Meet our board

As an Independent Public School, Harrisdale Primary’s School Board has a strategic role of setting the long-term direction for the school and maintains oversight (not management) of the School Business Plan.

The School Board:

  • contributes to the School Delivery and Performance Agreement and the Business Plan;
  • endorses and reviews the annual budget; reviews the performance of the school;
  • assists with Principal selection when a vacancy arises; approves arrangements for sponsorship or advertising;
  • liaises with other committees within the school;
  • and holds one open meeting each year to report to the school community.

The School Board does not:

  • run the day to day operations of the school;
  • discuss individual issues relating to teachers, staff or parents;
  • represent specific interest groups, or permit special interest to dominate meetings;
  • intervene in the educational instruction of students; nor
  • performance manage the principal or any other staff member.

It is not about running the school – that is the job of the Principal – but rather, providing additional expertise to help the school achieve the best outcomes for students. The role of the School Council (board) is outlined in the Education Act 1999.

The Harrisdale Primary School Board consists of 11 members that each bring experience as parents, educators and/or community members. Parents are welcomed to contact Ben Foster, Board Chair

The Harrisdale PS Board welcomes your input into our school. If you wish to contact the Board Chair and School Principal please use the below form.

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Harrisdale PS School Board

Meet our board 1

Megan Klompmaker
Executive Officer & Staff Representative

Having worked in the Education Department for the past 9 years, I feel very fortunate to have been chosen to work at a school that strives for excellence and achievement from both staff and students. I have strong established administration and financial skills, having spent many years working in the private sector for companies such as Westfield. Having two High School aged children, I was actively involved in their Primary School both through the P&C and School Board. I look forward to working with the School Board as we continue to grow as a community.

Meet our board 2

Anelle Young
COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVE

I appreciate the opportunity to express my interest in joining the Harrisdale Primary School Board.  With extensive experience working as an Occupational Therapist, I come equipped with skills and experiences I believe can contribute positively to our school.

 My career has exposed me to diverse clinical areas, where I’ve implemented quality improvement projects and enhanced care.  I am keen to bring abilities in project management, strategic planning, and outcome assessment to support Harrisdale Primary School’s growth.  These skills align with key board responsibilities:

  • Holistic Assessment and Problem-Solving: My Occupational Therapy background provides a distinct perspective, emphasising problem-solving skills that can enhance students’ well-being within the school environment.
  • Collaborative Teamwork: My work in diverse teams has taught me the power of collaboration.  I aim to foster teamwork within the board, leveraging our school community’s strengths.
  • Strategic Planning and Innovation: My experience leading quality improvement projects equips me with strategic planning to enhance learning opportunities at Harrisdale Primary School.
  • Empathy and Communication: Effective communication and understanding are central in my practice, promoting an inclusive school environment and valuing each student’s journey.
  • Lived Experience with Neurodiversity: Drawing from personal and professional experiences, I’m committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all students can flourish.

Currently working as a Teaching Academic at Curtin University’s School of Allied Health, I’m involved in preparing students for the workforce through innovative practices.  By bridging the gap between academia and practice, I strive to drive meaningful advancements in healthcare delivery, aligning with Harrisdale Primary School’s values.

I appreciate the opportunity to express my interest in joining the School Board and offering my multifaceted skills, passion for education, clinical expertise, commitment to innovation and understanding of disability challenges to shape the school’s future and positively impact the community.

Meet our board 3

Karen Duncan
School Principal

As a child, I can’t remember ever wanting to be anything else other than a teacher and here I am many years later, living my childhood dream on a much larger scale than I ever would have believed possible. It is such an honour for me to win the position of Foundation Principal, Harrisdale Primary School and I look forward to leading this school to become a highly successful and high care school.

 

Graduating from the West Australian College of Advanced Education- Churchlands campus in 1981, I began teaching in 1982 and have worked in a variety of educational settings over my thirty six year career. I have taught in rural schools in the Pilbara and the Wheatbelt, and in metropolitan schools. I have taught a range of year levels from Kindergarten to Year 7.
Over the years, I have also worked in Central Office, Regional/District Office and WestOne K-12 Curriculum Services in the area of curriculum leadership.

 

I began working in an administrative capacity as a deputy principal initially in 2000, and won my first principal position in 2010 as principal of Medina Primary School. I have held principal positions at Medina, Koorana, Ardross and Harrisdale Primary Schools.

 

I have been very humbled in my tenures as principal to be :

  • State Finalist in the WA Education Awards Primary Principal of the Year, 2013,
  • Awarded a Certificate of Excellence by the Australian Council for Educational Leaders in 2014,
  • Nominated for Outstanding Leader in Aboriginal Education (WA) in 2103,
  • Winner of a WA Primary Principals’ Association ‘Leading from the Front’ Award in 2016 (with $10 000 grant for leadership development), and
  • Nominated for inclusion (and participated ) in the Experienced Principals’ Program in 2017, a joint venture between WA Catholic Education and Department of Education.

 

My leadership of Harrisdale Primary, is a great honour. We have a highly supportive community and one that greatly values education. Whilst we hold the title of currently being the most rapidly growing primary school in WA, we can more importantly, hold our head up high and proudly announce, that we are a school that puts students and learning at the centre of all that we do and that we continually strive to develop the unique potential in each and every child.
My leadership has focussed on three pillars of:

  • Student Success
  • Excellence, and
  • Innovation.

 

Respectful relationships, care and compassion are at the core of my leadership style. If you see me out and about, be sure to say hello.

 

My goal is for Harrisdale Primary School to be recognised as an excellent school, characterised by high student performance and high care.

 

I look forward to continuing to work with our school community to achieve this goal.

 

Karen Duncan
Foundation Principal, Harrisdale Primary

Meet our board 4

Aaron Bowling
Community Representative

I want to be on the School Board because I want to help ensure our school is the best possible place for our children. My son graduated year 6 in 2020 and I have a daughter in year 6 and a daughter in year 2. I have a lot of Board experience and I have been on our Harrisdale Primary School Board for 5 years. I have a Bachelors Degree in Business Management and an MBA as well as a lot of experience managing large projects. I am the President of another Non-profit and I have a good working knowledge of Board governance and financial management. I want to help our great school continue to thrive.

Meet our board 5

Lily Pu
Elected Parent Representative

My name is Lilian and I have two children attending Harrisdale Primary School, Alison in Y2 and Paul in Pre-primary. We have lived in the area for the last 11 years and have seen the community growing over the time. It’s a place we are happy to be in and are committed to. I am a full time carer for my kids with one of them having additional needs. Prior to having kids I was a Human Resource lead for an oil and gas service company and with experience in that field for over 14 years. I have also worked in different countries with multicultural teams. I have completed a Masters in Human Resource Management and other professional training in the past. And I am currently studying Cyber security to explore a new opportunity with a balance between my career and having a family. My work experience over the years has helped me to build skills including but not limited to problem solving, critical thinking, leadership, team work and adaptability.
 
As a Mum, I am interested in preparing my kids for the future through education. I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with school and all stakeholders to make Harrisdale Primary School  the best place for our kids to grow and serve the community. 
Meet our board 6

Cam Busby
Elected Parent Representative

Our family have been involved with Harrisdale Primary School since 2019, when four of my five daughters began attending the school. And even though we only have one daughter remaining in the primary school as of this year, you will still be seeing our faces each day for at least the next three years.
 
Although I have not served on a school board before, I know I would be a valuable member. My family have lived in the Harrisdale area since 2011 and in that time, we have built and nurtured some strong ground roots within the local community.
 
After serving in the WA Police for seven years, I have an intrinsic instinct to protect the safety and welfare of the children, protect their innocence and protect their right to access a world class education.
 
Eight years as a supervisor managing a large team has allowed me to expand my skills in communication and strategic planning.
 
I am invested in seeing our school continue to grow from strength to strength. I believe having a school producing students of integrity and character is one of the cornerstones for a better community.
Meet our board 7

Ella Selfe
Staff Representative

Hi, my name is Ella Selfe and I currently teach Year 1 at Harrisdale Primary School. I am a foundation staff member, initially employed as a Special Needs Education Assistant whilst completing my teaching qualification, I am now entering my third year of teaching. I am so grateful to be a member of such a dynamic, collaborative and supportive community where students are the centre of all that we do. I am passionate about teaching in the Early Years and feel privileged to be able to contribute to ensuring every child is provided with the skills and foundation to succeed academically, socially and emotionally. I have seen the school grow and adapt over the years and look forward to participating as a member of the Board to assist in the decision making that will shape its future development.
Meet our board 8

Suma Kaja
Elected Parent Representative

I begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of this land and pay respects to their elders past and present.

 

My name is Suma Kaja, I live with my husband Suresh Kaja and our 2 children in our neighborhood Harrisdale. Our children attend Harrisdale Primary.

 

I hold bachelor’s degree in Engineering. I am a certified management professional, working for Rio Tinto as a Project Manager. I’ve held several other positions prior and accomplished significant milestones. I specialize in management, have worked in various sectors such as mining, utilities, banking etc., and have a passion towards technologies.

 

Proficient in Providing Strategies, Plans, Budget management and Cost Controlling methods, defining, and redesigning processes and policies, defining vision and planning road maps to achieve the same. Have identified areas of improvement and implemented changes seamlessly to keep up with the current world.

 

In business or for community, I believe in innovation, at times I also go back to traditional methods depending on the scenario. I have had an opportunity to work with leaders from diverse backgrounds such as police, community services, and educationalists fora Non-Profit Organization’s project via Leadership WA to help them with Marketing Strategy.

 

Being a board member, I would like to extend my services to the school in every possible way I can which includes but not limited to reviewing objectives from time to time, help in financial planning, track performance, consult students and parents as per the need, set up of educational programs, general policies, advising, sponsorships, fund raising etc.

 

I am confident that my skills, professional and personal experiences are strengths to hold board member position. Looking forward to closely working with the principal, other board members, the students, and the families.

Meet our board 9

Nicky Grandidge
Staff Representative

My name is Nicky Grandidge and I joined Harrisdale Primary School this year, currently teaching Year 1. I have been teaching for six years and had experience in range of diverse schools, teaching primarily years 1-3. I am passionate about building strong foundations in the early years and instilling a love of learning that children will carry throughout their schooling. It is a privilege to be a member of the collaborative and dedicated school board. I look forward to applying my experience to contribute to Harrisdale Primary School’s success, ensuring that each student is known, valued and cared for.