Dr Helen Street – Founding Patron is an internationally acclaimed social psychologist and education consultant, supporting wellbeing and resilience in educational communities around the world. She is also a successful author and an honorary fellow at The University of Western Australia. Her first book ‘Standing Without Shoes’ includes a foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.In 2007, Helen co-founded Positive Schools with Neil Porter, including the highly respected Positive Schools conference series, Positive Schools Online and consultancy services.Helen is also the founder of the Contextual Wellbeing framework and philosophy supporting the ongoing development of thriving school communities. Contextual Wellbeing is now being developed in schools in more than twenty countries across four continents; including Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore and the UK. Helen’s fourth book, ‘Contextual Wellbeing – creating positive schools from the inside out’ has become an international best-seller in education.Helen is known as a pioneer in the support of long-term learning engagement and wellbeing through whole school systemic change and development.Helen lives in Western Australia with Neil, their three daughters and their cavoodle, Barney.She will be releasing her fifth book ‘The Impossible Question of Living Well’ in May, 2024.
Trish Morton- Founder and Principal (BAppSc, GradDipEd, MEd) is a passionate and experienced educator and a parent of complex kids, with a belief in nurturing students as people first. She is currently teaching Psychology and Science at Burgmann Anglican School. Trish has taught across a wide range of settings, from preschool to postgraduate level, both in Australia and overseas, in cities, regional areas, and remote Aboriginal communities. She completed her Master of Education at UNSW with a focus on teacher professional learning, while working for CSIRO Education, delivering wide-ranging professional learning in science inquiry and indigenous science understanding. She is also a board member of Lyneham High School. Trish strongly believes in the power of inclusive education to guide young people through the complexities of life, support them to become the very best versions of themselves, and to pursue their passions.
Shamus Morton – Founder and Business Manager (GDTL, GDCA, BCom) is passionate and dedicated teacher at Franklin Preschool, alongside being the parent of complex children. He has eleven years of experience helping students across schools in the NT and ACT, in both private and public settings. Prior to embarking on a career as a teacher Shamus was a Chartered Accountant and principal of his own private practice. He has extensive experience with the education and not-for profit sector as the Grants Accountant for the Catholic Education Office NT, and through his work as a public accountant. Shamus has held a number of previous board positions, as the Treasurer of Three Year Old Kindy (NT), and the teacher representative on the North Ainslie Primary School Board. Shamus believes that schools should be based on the needs of the individual providing a safe place for students to belong and thrive. We are pleased to be able to bring his dedication, experience, and passion to support the establishment of Connections High School.
Professor Lorana Bartels – Board Member (BA LLB LLM PhD GDLP GCTE) is a Professor of Criminology and the Deputy Director of POLIS: The Centre for Social Policy Research at the Australian National University. She is an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Canberra and University of Tasmania and Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law. She is also a board member of the Murumbidgee School at the ACT’s youth detention centre; the Justice Reform Initiative; and the editorial boards of five criminology and law journals. Her teaching and research interests include the role of education in the criminal justice system and the needs and treatment of females, young people, Indigenous people and people with disability in the criminal justice system.
Robyn Thurecht – Board Member. CEO – artKids Australia Pty Ltd. Built the business up from a sole trader with 8 students to now more than 400 students, 14 employees, operating classes after-school in 12 locations across Canberra.Won Finalist – Telstra Best of Business Awards 2024 – Building CommunitiesExperienced Educator, Writer, Researcher, Editor and Artist with a demonstrated history of working in higher education, private sector finance and stockbroking industries as well as not-for-profits. Skilled in Communications, Administration and Event Management. Strong entrepreneurship professional.
Kirsten Westaway – Board Member – is a senior Project Manager and Architect with 25 years’ experience and skills in managing complex projects. This work has included government, university, health and community facilities, precinct design, multi-residential projects, writing briefs and managing documentation and construction administration. Her experience in both government and private sector brings an understanding of governmental process and commercial operations to deliver outcomes that are successful both socially and economically. A strong commitment to the Canberra region and innovation reinforces experience in construction to produce a balanced understanding of the city and the people who make it happen. Throughout her career, Kirsten has led and coordinated specialist teams to achieve excellent solutions for clients. Her ability to recognise and champion good design / ideas has added value to medium-risk and large scale projects from both strategic and operational perspectives. She has a reputation for successfully managing teams through an adaptive methodology, and providing considered input into policy at board level.
Elizabeth McAllister – Board Member.- has over two decades of executive leadership experience delivering Australian Government programs in careers leadership, employment and visa and citizenship services. Elizabeth has strengths in communications, stakeholder engagement and governance, and a strong interest in leadership and ethics. Elizabeth is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and was formerly a Board Director and Vice President of the YWCA of Canberra, a role which included delivering governance training to small not-for-profit organisations. Elizabeth is also a community representative on a Commonwealth Human Research Ethics Committee.