Board Of Governors
Board Chair: Gary Le Cras, B.Sc., Dip. Ed., B.D., M.Ed.
Gary has had a lifelong interest in education; he joined the Board in November 2011, and became Board Chair in June the following year.
His attraction to Hope Christian College was both philosophical and personal. As Senior Pastor at Eaton Baptist Church, he has shown a commitment to helping believers and churches from different Christian traditions work together in areas of agreement. Such an approach compliments his skill in working with people from diverse backgrounds (he lived in another culture for 12 years) and he enjoys finding and building common ground with people.
Gary says having a strong Christian world view provides the foundation for positive character development, and he appreciates Hope’s firm Christian values and commitment to Biblical truth.
His history with the school precedes his appointment to the Board, however; one of his sons was a student at Hope in its early years, and Gary has witnessed the College’s growth and development since then. But decades before, when the school was the location of the Government Primary School, Gary recalls playing marbles under the big oak tree.
The Board Chair needs to be a good listener, a careful thinker, and capable of working with the “big picture”. Gary uses these skills to build a cohesive, positive Board who work well together. His vision is to complete the full development of the new school site, to maintain and strengthen the school’s positive character development of students, and to build strong family and community relationships.
Board Member: James Robbins
Having grown up and completed his own schooling in Harvey, James has the advantage of long-term local knowledge. Now married with four active boys of his own, he is a passionate supporter of the College and believes his skills and insight will help guide development and promote the school throughout the district.
As an experienced salesperson, he appreciates the importance of establishing and maintaining a good reputation; the very thing which drew his family to the College in the first place. Having a Christ-centred influence is of highest importance to James, who became a Christian in 2007 and gives credence to his faith for instigating powerful changes in his own life.
Well known for his cheeky sense of humour, James loves spending time with his family fishing, camping, or just kicking about the footy.
Ex-officio: Peter Stone HDE, Principal.
Peter studied at Rhodes University in South Africa, and Edgewood College of Education in Durban South Africa and graduated with a Higher Diploma in Secondary Education.
In his first appointment with the boys-only Pietermaritzburg College, a school of 1200 students, Peter taught Year 8 to Year 12 and also coached cricket, rugby, hockey and athletics.
His next post was at Margate Primary school on the South Coast, a school of 900 students where he taught a Year 6 class and again coached cricket, rugby, hockey and athletics.
A promotion to Headmaster of Lynford School in Ixopo, an independent Christian school catering for students from Kindy to Year 7, followed. In addition to his Headmaster duties, Peter also had a teaching load and coached cricket, rugby, swimming, athletics and fly-fishing.
The family moved to the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia in 2006 where Peter taught at Emmanuel College, a Kindy to Year 12 Christian Independent School of 1300 students. As well as teaching a Year 6 class, he coached cricket, athletics and the High School 2nd rugby team.
Peter believes it was a blessing to be appointed as Principal to Hope Christian College where he has fulfilled the role for the past 10 years.
Board Member: Sieg Mare
As a Legal Practitioner and Director of Workwise Advisory Services, Seig has particular insight into the requirements of good governance and responsible directorship.
Although deeply involved in the operations of business, Seig recognises the greater importance of promoting the welfare and happiness of families and children. He is convinced a solid education based on Christian principles is the best foundation for a child's wellbeing and success in life.
To that end, Seig is committed to supporting the best interest of the school and is confident his skills will complement the existing leadership team. He expects to work co-operatively with the board and may even convince some to join his outdoor pursuits of fishing, hunting and swimming.
Board Secretary: Elaine Cawood, Bookkeeper.
Elaine joined the school Board in October 2015, as she wanted to contribute her skills to enabling the school be a Godly influence in the lives of students through providing discipline and quality education.
Elaine says it’s in her nature to be honest and precise, qualities which compliment her supportive role in the efficient functioning of the Board.
Board Member: Geoff Black, Director, Zion Transport Services.
When Geoff agreed to provide logistic support to the school in 1993, he had no inkling it would lead to his involvement in the College’s governance. As company director of Zion Transport Services, however, governance is something Geoff understands. In running transport -- or education -- Geoff said he has learnt that being quick to listen, fair-minded, and treating all people equally has enabled him to fulfil his Board responsibilities with humility and discernment.
His desire is for the Board to make wise decisions which promote the growth and safety of our children, and prepare them for life ahead through quality education, instruction our Lord Jesus, and a hearty dose of fun.
Geoff has demonstrated a heart for meeting people where they are at through 12 years working with the Salvation Army prison team, and the West Australian prison ministry teams at Bunbury Regional Prison.
Board Member: Bronwyn Robinson, Aesthetician and Massage Therapist.
Bronwyn joined the Board in November 2016, and is excited to be involved in the growth of the school and to play a part in the academic, spiritual, sporting, and community development of the school community.
Bronwyn has been an Aesthetician and Massage Therapist for 25 years, having studied through the International Therapy Examination Council. She ran her own business in Zimbabwe, and worked with Childline, a counselling service for youth in need. This life experience has honed her people skills to be a listener, confidant, practical problem solver, communicator, and realist.
When her family arrived in Australia in 2005, Bronwyn became a swimming teacher with Austswim, and also worked from home as a Massage and Beauty Therapist. Married for 21 years, she is a passionate parent of two boys who have attended Hope since 2011.
Bronwyn said the school has encouraged her children in godliness, positivity and pride, discipline and humility. She has seen them thrive in the non-judgemental environment created by quality teaching staff, and believes it has been a safe and grounding experience for them.
She said it is an honour to be accepted as a board member of such an organization.