Headquarters:

Gadigal Country, Sydney Square, Sydney, NSW 2000

Year founded:

1885

Number of employees:

306

Phone:

+61 2 9286 9500

Email:

info@sacs.nsw.edu.au

Website:

sacs.nsw.edu.au

LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/school/st-andrew's-cathedral-school

“We prioritise embracing cutting-edge technologies, creative problem solving and continuous improvement to enhance our premium funding solutions and provide exceptional value to our clients”

Dr Julie McGonigle

Head of School

Brad Swibel

Deputy Head of School (Secondary)

Rhonda Robson

Deputy Head of School (Primary)

Leadership

Dr Julie McGonigle is an internationally renowned teacher and school leader and a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts. She is the recipient of a number of awards for teaching and leadership, including a Global Teacher Award, and national recognition for her Outstanding School Leadership. Originally from Northern Ireland, she studied English Literature and Language at Queens University Belfast before pursuing postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford. She completed a Master’s and then a PhD in Philosophy in Education. In 2017, Dr McGonigle was seconded to St Andrew’s Cathedral School for a year as Deputy Head, Academic Improvement, where she led on evidence-informed approaches to teaching and learning. Dr McGonigle then took on the role of Head of School for both St Andrew's Cathedral School and Gawura School in 2022.

Head of School

Dr Julie McGonigle

Brad Swibel is responsible for overseeing academic progress, wellbeing, cocurricular, policies and staffing across the Secondary School. He has led teams to introduce and develop the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), Character Strengths, Positive Education, Data Dashboard analytics, a restorative action discipline system, as well as establishing approaches to evidence-informed teaching and Christian education. Winner of the Dr Alan Loughlin Leadership Award and the ACEL NSW Leadership Award, Swibel is an outstanding educational and transformational leader.

Deputy Head of School (Secondary)

Brad Swibel

Rhonda Robson oversees the Junior School and Gawura School at St Andrew’s Cathedral School. Rhonda has overseen the development of high-quality teaching and learning programmes that have led to exceptional academic improvement. In addition, intentionally individualised pastoral care and student wellbeing programmes have created a warm and joyous culture, where all children are valued and thriving. At the end of 2021, Robson was awarded Primary School Principal of the Year for all Independent schools, across Australia, by the Australian Education Awards. This prestigious award was given in recognition for her work to transform St Andrew’s Cathedral School's Junior School into the outstanding school it has become. Rhonda brings much expertise – she has taught for more than 30 years and been a primary school principal in two schools for more than 14 years. She has taught at primary, secondary and university levels, both the HSC and the International Baccalaureate and has lectured in Educational Psychology and Developmental Psychology.

Deputy Head of School (Primary)

Rhonda Robson

BRETT BASTOW, IQUMULATE PREMIUM FUNDINGs

Leadership

Dr Kirsten Macaulay

Deputy Head (Quality Teaching K-12)

Dr Kirsten Macaulay leads the ongoing development and excellence of teaching across St Andrew's Cathedral School. Beginning her career as a music teacher, she went on to become Head of Performing Arts before being appointed Director of Teaching at St Andrew's Cathedral School in 2018 – a role that allowed her to pursue her passion for supporting teachers and improving student outcomes. In 2020, Dr Macaulay was awarded the Dr Paul Brock Medal (Australian College of Educators, NSW) for Commitment to Educational Excellence. Her leadership continues to shape a culture of quality teaching through professional learning, thought leadership educational conferences and coaching, grounded in a Christian ethos.

Deputy Head (Quality Teaching K-12)

Dr Kirsten Macaulay

Nicola Warwick-Mayo

Executive Director of Operations

Nicola Warwick-Mayo is responsible for the business and operational aspects of the School. This includes Operational and Strategic Oversight of IT, Risk Management, Facilities, Community Engagement and Fundraising. She is a Chartered Accountant and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Before she came to the School she worked primarily in finance roles in the Financial Services and Corporate Treasury sectors. Warwick-Mayo is passionate about enabling better strategic decision making through effective analysis and communication of information, as well as developing and leading teams that have a positive strategic impact. She loves the opportunity to have collaborative input into the many different activities that support teaching and learning.

Executive Director of Operations

Nicola Warwick-Mayo

Stevens & Associates Lawyers is a leading and trusted employment law firm based in Sydney known for delivering high-quality legal expertise in the area of employment law and industrial relations across Australia, alongside a proven track record of effectively and swiftly resolving a variety of workplace law issues. In the past year, the firm’s growth has been notable. It has: • experienced a 213% growth in the number of client matters, increasing from 149 client matters in the 2022 financial year to 390 client matters in the 2023 financial year • improved its online visibility, leading to over 50 online enquiries each month and a conversion rate of client leads of up to 40% • significantly expanded the breadth and type of matters that it advises on day to day, which has increased the firm’s skillsets, diversity and resilience • expanded its community outreach by collaborating with local Sydney venues for client seminars and continuing active participation in a Sydney small/family business group Stevens & Associates Lawyers has adapted to digital trends by implementing an effective strategy with SEO and web design, resulting in a structural shift that has seen increased representation of employees where the firm previously mainly advised employers. The firm’s recognition as a “Fast Firm” attests to its momentum in the employment law space.

“IQumulate is on a technology journey, and we’re just getting started”

Wayne Tower, IQumulate Premium Funding

Phil Thai

Director of People and Finance

Jackie Isenegger

Director of Strategy and Marketing

Kathy Pallasis

Manager, Human Resources

Pam Chhabra

Manager – Residential Strata

Phil Thai has over 15 years’ experience as a Chartered Accountant. Following the completion of his Bachelor of Commerce at UNSW, Thai worked with Ernst & Young for six years and the Australian Red Cross for five years. He joined St Andrew’s Cathedral School in 2022 as Director of Finance, taking on the role of Director People and Finance in 2024. Phil enjoys seeing organisations reach their strategic goals, through collaborative and respectful decision making. He loves growing high performing teams where the whole is greater than the sum of individuals.

Director of People and Finance

Phil Thai

Jackie Isenegger brings a wealth of commercial experience to her role as Director of Strategy and Marketing. Isenegger's experience covers roles in advertising and marketing, and client-side in fundraising, development, community engagement, marketing, strategic planning and sustainability. Jackie came to St Andrew’s Cathedral School in 2018 and since then has facilitated much of the School's strategic direction, most notably the 2020-2025 St Andrew's Cathedral School Strategic Plan, the recent 2024 Restoration Action Plan and the School's inaugural First Nations Strategic Plan. She is currently facilitating the development of the 2026-2031 St Andrew's Cathedral School Strategic Plan. Jackie is passionate about driving social justice and leading meaningful change, harnessing the dynamism and energy of the School environment. Her leadership continues to shape more inclusive, future-focused Schools —where strategy and purpose go hand in hand.

Director of Strategy and Marketing

Jackie Isenegger

Kathy Pallasis, manager, human resources at Frontier Software, leads HR strategy and operations from Melbourne. She oversees policy development, employee relations, and internal communications, working closely with senior leadership and cross-functional teams. Pallasis is known for her clear, responsive communication and collaborative approach. She manages employee records, supports strategic planning and coordinates workplace logistics. With experience in enterprise software, payroll systems and governance, Pallasis is a trusted resource for internal stakeholders. She holds a humanities degree, is a member of AHRI, and actively contributes to continuous improvement and inclusive workplace practices through policy and operational leadership.

Manager, Human Resources

Kathy Pallasis

Stephen McMillan first entered the financial services Industry when he joined GE Capital as a finance analyst in 2008, from which he progressed through roles working both onshore and offshore. From there, he moved into Pacific Premium Funding as a financial planning and analysis leader in 2012 and was a key resource in the evolution of the business, first with the successful sale to Macquarie Pacific Funding and then the following progression into IQumulate Premium Funding, where he is now the commercial manager. As commercial manager, McMillan leads a team that is responsible for commercial analysis and business support, identifying and reporting improvement initiatives, and the securitization and treasury functions of the business.

Commercial Manager

Stephen McMillan

One culmination of these efforts has been the real-world, needs-based IQEdge solution. A one-stop online quoting tool designed for both the Australian and New Zealand markets, IQEdge delivers quotes in under 60 seconds. Plus, the solution offers quote comparison and quote versioning capabilities, enabling users to review vital historical and financial data in a single page view. IQEdge can streamline and automate application processing, underwriting document verification and payment collection, cutting the need for manual labour and minimising processing errors. A digital “self-service” platform, IQEdge, reduces the need for customer and administrative support. Meanwhile, borrowers can access their accounts, make payments and manage their policies independently and through sales and support teams, which are always available for further assistance. “We’ve created a quality platform that simplifies the quoting process yet amplifies the customer experience,” says Gordon. “It’s a real game changer.” IQumulate offers an online digital quoting tool to clients. The best-in-market solution enables IQumulate to tailor funding offerings to brokers that align with their prefered distribution channel.

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What does IQumulate have in mind for the future? “IQumulate is on a technology journey, and we’re just getting started,” says Wayne Tower, CEO. “Through continuous engagement with our clients, partners, marketplace and industry, we will listen to the needs as they arise and position our business to be agile and respond to changes as they occur. “Faster decision-making innovations such as AI-powered decision support systems can expedite the underwriting and approval process, leading to quicker responses to clients. This can improve client satisfaction and potentially attract more business, creating a competitive advantage with the potential to allow IQumulate to command premium pricing or capture a larger market share. “As forward-thinkers with a digital and ‘do it better’ mindset, we collectively and proactively look to learn and improve on our customer experience for our clients, paving the way for successful business outcomes for our clients and our business in the coming years ahead. “We’re excited for the future and look forward to what’s on the horizon.”

Adam Basaldella

Manager – Claims

Product Manager

Claire Watson

Commercial Manager

Stephen McMillan

Claire Watson

Product Manager

Claire Watson

Product Manager

Claire Watson

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Spokesperson, Salesian College Chadstone

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Spokesperson, Salesian College Chadstone

Ivan Verescuk

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director

Shaun O’Brien

Head of Underwriting

Emily Walker

Head of Strata and Development

Rex Oakman

Head of Operations and Risk

Sandy Newton

Head of Underwriting

Andrew Mitchell

Manager – NSW

Michael Prokopis

Manager – Southern Region

Pam Chhabra

Manager – Residential Strata

Jeffrey Valdivia

Manager – Commercial Strata

Adam Basaldella

Manager – Claims

St Andrew’s Cathedral School is a school unlike any other. For 140 years, it has been Sydney’s quintessential city school – a vibrant, diverse and future-focused community shaped by the dynamic heart of the CBD. Grounded in its Christian foundation, The School holds deep convictions about the value of each child – believing that every student is precious, deeply loved by God and uniquely gifted for a purpose. This belief underpins everything the School does, from academic programmes to student wellbeing. Character and conviction are at the heart of a St Andrew’s Cathedral School education. These qualities lay the foundation for academic excellence and holistic pastoral care, helping students to grow in wisdom, resilience and hope – so they can use their learning to positively shape the world around them. Teachers at St Andrew’s Cathedral School are experts in their fields who thrive on the relational nature of education. They are deeply involved in the growth of each child, both in and beyond the classroom, and are continually developing their own practice through a forward-thinking professional learning programme. At the heart of the School is Gawura School, recognised nationally for its outstanding First Nations-led approach to education. As noted by the 2020 School of the Year judges, Gawura is “a lighthouse programme in Indigenous education with wonderful, almost unheard-of outcomes.”

IQumulate invests in education and people, which are vital to attracting new business and talent to the company. “We have long tenures for several of our key staff, including some in leadership positions, and this sound working knowledge of our business, practices and industry provides great insights and a wealth of experience to offer our clients,” says Bastow. “Our new head of sales, Graeme Gordon, formerly manager for New Zealand, joins us in Australia to drive our sales strategy and lead our team to successful outcomes for our clients and our business. We look forward to great things ahead with Graeme as he continues to be active and present in the New Zealand market as well as building sound working relationships and new connections in Australia.” Clients can also expect a lot from working with IQumulate. “Through active engagement with our trusted broker network, IQumulate provides relevant information, education and training content,” says Graeme Gordon, head of sales. “Our clients can expect IQumulate to support their business in several ways, providing an understanding of what premium funding solutions are available and how IQumulate can spread the cost of insurance and help borrowers get the right level of insurance cover to free up their cash flow for other expenses or business growth opportunities. Premium funding is often considered a tool for those who simply cannot afford to pay their premiums in full. While this is certainly a significant driver for many, it is also successfully used by profitable companies who use premium funding to manage their cash flows more wisely or better manage their liquidity.”

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Benefits

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Culture

Diversity, equity and inclusion

Innovation

Reputation

Sustainable programs

Overall

Under the leadership of Principal Mark Ashmore and the College Board, Salesian College Chadstone fosters a positive, professional and growth-oriented environment. With a focus on continuous improvement, the college has achieved record academic results, rising ATAR scores, stronger attendance and national recognition in child safety, including the 2025 Victorian Protecting Children Award. The college celebrated the outstanding achievement of Year 12 student Thomas Maguire-Nguyen, who was named Overall VCE Leader of the Year by the Parliamentary Secretary for Education, Nina Taylor MP. The college has also proudly led the way in innovation through its partnership with Uniform Group and designer Peter Morrissey to launch Australia’s first bespoke, designer-curated school uniform collection, coinciding with the opening of the new Year 7 and 8 Precinct campus in 2026. Salesian College Chadstone’s extra-curricular program develops students’ talents and passions in team environments. Key activities include house sports, debating, peer mentoring, Associated Catholic Colleges (ACC) sports across 55 teams, instrumental music and public speaking. The college collaborates with its partner Girls Schools Sacred Heart Girls College and Avila College for musical productions, leadership experiences and community events, providing the opportunity for cross-school teamwork and connection, reinforcing the college’s commitment to holistic development, leadership and community engagement. Technology is another priority and underpins the college’s strategy of delivering a contemporary education. Over the last 12 months, the college has introduced a series of initiatives: ICT Future Directions committee – exploring the use of technology for communication, data analysis and learning Risk Wizard – risk management, incident tracking and compliance monitoring software Employee Connect – HR and onboarding software Alumnly – integrated cloud-based Alumni Networking and Management Platform for Alumni of Salesian College Chadstone Vivi – whole school wireless mirroring system for efficient classroom displays Intellischools – data platform for student results, attendance and security, aggregating student data for school improvement IVR (Interactive Voice Response) – system for telephone enquiry management Committed to diversity and inclusion, the college’s Learning Diversity team ensures the varied needs of students are met in an environment where every student can thrive. Salesian College Chadstone is a place where academic excellence, personal growth and community spirit converge, preparing young men for an interconnected world while staying true to its Salesian values.