Northern Beaches Christian School (NBCS)

Stephen Harris

• Principal, Northern Beaches Christian School
• Director, Sydney Centre for Innovation in Learning
• School Office: (02) 9450 1311
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• Profile:

  Stephen has led NBCS as Principal since 1999. He has been involved in education continuously since completing his first degree in 1977, with teaching experience on almost every grade from Kindergarten to Year 12. Stephen studied to be a secondary English teacher, trained additionally in Primary teaching method and has taught in Primary, Central and Secondary schools since 1978. In 1991 he commenced as Deputy Principal (Pastoral Care) at Wycliffe Christian School in the lower Blue Mountains. In the late 1980s Stephen completed a Masters thesis in Australian Literature, researching the work of Tim Winton in particular. During the 1990s he undertook evening studies in the TAFE system in order to gain a better understanding of the vocational education system as a Principal, completing an Advanced Certificate in Urban Horticulture and Landscape Design.

  Stephen Harris is currently the chairman of the Christian Schools Australia NSW State Council, and a member CSA National Council.

  Stephen holds high expectations of both students and staff alike, as a necessary component to raising standards in teaching and learning across the school. Stephen is passionate about excellence in education, as well as seeing a Christian school excel in both academic and pastoral spheres.

Alan Schultz

• General Manager
• School Office: (02) 9450 1311
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• Profile:

  Alan Schultz has had a long association with Northern Beaches Christian School, starting in 1994 as a parent. Alan joined the NBCS staff as General Manager in 2001.

  Alan sees his role as resourcing the vision of the School. He works to ensure appropriate assets are allocated to priority needs across the School. Currently his priority is the completion of the building projects occurring at NBCS.

  Alan has worked in a range of business contexts across the government and private sectors. He was Director, Professional/Customer Services, at Informix during the mid 1990s, responsible for the consulting, training and customer services operations across ANZ. Prior to that Alan held managerial positions with Silicon Graphics, Ingres and with the Small Business Corporation. Alan was a management consultant for the Queensland Government from 1976 to 1987. Alan is currently a member of the Christian Schools Australia NSW State Council.

  Alan’s multi-faceted background and skill base have been of enormous benefit in his role as a Director on the NBCS Board and as a member of the School’s Senior Executive, leading the Business, Administration, Finance and Grounds Maintenance sections of the school.

Craig Linfoot

• Deputy Principal
• School Office: (02) 9450 1311
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• Profile:

  Craig’s role is primarily Deputizing for the Principal. He has oversight for the implementation of a number of programs, including ‘Personalised Learning’ (data-driven improvement) and the ‘Future Learning’ project. Craig is also responsible for Information Technology at NBCS, including the NBCS Portal. His vision for his role is to provide teachers, parents and students with the best information (data and research) and resources available to guide and support effective personalised learning.

  Craig sees NBCS as uniquely positioned with a focus on both face-to-face and distance education students, and enjoys the challenges of supporting both the physical and virtual sides of the school. Craig’s involvement with NBCS-based Sydney Centre for Innovation in Learning has enabled him to research, develop and share best practice in all areas of education.

Rod Soper

• Assistant Principal, Primary
• School Office: (02) 9450 1311
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• Profile:

  Rod’s vision for the Primary Years at NBCS is that it is a creative place where learning can change a child’s world. Rod oversees a wide range of innovative programs and initiatives in Primary, including the new 2009 stage structures, bringing innovation to the curriculum, personalising learning for each student, and development of the ‘Primary Education Through e-Learning’ project, PETE.

  Rod leads a team of passionate, enthusiatic teachers and support staff in Primary, providing new opportunities for students and surrounding them with excellent pastoral care.

Jenny Exton

• Head of Middle Years
• School Office: (02) 9450 1311
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• Profile:

  As Head of Middle Years, Jenny has leadership over the learning and pastoral care for all students in Years 7, 8 & 9. Jenny’s oversight of Middle Years sees innovative educational practice continue to build, with a vision to provide every student with excellence in their experience of education. Her leadership has seen a number of ground-breaking initiatives implemented, including the ‘Global Learning Village’, Years 7-8 Matrix program and Years 9-10 elective structure.

Phill Johnson

• Head of Senior Years
• School Office: (02) 9450 1311
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Andrew Clucas

• Assistant Principal, Online Learning
• Director, Online Learning
• School Office: (02) 9450 1311
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• Profile:

  Andrew’s role is to oversee the online distance education program at NBCS / SCIL, delivering courses to students at NBCS and throughout NSW through hsconline.nsw.edu.au. His role is to ensure that teaching practices in this program typify the ‘excellence in education’ standard at NBCS, and that online students also have opportunities to experience ‘Christianity in action’.

  Andrew sees the dynamic and innovative learning environment at NBCS as unique, citing the fact that very few schools in NSW offer online delivery of HSC courses.

Michael Norsa

• Assistant Principal (Student Care)
• School Office: (02) 9450 1311
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• Profile:

  Mick is in charge of Student Welfare and Christian Perspectives at NBCS. The focus of his role is to ensure that NBCS is a safe and caring community environment for all students, as well as seeing the “Christianity in Action” part of our mission statement implemented across the school. Mick has significant involvement with the NBCS Missions program, providing local, national and international opportunities for students to get involved and look beyond themselves to the needs of others, including an annual trip to Cambodia with a group of Year 11 students.

  Student Welfare at NBCS ensures a strong focus on training students in relational skills, especially conflict resolution.

Wade Orth

• Assistant Principal, Educational Administration (K-12)
• School Office: (02) 9450 1311
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• Profile:

  Wade has over 22 years in education. His role is to oversee and improve the systems, logistics and programs that support the activities of the school. Wade’s focus is to make things work by fitting people and places together for success.

Chris Woldhuis

• Assistant Principal, Curriculum (Secondary)
• School Office: (02) 9450 1311
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• Profile:

  Chris leads the School Transformation Team and Secondary Educational Support and Special Programs. His role focuses on raising achievement for staff and students through pedagogical transformation (improved teaching) and professional development. Highlights of his role include making Professional Development courses tailored to individual staff, and the unique Year 7 Home Class “Matrix” program.

Gilbert van der Jagt

• Director of Performance Management / HSIE Learning Area Manager
• School Office: (02) 9450 1311
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• Profile:

  As part of the School Transformation Team, Gilbert has oversight of staff appraisal and assessment of teaching standards; data creation and data-led improvement; LAM leadership and programming compliance. Gilbert sees his role as continually improving and refining a streamlined staff appraisal system that is user-friendly for LAMs (Learning Area Managers) and involves a clear and encouraging process for all staff. This data is used to generate practical plans for school improvement, especially through individualised goal-setting and targets for students.

  Gilbert sees the commitment to “best practice” at NBCS, including a willingness to experiment and apply the best ideas for education and learning from around the world, as pivotal. 

Jann Ramage

• Director of Staff Mentoring / Creative Arts Learning Area Manager
• School Office: (02) 9450 1311
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• Profile:

  Jann’s role as Director of Staff Mentoring is to ensure that Teaching Practice at NBCS typefies our “Excellence in Education” vision, and that students have the chance to experience “Christianity in Action.”

  Jann’s has oversight of New Scheme Teachers, Practicum students and the Teacher Induction Process at NBCS. Her vision for the role is to recognise and nurture the school’s greatest resource - teachers - with a desire to improve the professionalism of experienced classroom teachers by fostering a vision for high expectation of themselves and of their students.