Headquarters:
10 Bosco Street, Chadstone, VIC 3148
Year founded:
1957
Number of employees:
157
Phone:
(03) 9807 2644
Email:
welcome@salesian.vic.edu.au
Website:
salesian.vic.edu.au
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/salesian-college-chadstone/
Mark Ashmore
Principal
Klara Baka
Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
Richard Bourbon
Assistant Principal - Students & Engagement
Leadership
With 25 years in boys’ education, Mark Ashmore has led Salesian College Chadstone as Principal since 2021, bringing energy, authenticity and vision to the role. His leadership spans faith, wellbeing and learning, shaped by both local and international perspectives. Guided by St John Bosco’s teachings, Ashmore champions future-focused, values-led education that fosters purpose, resilience and compassion. Committed to every boy’s academic, social and spiritual growth, he promotes connection, hope and opportunity in a post-COVID world.
Ashmore holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership (University of Melbourne) and an Executive MBA (Australian Catholic University) and serves as a Council of International Schools (CIS) educator and accreditation team evaluator, member of PAVCSS and president of APSPA (Australian Pacific Salesian Principals Association).
Principal
Mark Ashmore
Dedicated to helping every student discover their potential, Klara Baka holds over 20 years’ experience in Catholic education, combining deep expertise in curriculum design and mathematics education with a genuine care for each learner. Inspired by St John Bosco’s belief in nurturing the whole person, she works with teachers to create engaging, supportive classrooms.
Known for encouraging confidence and growth, Baka fosters a love of learning that extends beyond the classroom, preparing young men to be capable, compassionate and committed to making a positive difference in the world.
Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
Klara Baka
Bringing international teaching experience and a deep commitment to student wellbeing, Richard Bourbon’s approach is grounded in respect, authenticity and a global perspective shaped by years of teaching in diverse classrooms abroad. He values individual differences, builds strong connections, and supports students’ social, emotional and academic growth. With high expectations balanced by genuine care, he helps students develop confidence, resilience and a strong sense of purpose.
Bourbon’s focus on listening, engagement, and creating safe, inclusive learning environments makes him a cornerstone of the College community. He is an experienced and relatable leader with an excellent record of leading change and achievement in several Catholic boys’ colleges. He brings a philosophy of reflection and continuous improvement, integrating the aspirations and goals of all in the school community to promote growth and achievement.
Assistant Principal - Students & Engagement
Richard Bourbon
Rob Mercer
Assistant Principal – Strategy & Organisation
Rob Mercer is Assistant Principal – Strategy & Organisation at Salesian College Chadstone, where for over 15 years he has ensured the smooth running of the College through expert timetabling, systems management, and strategic planning. With a rich background in IT education, training and project management, he combines technical expertise with a commitment to the Salesian values of reason, religion, and loving-kindness.
Known for his meticulous organisation and approachable manner, Mercer works closely with staff and students to create an environment where learning can thrive. Guided by the spirit of St John Bosco, he helps keep the College running with heart and precision.
Assistant Principal – Strategy & Organisation
Rob Mercer
Byron Chen
Assistant Principal – Faith, People & Culture
Byron Chen is Assistant Principal – Faith, People and Culture at Salesian College Chadstone, leading the development of a positive, inclusive and high-performing professional culture. He is committed to ensuring staff feel supported, valued and empowered to thrive, recognising that strong people and culture underpin student success. He oversees staff formation, professional learning and workforce development, building capability and strengthening practice through rigorous, supportive coaching and performance development.
Guided by a relational, strengths-based approach, Chen promotes respect, collaboration and accountability, while leading initiatives in wellbeing, leadership development and organisational culture. He is passionate about developing leadership capacity and supporting staff to contribute meaningfully to school improvement.
Assistant Principal – Faith, People & Culture
Byron Chen
Daniel Nguyen
Business Manager
Kylie Morton
Executive Assistant to the Principal
Adam Wollins
Director of ICT
David Sexton
Director Business Services
Daniel Nguyen is an experienced finance and operations leader and qualified chartered accountant who has overseen the financial transformation and establishment of a $2.1 billion governance change of Catholic schools. He is skilled in the development of long-term financial plans, financial policies, delegations, reports and budgets, and is passionate about complex data analysis and using the latest technology and data visualisation techniques to tell the story and support organisational strategy.
Business Manager
Daniel Nguyen
Kylie Morton is Executive Assistant to the Principal at Salesian College Chadstone, bringing extensive experience in executive support, administration, and organisational management across corporate, real estate, aged care and education sectors. Through these varied settings, she has developed strong skills in coordination, communication, scheduling, and supporting leaders with professionalism and discretion.
For the past four years at Salesian College Chadstone, Kylie has provided steady and reliable support to the Principal, contributing to the stability and smooth running of daily College operations. Known for her dynamic approach, attention to detail, and calm efficiency, she provides the stability and consistency that underpin the smooth running of a busy school community.
Grounded in the Salesian spirit of accompaniment, Kylie supports a workplace culture where staff can grow, contribute meaningfully, and feel part of a shared mission.
Executive Assistant to the Principal
Kylie Morton
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
As Director of Business Services, David oversees the financial, operational and commercial aspects of the School. In this role, he contributes to shaping and implementing strategic initiatives, supports business sustainability and enables the next phase of campus development, including the 10-year Master Plan and Strategic Plan (2026–2028).
He is an accomplished executive leader with over 25 years of experience at C-Suite and Board level spanning diverse sectors including education, not-for-profit, disability, sport and professional services. He has extensive experience shaping and executing strategic plans, driving income growth and diversification, master planning and major capital projects, stakeholder engagement, leading high-performing teams and managing complex budgets.
Director Business Services
David Sexton
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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
“Having close connections with our parents, staff and community, is integral to a rich learning environment. When we work together, we can achieve amazing things”
Karen Yager,
Hills Grammar
“I believe that students learn in a supportive environment with passionate and inspiring teachers and staff. We surround our students with positive creative and inspiring people, enthusiastic about their own learning and keen to immerse students in the spirit of life-long learning across the whole community”
Karen Yager,
Hills Grammar
Salesian College Chadstone stands out as an employer through its deeply human approach to staff wellbeing, professional growth and belonging. Grounded in the Salesian philosophy of accompaniment and inspired by the teachings of St John Bosco and his Preventive System of reason, religion and loving kindness, the College fosters a workplace culture where staff feel genuinely known, supported and valued. This commitment creates an environment where people are empowered to grow, contribute meaningfully and be part of a shared mission that extends well beyond the classroom.
Staff shortages, rising workloads and a growing focus on teacher wellbeing have prompted Australian schools to rethink what it means to be a good employer. At Salesian College Chadstone, the response has been a comprehensive strategy that supports staff so they can provide the best possible learning, care and opportunities for students. Culture is not a byproduct of good management; it is an intentional strategic priority. The College has built its identity around five core values:
Integrity
Respect
Belonging
Joy
Dynamism
These values are not simply posted on walls; they are embedded in how staff are recruited, supported, developed and retained.
Central to this culture is the concept of accompaniment, a relational approach to leadership and pastoral care that extends to staff as well as students. This means that every staff member, from early-career graduates through to experienced educators, is supported by structured mentoring, instructional coaching and leadership development opportunities.
One of the College’s most significant recent initiatives has been the development of a formal Psychosocial Wellbeing Action Plan for 2026–2027. Following a whole-staff People at Work Survey and extensive staff consultation, the College identified key psychosocial risk factors and responded with a structured framework covering workload management, restorative practices, leadership capability and staff voice.
The College describes the plan as culturally embedded, designed to create a workplace where psychological safety is a genuine organisational norm rather than a regulatory obligation.
Leadership at Salesian College Chadstone is deliberately accessible. The Principal, Assistant Principals and the broader Leadership Team model a style of relational leadership that holds high professional standards alongside genuine care for staff wellbeing. Leaders are described as pastorally present, engaged not just in performance management but in the day-to-day professional and personal support of their teams.
The College’s recruitment strategy is values-aligned and future-focused, prioritising candidates who demonstrate a commitment to educational excellence, child safety, diversity and inclusion and alignment with the Catholic and Salesian ethos. The College invests significantly in the ongoing formation and professional growth of its staff through Catholic identity and Salesian formation programs, the Salesian Formation Pedagogical Framework, AI-focused professional learning, Mental Health First Aid training and leadership development opportunities. This commitment supports excellence across both teaching and professional staff, ensuring students benefit from contemporary, evidence-informed and values-based practice.
The College’s approach is further strengthened by a formal Diversity and Inclusion Policy, which is distinctive within the Catholic education context. DEI is embedded through professional learning, respectful-relationships training, child safety and cultural safety programs and leadership-modelled consultation forums. The College also aligns its practices with Workplace Gender Equality Indicators and positive duty obligations, ensuring accountability is built into governance frameworks.
Looking ahead, the College has committed to ongoing implementation of its Psychosocial Wellbeing Action Plan, expanded leadership coaching and succession programs, continued growth in Mental Health First Aid accreditation across the staff body and enhanced diversity and inclusion initiatives. Staff engagement data, wellbeing indicators and workforce trends are reviewed annually to ensure continuous improvement is informed by the real experiences and needs of staff.
Learning designed for educators
The centrepiece of Hills Grammar’s approach to staff development is its Professional Learning Model, led by director of professional learning Dr. Chris Furner. Grounded in adult learning pedagogies, aligned with the school’s strategic intent and staff profile and standards, the model deliberately moves away from compliance-driven professional development towards something more meaningful. This is delivered as learning that is authentic, research-based and tailored to where each educator is in their career journey.
Supporting this is the Learning Centre Staff Program, which creates structured opportunities for staff to share practice, reflect on their work and learn from one another. Mentoring, leadership development and action research opportunities are embedded throughout, making professional growth a continuous and collegial practice rather than a periodic obligation. It is a model that reflects Hills Grammar’s commitment to investing in the people responsible for delivering its educational vision.
Future-forward leadership
The school’s commitment to its team extends to how Hills Grammar approaches leadership. Working in partnership with the governing council, school leaders maintain a shared focus on developing what the school describes as a ‘future fit’ graduate and the workforce equipped to teach them. Innovation is encouraged, and the culture is one where academic ambition and professional development are seen as inseparable.
Wellbeing in a remarkable setting
Staff also benefit from complimentary wellbeing programs, a genuine commitment to work-life balance and access to an Employee Assistance Program. Additionally, for educators who value a workplace where the physical environment itself is part of the daily experience, Hills Grammar’s picturesque campus offers a setting that is as restorative as it is inspiring.
There is also a proactive approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), such that employees are informed and educated through integrated professional learning frameworks. Hills Grammar is proud to be actively shaping bold thinkers, and in turn empowering the people who teach them.
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