Meet Our Staff

Mark commenced as Pembroke Principal in July 2022. In accordance with the School Constitution he is an ex officio non-voting Board Member. Mark is also a member of the four Board appointed committees.

Mark is an experienced educational leader, with undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in English, History, Communications and Educational Leadership. Most recently, Mark was Senior Deputy Principal at Wenona School in North Sydney where he worked closely with the Principal and School Board of Governors on all matters of school leadership and management, with particular emphasis on leading the innovative staff culture of learning.

Throughout Mark’s extensive career he has held many leadership roles across diverse areas such as Student Wellbeing, Professional Learning and Teaching and Learning. He is thoroughly committed to developing a school culture that values relationships and fosters personal excellence through continual improvement within a respectful and caring community.

Mark is passionate about all things Pembroke and is looking forward to advancing the School into the future, and co-designing strategy that supports Pembroke being at the forefront of education and one of Australia’s leading independent schools.

Alexandra commenced at Pembroke in 2005 and manages the busy Girton Campus, site of the Senior School, working with a range of staff and being responsible for 450 students in their final two years of formal education. She is an experienced teacher having worked in the UK, been Chief Assessor for the SACE and an examiner for the IB Diploma Programme. Additionally, she has contributed to textbooks and journals along with serving as the President, Treasurer and Journal Editor of the Geography Teachers’ Association of South Australia. Alexandra has an Honours Degree in Geographical Sciences and Master of Education – Leadership and Management.

Wendy commenced Pembroke in 2000. She oversees the School’s finance, business, risk, compliance, governance, major projects, ICT and properties services functions. Wendy is Secretary to the School Board, a member of the Board appointed committees and a Foundation Fellow.

Prior to joining Pembroke Wendy worked across manufacturing, banking, finance, housing and multimedia. She has qualifications in economics, finance, investment, management, governance and superannuation. She is currently a Trustee Director of NGS Superannuation, a member of the AISSA Finance Committee and Chair of Kathleen Lumley College Inc. Wendy is a Justice of the Peace (SA) and a fellow of CPA Australia, Australian Institute of Company Directors and Governance Institute.

Lawrence commenced at Pembroke in 2017 as the Assistant Head of Senior School Mathematics. After working for a period as Head of Oats House, he became the Assistant Head of Senior School in 2022, and is now acting in the role and enjoying supporting the Year 11 and 12 students through their final years of secondary education. Lawrence is an experienced Mathematics teacher, with time spent as an IB examiner and SACE Supervising Moderator, Examination Writer and Examiner. He also has a strong background in pastoral care leadership in a variety of educational sectors. Lawrence is an old scholar of Pembroke and holds a Bachelor of Science (with majors in Applied Mathematics and Physical and Inorganic Chemistry), a Graduate Diploma of Education and a Professional Certificate in Education (Positive Education).

Kia joined Pembroke as Head of Middle School in 2021 (previously Head of Middle School at Seymour College, Head of Middle School/Acting Deputy Principal at Woodcroft College). In addition to her success as a Head of Middle School, Kia brings many proven strengths and experiences to her role at Pembroke. She is currently completing a Master of Education Studies (Innovation and Change). She is an excellent Design and Technology teacher across Australian Curriculum, IB and SACE and blazed a trail with a number of female colleagues in the early 1990s to teach in the traditionally male-dominated school curriculum area of Technology. She is a Nationally Accredited Assessor in Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (AITSL) and can certify and assess teachers in the Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher level. Kia is actively engaged in professional associations and, from time to time, specialist committee work. In 2019, Kia won the Adolescent Success - Middle Years Leader of the Year National Award. She holds Australian Sports Commission and South Australian Sports Institute coaching certification for softball, lacrosse and netball having played all these sports at state or club level.

Jessica commenced at Pembroke as Head of Junior School in January 2023. Prior to this, she held the role of Head of Middle School at Walford Anglican School for Girls. Jessica holds a Bachelor of Psychology from the University of South Australia, a Bachelor of Education (Junior Primary / Primary) from Flinders University, and a Master of Education (Leadership and Management) from Flinders University. Her impressive qualifications are complemented by her experience teaching and leading in junior school settings as a primary classroom teacher, PYP Coordinator for the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme and in various leadership roles within the area of curriculum, wellbeing and teaching and learning. Jessica has a strong interest in student wellbeing and providing opportunities for school communities to learn, grow and improve together. She is a student-centered leader that values authentic student voice and enjoys providing opportunities for young people to shine.

Sean joined Pembroke in May 2022 as Director of ICT. Sean has been responsible for advising, guiding and leading IT strategy, architecture, projects and change management for a variety of organisations across a broad range of sectors including retail, government, energy, finance, manufacturing, construction, health and education.

Sean is an advocate of lifelong learning and holds numerous qualifications including an MBA and Graduate Diploma in Project Management. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and currently serves as an non-executive Director for AICSA and Diving SA.

Hannah commenced at Pembroke in 2018 and has responsibility for a broad portfolio including admissions, marketing, communications and fundraising, as well as activities that engage the wider community in the life of the School. Hannah is an experienced advancement professional and her career includes leadership positions and consulting appointments in the performing arts, tertiary and secondary education sectors, across Australia. She is a member of and an advisor to the Pembroke Foundation. Hannah has tertiary qualifications in music and management.

Amanda has gained an extensive understanding of Pembroke over more than 30 years. Prior to working at Pembroke, Amanda worked with an international research and marketing company interstate. At Pembroke, Amanda has held the positions of Deputy Head and Acting Head of Girls’ Boarding and she was the inaugural director of the Pembroke School Foundation from 1999 to 2018, helping enable several major capital developments and scholarships. In 2019 Amanda was appointed Director of Indigenous Education and Community Engagement, continuing her work with key supporters of the School, and developing the Indigenous Education program in support of students’ growth as well as engendering a spirit of reconciliation across the School. Amanda is a Fellow of, and an advisor to, the Pembroke Foundation, and a member of the Indigenous Education Advisory Committee at St Mark’s College, Adelaide.

Rebecca commenced at Pembroke in 2018 as Middle School Counsellor and won the position of Head of Social, Emotional and Personal Development in 2020. She has extensive experience in teaching, educational leadership and wellbeing across a range of school sectors in Australia, New Zealand and Germany, including as Assistant Principal of Middle School. Most recently, before commencing at Pembroke, she was Counsellor at Seymour College, ELC to Year 12, for a decade. She holds a Bachelor of Education in Secondary Art, a Diploma of Yoga Teaching and Masters of Education Studies specialising in Student Counselling. Rebecca is passionate about the mental health and wellbeing of young people and building a strong school culture of connection and belonging.

Tracy commenced at Pembroke in 2020 and is responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight to the School’s human resources management for our 320 permanent and contract staff and more than 150 casual staff, including sporting coaches. She leads the School’s recruitment and selection, workforce planning, employee relations and professional development. Tracy has a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and a Master of Human Resource Management, along with several years’ previous experience in human resource management. She is also a Certified Member of the Australian Human Resources Institute. Tracy is an old scholar of Pembroke, having graduated in 2002.

Darren joined Pembroke in 2001 having taught previously in the Catholic sector. Employed as a Chemistry/Science teacher he has since held a range of acting and substantive roles including Senior Tutor, Head of IB and Assistant Head of Senior School prior to commencing as Dean of Administration in 2016. Darren has qualifications in chemistry and education.

Clark re-commenced at Pembroke in 2020 following previous stints from 2006-09 and 2012-15. Clark oversees the planning and management of Pembroke’s academic program. He has experience in international education in Singapore, the Lutheran sector in addition to the independent education sector. He has held a wide variety of positions including Year 11/12 Coordinator, IB Diploma Coordinator and Assistant Head of Senior School prior to this role as Dean of Studies. Clark has tertiary qualifications in Finance, Economics and Education.