Meet the Executive Team

Ann Hooper

Deputy Principal/Head of Junior School

I have been at Lauriston as the Head of Junior School for the past two and a half years. Prior to this I held roles as Head of Junior School at Shelford Girls’ Grammar and Head of Science and Technology at Caulfield Grammar School’s Malvern campus. I made the switch to teaching after a short nursing career.

I hold a Bachelor of Teaching, Post Graduate Diploma in Information and Communication Technology, and a Master of School Leadership. Always keen to further develop my skills as well as those of my fellow teachers, I have recently attended professional development focused on effective classroom observation, using ICT in education, and curriculum design and mapping.

I have three adult sons, a beautiful granddaughter and another grandchild on the way. In my spare time I love being with my family, reading, music, exercise, and spending time in the ‘paddocks’ at our place on the Peninsula.

Nene Macwhirter

Deputy Principal/Head of Senior School

I have been teaching for more years than I can remember, luckily I love being a teacher! I believe that teaching keeps you young as well as being the most important job in society – we get to shape the next generation.

I am also passionate about my subject area, English. Communication, whether in the form of novels, emails, poetry, discussions or newspaper articles (just to mention a few forms we study), is fundamental to human experience and existence – what more important subject is there?

I am in my third year as Head of Senior School at Lauriston having had similar roles in other Independent and State schools, in all-girls as well as coeducational settings. I know that for most girls being in an all girls environment is the very best place to learn, and I chose this environment for both of my own daughters. The complex nature of this particular school and all of the opportunities it offers to girls keeps me very busy, but no two days are ever the same and it is fascinating to see what eventuates as the school day speeds by.

I recently attended the Alliance of Girls’ Schools Conference in Sydney where we were addressed by the Alliance’s patron, our first female Governor General, Quentin Bryce, and also by Germaine Greer, the well known feminist writer and educator. It was wonderful to not only hear their inspirational words, but also to be able to bring them back for discussion with my Year 12 English class.

Cathy Tan

Business Manager

I have been at Lauriston for the past five years. A qualified Chartered Accountant with a background in business services and tax, I initially worked in small and second tier accounting firms. I moved from the accounting field to work as Group Financial Controller of a leading patent and trademark attorney firm, and then decided to take a career break to complete my MBA.

In my spare time (not that I have any after chasing after 2 kids 3¹/₂ years and 15 months old, and renovating a house ) I like to cook, potter around in the garden, catch up with friends, read, watch movies... and sleep!

Nick Thornton

Director of the Lauriston Institute

I have been Director of the Institute for three years. The Institute has responsibility for the ongoing professional learning provided for teaching staff and teacher assistants. Lauriston believes that quality of teaching has a direct effect on educational outcomes for students and so we take ongoing professional learning for teachers very seriously.

In previous lives I have been CEO of a leadership training organisation, a Regional Director and Principal in the government education service and General Manager of disability services for SCOPE (formerly the Spastic Society of Victoria).

I began my teaching career in Portland and have taught Accounting, Legal Studies and Economics in several secondary schools as well as lecturing in Accounting at Deakin University.

While working at the Institute and the Australian Council for Educational Research I developed a long term interest in the training and certification of school leaders. I advise an International Principals organisation and have consulted to UNESCO and a range of school leaders in China, Singapore, Thailand and Europe. I’m also a board member of the Asthma Foundation of Victoria and Finance Director of Gymnastics Victoria.

I have three children, two of whom are still in schools. For all my sins, I’m a Collingwood supporter.