Our Team
Our team brings together the leaders of our award-winning school in the UK and teachers and directors from some of the best schools in Sydney.
Principal: Dr Kristie Spence
Physics
Dr Spence brings a wealth of top-tier leadership experience and world-class academic expertise. She holds a PhD in Laser Physics from the University of Oxford, and a BSc Honours in Physics and Chemistry from Rhodes University.
She joins Westbourne from Pymble Ladies’ College, where her STEM leadership saw the founding of outstanding initiatives including the [EX]plore science conference in collaboration with Macquarie University, and a world-class Robotics programme promoting excellence in coding, mechanical design, and manufacturing.
Previously also Gifted and Talented lead at Queenwood School, Dr Spence has significant experience in developing extension opportunities for academically elite students in STEM.
She will ensure that Westbourne Sydney students continue to gain access to the very best global learning and professional development opportunities, including growing existing Westbourne collaborations with the world leading INSEAD business school in France, as well as forging new partnerships with leading universities worldwide.
Dr Spence’s outstanding research credentials include working in the Department of Physics at Macquarie University, where she was also Master of Education Lecturer in photonics, and in the National Medical Laser Institute at University College London, where she conducted postdoctoral research into optical treatment and the detection of cancers.
Chairman & Managing Director: Mark Peters
Chairman of Westbourne UK, Mark has over 30 years’ experience in business strategy, management and operations, and has worked in the education sector since 2001.
Prior to becoming Chairman of Westbourne in 2006, Mark founded and ran a strategy and private equity advisory business for seven years, during which time he worked with the BBC, the UK Government and the broader education sector to create a £300m programme to build and deliver digital learning resources to schools across the UK. He has led the development of Westbourne to make it one of the UK’s most successful schools.
Mark holds an MBA from INSEAD, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Finance & Investment from the Securities Institute of Australia (FINSIA) and a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours, 2:1) from the University of Sydney. He attended James Ruse Agricultural High School.
DP Coordinator, Physics & Mathematics: Dr Noël Hanna
Noël graduated with a degree in Advanced Pure Mathematics and Advanced Physics from USYD before a GradDip in Education from University of WA, and a PhD in Physics & Engineering from UNSW & Université Grenoble Alpes. He is an experienced STEM educator and research scientist, having taught at all levels including high school, undergraduate and postgraduate in Australia and China. Most recently lecturing at UNSW Global where he was selected as a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert (2020, 2021).
As Diploma Coordinator Noël embodies the all-rounder spirit of the IB. Not only is he accomplished in Mathematics and Science, he has won awards for his scientific writing, and he also speaks French and Mandarin. Furthermore his postgraduate research in acoustics involved collaborating internationally across disciplines including Anatomy, Aviation and Neuroscience, and he currently contributes to a UNSW distance learning course for Acoustical Engineers.
From his personal experience of 6th form college (UK), he believes young adults should be treated as independent, autonomous learners and encourages them to explore their curiosity across the Sciences.
Chemistry, Biology & ToK: Dr Lusha Kodikara
A global educator and life-long learner. Lusha holds a BSc, MSc (1st hons) and PhD in Physical Organic Chemistry from the University of Waikato, New Zealand. Developing a love of teaching whilst studying for his doctorate and teaching undergraduate tutorials, including both the Foundation and Bridging Chemistry Course, Lusha went on to pursue his formal teaching qualifications at the University of Strathclyde.
A broad international career has seen Lusha teach in selective UK schools; The John Lyon School and Tonbridge Grammar School, King’s College Auckland and more recently Kambala and the German International School, where over the past five years he has supported the IB Diploma as part of the IB core and pastoral team.
Lusha’s goal for Westbourne is to help it grow and flourish, working collaboratively with staff members. He is particularly excited to be teaching Westbourne students, selected for their academic ability and high levels of motivation, assisting them through their journey in life.
Mathematics and Spanish: Alicia Vallero
CAS Coordinator
Alicia has over 25 years' experience in secondary and university education in Australia and overseas, including an IB school in Chile.
Initially qualified as a mathematics teacher, she also holds a Bachelor of Science (Mathematics) from Murdoch University, a Master of Arts (TESOL – Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from Bond University, and a Master of Learning Science and Technology from the University of Sydney.
Alicia's research and practice are driven by her interest in innovative approaches to learning and teaching. Her teaching philosophy is focused on delivering challenging, inquiry-based, high-quality lessons that prepare students for a successful career in a globalised world. She seeks to help young people develop their knowledge, intercultural awareness, and skills and attributes that go beyond academic success to empower them to become open-minded, balanced, reflective, and caring citizens of the world.
English Literature & Language: Amanda Meller
Extended Essay Coordinator & ToK support
With a strong passion for the International Baccalaureate, and its stated focus upon preparing students for leadership on the international stage, Amanda has extensive experience as both a teacher of the IB Diploma English programme and an experienced examiner for the IB (and HSC). Her record for many years of preparing students for success in English is most impressive. We are pleased to welcome Amanda to our team; she will bring to the College a level of expertise and experience in the IB Diploma, which will benefit our students significantly.
She holds both a Bachelor of Arts (English, History and Politics) from the University of Adelaide, plus Graduate Diploma in Education (English and History Majors) from University of New South Wales. Even now, Amanda continues her love of the English language by undertaking a Master of Arts in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney.
Amanda is invested in upholding the highest standards and philosophical underpinnings of the IB Diploma Program. She is a strong advocate of best pedagogical practice, specifically pertaining to an enquiry based, concept driven approach to learning, and upon modelling and developing skills that can be transferred to increasingly challenging situations. She believes this as the key to genuine academic success, as it actively promotes and assists the students’ preparation for the rigorous challenges of tertiary study.
Fully upholding the College’s vision of advocating global leadership in STEM, Amanda has consistently sought out opportunities to educate high-achieving students and understands how to support ambitious students achieve the best possible results. To this end, her approach to the study of literature involves the identification of ways in which composers respond to contextual influences, often seeking to disrupt and dismantle perceptions based upon hegemonic discourses.
Business Management: Jacqueline Sum
Jacque graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing and Human Resources) from UNSW; Master of Teaching (Secondary) from USYD and a Graduate Certificate in IB (MYP & DP) from the University of Notre Dame. Having taught in public and independent schools across Sydney, she brings industry and commercial world experience into her classrooms, as a business owner and from event management skills.
Jacque's teaching practices are driven by her enthusiasm for the philosophical underpinnings of the IB Diploma Program. Her pedagogies have a strong focus on providing innovative, challenging and interesting lessons that bridge the gap between business management theories and real-world examples. She is driven to help students at Westbourne College develop a holistic perspective and problem-solving skills as globally minded citizens of the world.
Mandarin: Helen Wang
Helen brings over 5 years’ experience as a Mandarin teacher including tenure from two leading independent schools in Sydney. Her students have achieved excellent results in the top two performance bands (Band 5 and Band 6), including one student placing 3rd in the state ranking. Her experience extends to both marking as well as designing language curriculums.
To Helen, teaching IBDP Mandarin is beyond teaching the language itself, it is essential for students to understand the historical and cultural meanings behind Chinese expressions. She guides students to use their language and critical thinking skills to engage in discussions on social issues, which she truly believes is a key step towards becoming global citizens as well as developing language capability.
Helen graduated from UNSW, where she completed both a Bachelor of Secondary Education and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Advanced Chinese Studies and Sociology & Anthropology. She continues to further her studies by undertaking Master of Media Practice in University of Sydney, with a key goal of focusing on broadcast, online journalism and social media communication to promote language learning and Chinese culture through diverse media platforms in dynamic and global environments.
Administration & Application Support.
Supporting your application every step of the way, our Administration & Admissions Team have a wealth of experience working with students and their families from initial enquiry through to enrolment.
Susan Jones
Associate Director International Admissions.
Graduating from Swansea University with BA Hons, American Studies, which included a year abroad in the US, Susan has vast international experience including 7 years managing admissions and international recruitment from around the world, at both secondary and tertiary levels. With a keen understanding of admissions processes at Top 20 UK universities and beyond, Susan holds particular expertise in working with and supporting families across East and Southeast Asia in pursuing an Anglo-based education for globally minded, STEM-focused students.
Karmun Leung
Marketing & Admissions Manager.
Tertiary educated from University of Adelaide, Karmun graduated with BComms Mkg & DipLang. For over 10 years since, she has helped grow both local and global brands across various industries including travel and FMCG, focusing on both digital and traditional landscapes. Her own family values and what she strives for personally, contributes to understanding the importance of a student’s journey from school to university. This allows her to connect with families on an individual level and support students to achieving their goals.
Rebecca Hammond
Admissions & Business Officer.
With over 13 years experience within the education sector, Bec brings a wealth of knowledge across Administration, Event Management, Research, Policy and Communications. Having grown up in Australia, the USA and Switzerland and a graduate of an International School, Bec continued on to graduate with BA Hons from LaTrobe University plus GradDipPASR from Macquarie University. She has also been the EA for IB Schools Australasia for the past 6 years, ensuring a depth of understanding to the IB Diploma Programme and how it relates to Australian students considering both local and global universities. Her expertise will ensure the transition for new families to our college is smooth and seamless.
Tiff Dudman
Office Manager.
Tiff holds a MA in Languages and Computer Science and MA in Multilingual Information Systems and Computational Linguistics and Translation from Sorbonne University and Lyon University, respectively. Prior to that, she graduated with a BA of German Linguistics from University of Oran Algeria. With unique cross-cultural abilities, attention-to-detail and a strong commitment to others, she is a driving force with managing daily operations that support all members of the Westbourne community.
Director. Marie de Tito Mount.
Chief Growth Officer for Westbourne International, Marie has over two decades strategic leadership, entrepreneurship and business development experience across Europe and Asia. Prior to joining Westbourne in 2018, Marie founded, led and successfully sold a niche agency in the high value travel sector. Previous roles include Managing Director, The Big Domain, the UK’s leading venue rental business, International Head of Proposition Development, Cendant Corporation and Logistics Captain in the British Army. One of the first female graduates of the Combined Commissioning Course, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Marie has extensive experience of complex and dynamic environments and a particular interest in supporting students in challenging themselves to reach beyond the easily obtainable.
Director. Ken Underhill
Founding Principal of Westbourne Sydney from 2019, Principal of Westbourne UK from 2002 and Chair of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), Wales from 2010 to 2016, Ken has worked in independent education for over 40 years. Initially qualifying as a teacher of English and History, he went on to teach Business Studies and Information and Communication Technology.
Ken graduated with a first-class honours bachelors' degree in Education and a Masters with distinction in Education Leadership and Management. He is a highly experienced school inspector and is a member of the Independent Schools Association (ISA) and International Baccalaureate Association (IBA).
Director. Stephen Keegan
Stephen comes with a wealth of experience: he taught mathematics for nine years in Sydney before venturing overseas. Over 38 years in ten countries, he worked as a teacher, head of department, IBDP coordinator, head of high school and school principal. He has teaching experience in the NSW HSC, IB, IGCSE, British A levels and US Advanced Placement curricula. Stephen was the IB Diploma Programme Asia Pacific Regional Manager for six years. Most recently, he has been active as an educational consultant in IB schools in China.
Director. Dr Gerard Griffiths
A passionate Welshman and Imperial College London alumni, Gerard holds a PhD in Chemistry, is fluent in Welsh and French and has held senior teaching posts for the past two decades. As Principal of Westbourne School UK, Gerard has overseen the school’s continued success at the top of the league tables, overseen Westbourne named IB School of the Year and the school awarded excellent in every inspection category, by the national inspectorate, Estyn.
Director. Lisa Phillips
IB Coordinator & Head of Sixth Form at Westbourne School since 2018, Lisa has worked in education for over 25 years. Graduating from Cardiff University, part of the UK’s prestigious Russell Group, Lisa holds an Honours Bachelor’s Degree, alongside a Masters Degree, in History and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). A highly experienced International Baccalaureate teacher and examiner, with over a decade of international experience specifically teaching and mentoring students in excelling at the IB Diploma.
Director. Mike Hayes
Mike has 43 years’ experience in high schools in Sydney and London, 40 of which were at MLC Burwood, the leading NSW school in IB Diploma results, where he was Director of Studies for 15 years and had principal responsibilities for compliance, both at State and Federal level, research and the Theory of Knowledge programme. Mike has taught Physics and Chemistry for both the IB and HSC as well as Biology, General Science, 4 unit Science and Computing Studies for the HSC. Mike holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours in Physics), a Graduate Diploma of Education from the University of New South Wales and a Master of Arts in Education from Macquarie University.
Director. Ian Smith
Ian is a solicitor with more than 30 years’ experience and is a director of Harris & Company Solicitors, a commercial law practice in Sydney. He acts in a wide range of commercial and contractual matters and regularly advises in relation to the Corporations Law and corporate governance issues. He holds degrees in economics and law from the Australian National University.
Director. Gary Hughes
Gary has been a finance professional since 2008. Prior to joining Westbourne in 2012, Gary was in the top tier of his peer group at Deloitte LLP for four years. Whilst at Deloitte, Gary worked for a range of blue-chip clients including BP, Tata Steel, Santander, RBS and FlyBe. He has day-to-day responsibility for all finance, ICT and property matters at Montague Place, as well as project management responsibility for all strategic and business development initiatives. He is an ACA Chartered Accountant and holds a First Class Honours degree in Business Management from Cardiff University.