pleased to introduce our members:
Fiona Webster (Executive Principal, Department of Education Member): A leader in educational innovation, Fiona ensures our curriculum and student support are delivered with excellence, bridging both traditional and virtual operations.
Lena Berias: Lena holds the position of Executive Assistant to the VSV Executive Leadership team and is the principal liaison for the School Council and its associates. Lena utilises her extensive administrative and organisational expertise in fulfilling these duties with care and professionalism.
Adrienne Warner (Department of Education Member): Leading programs and engagement initiatives, Adrienne brings vital middle-years insights and ensures the student experience remains relevant and supportive.
Nick Irvine (Department of Education Member): As a teacher, Nick aims to provide practical input into Council discussions with a focus on the day-to-day experiences of students, families and staff. Nick’s various roles at VSV have allowed him to engage with a large cross-section of the school.
Kristen Glenister (Parent Member): Kristen’s research and health of rural community’s background, and role as a parent representative ensures wellbeing and family voice are central to our decisions.
Michael Collins (Parent Member): Michael ensures the priorities of families with senior students are at the forefront as we plan for student pathways and wellbeing.
Pat Brophy (Department of Education Nominee): Pat brings system-level expertise on governance, compliance, funding, curriculum and school improvement, keeping Council aligned with Victorian education policy.
Penny Addison (Department of Education Nominee): Penny’s presence ensures Council remains informed on broader system imperatives related to curriculum, assessment, professional learning and school improvement at scale.
Professor Michael Henderson (Community Member): As a researcher at Monash University, Michael provides invaluable expertise in digital education and innovative pedagogies.
Professor Susan Sawyer (Community Member): Susan, a leader in adolescent health, ensures student wellbeing, transitions, and safety are built into every Council discussion.
Wai Ling Ko (Vice President, Parent Member): Wai Ling brings strong leadership and a parent’s perspective to enhance community engagement and governance. She is deeply committed to fostering inclusion in education and ensuring every student feels supported and valued.
Shaahid Mohamed Naser (Year 12 Student and Student Member): Shaahid contributes to the Council as a senior student voice, offering insights on learning, wellbeing, leadership, and engagement from a student perspective. As a representative of the VSV Student Representative Council, he values collaboration and works to strengthen communication between students and the school community.
Charlie Washington (VSV Student and Student Member): Charlie feels privileged to be on the Council as a Student Representative. He has been enrolled at VSV for the past 3 years and considers the most fulfilling part of his journey so far is being on the Student Representative Council, and the Health Promoting Schools committee.
Tara Blanchy (President, Community Member): As an organisational coach with corporate and board experience, and a background in behavioural psychology, Tara is committed to great team work along with inclusive and best-practice governance.
Our council’s diversity of professional backgrounds and lived experience, coupled with student and staff representation and community voices, means our decisions are enriched with multiple perspectives. This collective wisdom helps us respond to challenges creatively, keep student wellbeing at the centre, and ensure our strategies reflect the needs of all families, students, and staff.
We are committed to transparent, collaborative decision-making and encourage your ongoing involvement whether through feedback, school events, or simply raising ideas with council members. A position has recently become available on School Council, and we are accepting expressions of interest. To find out more about joining School Council, or to ask any questions you have, please be in touch -via [email protected]. We would love to hear from you and would be very happy to have a chat!
Tara Blanchy
School Council President
