Interview with Alumni Pia Varsamis PhD

Ms Jane Tepper
Head of Admissions

Jane joined the Oakleigh Grammar team in 2016, having previously worked in the change management space in a variety of industries including education, retail, hospitality, and private enterprise. Her love of business and working with people has also seen her run successful businesses in Australia and overseas. Her appreciation for travel ties in well with her role as Head of Admissions as she regularly attends student recruitment drives throughout Asia including China, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Vietnam, Korea and Taiwan, and she has developed a close rapport with Oakleigh Grammar’s international families, students and agents.

With an amazing knowledge of our students, Jane loves meeting them through the enrolment process and getting to know them as progress through the school, ensuring they are settled and happy.  Jane has a large extended family which includes her four grown up children, their partners and now her two gorgeous grandsons.

Mrs Shelley Parkes
Deputy Principal – Professional Culture & Junior School

Mrs Parkes will bring a wealth of knowledge, that we believe will greatly help further develop and grow our Junior School, drawing on an expansive career in education and executive leadership, with her most recent position being Head of Junior School for Haileybury Rendall School, Darwin.

Added to Mrs Parkes impressive professional career, she is also a busy wife and mother to two wonderful teenage children, who enjoys travel and catching up with friends in her spare time.

Despite Mrs Parkes leadership roles, she always considers herself “A teacher first.”Allowing her to stay grounded and to create an environment of equal opportunity when making executive decisions.

Mr Peter Dickinson
Deputy Principal – Student Wellbeing & Operations

Mr Dickinson joined Oakleigh Grammar at the commencement of 2018, after 8 ½ years as Head of Glen Waverley Campus of Wesley College. Peter has achieved considerable success in a variety of other leadership roles at Wesley College and he is keen to make an equally valuable contribution to Oakleigh Grammar.  Mr Dickinson oversees the operations of the school and overall student welfare.

Mr Dickinson has a clear passion for education and his values of inclusivity, diversity and holistic development of each child are strongly aligned to the values of Oakleigh Grammar. His strong interest in student well-being and pastoral care is at the heart of his work.

Mr Dickinson has had extensive experiences across the ELC to Year 12 continuum in all areas of school life. He is an experienced International Baccalaureate educator and values the importance of intercultural understanding. He has also become a strong advocate for indigenous education.

Mr Dickinson holds a Bachelor of Education and a Diploma of Teaching and has been involved in a number of educational committees and community Boards across Victoria.  He currently serves on the Board of Life Education (Victoria). Mr Dickinson thoroughly enjoys his teaching, especially History and Geography, no doubt born from his extensive international travels across more than 55 countries.

Mr Tim Grandy
Business Manager

Mr Tim Grandy has been an educational executive for over 15 years, holding senior leadership roles as a CFO and Business Manager in schools in Victoria and interstate. He is dedicated to providing effective and sustainable financial management and administrative services which support a thriving school community.

Tim brings a future-focus to his role at Oakleigh Grammar, with a commitment to the ongoing enhancement of facilities where child-friendly design, innovation and technology support 21st century learning and aesthetics now and in the future.

With earlier experience as an industry CFO at public and national companies across financial, retail and manufacturing sectors, Tim brings extensive and diverse executive leadership experience focused on supporting parents/carers, families, staff and the broader community.

Tim is married, has three sons and enjoys planning family adventures such as a trek to Mount Everest Base Camp. He is an active church member and has volunteered for working teams at the Nine Mile Clinic in PNG.

Ms Nadia Feletti
Head of Marketing

Ms Feletti joined Oakleigh Grammar in January 2022, bringing a wealth of experience gained in the corporate, government and education sectors (Trinity Grammar School in Sydney). Her analytical and strategic approach to marketing and communications, together with an MBA, ensures she delivers to Oakleigh Grammar’s strategic intent.

With two teenage children of her own, Ms Feletti understands the important relationship between a school and its community, and is passionate about ensuring marketing is customer-focused. Working closely with the Principal and Senior Leadership team, Ms Feletti develops strategic marketing initiatives to increase brand awareness and reputation, foster strong community connections and develop enrolment strategies nationally and internationally.

Ms Feletti considers herself a lifelong learner and believes that strategy is key, but the devil is in the detail. When she’s not cooking up big ideas at work, Ms Feletti loves nothing more than cooking up a feast for family and friends.

Mrs Sharron Frame
Head of Senior School & Head of Middle School.

Mrs Frame is a passionate educator who views every child as an individual with a right to obtain an education that provides a pathway to a successful future.

As the Head of Senior School & Head of Middle School, she believes that education programs require a degree of flexibility to ensure weaker students are supported, stronger students are challenged and extended and each cohort that finishes in Year 12, exits school as responsible, prepared and capable young adults.

Mrs Frame leads a team of dedicated and equally passionate teachers who have worked together over a number of years to develop and improve education standards and outcomes for students within the Senior School.

Because of her real life experience in industry, as a Research and Development Chemist, she is aware of the necessity for preparing young adults for the choices and challenges they will face when they exit formal Secondary education.

She has established strong working relationships within the school community and believes that education is a three way partnership between home, school and student.

Mrs Tania Watson
EA to the Principal

Mrs Watson is an experienced Executive Assistant who has worked in administrative roles in schools for 15 years, including 10 years as Executive Assistant to the Principal at Presbyterian Ladies’ College.

She enjoys being a part of the ‘behind the scenes team’ who help provide support to the education of young people. She values the importance of education within a stimulating, nurturing and safe environment, where children are valued and diversity is celebrated.    Mrs Watson is delighted to be a part of the Oakleigh Grammar Community.

Ms Anna Lewis
Finance Manager

Ms Lewis is a Chartered Accountant with over 13 years experience as a Financial Manager in a variety of industries.

Commencing her professional career in Western Australia, she transferred to the Melbourne office of Ernst & Young in the Corporate Tax Division. She found her passion in working with smaller businesses, and moved into private client services where she gained extensive experience in Taxation, Financial Accounting and Corporate Secretarial and Governance work.

Ms Lewis has also worked within the not-for-profit sector, where she enjoyed working in a team with a community focus. In her most recent engagement, she worked within a public body of the Victorian Government, where she gained valuable firsthand experience in engaging stakeholders and fulfilling statutory reporting requirements.

Ms Lewis is the Honorary Club Secretary for a sailing club on the Mornington Peninsula, and a Director of the Fundraising Foundation for the school that her daughters attend.

Mr Lance Ryan
Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning

Mr Ryan is a passionate and innovative educational leader, with a drive to enhance every student’s growth and academic achievement across the Junior, Middle and Senior Years. With extensive school leadership experience in a number of Independent schools, and most recently as the Principal of St John’s College, Mr Ryan has a clear vision for transforming teaching and learning to meet the needs of every student, both now and into the future.

Mr Ryan is committed to developing a trusting and dynamic learning culture that is informed and supported by parents, families and a caring and inclusive community. At the heart of his continued focus upon excellence, growth and achievement for all, Mr Ryan has a deep love and commitment to his own learning, having Degrees in Counselling, Philosophy and Education along with a love for history, both ancient and modern. Mr Ryan is married to a supporting and wonderful wife, has two older teenage children, and an affectionate but rambunctious dog.