School Leadership

Female school teacher with crossed hands, wearing a black and white blouse

PRINCIPAL

Ms Jenny Williams

As Firbank Grammar School Grammar’s 10^th Principal, Ms Jenny Williams is a passionate and dedicated leader. She believes that every child should be allowed to live up to their potential so that they may become an extraordinary person.

Jenny works with staff to provide exceptional educational opportunities at Firbank so students form a lifelong love of learning.

Jenny inspires students to look beyond themselves and show kindness and compassion to others. She feels that knowing and caring for each student will foster academic excellence and individual and team success.

Our Strategic Intent shapes the learning environment for students and staff today and into the future

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL, HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL

Ceri Lloyd

With over three decades in education, Mrs Ceri Lloyd has excelled in various leadership roles encompassing teaching, learning, curriculum development, strategic planning, operations, and student wellbeing. Ceri’s leadership is characterised by her dedication to fostering a culture of professional thinking and learning and building high-performing teams.

“As an Alumni of Firbank Grammar School, I am excited to return to the Firbank community and committed to implementing innovative and intentional learning programs that develop students critical thinking, collaboration and agency in their learning, wellness, and life pursuits.”

Smiling woman with blonde hair standing outdoors on a sunny day

HEAD OF CAMPUS, JUNIOR SCHOOL, BRIGHTON

Melanie Smith

Mrs Melanie Smith became Head of Campus for Firbank Grammar School’s Turner House in October 2020. With extensive experience at Firbank Grammar School, both as a staff member and an Old Grammarian, Mel thrives in leading our Brighton Girls Junior Campus, maintaining a close relationship with students, staff and parents.

Mel’s success comes from her compassion, understanding, passion for teaching and deep knowledge of Firbank Grammar School.

HEAD OF CAMPUS, JUNIOR SCHOOL, SANDRINGHAM HOUSE

Emma Phillips

Emma brings more than 20 years of experience in independent primary education, including over a decade in senior and executive leadership roles across Early Learning to Year 6.

She joins the School with a strong reputation for leading inclusive, high-performing learning communities grounded in academic excellence, care of the individual and a deep commitment to student wellbeing.

As a Firbank Old Grammarian, Emma returns to Firbank with excitement, bringing with her a deep understanding of the School’s culture, traditions, and aspirations, combined with a contemporary, future-focused leadership perspective.

CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER

David Simmelmann

David is an accomplished senior executive with significant general and financial management experience in the education and healthcare industries. He has successfully developed and implemented major business strategies and tenders, innovative service programs and reporting, quality management systems and business acquisitions and amalgamations.

David is a proactive, authentic and dynamic leader who builds strong relationships at all levels of the organisation to enable sustainable growth, and he is committed to ensuring that the students in our care have access to the facilities and programs that will allow them to reach their full potential for many generations to come.