Headquarters:

25 Chapel Street, St Kilda, Vic 3182

Year founded:

1895

Number of employees:

300

Phone:

03 8530 3200

Email:

community@stmichaels.vic.edu.au

Website:

stmichaels.vic.edu.au

LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/school/st-michaels-grammar-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”

Gerard Houlihan

Head of the School

Emma McDonald

Deputy Head and Head of Senior School

Nicole Armatas

Deputy Head and Head of Junior School

Leadership

Appointed in September 2022, Gerard Houlihan has been with St Michael’s since 2001, holding various leadership roles. He is a strong advocate for lifelong learning and personal agency. Houlihan was awarded an Australian Council for Educational Leaders Fellowship in 2020.

Head of the School

Gerard Houlihan

With over 20 years of experience in pastoral care and educational leadership, Emma McDonald focuses on adolescent development, wellbeing and academic rigour. She has held roles such as director of curriculum and head of house and is dedicated to creating learning environments that amplify student voice.

Deputy Head and Head of Senior School

Emma McDonald

Joining St Michael’s in 2020, Nicole Armatas has led significant enhancements in learning spaces and programs. She holds a Dip Ed, B Ed and M Ed from the University of Melbourne and has extensive experience in curriculum development and leadership.

Deputy Head and Head of Junior School

Nicole Armatas

BRETT BASTOW, IQUMULATE PREMIUM FUNDINGs

Leadership

Farai Mufuka

Director of Business

Appointed in May 2017, Farai Mufuka brings extensive senior leadership experience from Epworth HealthCare. He oversees business and operational services, contributing to strategic planning and leading multidisciplinary teams.

Director of Business

Farai Mufuka

Yass Sidaros

Director of Co-curricular Programs

Yass Sidaros has spent over 16 years at Hills Grammar, which has enabled him to see that what works for one student may be different for another. In his role as the director of the co-curricular program, he oversees the operation and strategic development of the school's co-curricular program, ensuring it is able to maximise the opportunities for all students in their areas of interest. The program has six core areas, including music, leadership and service, sport, outdoor education, STEM and the creative, spoken and performing arts.

Director of Co-curricular Programs

Yass Sidaros

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

Christine Furner

Director of Professional Learning

Claire Napoli

Director of Advancement and Engagement

Adam Wollins

Director of ICT

Pam Chhabra

Manager – Residential Strata

Chris Furner has held a number of teaching and leadership positions across state and independent schools. A career highlight has been the completion of a PhD on how to boost teacher learning across all career stages as a means to improve practice and accelerate student learning outcomes. She enjoys developing whole-school staff development initiatives and professional learning programs that inspire and encourage teachers and leaders and coaching them towards “outstanding teaching”.

Director of Professional Learning

Christine Furner

As the director of advancement and engagement, Claire Napoli’s role encompasses internal and external communications, enrolment, branding, school events, community relations, alumni, archiving and reception. She has a degree in business and over 20 years of marketing and business development experience. Napoli started her career in public relations and event management before moving into marketing and business development roles in the professional services sector, particularly corporate law firms.

Director of Advancement and Engagement

Claire Napoli

Adam Wollins joined Hills Grammar in July 2023. He has over 20 years of experience in the education sector, including in schools, TAFEs, universities and the NSW Department of Education. He has a proven track record in the effective creation, development and leadership of high-performing ICT transformational and operational support teams.

Director of ICT

Adam Wollins

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

“Titles like ‘Best School’ are the by-product of putting people first – students, teachers and families. That’s what drives excellence and innovation”

Dr Adrian Camm, Westbourne Grammar School

“We hire for character as much as capability – humble, hungry and smart – then invest deeply in their growth. That’s the engine of our success”

Dr Adrian Camm, Westbourne Grammar School

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

Founded in 1895 as a school for girls and coeducational since the 1970s, St Michael’s Grammar School has been a leader in progressive, coeducational learning communities for 50 years. The school is renowned for its exceptional academic and wellbeing programs, as well as its commitment to innovative and holistic approaches to teaching, learning, and care. St Michael’s empowers each student to embark on a lifelong learning journey with courage, confidence and a strong sense of social justice, ensuring every graduate leaves with the skills, knowledge and character to contribute meaningfully to the world.

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

Compensation

Culture

Diversity, equity and inclusion

Innovation

Reputation

Sustainable programs

Overall

Wellbeing is a priority, with flexible work arrangements, reduced teaching loads, allied health services and personal training. Equity and inclusion are central, reflected in a gender pay gap of ~20% in favour of women and a leadership team where seven of 11 executive roles are held by women. This people-first approach sits alongside a strong commitment to innovation. Under the stewardship of Principal Dr Adrian Camm, 2025 Australian School Principal of the Year, Westbourne has achieved record enrolments and is planning a new 1,500-student campus. Initiatives such as AI and Drone Academies, avatar technology connecting the community across 100 languages and sector-leading wellbeing programs further distinguish its offering. Extracurricular opportunities extend to competitive sports, debating and chess, delivering a TEDx talk, learning an instrument or joining the choir. Signature experiences include Space Camp and trekking to Base Camp, Mount Everest, helping students build confidence, creativity and collaboration. The school’s eSports Studio and AI Academy exemplify its commitment to leveraging technology for learning and community engagement. Looking ahead, the 2030 Strategic Map, centred on People, Place and Programs, will guide Westbourne’s next chapter. The soon-to-be-completed Middle School precinct embodies this vision, featuring flexible learning spaces, innovation labs, a student-led café and an integrated Health & Wellbeing Centre. Central to the curriculum is the GearED approach, which received the 2025 Australian Education Award for Innovation in Curriculum Design and empowers students to tackle real-world problems through hands-on learning. Westbourne’s wellbeing strategy, CARE, ensures every student is supported from their first year to final exams. Age-appropriate programs nurture resilience and meaningful relationships, while the house system and restorative practices foster empathy. Extending this commitment, Echoes and Dialogues reimagines chaplaincy as a philosophy program that encourages Socratic dialogue and ethical inquiry, inviting students to reflect deeply and engage thoughtfully with complex issues.

Blending tradition with innovation, Westbourne remains steadfast in its people-first philosophy – inspiring students to discover passions, build resilience and grow into compassionate leaders ready to shape the future.