Board

Jarrod brings to the Board two decades of experience working across various industry sectors as a cyber security advisor, practitioner and leader. During this time, he has gained practical experience in enterprise governance and risk management, technology strategy development, IT audits, technical assessments, and cybercrime countermeasures and responses. He is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and an Accredited Mental Health First Aider; additionally, his formal qualifications include a Sherwood Applied Business Security Architecture Foundation Certificate and a Bachelor of Science (Computer Science & Computer Security).

Jarrod attended the Montessori School Kingsley from the age of three through to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and was taught by our founder, Mrs Duyker-de-Vries, as well as by some of our current Life Members of the School. He is a parent of two children who attend our school and is a strong advocate for the Montessori philosophy.

Kate loves observing children as they discover, grow, and learn in their own unique ways. Kate was a student at our school from age three through to completing her International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, and has been working here since 2010 between the Pre-Primary and Primary classes, as well as a brief stint in IB English. She took a break a few years ago to teach in Mumbai (India) and to have her twin girls, who are now students at our school. In addition to her teaching qualifications, she has a degree in Communications and English, so Kate is passionate about clear communication. She highly values honesty and kindness, and seeks to embed those principles in all her work. When she is not teaching Kate loves reading, hiking, gardening, and spending time with her family.

Michael is from a little country village called Glenmornan in County Tyrone (Northern Ireland). You can say that teaching is in his blood as his mum was also a teacher. His favourite word is ‘borborygmus’ and, don’t worry, we had to look that one up too! What he likes most about being a teacher is the ‘aha’ moment on a student’s face when they figure out something that a moment ago seemed completely alien to them - those are the moments he seeks constantly. When he is not at work, Michael likes to play casual netball, cycle, dabble in CrossFit, and occasional Strongman training, in addition, he also plays the guitar.

Ruth was appointed as Board Treasurer in 2022. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Economics and Sociology, a Master of Finance, as well as a Diploma of Management. Ruth brings to the Board 17 years of financial planning industry experience and is currently the General Manager of a financial planning firm as well as a co-owner of a company providing outsourced solutions to financial planners.

Besides looking to apply her financial, management and strategic planning experience; Ruth is also keen to assist with the promotion of the School as well as the Montessori pedagogy. She is also passionate about improving the financial literacy of youth.

Ruth has two children and they both attend our school. In her spare time, Ruth loves to travel and hopes to be able to use her neglected sewing machines again someday.

Wanda joined the Board as Secretary in 2025. With a background in healthcare, first as a dietitian, then as a doctor, and now in research, she brings strong skills in organisation, documentation, and communication. Wanda has been a part of our school community since 2013 and currently has three children attending.

Outside of work and school, Wanda loves to read and recommends The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series. She is also known for her creative baked goods that sneak in vegetables…and her enthusiastic use of hand sanitiser!

Chloe joined the School Board in 2024 as the Board Secretary. Chloe is a Social Worker, working in the areas of Child Safety and Specialised Family Violence Services. She works therapeutically with children surviving family domestic violence in the not-for-profit sector as well as working as a trainer to deliver Protective Behaviours education to children, parents, and community groups.

Chloe has three children at the School who enjoy the rich community at The Montessori School Kingsley. During she spare time, she and her family can mostly be found on an oval of some description enjoying community sports.

Alex attended our school for his entire schooling, from the age of three to the International Baccalaureate. He was taught by our founder, Mrs Duyker-de-Vries, as well as by some of our current Life Members of the School. He was the first in the school to receive an International Baccalaureate Bilingual Diploma (English and Greek).
Having graduated with a Commerce Degree, Alex has, since 2008, owned and run a boutique creative and marketing agency, working with many successful businesses in Perth. Along with his intimate knowledge of the School, he brings real-world marketing, communications and creative expertise, as well as business acumen, to the Board.

Alex has two children, and both attend our school. He enjoys writing and is currently struggling to complete his first children’s novel. His childhood obsession with palaeontology has never really subsided, and he is now an avid fossil collector.

Laila is originally from Canada, where she earned a Bachelor of Science as well as a Master in Soil Science from the University of Alberta, specialising in fate and transport of contaminants in soil. She has over 25 years of professional experience as an environmental consultant. Her experience includes contaminated site assessment and management; environmental strategic planning, options assessment and prioritisation; and environmental baseline and impact assessments.

She has presented and instructed in environmental science and business and has also authored and published peer-reviewed and conference papers within the soil and contaminated sites field during her career.

Laila’s connection to The Montessori School Kingsley goes back to 2011 when her son joined our school. She has volunteered with the Bushland Sub-Committee since 2013 and joined the School Board in 2020.

Randal has been an active member of the school community for the past seven years, since his eldest daughter joined playgroup at age two. With two young children currently enrolled, he brings both a personal connection and a strong commitment to the school’s success.

He has volunteered extensively, helping build playground equipment and supporting various school and community events over the past three years. His hands-on approach reflects his passion for creating a safe, vibrant environment for students.

Professionally, Randal has over 12 years of management experience and is currently a director at an Engineering Services Company. He brings practical and strategic skills, further strengthened by his role on a Strata Board.

Randal’s blend of professional expertise, community involvement, and dedication to the school makes him a valuable contributor to the board.

Tash is a lawyer who specialises in Corporate Law and Corporate Governance and helps the Board with compliance and governance issues. In the past 17 years, she has worked for listed and unlisted companies in Australia and had a brief career in Mauritius, where she is from originally. For over 10 years, she has worked for the regulator, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Tash has also guest lectured at university to law and business students on a few occasions.

She joined our Board in 2018, a year after her children became students at our school. Tash is a coffee addict and, in her spare time (which doesn't exist in her world), she is an avid learner and is always learning or trying new things.