Western Australia Branch

Rachael Lehr

ACEL WA Branch President

Rachael Lehr is the Associate Principal at Dayton Primary School; a school that opened in 2023. She is passionate about empowering and supporting teachers and leaders (both within their school and beyond) to believe in themselves and reach their fullest potential.

Rachael endeavours to ‘lead by example’, embodying lifelong learning, embracing discomfort, and constantly seeking personal growth. She is focused on the authentic integration of digital technologies and STEM learning into the classroom (the topic of her doctoral research at the University of Western Australia), believes in the power of instructional coaching to bring about effective change in teaching and learning, and upholds that positive relationships are the key to successful learning and wants every child to know that they truly matter.

Rachael hosted #PrimarySTEMChat on Twitter for many years, bringing together an international professional learning community of passionate educators for rich discussions about all things ‘education’ – something she is trying to rebuild on BlueSky. She is a previous recipient of the ACEL New Voice Scholarship, a Keith Tronc Award for Outstanding Teacher Leadership, and was awarded an ACEL National Fellowship in 2019. As well as strengthening the leadership capabilities of their current team, Rachael is keen to share this knowledge extensively to positively influence the wider education system – something that being on the ACELWA executive team enables.

Vince Bellini

Branch Executive Member

Vince is an accomplished educator currently serving as the Principal of Our Lady of Mercy College, Australind. With several years of experience in an executive position, he is passionate about developing the next generation of leaders. Vince empowers and mentors aspiring leaders, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to excel. He consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to educational excellence and innovation, seeking new strategies to enhance the learning experience for students. Vince's Christ-centred, child-focused approach underscores his commitment to students' holistic growth, providing a nurturing and inclusive environment that supports the pastoral and educational needs of the College community.

Ray Boyd

Branch Executive Member

Ray has 35 years' experience in the public education system, 24 of these as an educational leader. In 2019, he became a Principal Fellow with the Department of Education after undertaking leadership development at Harvard. In 2014, Ray was recognised as WA Primary School Leader of the Year. He is also an ACEL State and National Fellow.

Ray completed his Doctorate in 2022, examining the influence that the AITSL Principal Standard had on principal development in the Western Australian public education system and was recognised by Science of Teaching and Learning Australia in 2022 for his contributions to education and improving outcomes for children.

Phil Collins

Branch Executive Member

Phil Collins currently serves as the Manager of Curriculum and School Improvement at the Association of Independent Schools Western Australia. In this role Phil leads a team that develops and delivers school support initiatives aimed at improving educational outcomes for all. Phil recently served on the ACEL NT Branch Executive and ACEL National Professional Learning Committee. His previous role was as the Director of Career Development within the Educational Leadership, Culture, and Care Division at the Department of Education (Northern Territory). In this position, he oversaw the system-wide approach to employee career pathways, leadership development and the Remote Aboriginal Teacher Education program.

Over his 20-year career in education, Phil has demonstrated leadership across various settings, including the independent and government sectors. He has worked in primary, secondary and district high schools, spanning remote, rural and metropolitan teaching services. Throughout his journey, Phil has held diverse roles such as Principal, Associate Principal, Deputy Principal, Head of Boarding and Director of Student Wellbeing, Leadership and Service Learning. Phil has contributed his expertise as Principal Consultant for the Department of Education (Western Australia), Senior Consultant for Growth Coaching International (WA, SA and NT) and State Manager for the CareerTrackers Indigenous Internship Program. His experience encompasses pastoral care, student and staff wellbeing, curriculum and assessment, academic enhancement, system leadership, culture transformation, career development and Aboriginal education. Phil has actively served on numerous school boards and committees and currently holds the position of Director on the SEDA College (NT) Board. 

Phil's educational qualifications include a Master of Educational Leadership, a Graduate Diploma in Education, a Graduate Certificate in Education (Student Engagement) and a Bachelor of Science degree. Additionally, he is currently completing his Doctor of Education (Leadership and Wellbeing) at Curtin University. Phil is deeply passionate about nurturing leadership at all levels within organisations and views the work of ACEL as vital within the ever-changing landscape of education.

Carol Daniels

Branch Executive Member

Carol Daniels is currently the Foundation Principal of the recently opened Piara Waters Senior High School. Carol has over 30 years of leadership and teaching experience which are grounded in public education in South Africa and in a range of educational contexts within Western Australia.

As a leader and lifelong learner, Carol inspires, motivates, and creates an environment where people learn and grow. She has a passion for teacher and leader development, underpinned and fostered by professional knowledge and lived experience.

Carol has successfully led school improvement initiatives in complex and challenging contexts, enacting cultural and transformational change, and resulting in positive outcomes for stakeholders. During the recent COVID crisis Carol was asked to be part of a selected group of Principals to offer advice and consultative leadership during this challenging period.

Carol is looking forward to serving on the ACEL WA Executive and confronting the challenges of a changing education milieu.

The world is changing rapidly. If we want to foster peoples’ ability to learn, live, lead and work in that changing world, the way we approach education and leadership must support the future. Developing 21st century learning skills is a strong focus in Carol’s new school context, and she believes that working collaboratively in a cross sectoral environment will not only strengthen and support education but will result in innovation and new opportunities.

Tamara Doig

Branch Executive Member

Tamara is the current principal at Rostrata Primary School in Willetton, Western Australia. In her 5th year as a principal, Tamara spent 6 years as a Deputy Principal prior to this in government schools in Perth and several years in teacher-leader roles as a classroom teacher. She enjoyed a career in the media industry in Sydney and London prior to working in the education sector.

Tamara’s focus as a school leader is building a positive, culturally safe, creative and future-focused school culture in which students are equipped with the foundational competencies, learning dispositions and thinking skills needed to succeed and staff feel supported, heard and valued. Tamara has a particular interest in building the capacity of aspirant leaders and has contributed as a guest principal for the Leading School Improvement professional learning workshops at the Leadership Institute, DoE WA. Her current focus is on establishing the conditions required for the successful implementation of an instructional coaching model to support a reflective practice approach and an ongoing school improvement agenda at Rostrata PS. The work of Tracey Ezard inspires Tamara’s approach to leadership; she strives to be a Ferocious Warmth leader, leading with courage and compassion in her school community.

Tamara’s leadership skills have been recognised by FORM WA, in publications titled, ‘Creative School Leadership’ and ‘A Field Guide to Assessing Creative Thinking in Schools’, in addition to a vignette called ‘Creative Leadership in Western Australia’ which can be located on YouTube following her engagement in the Creative Schools program. Tamara actively supports cross-sectoral education collaboration and in addition to her current ACEL role, was a foundation committee member for TeachMeet in WA and @WAedConnect on X.

Krystal McKnight

Branch Executive Member

Krystal is an experienced educator with a diverse background in Education and Music Education, having worked across primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors. She currently serves as Head of the Arts at Ballajura Community College, where she leads a dedicated team focused on nurturing creativity, critical thinking, and innovation in students.

An active advocate for cross-sectoral leadership, Krystal is passionate about driving positive change. As a PhD candidate, her research explores the leadership skills and attributes necessary to cultivate essential competencies in students, such as creativity and critical thinking to innovate and solve complex problems. Supporting her continued research towards enhancing the quality of teaching, she was awarded the 2022 and 2024 Dr Susan Holland Scholarship from Edith Cowan University.

Krystal is dedicated to shaping an education system that meets the evolving demands of a fast-paced, technology-driven world. In fostering creativity at a systems level, she hopes to empower leaders to embed creativity, enabling innovation and growth.

Kathryn Netherwood

Branch Executive Member

Kathryn is an educator with extensive experience as a principal, teacher, mentor, and coach. Kathryn is currently a Sessional Academic at Edith Cowan University in Teacher Education and an Independent School Reviewer for the WA Department of Education. Kathryn recently completed a twenty-two-year tenure as Principal at Lance Holt School, Fremantle where she had the privilege of leading an independent community school. As a lifelong learner Kathryn perused post graduate academic studies in two areas of special interest Educational Leadership and Wellbeing completing a Master of Educational Leadership at the University of Western Australia and a Professional Certificate in Positive Education at the University of Melbourne. Kathryn is committed to contributing to the teaching profession and is looking forward to promoting and supporting ACEL as a member of the WA Branch Executive.

Jette Oksis

Branch Executive Member

Jette Oksis is a Team Leader at Catholic Education WA and has been learning and developing as an educator for 27 years. Having numerous roles as a teacher, consultant, coordinator and principal, her career includes extensive time in public education in regional and remote areas. Since moving to Perth with her 4 children, she has completed her Master of Education, researching and developing online teacher professional learning. Jette is invested in promoting accessible, quality education systems and advocates valuing educators as creative and reflective professionals. Outside of her profession, she also volunteers as President of a Surf Life Saving Club.

Gary Racey

Branch Executive Member

Gary is the current Director of Operations (PK-12) at Perth College. He has held the senior executive leadership roles, including that of Principal and Deputy Principal, for the past 13 years, always seeking to lead by example through commitment, vision and passion.

Gary has taught in all education sectors, including public and independent schools, from district high schools to large K-12 faith-based organisations. He has a passion for 21st century learning and pedagogy, using flexible and engaging spaces to motivate and engage young people and staff. His vision is to globalise education by connecting the classroom to the real world, transforming lives and revolutionising education through a contemporary approach to thinking, teaching and learning.

Gary has developed multiple innovative programs and was featured in the ‘Educator Magazine Top 50 Hotlist’ in 2017, being acknowledged as one of the outstanding and influential educators in Australia. He is also a previous recipient of the ‘ACEL WA Certificate of Excellence in Educational Leadership’.

Maree Whiteley

Branch Executive Member

Maree Whiteley works with teachers and curriculum leaders to bring innovative and practical pedagogies into the classroom, through special projects and whole-school planning. After 14 years as a Curriculum Consultant with AISWA, Maree is currently working across all sectors as an independent Education Consultant with specific expertise in Inquiry-based Learning and integrated curriculum planning across several Learning Areas. This vast experience, gives Maree the perfect platform to go beyond the dot points, exploring areas of global imperatives for our young people, such as ethical and humanitarian issues, critical thinking and cultural competence. Maree enjoys sharing her years of teaching and school leadership experience, curriculum knowledge and expertise with others in workshops, publications and online forums.