School Board
Dr Clare kermond
MMC Board Chair
chair@mmc.vic.edu.au
School board
Melbourne Montessori College is a not-for-profit, independent school and an incorporated entity under the Corporations Act 2001.
The MMC Board is responsible for the governance, vision and strategic direction of the school. The Board determines and implements the school’s key values and principles, appoints and works closely with the Principal, reviews MMC’s financial performance, ensures our school complies with legal obligations, and approves school policies.
The MMC Constitution, the Corporations Act and state and federal regulations for early childhood education and schools determine our governance structure.
How the Board works
The Board meets monthly with our school community electing Board members for a two-year term. The Board appoints a Chair, Deputy Chair, Finance Director and Company Secretary. Board members also sit on various working groups and each member volunteers their time and expertise.
Much of the Board’s work is done through committees and working groups made up of parent representatives and at least one Board member. Working groups include:
- Finance
- Buildings and Grounds
- MMC Foundation
- Risk and Compliance
The Principal is the school’s Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for the day-to-day management of MMC, implementing the Board’s strategic plan and effectively managing the school’s resources.
Meet Our Board Members
Dr Clare Kermond Board Chair
Qualifications:
Dr Clare Kermond is a Research Fellow in the School of Psychology and Public Health at La Trobe University, working on educational research, particularly educator and student wellbeing. Clare completed a PhD at the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre at La Trobe. Her doctoral research focused on Autistic secondary students and what helps or hinders them from having a successful experience of schooling. She has presented her work at national and international meetings. Clare also has a BA (Journalism) and MA (Sociology).
Experience:
Clare is also a Melbourne-based journalist, editor and strategic communications advisor with over 30 years of experience in media. Before her career shift into academia, Clare was a senior reporter and editor at The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. Her media roles included features editor, magazine editor, and political and industrial relations reporter. She has lectured in writing, editing and inclusive education. Clare lives with her husband and three children. The family has lived in South America but is now happily in inner Melbourne, close to Clare’s elderly parents. She is a keen fun runner and member of a book group.
Connection to MMC:
Clare’s youngest son is currently in Year 12 at MMC.
Court Haas Finance Director
Qualifications:
BBA (Finance and Accounting) and United States Certified Public Accountant
Experience:
Court was appointed to the MMC Board in December 2020 and brings more than 20 years of experience in finance and accounting. Court is part-time CFO of communications agency Think-HQ and an independent CFO advisory consultant. He has held senior finance roles with ASX- listed businesses and with chartered accounting firm, EY, in Australia and the United States.
Connection to MMC:
Court has two children at MMC.
Alice Champion Company Secretary
Qualifications:
BSocSci (Psychology), BArts (Honours), AMI Montessori 6-12 Orientation Certificate.
Experience:
Alice was appointed as a Board Director in May 2021 and works for the national representative body for Montessori education in Australia, MSCA. Alice undertook a PhD in Sociology before focusing on supporting and progressing Montessori education. She has experience in qualitative research, administration, events, marketing and as a university lecturer and tutor. Alice holds an AMI Montessori 6-12 Orientation Certificate and is completing a Graduate Diploma of Education (Montessori 6-12).
Connection to MMC:
Alice has three children at MMC.
“I investigated Montessori education when my eldest daughter was one. I was so pleased to find an approach that aligned with our family values and what my husband and I understood about child development and psychology. My children have attended Melbourne Montessori College since 2015, beginning in the Parent Toddler group and progressing through Early Learners to Cycles 1 and 2. Training as a sociologist helped me understand and appreciate the methods by which Dr Maria Montessori established her principles and practice. Completing the AMI 6-12 Orientation Certificate reinforced Montessori is an education for a modern world and also reinforced the deep importance of Montessori education for our children, community and wider society.”
Julian Isaacs Board Member
Qualifications:
B Business (Accounting) Swinburne University of Technology, CPA, Registered BAS Agent
Experience:
Julian was appointed to the MMC Board in 2020 and brings more than 25 years of experience in SMEs as Head Accountant and/or Financial Controller across industries with intrastate, interstate and overseas subsidiaries. For the past 11 years, Julian has run his own bookkeeping business. He has been involved in many committees and boards, mostly community-based and not-for-profit. He is also a director of the charity, Impact For Women.
Connection to MMC:
“I chose MMC because it fitted my child’s learning style and they also wanted to complete the IB. The MMC community is one of warmth, friendliness and inclusiveness. I would not have volunteered for a seat on the Board if I didn’t feel it matched my personal values and I could do something to improve the school’s future.”
Lukas Konieczny Board Member
Qualifications:
Bachelor Of Planning and Design, Bachelor of Property and Construction.
Experience:
Lukas has 20 years’ experience in the construction industry and is Director of Newpol Construction, a commercial building company. As Construction Director, Lukas retains overall responsibility for project delivery, providing all appropriate support and direction to project teams to ensure each client’s needs and project objectives are met.
Connection to MMC:
Lukas is an MMC Alumnus, having attended the school from 1989 and his own children attend the school.
“With first-hand experiences to draw on, I felt the environment and self-led learning experience of Montessori education were perfect for my own children. I have already noticed the emotional and intellectual growth within our children, which would not be matched within any traditional education system.”
Nicole Kirkwood Board Member
Qualifications:
Bachelor in International Relations and Commerce law & Graduate Certificate in Australian Immigration Law and Practice.
Experience:
Nicole is the Managing Director of Australian Visa and Immigration Experts (AVIE) and has worked in the industry since 2006.
Nicole previously worked in property development for ten years. She has volunteered at RILC and SAIL both refugee support organisations.
She Co-Founder of Women in Migration, member of MIA and Partners Immigration. She has participated in industry advisory groups, a parliamentary advisory round table and is regularly requested to present at universities, businesses and industry groups.
Sascha McGregor Board Member
Qualifications:
Sascha brings more than 15 years of international experience in strategy consulting, corporate management, start-ups and philanthropy. He has held senior leadership roles including Director at Ernst & Young, COO of an energy trading start-up, and Founder of a UK-based philanthropic initiative advancing human rights abroad. With a strong background in strategy, finance and management, together with his experience at Deutsche Schule Melbourne (DSM), a primary school expanding into secondary education, Sascha is well placed to contribute to the strategic direction and operational effectiveness of the MMC Board.
Experience:
Sascha has lived and worked across London, Munich and wider Europe before dedicating himself to his family as a full-time stay-at-home father. His professional journey includes leadership roles in global consulting, operational management in fast-growth environments, and philanthropic initiatives with international impact.
Connection to MMC:
Since joining MMC, Sascha has been an active contributor to school life. He has volunteered in his children’s classrooms, served as Balam-Balam, Banksia and Grevillea room representative, participated in the Parents’ Association leadership team, and acted as a director on the board of the MMC Foundation.
