2025 Principal's Welcome

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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

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

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