The School Board contributes to good governance so that school resources are used efficiently, and community expectations and the school’s priorities reflect the needs of students.
The School Board meets each term, in Weeks 4 and 8. Members of the school community are warmly welcomed to attend as observers.
Families can speak to parent representatives about the Board processes. As the School Board supports governance, rather than operations, parent representatives will usually help you determine the best staff member to approach.
Board email address: MLPSBoard@outlook.com
2024 Board Members
Parents
Sian Zador (Chair)
Catherine Pearce (Secretary)
Amanda Greenman
Saul Karnovsky
Community
Nathan Curnow
Staff
Jared Lawson (Principal)
Lesa Mileto
Christine Ashkenazy
Alison Hawkesford
Get to know our Board Members
At Mount Lawley Primary School, we take connection very seriously. We hope these introductions help you get to know your School Board members a little better.
Name: Jared Lawson, Staff representative
Best movie ever? Elf featuring Will Ferrell
What do you sing at Karoke? Mr Brightside or anything from Morgan Wallen’s back catalogue
Who was your favourite teacher? Mr Reynolds - my Year 6 teacher.
Your favourite thing about Mt Lawley Primary? The strong connection between school and community.
What was your favourite subject at school? And why? English because it is more about the exploration and application of ideas rather than memorising facts.
If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be? To undertake the journey without knowing the destination
If you were a superhero, what superpowers would you have? Invisibility
Name one thing about being on the board that surprised you. Having sat on several school boards, each new experience is an opportunity for me to continuously learn.
Jared Lawson Biography
I started my career in education as a mature age graduate teacher in Melbourne’s independent school system. I relocated to Geraldton in 2008, teaching in several Department of Education schools before my first appointment to a Deputy Principal position in Geraldton’s most challenging and complex primary school. Three years later, I moved to Broome where I spent two years as a Deputy Principal before my appointment to the role of Principal. I have worked at Mount Lawley Primary School since the beginning of 2022, and I am also a proud parent to three girls who are currently in Years 6, 8 and 10.
Name: Alison Hawkesford, Staff representative
Best movie ever? The Shawshank Redemption
What do you sing at Karoke? Anything Disney!
Who was your favourite teacher? All of them of course.
Your favourite thing about Mt Lawley Primary? The students.
What was your favourite subject at school? And why? Art. I love creating things and art is so calming.
Alison Hawkesford Biography
I have been teaching for ten years and I am the Digital Technologies specialist teacher at Mt Lawley PS. I am a mum to three daughters with whom I share a passion for all things Lego and Star Wars. I joined the MLPS board as I wanted to be more involved in the school at a community level.
Christine Ashkenazy, Staff Representative
Name one thing about being on the board that surprised you: All the intricacies involved in the running of the board and the very specific wording needed for documentation.
Best movie ever? 10 Things I Hate About You
What do you sing at Karoke? BonJovi - Living on the Prayer (gotta love a power song)
Your favourite thing about Mt Lawley Primary? The friendliness of the students. I feel uplifted everyday by students saying hello, waving as they go past or coming to chat with me while I'm on duty or as I'm moving around the school. It really makes my day.
If you were a superhero, what powers would you have? Translating Powers - I would love to be able to swap into any language to talk to all people from around the world.
(Senora) Christine Ashkenazy Biography
I started out my career as a classroom teacher working in a variety of schools around Perth. I taught mostly year 6 and 7 classes but have been the class teacher for all year levels except Pre-Primary. About 8 years ago I was offered a role in a school as their Italian teacher and have loved it ever since! I came to Mount Lawley in 2018 when the school changed languages to Italian and have enjoyed my time here immensely. On a more personal note, I have two children of my own and a 2-year-old pug named Chewie. He was originally named after Chewbacca from Star Wars but he has really lived up to his nickname!!
Lesa Mileto, Staff Representative
Name one thing about being on the board that surprised you: Not a lot surprised me about the board. I witness daily the committed and professional way our school is lead and I assumed these processes would flow over to the Board.
What do you sing at Karoke? I don’t : ) only in the car when I am alone!
Your favourite thing about Mt Lawley Primary? The wonderful community spirit.
If you were a superhero, what powers would you have? Time Travel
Who was your favourite teacher? Mr Halstrom, my Woodwork teacher. He was also my dad’s teacher when he was at school
Lesa Mileto Biography:
I have worked at MLPS for 10 Years, starting in 2012 one day a week in the front office and gradually increasing to full time. I am now the Manager Corporate Services and have been in this role for two years. This role has challenged me immensely but I always feel supported by the incredible team around me. I grew up in the country on a sheep and wheat farm and completed most of schooling in Boyup Brook.I have a beautiful daughter who is 24. I love to travel and spend time with my family. MLPS is a wonderful place to work!
Amanda Greenman, Parent Representative
Name one thing about being on the board that surprised you: How much I enjoy attending the meetings.
What do you sing at Karoke? Mahna Mahna (got to love the Muppets!)
Your favourite thing about Mt Lawley Primary? I have lots of favourite things. The amazing staff who give so much of themselves to our children. The fun, engaged, caring community. And perhaps most of all - the kids!
What was your favourite subject at school and why? English Literature. I am such a bookworm and it was my first introduction to some of my favourite authors, and it was a nice change from my heavy load of STEM subjects.
Who was your favourite teacher? Mrs Parry, the English Lit teacher. She was so dedicated and was so effective in passing on her passion for literature.
Amanda Greenman Biography:
My family and I joined the MLPS community in 2018. My eldest son Xavier is now in Year 4 and my younger son Timmy is due to start Kindy in 2025. I am a GP and I enjoy my work, especially supporting people to improve their mental health and relationships.
Catherine Pearce, Parent Representative
Name one thing about being on the board that surprised you: Not surprising as such, but it's been interesting to see just how much work and planning the school does behind the scenes to develop programs and foster a great culture for staff and students.
What do you sing at Karoke? 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' - a power ballad that always gets everyone joining in!
Your favourite thing about Mt Lawley Primary? How welcoming the community has been already and our eldest has only just started kindy.
Best movie ever? The Sound of Music - still love the songs!
If you were a superhero, what powers would you have? Teleporting - transport to anywhere in a flash in no time at all.
Catherine Pearce Biography
I’m a mum of two wonderful boys and our eldest started at MLPS Kindergarten in 2023. My professional experience is in management consulting and engineering, now running my own consulting business which has included supporting not-for-profit organisations with governance and funding. I completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors course in 2019 and I’m a Board Member for the Australian Inclusion Group. I’m passionate about being involved in the school community and hope to bring some fresh perspectives as a new parent to the school and ideas from my consulting experience.
Nathan Curnow, Community Representative
Name one thing about being on the board that surprised you: I was surprised by how diligent, detail-oriented and effective the Board was in working on the various tasks set for it and by it with respect to the school.
Best movie ever? 1979's The Muppet Movie.
What do you sing at Karaoke? Probably a classic from a 90's band. The Smashing Pumpkins, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Nirvana maybe.
Your favourite thing about Mt Lawley Primary? I love how embedded pedagogy is in the practice of the school and the willingness of staff to grow and improve for the students.
If you were a superhero, what powers would you have? I try to look at life and events from a number of different angles to better understand them. I'd love to shapeshift as a result.
Nathan Curnow Biography
Nathan Curnow is the Head of Science at John Curtin College of the Arts and a teacher with more than fifteen years experience in the classroom, being recognised as a Level 3 Classroom Teacher since 2009 and shortlisted for the Prime Minister's Science Prize in Secondary Teaching. He is currently the President of the Australian Science Teachers Association and has developed and led state level professional development as a coordinator of Teacher Development School Science Team, is an inaugural alumnus of the STEM X Academy with CSIRO and Questacon and has completed a Masters in Education focusing his thesis on cognitive acceleration in science education. Nathan has considerable experience as a Board member and a Board chair and first joined the Mt. Lawley Board in 2020.
Sian Zador, Parent Representative
Name one thing about being on the board that surprised you: The amount of work our teachers put in behind the scenes to make our school run smoothly and provide the extras to our students.
Best movie ever? The Kingsman, easy watching!
Who was your favourite teacher? My Mum️
Your favourite thing about Mt Lawley Primary? The beautifully kept grounds and sense of community.
If you were a superhero, what powers would you have? I would love to be able to teleport- what a time saver!
Sian Zador Biography
I am a Mum to two wonderful girls who are in Year 2 and PP. I spend my time juggling parenthood and my career in Finance. I enjoy giving back to our community through my volunteer work which has included childhood allergy research, helping disadvantaged women gain financial independence, as well as serving for last 4 years as Treasurer for Marjorie Mann Daycare in Mt Lawley.
Saul Karnovsky, Parent Representative
Best movie ever? Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Your favourite thing about Mt Lawley Primary? That the teachers, leaders and school staff are caring, committed and professional educators who ensure our kids are given amazing learning opportunities.
Who was your favourite teacher? I’ve been fortunate to have so many amazing teachers in my life. I have fond memories of Mr Carter in year 4. He encouraged me to write and use my imagination, was funny and caring. I’d only recently come to the school and he made me feel welcomed.
What was your favourite subject at school and why? English because I was able to write creatively and express myself. I loved doing talks and presentations in front of class and have made that part of my professional life as a university lecturer.
If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be? Do, or do not, there is no try.
Biography: I am a former public-school teacher and Senior Curtin University research and teaching academic. I will be bringing a wealth of professional experience and passion for education to the school board. I hold a Doctorate in Education with expertise in wellbeing and school resilience. I am committed to representing parents to provide a strong voice for their cares and concerns. As a person living with a physical disability, I am also a committed advocate for diversity and equity. As a skilled communicator and mediator, I will work diligently with the school leadership and parent community to ensure the best outcomes for our students.
BOARD GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK
Mount Lawley Primary School Board Terms of Reference (including Code of Conduct)
Department of Education - School Councils/Boards
Board Meeting Minutes
2023 Meeting Minutes
Meeting Minutes - 30 November 2023
Meeting Minutes - 10 August 2023
Meeting Minutes - 23 March 2023
Meeting Minutes - 1 March 2023
2022 Meeting Minutes
Meeting Minutes - 27 October 2022
Meeting Minutes - 1 September 2022
Meeting Minutes - 17 March 2022
Meeting Minutes - 17 February 2022
Should you have an interest in any information not already published on this page, please do not hesitate to contact the School Board on MLPSBoard@outlook.com or the Principal on Principal.Mountlawley.PS@education.wa.edu.au.