The School Advisory Council is responsible for the financial management and future planning of the school. It administers all the finances associated with the school and is responsible to the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia.
Notre Dame Catholic Primary School Advisory Council Members for 2023 are:
Advisory Council Chairperson: Mr Julian Twohig
After two years as Finance Officer for the P&F, and P&F Representative on the School Advisory Council, I am moving to the role of Chairperson of the School Advisory Council.
The last two years have demonstrated to me what a great school community we have thanks to the leadership of the ELT, and the contribution and participation of volunteer school parents in both the P&F and the SAC.
NDPS observably fosters an inclusive and collaborative environment that focuses on the wellbeing of the students and reinforces the foundations of faith provided by the Mercy and Presentation charisms.
My wife Claire and I have been part of the NDPS school community since 2017. This year we have Jonty in year 5 and Millie in pre-primary.
Professionally I am a Senior Manager working in project delivery for a software company.
Over the last three years I have also become an expert in working from home!
My goal is to provide value to the SAC and the broader school community leveraging the skillset that I apply in the execution of my day job.
I look forward to what 2023 holds in store for the school, and I look forward to being part of a robust, proactive, and thoughtful School Advisory Council.
Secretary: Mrs Petra Harries
My family has been part of the Notre Dame community since 2014. My eldest daughter, Emali, graduated from Notre Dame last year and is at high school this year. My other two children, Aria and Torin, are currently in years 5 and Pre-Primary.
I have a professional background in Health Science and Health Promotion and have worked in both clinical and office based roles across the private sector as well as Government and Non-Government Organisations.
I feel privileged to be a part of the School Advisory Group for 2023, and I look forward to being involved in the future planning of the school, as well as being of service to the staff, students and families.
Treasurer: Denise Fernandes-Dodsley
My husband Neal and I joined the Notre Dame Catholic Primary School (“NDCPS”) community in 2013. We have three children: Myles in high school; Milla in Year 6; and Marshal in Year 2. It has been our privilege to have our kids attend this wonderful school and a few years ago I joined the Parents & Friends Association (“P&F”) as its finance officer. Working with the P&F I was surrounded by many members of the school who sought to give back and build community. In 2021, I joined the School Advisory Council and it has been my pleasure working with the school in this capacity.
By way of background, I graduated from Curtin University with a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting & Finance) and a Master of Commerce (Economics & Finance). I started my career many years ago as a Kumon tutor in Math and English before spending approximately 18+ years as a chartered accountant including several years in senior management with KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers, and as a tutor, mentor, and research associate at Curtin University.
In 2018, I was nominated to Fellowship status by Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand. In 2018 I started my own accounting practice, and am a director of a private business, and run these whilst trying to navigate the (significantly more complex) world as a parent to three beautiful children.
As a member, I hope to bring my work and life experience and straight-forward approach to the Board. I look forward to working with the Advisory Council to the benefit of the school and its members.
Advisory Council Member: Erin Hunter
My husband Justin and I, and our children, have been a part of the school community for the last ten years. Our eldest son, now in high school, started Kindy at Notre Dame in 2011. His younger brothers are attending the school in Year 4 and Year 6. I’ve recently started a new position with a new company and have worked within Payroll and Accounts roles for various industries over the last 25 years.
I’ve been a member of the School Advisory Council for the last two years and previously a member of the P&F Association and enjoyed being involved where I can and helping to support the school, students and broader community. I look forward to working with my fellow Board Members in 2021.
Advisory Council Member: Clinton Perry
My wife (Mary-Anne) and I are the proud parents of two daughters. Our eldest (Caitlyn) is in year 3 and our youngest (Charlotte) is in 4 year old kindy. I commenced my professional career just over 18 years ago at Western Power after graduating from UWA with a Bachelor of Engineering. My journey started on the graduate program, before moving into the engineering and design (technical) space and then into various leadership roles of engineering and project delivery teams. The industry I work in is changing at a fast pace (for the better) and it relies on people with a good grounding in STEM and a passion for sustainability.
As an elected member of the Advisory Council, I hope I can play a small part in supporting the school to instil these values in our children and achieve other positive outcomes for the school and its associated community.
Advisory Council Member: Adam Zen
As a proud father of two children recently starting their Notre Dame CPS journey, I hope to be able to support the school, students, staff and broader community. I graduated from UWA with a Bachelor of Science (Exercise and Health) and a Graduate Diploma in Education. With 12 years of experience in public education I am now in management at a large public high school. I believe I will be able to provide a unique insight into strategic decisions and plans made to improve student outcomes and learning experiences. In our first year associated with the NDCPS community my family have been so impressed with the sense of community and values that the students, staff and parents represent and I look forward to continuing to add value to the school’s already fantastic reputation.
Advisory Council Member: Edward Carberry
I have worked for a Western Australian, family-owned business in a management role since its inception in 2007. I played an integral part in growing the company from an initial 3 employees to our current team of 20 and continue to be a committed and dedicated member of the senior management team. I am directly responsible for the Service department, including P+L responsibility, HR and OHS. To further complement my strategic, leadership, and financial acumen, I completed an MBA at the University of Western Australia in 2017.
My wife, Michelle and I have one child (Henry, Year 1) currently at Notre Dame, and another due to enrol in 2022. Michelle is actively involved with the P & F, and together we take a keen interest in how our school is performing now and the strategic direction it takes in the future, hence my eagerness and gratitude to be accepted to the Advisory Council.
I strongly believe that the skills I have honed through my MBA and work experience coupled with my passion for our children’s education, will make me a valuable addition to the Notre Dame School Advisory Council.
P&F Representative: Bec Blomfield
Our family have enjoyed being a part of the Notre Dame Community since 2014. We have 4 children, Elliette who graduated last year, Quinn, year 5, Sullivan, year 2 and Willa, 4 year old kindy.
I have been an active member of the P and F since starting at the school and feel privileged to take on the role as P and F representative on the board this year.
Professionally, I graduated from UWA in 2005, with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Masters of Psychology (Clinical). Since this time, I have worked in the public and private sector specialising in child and adolescent mental health. I currently work part-time as a Senior Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Team Leader of a large private practice. I am passionate about mental health education and promotion both on a clinical, and personal level.
I value the opportunity to give my time and energy to supporting to develop our school, and the social, and emotional well-being of our children.