School Board
The School Board comprises of elected parents, community representatives and school staff members. It plays an important role in contributing to good school governance so that school resources are used efficiently and community expectations and the school's priorities reflect the needs of students.
The functions of the School Board are covered by legislation and include both approval and advisory roles. The School Board makes these decisions with the Principal who ensures the decisions adhere to legislative and policy requirements.
Board Chair- Parent Representative
Jelena has over 15 years of experience in communication, media and digital marketing as well as stakeholder engagement and ministerial relations for Local and State Government as well as non-for profit and large organisations.
As an Engagement Officer within the Community Safety team at the City of Stirling, Jelena is passionate about making a difference in the community and making the city a better place to live and work.
Jelena has lived both in Australia and Europe and speaks fluently 4 languages. She truly believes in comprehensive approach towards supporting and nurturing children of all abilities and backgrounds at West Balcatta Primary School. She is focused on encouraging children to develop their full potential and thrive in their area of interest and become the best version of themselves
Caroline Booth
Principal – Staff Representative
Caroline joined West Balcatta as principal in July 2021, having worked in education as a teacher and school leader, for 30 years in both the UK and Australia. Prior to joining West Balcatta, Caroline was Principal at Mullaloo Heights for 6 years.
Caroline believes that good teaching can make a real difference to every child. The provision of high-quality teaching within a nurturing and supportive environment is a priority that underpins everything at West Balcatta Primary School. According to Caroline, “The wonderful WBPS school community, consisting of students, parents and staff working together with a common goal, certainly makes achieving this a lot easier.”
Gavin O'Hara
Parent Representative
Gavin has over 20+ years experience in the consulting and technology industries, where he brings extensive experience in leadership and management within a dynamic and ever-evolving industry. This professional background has fostered his deep appreciation for the importance of a strong educational foundation.
As a member of the parent board, Gavin aims to contribute to the continuous development of the school’s policies and programs.
"I strive to ensure that every child has access to excellent education and the opportunities they need for their learning journey. Additionally, I have a genuine interest in learning as a whole, believing in its transformative power for individuals and society."
Karen Joseph
Parent Representative
Karen has over 20 years experience in leadership roles and current works as an executive at a mining technology company. Her experience covers areas such as engineering, manufacturing, IT and marketing. As a result she is passionate about the roles girls can play in the STEM and METS sectors. Karen has two boys at West Balcatta and has been affiliated with the school since 2019.
Tammy Chong
Parent Representative
Tammy has fifteen years' experience in business consulting, focusing on operating models, stakeholder engagement and problem solving. She has recently moved into environmental sustainability within tertiary education and is deeply passionate about injecting sustainable principles in the home, at school and within the broader community.
Tammy has been on the West Balcatta Primary School P&C Executive as a Secretary from 2020-2022 and is currently in the Vice President role. She is committed to enhancing the school environment and community to ensure that the students, parents and teachers have a rewarding, supportive experience at West Balcatta.
Helen Maitland JPG
Helen Maitand
Community Representative
Helen is the Principal at Balcatta Senior High School, commencing as Associate Principal in 2015 and then merit selected to the position as Principal from 2018. Helen has worked for the Department of Education for over 30 years, commencing her career as a Home Economics teacher and then went on to a range of leadership positions as Head of Learning Area, Program Coordinator, District Vocational Education and Training Coordinator and Associate Principal. Helen has extensive knowledge and experience in curriculum development, post school options and student services. In her time at Balcatta Senior High School Helen has worked closely with each local primary school to develop customised transition programs and initiatives that have provided opportunities for primary school students. Helen is honoured to be a member of West Balcatta Primary School board, as she believes that when the whole school community work together we maximise the potential for student success.
Lee Tanner
Staff Representative
Lee began teaching in 2000 and has been a long-serving and dedicated staff member at West Balcatta Primary School. She's held various teaching and leadership positions and was formally appointed WBPS Associate Principal in 2021, having acted in the role since 2019. As the leader of Student Services and a member of the Health & Wellbeing team, Lee is an advocate for students and families experiencing difficulties and believes that nurturing student’s emotional wellbeing is an essential building block for academic success. Lee enjoys working as part of the school board, as she values strongly the relationships built between the school and community. She is proud to work at West Balcatta and looks forwards to working as a team to continue to improve outcomes for all students.
Kim Chrimes
Staff Representative
Kim was appointed Deputy Principal at West Balcatta in October 2022. Prior to this role, she spent 15 years in the classroom, teaching students across a range of year levels from Year 1 to Year 6. A highlight of her career has been achieving Level 3 Teacher status in 2016.
Kim brings a strong capacity for instructional leadership and a deep understanding of the Western Australian Curriculum, which supports the school’s academic priorities and continued success. She is committed to inclusive education and holds high expectations for all students, recognising and respecting the diversity within the school community. Kim values being part of the West Balcatta community and enjoys working collaboratively with staff, students and families to support every learner.
Our School Board meets once per term.
Click on the links below to access the Minutes from our meetings:
