The Executive Team meets weekly to provide a regular and frequent forum addressing management matters as they emerge. It comprises; the Education Director, Business Operations Manager, Chair of College, and the Portfolio Holders of Early Childhood, Primary and High School.
An extension of the Executive Team is the Leadership Team, which includes members of the Executive, as well as the Portfolio Holders of Learning Support and Music. This group meets twice per term to consider education and leadership and whole school matters.
Lisa O’Donnell – Education Director
This role is to guide, educate and care for students; to give the community a place where its children can belong; to sustain the School; to ensure that all the team of the School strives for the students; to engender a belief in something bigger than the individuals within the School; to lead the School team and hold an umbrella over the whole school as a healthy, dynamic organisation. The purpose of the role is to facilitate the flourishing of others and to make adjustments so others can be their best. In this sense, the role is to be a conduit between the moving parts of the School that need constant attention to move in the right direction.
Jeremy Street – Business Operations Manager
Jeremy brings a wealth of experience to his new role as the Business Operations Manager at Chrysalis. He has an extensive background in corporate finance and, with his MBA, he has further honed his business acumen and operational skills in the key areas of financial management, corporate governance, strategic management, strategic leadership, and customer service. Jeremy has four children at Chrysalis and through this experience, he has gained a great affinity for the education of the whole child and a passion for the Steiner philosophies of education. Jeremy says “I feel as though my career trajectory has led me to this role, and I am very excited to join the Chrysalis team. To work for the betterment of the students, faculty, parents and the whole school community, in such a wonderful setting, is an opportunity that I feel honoured to take on.” With solid experience with compliance, great interpersonal skills, extensive experience interacting and collaborating with staff and boards, and an open-minded attitude to new challenges, Chrysalis is excited to move into its 40th year of bringing Steiner education to the Thora Valley with Jeremy as a key part of the School’s management.
Cath Van Schie – Chair of College
After beginning my journey at Chrysalis almost four years ago as a casual teacher with nearly twenty years experience, I took on my first full-time class in 2020 with that year’s Class 1 students. I am excited to see this class develop and grow during their upcoming primary years under my guidance. My interest in Steiner education began when I was studying for my degree, when I felt I needed something more fulfilling. My curiosity was fuelled by a friend who had studied Steiner education at Parsifal College in Sydney and shortly thereafter I enrolled in the Anthroposophical course and explored all of the philosophical underpinnings of Steiner education. It is an honour to now be able to, with my fellow Chrysalis teachers, deepen my connection to Anthroposophy through my new role as Chair of College. With this exciting challenge, I also gain the experience as a Board Director and look forward to assisting Chrysalis strengthen and nourish our next generation.
Howard Chaston – Music Coordinator
This role involves facilitating Music education at Chrysalis as a specialist programme that lives deeply within the pedagogy of the whole school and its links to the wider community. The role involves the coordination of instrumental tutoring, an extensive ensemble program and creative performance projects. The role also involves working with management, music staff, class teachers and parents to ensure the program runs smoothly and is well integrated into the broader education of the whole school experience.
