Malena Cahill Deputy Principal
Malena is the Deputy Principal and her role at Dardanup PS involves teaching as well as administration.Her past experience includes three years as Education Department Literacy Advisor/consultant for the South West Region, Acting Deputy Principal at Clifton Park, Parkfield and South Bunbury Primary Schools. She has also lectured in Education at Edith Cowan University. Malena is co- author of several Literacy publications that have been well received by teachers in supporting their teaching and learning program. Malena keeps abreast of Western Australian educational initiatives through her work as Level 3 Classroom Teacher Assessor for the past 15 years. Over the years she has successfully mentored many Level 3 Classroom Teacher aspirants across the Bunbury District, including Dardanup Primary teachers. She is also an AITSL accredited assessor supporting graduate teachers to full registration. Her commitment and passion to education is evident through her work with both students and teachers. Malena is always making the most of opportunities where she can bring innovative and ‘best practice’ teaching programs to Dardanup PS. She is a passionate educator! In her leisure time she reads, plays golf and enjoys time with her family especially her six grandchildren.
Dougal Herd, Chair of the Board
email: [email protected]
I have recently moved into the Dardanup community and have two children attending Dardanup Primary School. I work in the Ferguson Valley as a Winemaker for Willow Bridge Estate and joined the school council this year. I believe it is important for parents to work with community members and staff to help improve the opportunities for students and their education. I look forward to learning more about the school operation and assisting the school as required.
Helen Humphreys, Vice Chair of the Board
I have 3 children attending DPS and have been an enthusiastic volunteer for various DPS activities and programs since moving to the Ferguson Valley in 2016. It’s been wonderful working with the staff and students at DPS and seeing the children thrive inside such an amazing community. I am hoping my being a School Council Member will enable me to contribute in a more wholesome manner. I have a background in retail management, procedural and administrative management, and music. Among my passions are singing and beekeeping.
Jo Fitzpatrick, Secretary
My husband and I both had a wonderful country upbringing. We both always wanted our 3 kids to enjoy the same. We have settled in Dardanup West just over 2 years ago and love belonging to a school with such a strong sense of community. I am fortunate enough to have a career in nursing, with flexible shift work permitting time to participate in school time activities. It has been a joy for me to assist in the Play Cafe program this past 2 years, as I view the transition from pre-school to the early education years as pivotal in our kids lives, and I have really enjoyed welcoming new families to our school in the same manner myself and my family were welcomed when moving to the area. Going forward as a School Council member I would love to be of assistance in ensuring our students enjoy all the benefits of belonging to our special country school, whilst ensuring they have any opportunities that larger schools may offer
Lara Barrett
I have two children attending DPS and I am currently employed in the Kindy room in the position of Education Assistant.
Ryan Shannon
Ryan Shannon
I work as a Hydrogeological Drilling Project Manager working FIFO for Rio Tinto in the Pilbara. I have 2 children at DPS and an older daughter who is 26. I bring to the team my experience in project and people management and I am committed to making DPS the best it can be for all the students. Andrea and I volunteer in many innovative ways at the school including creative ideas such as horseshoe bag holders and outdoor student table and seat in the ECE area.
Ryan Gibbs
Profile pending
Darren Jefferies
Hello my name is Darren, I am a dad, partner, proud family member, Social Worker by trade, Carlton football tragic and member of the Dardanup community for the last five years. I grew up in a small town and love those aspects of community that make you feel safe, respected and included. I stand for honesty, fairness, inclusiveness and social justice and hope to establish these concepts in my role with the school. I hope that people will find me approachable and I invite anybody at any time to track me down for a chat. My girl is in pre-primary so I will be more visible to those in that age group, but, not out of reach for others. I look forward to working with you all and hope I can do the position justice.
Community Members
Carmen Gregg , community representative
Three of my grandchildren currently attend Dardanup Primary School and it would consider it a privilege to contribute time and energy to the role of School Council member. I have some experience in building school and community partnerships through a previous role with a not for profit organisation in the South West. This role also required me to be involved in strategic planning involving the early education sector. I am keen to become more involved in the school and look forward to working closely with the rest of the School Council Committee.
Ric Stacey, Co-Opted member
Ric Stacey
There is a well-known proverb, which reminds us, that: “It takes a whole village to raise a child”. Communities help build and support our schools, and in turn successful students ensure a bright future for ‘our village’ and the wider world. The Dardanup Primary School has a long history in our Community as place where students can build the educational foundations for a happy and successful life. As a Community Member, my role on School Council is to ensure that the Dardanup Community gets involved in supporting the students, staff and parents of the Dardanup Primary School in reaching their full potential. I encourage members of the Community who have an interest in contributing to the continuing success of our school to contact me directly at [email protected] or leave a message at the School (97281146).
Vicki Robinson, Industry Representative
She brings to the board a lifetime of experience in education and committee and community involvement. Her involvement in education as a teacher began in 1973 with her first appointment to Leonora PS. She has taught in the Goldfields, Kimberley, Perth Metro, the Esperance region and over twenty years in and around Bunbury. Vicki is the wife of Peter, mother of Amy and Anthony and grandmother of Maia. Currently she is involved on the following committees; Vocal Fusion Choir, Crooked Brook Forest Assn and the Joshua Crooked Brook Fire Brigade. Vicki has lived in Crooked Brook for 14 years. New to the DPS Council, she is keen to participate in decision making.
Staff Representative
Sue Butcher – Profile and pic pending