College Board

Michael Houlihan, Chair

I am passionate about our young people being given every opportunity to achieve their goals. I believe ELTHAM provides the environment and necessary educational philosophy to enable this to occur. I have been a parent associated with the college for 13 years with my eldest child graduating in 2014 and youngest in Year 4.

Ruth Bailey, Vice Chair

My reasons for being on the Board are to ensure that "Parent Voice" is represented. My involvement in ECCA ensures that the connection between student - school - parent is preserved making ELTHAM a positive experience for all. I am committed to ensuring ELTHAM maintains high levels of governance whilst providing an interesting, diverse and quality education for our children.

Jim Grant, Vice Chair

I have vast and varied experience in education; corporate and community organisations. This combined with considerable media experience enables me to serve the College well in a number of areas. As a former teacher I am a strong believer that education is of paramount importance in society.

Neriman Kara

I have had an amazing journey at ELTHAM since 1999 with my two children and witnessed firsthand how the school, staff and program prepare our young people to pursue their passion and fulfil their maximum potential in this ever changing world. I coach and mentor many young graduates and my personal passion is to develop our young people to excel in the ‘Connected World’. I want to continue to drive ELTHAM’s philosophy in a world full of ideas and innovation so we enable our young people to break stereotypes and invent an equal, brighter future for us all.

Clare Steven

I’m an energetic team player, improvement agent and marketer, with a commitment to ELTHAM's continued growth in reputation and student success. With three children currently attending the College in the Junior Years, I look forward to a long association with ELTHAM.

Paul Munnings

I am committed to the values and philosophy of ELTHAM College, such as fostering each learner's individual talents and passions and celebrating success. I believe that further expanding the broad range of experiences on offer will give our students the best possible education.

Paul Northey

As a new family at the school, we have quickly established a passion for what the school offers and are looking forward to contributing to the school’s future.

Rick Taranto

I am excited about the genuine collaboration between young people, teachers and families to create a unique environment, which not only enhances academia but recognises individual talents, aspirations, abilities and passion for lifelong learning. Education is essential for our young people in today's world but at ELTHAM the focus is on developing the whole person for life beyond schooling. Our children received a fabulous introduction to the College beginning in the ELC 3 program in 2002.

Dr Chris Ward

My connection with ELTHAM began in 1982 as a Year 7 student. Now, my three children are here creating their own memories. I welcome the opportunity to support the exciting work being undertaken by the ELTHAM Board and offer my skills in outcome-focused collaboration, grounded in evidence, best practice and innovation.

Geoffrey Ward

My daughter is currently in Year 10 and as my third child to pass through the College I wish to help other children embrace the opportunities the College offers. I continue to be amazed at the work the College does to transform our children into young adults ready and confident to take on the world. I’m seeking to continue the aspirations of the College, to look for new ways to grow, improve its standing in the community whilst maintaining a strong financial base.

Stuart Wenn

The school’s strong focus on developing the whole person (growing hearts and minds) is something I am very passionate about, as we look to provide experiences to best prepare our young people for life in the twenty first century.

ELTHAM is one of Australia’s few truly independent schools led by a Company Board responsible to parent members. It is not affiliated with any religious or government organisations and has the freedom to dream and set its own strategic directions. The College Board is ultimately responsible for the overall educational and financial policy of the College. One parent of each family is required to take up membership, which entitles them to vote or stand for the College Board.

Governance at ELTHAM

ELTHAM is a not-for-profit public company, Eltham College Ltd. Its Members are those parents nominated on enrolment as the Company Member.  They are entitled to attend and vote at the AGM. If you are not sure who is the Company Member in your family, please email lburleigh@elthamcollege.vic.edu.au. The Board has the responsibility, the same as any public Company Board, to ensure the corporate integrity of the Company and to set strategic and overall policy directions. The Board delegates operational responsibility to the Principal. Directors govern the school under the Corporations Act (2001) and ASIC regulations and must carry out their fiduciary duties accordingly.

Each Company Member will receive the Annual Report, information on the AGM, a call for nominations for Director and proxy voting forms during March each year. Please put the date in your diary or plan to give your proxy to Reception so that we have a quorum. You may nominate any Member as a proxy.

There are twelve elected Directors who are elected for three years. Four retire each year. They are eligible for re-election.

The Principal is appointed as a director each year. The Principal is chosen first and foremost because of his/her capacity for educational leadership and, through this, the capacity to provide the vision and leadership for an executive team, staff, students, families and the wider community.

However, we also see that leadership is a role expected of all staff and, as they develop and learn, of all students. Our staff work in self-managing teams with leadership roles allocated appropriately to the leadership task and the team members. Students have a wide range of leadership opportunities as individual students, in collaboration with peers and working together with staff.

Board Directors

You can find out more about our Board Directors by clicking on their name to view a profile.

Michael Houlihan, Chair
Ruth Bailey, Vice Chair
Jim Grant, Vice Chair
Neriman Kara
Paul Munnings
Paul Northey
Clare Steven
Rick Taranto
Chris Ward
Geoff Ward
Stuart Wenn

Simon Le Plastrier, Principal
David Nicholson, Secretary and Business Manager

Annual General Meetings

2018 ELTHAM College Annual Report [pdf]
2017 ELTHAM College Annual [pdf]
2016 ELTHAM College Annual Report [pdf]
2015 ELTHAM College Annual Report [pdf]
2014 ELTHAM College Annual Report [pdf]
2013 ELTHAM College Annual Report [pdf]
2012 ELTHAM College Consolidated Annual Report [pdf]
2011 ELTHAM College Consolidated Annual Report [pdf]
2010 ELTHAM College Consolidated Annual Report [pdf]

ELTHAM College Constitution

To access the guidelines that document how the College is governed please click here.