The MSCA Board

Janis Coffey

Janis has been the Principal of North-Eastern Montessori School since 2019. She has over 10 years’ experience in various leadership roles in independent schools, including being Head of Middle School, Head of Teaching & Learning and Associate Director of Geelong Grammar’s Institute of Positive Education.  Janis is also a certified Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) facilitator and has spent a large part of her career promoting mental health for young people, serving on the Board for the Positive Education Schools Association from 2016 – 2019. Originally from Philadelphia, Janis has lived in Australia for more than 19 years. She has a teenage daughter and enjoys writing, cooking, yoga, and anything to do with the arts!

Janis Coffey

(Chair)

Principal, North-Eastern Montessori School
Victoria

Gay Wales

Gay was the Principal of Melbourne Montessori School for ten years, from January 2012 to January 2022. During this time, she led the school through several major achievements, including adding the senior school, gaining IB Authorisation, and receiving two Innovative Schools Awards for Schools in 2019 and 2020. She has completed the AMI Administrators Course and has a Montessori Diploma 3-6. Previously, Gay spent 12 years at Christ Church Grammar School, transforming the curriculum into inquiry-based, concept learning. With an additional 13 years in the business world, Gay has the ability to work strategically and bring real-world experience for the benefit of both children and staff.

Gay Wales

(Deputy Chair)

Education Consultant and Former Principal of Melbourne Montessori School

Finance Director

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Board of the Montessori Schools and Centres Australia (MSCA) as an Appointed Director. We are currently seeking expressions of interest for two positions: 1. Director of Finance, 2. Appointed Board Member

These are voluntary governance roles, ideal for individuals passionate about education and aligned with Montessori principles. You will be contributing to a purpose-driven organisation that supports and advocates for quality Montessori education across Australia.

Please send expressions of interest by email to MSCA Board Chair, Janis Coffey (Janis.Coffey@msca.edu.au).

Finance Director

(Express Interest)

Cathy France

Cathy worked in schools in Australia and the UK for 10 years before starting at The Hills Montessori School in 1994 as a Cycle 3 (9-12) teacher. In 2004, Cathy was appointed as Principal of The Hills Montessori School in the Adelaide Hills, which caters for 0-16 year olds across two campuses. Cathy is passionate about collegiate sharing, learning from others and finding ways for Montessori educators and professionals to share ideals, ideas and practice. She has initiated several national forums for Montessori educators and leaders to unite. Cathy offers the MSCA Board her extensive experience in education, event management and professional development opportunities, along with her interest in good governance practices at a Board level.

Cathy France

(Secretary)

Principal, The Hills Montessori School
South Australia

Vanessa Aikins

Vanessa has been the Principal of Rockingham Montessori School for 10 years, spearheading their expansion to encompass a Montessori high school. In 2013 she travelled to the Hershey Montessori School in Ohio USA and took part in the AMI Orientation to Adolescent Studies program. Vanessa is committed to school leadership, social inclusion and collaboration across the Montessori community.

Vanessa Aikins

 

Principal, Rockingham Montessori School
Western Australia

Amelia Cobb

Amelia Cobb is a distinguished Lead Teacher and School Leader at Montessori East Primary & Pre School. She is instrumental in embedding inclusive education strategies and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into the Montessori curriculum, guided by the Curriculum Handbooks she has authored and published through MSCA. As a Montessori graduate and educator, Amelia’s deep understanding of Montessori principles drives her commitment to ensuring Montessori education remains relevant and impactful in a changing world. Her leadership in developing educational resources and her role in school improvement projects make her a vital asset to MSCA’s work.

Amelia Cobb

 

Lead Teacher & Author, Montessori East
New South Wales

Laureen Barnard

Laureen is a former engineer turned education trailblazer. With a Graduate Diploma in Education (P-12) and an AMI 12-18 Montessori Diploma from Hershey Montessori (Ohio, USA, 2014), she’s spent over 20 years challenging the status quo in schools and leadership. As a Leading Teacher, Laureen founded the pioneering MAP@BSC, an opt-in Montessori adolescent program nestled within a public high school in Beechworth, Australia. Today, she consults all over Australia and around the globe, specialising in Montessori 12–18 implementations, program design, professional development and mentoring educators with heart. She holds AMI certifications for Administrators, 0–3, and 6–12, and in 2022 joined the AMI Trainer of Teachers Programme. 

Laureen Barnard

Educator, Leader & Consultant
Victoria/Western Australia

Finance Director

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Board of the Montessori Schools and Centres Australia (MSCA) as an Appointed Director. We are currently seeking expressions of interest for two positions: 1. Director of Finance, 2. Appointed Board Member

These are voluntary governance roles, ideal for individuals passionate about education and aligned with Montessori principles. You will be contributing to a purpose-driven organisation that supports and advocates for quality Montessori education across Australia.

Please send expressions of interest by email to MSCA Board Chair, Janis Coffey (Janis.Coffey@msca.edu.au).