Staff Spotlight

Nicholas Townsend Deputy Head of Junior School St James’ Anglican School

I have been the Deputy Head of the Junior School at St James’ for five and a half years now and I am a foundation staff member. My main role is supporting the Junior School staff in the areas of the curriculum and pastoral care, but I also coordinate professional development and manage the Junior School Document Centre, also known as the intranet. Being there for the staff, listening and giving advice is what makes me tick in my role as Deputy. In addition to my administrative tasks, I deliver most of the Christian and Values Education (CAVE) lessons in the Junior School. I am deeply interested in all things religion, but what I enjoy most about teaching CAVE is that I get to know every student in the School.

Before working at St James’, I worked at Peter Carnley Anglican Community School for eight years, also as a foundation staff member. My teaching journey began at Peter Moyes Anglican Community School in 2007 as a Year 5 teacher. Prior to teaching, I completed a Bachelor of Business in Marketing and Electronic Commerce and worked in various administrative positions, including a receptionist at a hostel for homeless men in Manchester, where I was born. Outside of school, my passions include weightlifting and CrossFit, baking, technology and fashion. At St James’, all ideas are welcomed. There is a constant strive for innovation and improvement – part of what makes the School such a vibrant, dynamic and inclusive place. This is why I love working at St James’ Anglican School.

introducing...

Shannon Allen Head of Operations St George’s Anglican Grammar School

When I completed my Bachelor of Arts in 1998 there was no way I was going to follow in my mother’s footsteps down the teaching path! It turns out that I never stood a chance – I was meant to be a teacher and I feel blessed to be one every single day. I am an English teacher, and always will be. But I have always been open to immersing myself in all facets of education. And, despite moving between a range of learning contexts and systems, including the Department of Education and, more recently, Catholic Education, it is the Anglican system that keeps calling me back; first at Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School, then Perth College, and now at St George’s Anglican Grammar School.

My role at St George’s is the Head of Operations, a perfect synthesis of my skills and experiences from the classroom and as a Head of Learning Area. I thrive on the challenge that every day presents and being only 6 weeks into the role I have a lot of learning to do! I am a big believer in being a lifelong learner and it’s so important to keep pace with the changing landscape of education, to keep finding challenge in different roles and responsibilities. I appreciate the openness of Anglican schools and their willingness to embrace diversity. I am glad to be home. Daniel Lehman Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS) Teacher St Mark’s Anglican Community School

I am blessed to currently lead the Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS) team at St Mark’s. I have been a teacher for 18 years both in the UK and Australia. In that time, I have taught almost all HaSS related subjects at an ATAR or (UK) A-Level. My experience includes teaching Modern History, Geography, Business, Sociology as well as HaSS in Years 6 to 10. I hold a BA in Politics and International Relations as well as a Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary Social Science). I have also achieved a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and Management. Since returning from the UK to teach in Australia I have been heavily involved with the School Curriculum and Standards Authority. This includes being a member of the Curriculum Advisory Committee for Modern History in formulating the current ATAR and General curriculum in Year 11 and 12. I have been employed as a marker for both the ATAR Modern History and Business, Management, and Enterprise Examinations. I am currently the Chair of the Curriculum Advisory Committee for HaSS in Years 7-10 at the School Curriculum and Standards Authority as well as being nominated as the Western Australian teacher representative selected to provide feedback as part of the Australian Curriculum and Reporting Authority (ACARA) review of the Australian Curriculum for HaSS. I’m a passionate advocate for all things HaSS and the need to develop students equipped with the knowledge and skills for success in the modern world.