Headquarters:
111 North Boambee Road, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450
Year founded:
1994
Number of employees:
200
Phone:
02 6651 5644
Email:
enrolments@bdc.nsw.edu.au
Website:
bdc.nsw.edu.au
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/company/bishop-druitt-college/
Simon Doyle
Principal
Sue O’Connor
Deputy Principal
Andrea Wiffen
Head of Secondary
Leadership
Simon Doyle is a forward-thinking leader at Bishop Druitt College, with 34 years of experience dedicated to future-focused education. He has supported service programs and led initiatives like the Design of Deeper Learning and has implemented digital badging to prepare students for post-school success.
Doyle supports diverse programs such as World Option electives for Years 9 and 10 and student-led clubs like the Human Rights Group and Rainbow Club, fostering inclusivity and social responsibility. Grateful to be part of a community shaping resilient, socially aware graduates, he is committed to preparing students for the challenges of tomorrow.
Principal
Simon Doyle
With over 25 years at Bishop Druitt College, Sue O’Connor is passionate about building a culture where every student feels connected, supported and inspired to thrive. As the driving force behind the Wellbeing Hub, she has led the development of innovative programs such as the Wellbeing Dog Program with Barkley, the Rites of Passage framework and strengthened pastoral care initiatives.
O’Connor’s focus is on nurturing the whole student – intellectually, emotionally, socially, physically and spiritually – so they can approach learning with confidence and resilience. She values strong relationships and a sense of belonging, believing that wellbeing and academic excellence go hand in hand. Now as acting assistant principal – head of secondary, she continues to shape a school culture that places care, connection and student growth at the centre.
Deputy Principal
Sue O’Connor
Student wellbeing and development has been Andrea Wiffen’s primary focus since she started teaching 18 years ago, but more explicitly in her leadership opportunities in the past 12 years of working with young people. Wiffen’s leadership style is relational, authentic and values-based. This leadership approach has enabled her to create strong teams founded on trust and the desire to obtain the best possible outcomes through collaboration and proper utilisation of a range of skills. What drives her interest as an educator is working with outstanding young people to help develop their sense of passion and purpose, together with their understanding of who they are and how they are going to contribute to the wider society as global citizens.
Wiffen believes relationships are fundamental for education to be successful. Forming strong relationships with students, staff and parents enables teachers to connect and to get the most out of the students in their care. Students feeling known is integral to forming strong connections and relationships, providing a pathway to inspiration, which she believes is done well at BDC.
Head of Secondary
Andrea Wiffen
Sarah Stokes
Head of Primary
With over 13 years in leadership and 21 years in education, Sarah Stokes is dedicated to transforming learning at Bishop Druitt College. She has lead initiatives like Investigations, Kaizen, Designing for Deep Learning and the Teaching Schools Hub, driving innovation and continuous improvement.
Stokes’ passion is creating an inclusive school environment where students, teachers and parents feel valued and connected. With a focus on curriculum development and student wellbeing, she builds strong relationships, supports staff growth and fosters a culture of belonging and excellence, ensuring the best outcomes for all students.
Head of Primary
Sarah Stokes
Nicky Skinner
Business Development Manager
Nicky Skinner, based in Christchurch, was honoured as NZ Adviser’s BDM of the Year. With over 20 years of banking experience – including roles as bank manager, private banker and senior lender – she brings deep expertise to her work. Skinner supports mortgage advisers with product knowledge and deal presentation skills, focusing on building strong, trusted relationships. Her collaborative approach and dedication make her a valued resource, consistently praised for her guidance and support in helping advisers achieve outstanding client outcomes.
Business Development Manager
Nicky Skinner
Sarah Radonich
Third Party Support Manager
Steph Leeson
Business Development Manager
Margaret Leau-Sulusi
Business Development Manager
Pam Chhabra
Manager – Residential Strata
Sarah Radonich is a third party support manager (relief BDM) at Westpac, building strong relationships with mortgage advisers across New Zealand. With 15 years of banking experience, she supports a wide range of regions and communities, working alongside a team of experienced BDMs. Radonich is known for her responsiveness, collaboration and focus on delivering efficient, results-driven experiences for advisers and their clients, always striving for the best possible outcomes.
Third Party Support Manager
Sarah Radonich
Steph Leeson immigrated from the UK 14 years ago and began her Westpac career as a specialist lender. Now a business development manager, she supports mortgage advisers across Auckland and Northland, offering expert guidance and support. Leeson is highly regarded for her lending knowledge, responsiveness and collaborative approach. Her dedication was recognised nationally as a finalist for the 2025 NZ Adviser BDM of the Year award, reflecting her impact within the third party channel.
Business Development Manager
Steph Leeson
Margaret Leau-Sulusi brings over 20 years of banking experience to her role as business development manager, having started with Westpac in 2005. Her background includes lending support, senior lending roles and branch management. Leau-Sulusi partners closely with mortgage advisers, providing product expertise and strategic guidance to drive strong client outcomes. Known for her collaborative style and responsiveness, she is passionate about building trusted relationships and delivering customer-focused results.
Business Development Manager
Margaret Leau-Sulusi
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
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BISHOP DRUITT COLLEGE
SPECIAL REPORT
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Bio
Adam Basaldella
Manager – Claims
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.
Product Manager
Claire Watson
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
“We also maintain open lines of communication with advisers so they know what to expect and can plan accordingly”
Hayley Burgess, ANZ Bank New Zealand
“We’ve invested heavily in resourcing and process improvements to reduce friction and speed up approvals”
Hayley Burgess, ANZ Bank New Zealand
Bishop Druitt College stands as the premier co-educational K–12 institution on the Coffs Coast, deeply embedded in Anglican tradition. Its vibrant, inclusive community embodies the belief that it takes a village to raise a child, fostering strong partnerships with families and local businesses to enrich each student’s educational journey.
At the heart of its mission is “the Bishop Druitt Way,” which emphasises prioritising wellbeing, empowering for life, embracing diversity, pursuing personal excellence and serving the community. The college’s comprehensive K–12 Student Wellbeing Hub, innovative academic programs and a diverse range of extracurricular activities – including thriving performing arts and sports programs incorporating high performance – ensure its graduates are not only academically accomplished but also empathetic and resilient leaders poised to make a positive impact in society.
The college’s state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Adventure Playground, Stage 1 rooms, Branson Centre, STEAM Lab and trade training centre, elevate learning experiences, while its affiliation with the International Round Square network provides exciting opportunities for global exchanges and conferences. Innovation is woven into the fabric of its institution, with its Teaching Hub pioneering the development of passionate, well-equipped educators.
Bishop Druitt College nurtures character and community, transforming students into globally prepared citizens grounded in the values of mutual respect, integrity and generosity of spirit.
