Headquarters:
Stringybark Road, Buderim QLD 4556
Year founded:
1990
Number of employees:
300
Phone:
07 5477 3200
Email:
reception@mfac.edu.au
Website:
mfac.edu.au
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/school/matthew-flinders-anglican-college
“With less focus on textbooks, students now engage more in experiential and inquiry-based learning and have ample opportunities to work in collegial groups using various thinking routines”
Jay Halai, Minarah College
MATTHEW FLINDERS ANGLICAN COLLEGE
Stuart Meade
Principal
Heidi Müller
Director of Business and Operations
Trudi Edwards
Head of Primary
Leadership
Stuart Meade has enjoyed a distinguished career and joined Flinders in 2017 as an established leader. Prior, he was the headmaster at one of Australia’s leading schools, Hale School in Perth, for 14 years and served as deputy headmaster at Cranbrook School in Sydney and Newcastle Grammar School.
Meade is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and was chair of the Principals’ Advisory Panel of the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (WA), among numerous other board roles and memberships. In 2022, Meade was honoured as a life member of the Australian Schools Rugby Union for his 34-year volunteer contribution.
His overarching philosophy is that a school should develop and nurture the young hearts and minds entrusted to it, inspiring students to learn, lead and serve as they strive for excellence.
Principal
Stuart Meade
As the director of business and operations at Flinders, Heidi Müller provides strategic direction and leadership of the college’s commercial activity. She contributes vast experience, qualifying as a chartered accountant while at KPMG and having worked in various independent schools. She also worked at Microsoft for over nine years in various roles responsible for the finance functions of various regions in Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands.
Müller also has a postgraduate certificate in education, which enables her to teach secondary school economic management sciences and accounting. Her roles in educational environments include St Peter’s School in Johannesburg, South Africa and Masada College in New South Wales.
Director of Business and Operations
Heidi Müller
Trudi Edwards joined Flinders in 2018 as the head of primary. She enjoys driving educational initiatives which enhance student engagement, achievement and character. Edwards oversees the development of innovative precincts as part of the Flinders Masterplan, including the Wonderarium Learning Centre in 2021.
Over the past 20 years, Edwards has served in curriculum leadership roles at leading independent schools in Brisbane, Perth and New Zealand, with a focus on developing high-performing, stimulating, collaborative and joyful learning environments for students and staff. Ideally, these environments are marked by intellectual curiosity, excellence, trust, grace, integrity and a commitment to making a positive contribution to the world.
Head of Primary
Trudi Edwards
“With less focus on textbooks, students now engage more in experiential and inquiry-based learning and have ample opportunities to work in collegial groups using various thinking routines”
Jay Halai, Minarah College
“We will ensure students address meaningful real-world problems and use specific protocols [so that] all voices are heard. Project-based learning will be emphasised to develop key skills such as research, critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration”
Jay Halai, Minarah College
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“We will ensure students address meaningful real-world problems and use specific protocols [so that] all voices are heard. Project-based learning will be emphasised to develop key skills such as research, critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration”
Jay Halai, Minarah College
“With less focus on textbooks, students now engage more in experiential and inquiry-based learning and have ample opportunities to work in collegial groups using various thinking routines”
Jay Halai, Minarah College
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Mrs Anita Gibson
Head of Secondary | Matthew Flinders Anglican College
Anita Gibson is a highly experienced and qualified education leader, with a wealth of skills and expertise in high-impact teaching and learning, underpinned by a business intellect that assures viable, accountable school operations. Anita understands and values the importance of creating connections and engaging with all members of a school community.
Anita joined Flinders in 2018 as the Head of Middle School and commenced the role of Head of Secondary in January 2023. Prior, she acted as the Deputy Principal at Coomera Anglican College in 2017.
Anita holds a Master of Education (Leadership & Management) and Bachelor of Education with First Class Honours from Queensland University of Technology.
Head of Secondary | Matthew Flinders Anglican College
Mrs Anita Gibson
Steve Uscinski
Deputy Headmaster, Teaching and Learning
Steve Uscinski leads the team of the studies directorate. In his more than 20 years at BGS, he has served as a teacher of English, coach of rugby and cricket, director of the senior dramatic production, boarding housemaster, school administrator and curriculum innovator and leader.
Deputy Headmaster, Teaching and Learning
Steve Uscinski
“The high focus on traditional ways of delivery of lessons through textbooks and lecture-based teaching was to be replaced by interactive and collaborative learning, resulting in development of students’ creative and critical thinking and communication using a range of resources, including ICT.”
Additionally, the school’s introduction of one-to-one devices enabled 21st-century learning through the use of e-textbooks, e-resources and programs, that students are more receptive of, and are developing the skills that they would in future be using in their workforce.
“As the key external exams are delivered online, the devices will further facilitate the process,” Halai explains.
“The introduction of a character wheel was seen as a strategy to develop students’ global competencies and [to make them] active contributors to society, [while developing] their exemplary character and emotional intelligence.”
Halai says this approach provided a more structured sequence in comparison to the previous one-off charity-based activities.
In tandem with this overhaul, Halai has motivated all staff at the College to seek deeper investment in promoting positive outcomes for students. He says the most outstanding outcome from this is the benefit to the students, which is evident through the College’s Lesson Observations and Learning Walks.
“We will ensure students address meaningful real-world problems and use specific protocols [so that] all voices are heard. Project-based learning will be emphasised to develop key skills such as research, critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration”
Jay Halai,
Minarah College
Greg Thorne
Deputy Headmaster, Co-curricular
Jacqui Zervos
Executive Director, Educational Innovation
Rebecca Campbell
Head of Middle School
Inma Beaumont
Executive Director Advancement and Community Relations
Greg Thorne joined BGS in January 2019. He is an experienced educational leader with a broad range of proficiencies. He has expertise in student wellbeing roles, curriculum leadership and school administration. Greg was part of the senior leadership team at Nudgee College for eight years, most recently as the director of activities for sport and culture. He has also been chairperson of multiple GPS Association sub-committees.
Deputy Headmaster, Co-curricular
Greg Thorne
Jacqui Zervos joined the School in 1995 as a teacher of geography and history, having completed her initial teacher qualification at The University of Queensland in 1987 and then spending seven years teaching with Education Queensland. She is well known as a passionate and exemplary teacher of geography and took on the position of head of year in 2001. During the following five years as head of year, Jacqui completed her Master of Education at UQ with a major study into boys’ education. She was appointed head of middle school in 2006. In 2018, she was seconded to her current position and in 2020 was confirmed as executive director, educational innovation on a permanent basis from 2021.
Executive Director, Educational Innovation
Jacqui Zervos
Rebecca Campbell joined BGS in mid-2013 as the School’s first head of Years 5 and 6. She has spent the past 15 years working in GPS boys’ schools. A dedicated educator, she is committed to creating a positive learning culture that supports the holistic development of each student. Rebecca is a graduate of the University of Newcastle, where she completed a master’s degree specialising in educating boys. In recent years, she has attained a Professional Certificate in Instructional Leadership through the University of Melbourne. Rebecca fulfilled the head of middle school role in Term 1 2017 and from 2018 to 2020. She was appointed to the position of head of middle school in 2021.
Head of Middle School
Rebecca Campbell
Inma Beaumont joined BGS at the beginning of 2020. She is an experienced advancement professional, having implemented fundraising and engagement operations for three different units over six years at The University of Queensland. Inma led the fundraising campaign to renovate the Forgan Smith Building, home to the TC Beirne School of Law at UQ. She subsequently spent three years as director of advancement at the UQ Faculty of Health, where she conceived and delivered a major gifts program. Her fundraising experience follows a 15-year career in finance, including as CFO of Citibank Australia. She is a non-executive director of UN Women Australia, Speech Pathology Australia and Women’s College at UQ.
Executive Director Advancement and Community Relations
Inma Beaumont
Diana Godfrey joined Fidelity in 1995, and is currently the senior vice-president, human resources and corporate affairs. She has 27 years of industry experience and has driven innovation and transformative changes to employee benefits, talent development, charitable and diversity and inclusion programs, which have strengthened Fidelity Canada’s position as a top caring employer. She championed the implementation of Fidelity Canada’s value proposition, committed to improving the employee experience to meet their individual needs and the community at large. Fidelity Canada has been recognized with multiple employer awards and designations, which celebrate its work culture and atmosphere, corporate philanthropic initiatives, and health and benefits, to name just a few.
Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Affairs
Diana Godfrey (she/her/hers)
Cameron Murray is the senior vice president, client services and CIO for Fidelity Investments Canada ULC. In this capacity, he oversees both technology and operations for the organization in Canada. He joined Fidelity in December 1999 as Vice President, Systems Operations. He currently serves as a member of the board of directors for FundSERV, where he has been an executive committee and board member since 2002. He is also on the board of directors for Fidelity Investments Canada ULC.
Senior Vice President, Client Services and Chief Information Officer
Cameron Murray
Sarah M Stewart has more than 15 years
of strategic leasing and customer care experience in residential property management. She is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Centurion’s national leasing platforms, residential lead generation, and overall customer experience excellence through operation
of the company’s internal customer
service department.
Associate Vice President,
Leasing and Call Centre Operations
Sarah M Stewart
Sarah M Stewart
Associate Vice President,
Leasing and Call Centre Operations
Karen Bannister, CM
Vice President, Marketing
Dave Longbottom
Chief Technology Officer
Alex Ventura
Head of Marketing
Damian Palovick
Senior Vice President of Underwriting
AXA XL – Delegated Authority Programs, North America
Dr. Mary Lavoie
Head of Risk Management and Senior Vice President
AXA XL – Delegated Authority Programs, North America
Mark Bernacki
Chief Underwriting Officer
Ryan Armijo
Chief Operating Officer, Underwriting Division
Bob Petrilli
President, Underwriting Division
“The focus now is on differentiation and development of Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS). There is documented planning on differentiation to ensure the students who are struggling are being catered for and those who are above average are being challenged to do better,” he says.
“Furthermore, staff now engage in making data-driven decisions to make programs and learning sequences. Lessons are no longer based on ‘one hat – fits all’, each lesson now has differentiated tasks.”
Halai says the syllabus outcome is now achieved through differentiated tasks that are aligned to the student capabilities and learning needs.
“Lessons are delivered through interactive smartboards; hence, teachers have the opportunity to cater for visual, auditory and kinaesthetic learners,” he says.
“With less focus on textbooks, students now engage more in experiential and inquiry-based learning and have ample opportunities to work in collegial groups using various thinking routines.”
Halai says staff development is highly focused on enhancement of ICT skills through regular professional learning with Microsoft Teams.
“The success stories on Deep Learning from classrooms were shared by the staff as part of professional development, and these presentations were well received by the teachers, and seen as a learning opportunity, and peer appreciation.”
As for what’s next for Minarah College, Halai says the process is in place for changing the learning environment with collaborative learning places for all students.
“The shift is from students just learning the knowledge to authentic application of this knowledge to the wider world. The focus at Minarah College is for teachers to equip students with the tools to navigate their learning process and improve their expertise in developing efficacy,” he explains.
“We will ensure students address meaningful real-world problems and use specific protocols [so that] all voices are heard. Project-based learning will be emphasised to develop key skills such as research, critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration.”
Halai says the college will also be using appropriate data analysis and interpretation of data to make informed decisions that positively affect student outcomes.
“The proactive stance will enable students to be committed to advocating essential values, reflect and develop critical thinking and communication skills to develop their characters and become valuable and active members of the community.”
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Sarah M Stewart has more than 15 years
of strategic leasing and customer care experience in residential property management. She is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Centurion’s national leasing platforms, residential lead generation, and overall customer experience excellence through operation
of the company’s internal customer
service department.
Associate Vice President,
Leasing and Call Centre Operations
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Alexis Hill
Chief Information Officer
Alexis Hill joined BGS in April 2022 as the School’s first chief information officer to lead the Digital Transformation Program, which aims to use technology and data to enhance student outcomes. As a senior executive with over 14 years of experience in commercial and government industries, she has substantial experience in digital transformation leadership. Alexis has held CIO and director roles that focused on driving technological and organisational change in complex environments. She holds a Bachelor of Business degree and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Chief Information Officer
Alexis Hill
Matthew Flinders Anglican College is recognised as one of Australia’s leading independent academic schools. Since its foundation in 1990, the college has established a strong reputation for balancing academic rigour and innovation with a diverse co-curricular program and strong well-being and pastoral care.
Students at Flinders are encouraged to explore the diverse opportunities for leadership, entrepreneurship and community service so they may become aware and empowered citizens with the desire and skills to contribute to the wider world.
Located in Buderim in the heart of the beautiful Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Flinders provides quality education to nurture and challenge its more than 1,380 students in all areas of learning through their journey from Prep to Year 12, along with more than 120 families with children supported through the Flinders Early Learning Centre.
The college campus is a 22-hectare rainforest-fringed property with lush tropical gardens, manicured lawns and impeccably maintained sports ovals and quality facilities, designed to support the health and well-being of students, staff and families.
As a dynamic co-educational college, Flinders is committed to cultivating in each student a spirit of enquiry, mastery and personal best; fostering a culture of excellence in learning and life; providing a welcoming and caring environment; providing a tailored and enriching real-world curriculum; upholding high expectations and values of compassion, courage, integrity and respect; employing and nurturing quality teachers and administrators; and maintaining a strong focus on innovation.