The Structure of the Board

The School Board generally comprises up to 15 members.

Our 2022 board consists of:

1

Principal

4

Members of School Staff

8

Members of Parent Community

1

Parent

Nominated by the P&C

1

Community Members

Community member(s) selected by the School Board

Parents and community members will comprise the majority membership on the School Board.  This requirement is stipulated in the current Education Act regulations.

Harmony Primary School Board

Purpose of the School Board

The purpose of the Board is to enable Parents and Members of the wider community to engage in activities that are in the best interests of Students to support and enhance the education provided by the School.

Role and Responsibility of the School Board

The Board is responsible for all business required of it by the Department of Education or the Principal of the School, including but not limited to the following:

The Board is responsible for approving the following:

  • the Delivery and Performance Agreement;
  • the School’s Business Plan;
  • the Annual School Report;
  • appropriate spend through regular reviews of the one-line School budget;
  • charges and contributions as determined by the Principal for the:
    • provision of certain materials;
    • services and facilities;
    • participation in an extra cost optional component of the School’s Educational Programs; and
    • items to be supplied by a Student for their personal use in an Educational Program;
  • any agreements or arrangements for advertising or sponsorship in relation to the School.

The Board provides advice to the Principal of the School on:

  • a general policy concerning the use in School activities of prayers, songs and material based on religious, spiritual or moral values being used in a School activity as part of religious education and the implementation of special religious education;
  • allowing time for the special religious education of Students in the School, but the total number of hours so allowed in a School year is not to exceed 40.

The Board takes part in:

  • establishing and reviewing, from time to time, the School’s objectives, priorities and general policy directions, including participating in the development of the School’s Business Plan;
  • the planning of financial arrangements necessary to fund those objectives, priorities and directions;
  • evaluating the School’s performance in achieving them;
  • formulating codes of conduct for Students at the School;
  • Determining satisfaction levels of Parents, staff and Students, with results reported in the Annual School Report.
  • the selection of, but not the appointment of, the School Principal or any other Member of the teaching staff (with the approval of the Director General); and

The Board is responsible for:

  • promoting the School in the wider community;
  • determining, in consultation with Students, their Parents and staff, a dress code for Students when they are attending or representing the School.

The Board cannot:

  • intervene in the control or management of the School;
  • intervene in the educational instruction of Students;
  • exercise authority over teaching staff or other persons employed at the School; or
  • intervene in the management or operation of a School Fund.

Click here for the full Terms of Reference Document: (Link to document in the media folder)

Craig Anderson – Principal

While new to the Harmony Community in 2021, I have significant experience working in WA schools from the Wheatbelt to the South East Corridor of Metropolitan Perth.  With over 20 years’ experience as a School Principal, I spent the last 8 ½ years as Principal of Gosnells Primary School, an Independent Public School in Perth’s South East.

On the home front, my wife is an Early Childhood Teacher and I have 4 daughters 18, 16, 15 and 13 years of age, making for an extremely busy life away from school.  A sporting family, you are always a chance of catching us around the courts and playing fields across Perth.

With the education landscape constantly changing, I look forward to working with the Harmony Primary School Board to help shape and influence future changes to ensure we continue to meet the needs of our students and the wider Harmony community.

Berry Johnston – Board Chair

As a parent of 4 children, I am passionate about their school based and lifelong education that can be nurtured through my family, Harmony Primary and the wider community. 

I value the important relationship between a family and school and believe that schools play a vital role in the development of children across many domains, such as literacy and numeracy but also an important role in our children’s health and wellbeing. It is in this field of health and wellbeing that I feel I can offer expertise and support to Harmony Primary and members of its community as a parent representative on the school board.

I am an Occupational Therapist and I run a paediatric practice in Perth. A large component of this work includes contact with both government and private schools providing support and advice both to teachers, families and children. Through my professional and personal knowledge of child development, health and well-being and school participation, I aim to advocate for all of the children and families in our Harmony community.

Kirsty de Blanken

My husband and I have lived in Harvest Lakes since 2016 when we were lucky enough to obtain a vacant block of land on which to build our dream home in this fantastic area. We created our family here with two children and our eldest is in Kindy at Harmony Primary School.

Professionally, I work in the field of Health Promotion, which involves creating policies, environments and developing individual’s skills to improve health and reduce chronic disease.  Over the years I have worked with schools, local governments and hospitals to develop and implement programs in the areas of nutrition, physical activity, smoke free policy and sustainability to create healthier communities.

I am passionate about children getting the best start to life so they can have long, healthy, and happy lives and I look forward to contributing to the Harmony School Board to support our school and community.

Jennifer Parker

I am the parent of five children ages 9-20, with my first child commencing kindy at Harmony PS in 2006. Currently I have one child in Year 4 at Harmony, three children who attend Atwell College and one in full time employment.

Over the years I have seen many changes at Harmony, within the education system, and our community. Our family relocated to Queensland from 2010-2014 and this has given me a wider perspective of the differences in how other states prioritise and allocate funding to schools.

I bring to the board my experience as a parent who wants to support our school to provide all our children with the best possible primary school experience and outcomes possible. I strongly believe that schools and parents should work in partnership to ensure the educational, physical, social, and emotional needs of our children are being met.

Vassil Balakrishnan

I am a parent to two children in Harmony Primary School. We have been in Harvest Lakes since 2009 and I am also a committee member at the Harvest Lakes Residents Association.

I am a Mechanical Engineer by background and completed my postgraduate in Masters of Business Administration in 2013. I have worked in some of WA iconic projects like Argyle Diamonds and on the Gorgon Project. Currently I work at Water Corporation as a Team Leader. I am also a mental health champion at work, where I have been through mental health first aid training which enables us to provide support to colleagues at work who go through depression, anxiety etc.

I am passionate about seeing the children in Harmony Primary School excel in their education and for future parents to make Harmony Primary School to be a school of choice. I revived the Waterwise Program which is conducted by Water Corporation back into the Science Program in September 2020, by engaging the school with our organisation (Water Corporation).

I look forward to positively contributing to the board members and school community in the best interest of Harmony Primary School.

Jenelle Whitehead

With two children attending Harmony Primary in years 2 and 3, I have been a part of this wonderful school for over 4 years, with a few more to come. I have loved watching both my children learn and grow in such a positive and supportive environment.

I have a strong interest and a background in early childhood education and have spent the last 15 years working across state and federal government, in a variety of early childhood education and care compliance policy and operation roles.

I look forward to continuing working with the School Board and broader school community to help support the school’s ongoing growth and long-term success.

Megan Rollins

I am an early childhood education who is new to Harmony Primary School this year. I am currently one of the school’s Kindy teachers. Prior to this year, I worked as a Kindy and Pre-Primary teacher for six years both in Brisbane and Perth.

Rebecca Tibbels

I joined the wonderful Harmony Primary School community this year, gaining the position of Year 3 teacher and Literacy Coordinator. I have been teaching for 10 years, graduating as a mature age student, after transitioning from nearly 20 years in the Health Sector.

On a personal note, I am married with three boys who are all currently in high school. I believe in giving back to the community, hence am invested in my volunteering at Coogee Surf Lifesaving Club as the U12’s Age Group Manager and Vice Captain of Orange Patrol.

As an educator, I am passionate about educating the whole child and providing learning opportunities that engage and support children to become critical thinkers. I look forward to working with the School Board members to improve outcomes and support the growth of both students and the school community.

Jaye Vaughan-Davies

I am a staff member on the Board. I have 2 children (9 and 11), a husband and a gorgeous little puppy. In our spare time we enjoy being outside, whether hiking, going to the beach, riding our bikes, or adventuring somewhere in our caravan.

I have been a teacher in Harmony since it opened. In this time, I have taught Kindy, Pre-Primary and Year 1. It has been a pleasure to witness so many children I have taught go through the school years, thrive within our community, and develop into adulthood. I am currently in Kindy enjoying the pureness of our youngest students, helping them begin their learning journeys and getting to know the families entering (or returning) to this first year of schooling. I get to do this while also watching them having fun, building new friendships, and developing a love to learn.

I have also been a part of a lot of change within our school and believe it takes the views of administration, staff, parents, and the community working together to make a successful and enjoyable school community. As part of the Board, I am interested to work all the members to see what directions may be taken next, both at a school and community level.

Karolyn Ward

I have been a member of the Harmony PS community since 2011, when my eldest child started kindy. As a parent of three children, I feel my time at the school has allowed me the opportunity to observe a range of initiatives being implemented and how they have worked well to support the development of students, but also areas that would benefit from additional consideration in meeting student needs.

Further to my parenting experience, my professional background as a Clinical Psychologist of 16 years working in the private educational and allied health sectors and public disability sector has allowed me to develop extensive knowledge and experience in working within family and educational systems to support reducing challenging behaviours through understanding and meeting the individual developmental and mental health and wellbeing needs of school-age children and their parents/carers.  In my experience, when these needs are being met well, learning experiences for students flourish and has a positive flow-on effect for the broader system.  I feel this experience could be helpful as a Board member in supporting the ongoing development of HPS as a quality Independent Public School.

Brett Treeby

My wife Aimee and I are parents to three children. We have lived in Harvest Lakes since 2014 after moving back from Karratha after a nine year stint living in our beautiful Pilbara region.

I am a Mechanical Tradesperson that has worked in a variety of industries to now be the General Manager of Brown & Root Civmec which services the Oil & Gas and Energy sectors. I hold a Diploma of Project Management, a Graduate Certificate of Business Administration and Management, and will complete my Masters in 2020.

I am a strong believer in contributing to the wider community and I am an Auskick football coach for the Jandakot Jets and have been a Volunteer firefighter for over 25 years.

I look forward to working with the school community, parents, teachers and fellow board members to promote the ongoing success and growth of the Harmony students and our community.

Carly Williams

I am currently a 5/6 classroom teacher and PBS (Positive Behaviour Support) team leader, in my second year at Harmony Primary School. I believe students learn best when they have a sense of belonging, a passion for learning and clear, consistent expectations. I am working with Harmony staff to implement a whole school behaviour framework. This framework is designed to ensure the best academic, social and behavioral outcomes for our students.

Leah Vagel

Growing up in the country, community has always been important to me. Community brings people together and allows us to feel safe and secure whilst also helping each other when needed. I have been involved in the school community, through the Harmony P&C for the last 7 years and with the local community volunteering with Harvest Lakes Residents Association (HLRA) for the last 3 years. Prior to having my own children, I also volunteered for a long period with Radio Lollipop at Princess Margaret Hospital.

There is so much more than Numeracy, Literacy and Science that our children learn while they are at school. How to be part of their wider community and learning how to contribute positively to the world around them is also very important.

I have worked in the finance industry for 20 years and enjoy helping people achieve their financial goals and better understand how to make their finances work for them. Financial Literacy within the community is also something that I am passionate about.

I am looking forward to working with others on the Harmony School Board and helping to build a sense of community and belonging.