Headquarters:
220 Burnwood Highway, Wantirna South, Vic 3152
Year founded:
1982
Number of employees:
140
Phone:
03 8805 3800
Email:
info@knox.vic.edu.au
Website:
knox.vic.edu.au
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/school/the-knox-school-melbourne-australia
“We put our customers at the centre of our business, responding to brokers in a proactive and timely manner and working with the customer to understand their unique risk profile and tailor appropriate solutions”
Erica Kofie, QBE
Nikki Kirkup
Principal and Chief Executive
Dwayne Wathen
Chief Financial Officer
Toni-Ann Bright
Associate Principal and Head of Community, Culture and Operations
Leadership
With over 20 years of experience in education and leadership across three continents, Nikki Kirkup, originally from the UK, came to Australia in 2015 as Director of Senior Years at Melbourne Girls Grammar (MGGS), where she was instrumental in developing, launching and leading the innovative MGGS Senior Years Holistic Model.
In 2020, Nikki joined The Knox School (TKS) originally as Deputy Principal, subsequently taking on the role of Principal and Chief Executive in 2021.
With her passion for collaborative leadership, student-centred approaches, community engagement and innovation in education, Nikki continues to champion the vision of TKS as a leader in personalised learning.
Principal and Chief Executive
Nikki Kirkup
Dwayne Wathen, a chartered accountant, worked for 13 years leading the finance team at the AFL, and before this, he spent time working in London and at Deloitte. He has amassed a wealth of experience in the not-for-profit, banking and professional sporting sectors, having held various roles during this time working with and on boards and executive teams across the country.
Dwayne enjoys spending time and travelling with his family, playing football, basketball and golf, and learning how to make his own wine at a family vineyard in the King Valley.
Chief Financial Officer
Dwayne Wathen
Toni-Ann Bright started her teaching career in South Africa, cementing her belief that all students have the right to access quality education that provides the best opportunities available and meets students’ academic and wellbeing needs.
Further teaching and leadership roles in the UK and Australia provided her a wealth of operational, administrative, curriculum and strategic experience across a range of learning environments.
Toni-Ann hopes her enthusiasm and love of learning inspire others to engage positively with their education. She is dedicated to fostering an environment that is student focused, engages the community, develops leadership and encourages students and teachers to achieve their best.
Associate Principal and Head of Community, Culture and Operations
Toni-Ann Bright
“We put our customers at the centre of our business, responding to brokers in a proactive and timely manner and working with the customer to understand their unique risk profile and tailor appropriate solutions”
Erica Kofie, QBE
“We continue to see cyber as a key opportunity and will be further developing customer-centric solutions across various geographies and segments in line with our growth aspirations”
Erica Kofie, QBE
Leadership
“We continue to see cyber as a key opportunity and will be further developing customer-centric solutions across various geographies and segments in line with our growth aspirations”
Erica Kofie, QBE
“We put our customers at the centre of our business, responding to brokers in a proactive and timely manner and working with the customer to understand their unique risk profile and tailor appropriate solutions”
Erica Kofie, QBE
Leadership
Liana Gooch
Associate Principal and Head of Learning, Teaching and Innovation
Liana Gooch has amassed a wealth of experience in the field of education, having worked in five schools across three countries in various leadership positions focused on enhancing teaching and learning.
Passionate about education, she exhibits a fervent interest in numerous facets, such as curriculum design, pedagogy, learning spaces, professional development, student wellbeing, project-based learning, technology integration, entrepreneurship and innovation.
Associate Principal and Head of Learning, Teaching and Innovation
Liana Gooch
Simon Cowell
Associate Principal and Head of Junior School
Simon Cowell is a 1995 The Knox School alumni. He has completed a degree in community development at Deakin University, leading him to work in the international community development sector. He was a board member of an educational charity in Cambodia, and this position directed him to education. Simon completed a degree in both primary and secondary education. He has taught in various roles across both primary and secondary schools in the UK and Australia.
Simon has a strong focus on the inquiry process through a concept-driven curriculum and the Design Thinking Model.
In his own time, he enjoys travelling, especially to Cambodia, where he still maintains strong connections to the educational set.
Associate Principal and Head of Junior School
Simon Cowell
The Knox School is an independent, values-driven institution for girls and boys from Early Learning to Year 12 in Melbourne. It boasts a distinguished reputation for providing personalised learning for all students, who become the architects and advocates for their learning journey as they strive to achieve their personal best.
Founded in 1982, The Knox School is a non-denominational establishment. Its values are at the core of all its endeavours. It celebrates each student’s uniqueness, and through a close-knit community, they can find their niche and become proud to belong.
The educators at The Knox School connect, shape, provoke, challenge and position the students to thrive in an ever-evolving global landscape. They activate engaging and rewarding learning experiences that support students to contribute positively and impactfully to their communities. Design thinking, agency and project-based learning are hallmarks of many learning experiences, engaging students in the development of character, high-quality work and the mastery of skills and knowledge. Whether in the classroom or on the sporting field, a TKS student stands out for their confidence, passion and unwavering commitment to lifelong learning.
“We continue to see cyber as a key opportunity and will be further developing customer-centric solutions across various geographies and segments in line with our growth aspirations”
Erica Kofie, QBE
Janelle Mathias
Associate Principal and Head of Senior School
Jackie Isenegger
Director of Strategy and Marketing
Claire Napoli
Director of Advancement and Engagement
Adam Wollins
Director of ICT
Janelle Mathias successfully completed a double degree at the University of Melbourne, specialising in both science and education. Her passion for teaching led her to commence her career in education, teaching mathematics, at The Knox School (TKS) in 2009.
Throughout her tenure at TKS, Janelle has held various roles that have contributed to her development as both a teacher and a leader within the school community.
She is dedicated to the holistic development of her students and is committed to fostering a learning environment that provides opportunities for students to grow and achieve their personal best.
Associate Principal and Head of Senior School
Janelle Mathias
Jackie Isenegger brings a rich background in advertising, marketing, fundraising and strategic development to her role at St Andrew’s Cathedral School. Since joining in 2018, she has led major initiatives including the school’s 2020–2025 Strategic Plan, the 2024 Restoration Action Plan and the First Nations Strategic Plan. Now leading the development of the 2026–2031 plan, Isenegger is passionate about shaping purposeful, inclusive strategies that drive meaningful change. Her approach blends creativity with clear direction, harnessing the school’s energy to build a vibrant future. She is driven by a strong belief in education as a catalyst for social justice and progress.
Director of Strategy and Marketing
Jackie Isenegger
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
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
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
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Broker communication, training and development
BDM support
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Broker's Pick – Personal Accident and Illness Insurance
Brokers’ Pick – Professional liability
Small business
Medal
Overall service level
Broker communication, training and development
BDM support
Turnaround time – claims
Broker's Pick – Personal Accident and Illness Insurance
Brokers’ Pick – Professional liability
Small business
Professional Teachers’ Council Professional Service award and the Rising Stars 2024 award
staff recognised as The Educator’s Most Influential Educators
speaking at numerous national and international conferences
30 staff presented at the in-house Professional Learning program delivered within the Hills Grammar The Learning Centre
partnering with the NSW Teacher Guild to provide professional learning to regional and remote teachers
“As a school, we celebrate the contribution our staff are making both in the school and beyond in the broader educational community,” says Yager.