

2025 PRINCIPAL’S WELCOME

Welcome to 2025 at St Luke’s Grammar School and I hope that you are looking forward to the year ahead. Over the past few days, it has been inspiring to meet with our leadership team and staff to ensure a positive start for our staff and students.
Our school holidays were bookended with two tragedies that have weighed heavily on many in our school community. In December, we lost our beloved Junior School Head of Christian Studies, Deb Peters, after a brief battle with cancer. Over 300 members of our school community attended a memorial service at the school early in the holidays where we reflected on Deb’s love and care for the students she taught and the way she modelled a life of faith, service and encouragement. In her memory, an olive tree was planted in our Junior School playground at Dee Why with plans for another to be planted at Bayview early this term.
Earlier in January, we were devastated to learn of the tragic and untimely death of Irene Park (Year 9 2025). I am grateful for the staff and families that rallied to support those most closely impacted by Irene’s death. Through BeYou training, our staff are being equipped to support each other and our students as our community navigates grief and loss.
Amid the challenges, we also have much to celebrate as we start the new school year. Our 2024 HSC results demonstrated outstanding achievements by our students, ranking St Luke’s 45th in the state, above many selective and partially selective schools. Impressively, despite our Sydney Morning Herald rank being slightly lower than 2023, a greater proportion of students had ATARs above 90 (46%) and 80 (77%) than in the previous year. This reflects our commitment to a culture of learning and the results are a testament to the dedication of our students and staff. We look forward to hearing how the class of 2024 serve and impact the world in the years to come.
As we start the year, our leadership team has articulated three strategic priorities for 2025:
1. A Culture of Care and Belonging:
We aim to ensure students feel connected, hopeful, and engaged, making the most of daily opportunities.
2. Engaged and Curious Learners:
In an age of information overload, we remain committed to fostering curiosity and deep thinking, helping each student reach their potential. This week, Simon Brooks shared strategies with staff to promote thinking and independence.
3. Thriving Staff Wellbeing and Growth:
Supporting staff wellbeing and professional growth directly impacts the flourishing of our students.
As we begin the new school year, I encourage you to access the School Portal and review the School Diary with your child to reinforce expectations around uniform and behaviour. Our staff will set high standards, knowing that our wonderful students inevitably rise to the standard we set.
I am excited about the year ahead and look forward to welcoming all students back to school in the coming days. At church in early January, I heard the phrase “twenty-twenty-thrive.” I hope that will be your experience in 2025.
Geoff Lancaster, Principal

st luke’s students are
justice, compassion &Joy GRACE, humility, kindness, Showing resourceful, relational, restorative+resilient. reflective,
2025 LEADERSHIP TEAM

















Rebecca Willis Assistant Head of Junior School Bayview
Gaby Smith Assistant Head of Senior School
Ross Andersen Assistant Head of Junior School Dee Why
Geoff Lancaster Principal
Jane Hughes Business Manager
Kester Lee Deputy Principal
David Chilton Head of Ministry and Service
Jenny Pollock Deputy, Academic Strategy
Kathryn McDonald Head of Senior School
Melanie Bryden Head of Junior School Dee Why
Peter Scott Head of Junior School Bayview
Mark Liddell Head of Learning and Innovation
Alana Koch Head of Wellbeing
Craig Baker Director of Operations
Stephen Buchanan Director of Performing Arts
Alison Milton Director of Teaching and Learning (C-6)
Sam Powell Director of Studies (7-12)
Introductions

SAM POWELL DIRECTOR
OF STUDIES (7–12)
I am thrilled to take on the role of Director of Studies (7-12) at St Luke’s Grammar School and look forward to contributing to the growth and development of our Senior School students. Having been part of the St Luke’s community for the past four years, it’s exciting to step into this expanded role and work alongside the talented staff to support students in their academic journey.
With previous experience at Sydney Grammar School, I bring a strong background in guiding students through the complexities of their academic pursuits. In my role, I will be working closely with Heads of Department and the
wider teaching staff to ensure a high standard of learning and compliance with curriculum requirements. I am passionate about fostering an environment where students can thrive academically and personally, preparing them for success both within and beyond the classroom.
I was educated and taught in the UK, where I developed a strong foundation in mathematics education, and I look forward to bringing a global perspective to my work at St Luke’s. Outside of school, I enjoy watersports, hiking, and spending time with my family. My wife and I are busy with our two children, and we make the most of our weekends exploring the local area and enjoying the outdoors.
I am excited to work with such a dedicated team and to contribute to the ongoing success of St Luke’s Grammar School.

Staff Movements
2025 Arriving Staff
BAYVIEW CAMPUS
Alexandra Lyon Junior School Teacher
Madeleine Stead Education Intern
DEE WHY CAMPUS
Myrtha Bauer Library Assistant
Alexandra Boase
Student Futures and Partnerships Coordinator
Hayley Creed TAS Teacher
Patrick De Souza Senior School Teacher – English
Cheley Gallate
Education Intern – Christian Studies and Mathematics
Bethany Gourlay (Beth) School Psychologist
Milana Gusavac
Senior School Teacher - History and Social Science
Claire Hoare Head of Learning Enhancement
Jacinta Kearney Junior School Learning Enhancement
Krystle Maguire
Senior School Teacher –PDHPE (LSL Cover Term 1)
Christina Mao
Languages Teacher
Emma Pritchard
Education Intern - English
Alice Russell Junior School Teacher
Amy Woodward Christian Studies Teacher (C-6)
Current Staff in New Positions1
BAYVIEW CAMPUS
Sarah Batten Grade Leader Year 3
Michelle Brixen Grade Leader Year 6
Bronwyn Glen Grade Leader Year 1
Richard Marrett
Christian Studies Teacher
Diana Robertson RAP Coordinator
Acting Assistant Head of Junior School - Bayview (Terms 3-4)
Liana Smith Junior School Teacher
Natalie White Grade Leader Year 4
DEE WHY CAMPUS
Jo Armfield
Acting Year 9 Coordinator
Rosie Campbell Grade Leader Year 2
Jason Faulks Grade Leader Year 5
Joanne Frawley Junior School Teacher
Rebecca Hildebrandt Senior School Teacher – Music
Marian Hutson
Risk and Compliance Coordinator / Community Liaison
Josh Irving Senior School Teacher – Christian Studies
Ethan Lowry Senior School Teacher –Mathematics
Sally Olsen Grade Leader Cottage
Sam Powell Director of Studies
Silvia Searles Year 7 Coordinator
Charlie Suters
Junior School Head of Chisholm House
Cheryl Turi Grade Leader Kindergarten
1 These roles are in addition to their current teaching positions.
2025 Leave
Jennifer May Long Service Term 1
2024
ABOVE 99
HARRY TURNER ATARS
45TH IN STATE
All Rounders
ALLRO UNDER S 8
DARCY FAIRCLOUGH
ZARA HERLIHY
JONAH HOLLIS-PATEL
JOHNATHAN LI MATILDA MARKEY-SMITH
ALEX MCNEIL
LILLY PRESCOTT

13 HNOMINATIONS SC EXHIBITION RANKINGs 2 state
1ST school ON THE NORTHERN BEACHES INDEPENDENT
STATE RANKINGS
2nd ROCKY V Swedish Continuers
7th EMILY SEWELL Biology
LEADERSHIP
JUNIOR School
School Captains – BAYVIEW


School Captains – DEE WHY


Reid Gaynes
Frankie Graham
Timothy Pockley
Elodie Geotti
LEADERSHIP
SENIOR School
PREFECTS




School CaptainS


School VICE CaptainS






Henriette Miller
Amali Hall
Alana Cheetham
Vyvhaan Bhargava
Cassius Sheehan
Thomas Mans
Zachary Miller
Teagan Hardaker
Zara Amundsen
Azaniah Afualo
Zachary Buchanan
Benjamin Grimmer


DEE WHY CAMPUS
Cottage – Year 12
210 Headland Road, Dee Why NSW 2099
Senior School: +61 2 9438 6200
Junior School: +61 2 9438 6250
BAYVIEW CAMPUS
Cottage – Year 6
1977 Pittwater Road, Bayview NSW 2104
Junior School: +61 2 9979 5755
office@stlukes.nsw.edu.au stlukes.nsw.edu.au