Board of Governors
Our school is guided by board members who generously lend their expertise and advice to our community.
Board Chair | Rev. 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 | 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.
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 | James Robbins
KraftigLED Australia
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.
Board Member | Gavin Matten
MBBCh, FRACGP, DipPec, MCFP, Dip Skin cancer surgery, Dip Skin cancer medicine.
Gavin’s journey with Hope Christian College started when his children were enrolled as students; he noticed the school’s Christian principles were quite evident, and over the years has seen many lives blessed by the love of Christ through the College’s ministry. Gavin brings many practical skills to his Board appointment. Having owned two businesses, and currently managing a staff of 16, his listening, empathy, and communication skills are used every day – and especially at home. He admits to being family-centric and quite conscious of his responsibility to care for his wife and ‘train up’ their three sons. Gavin said he tends to be methodical, patient (except when the boys manage to wind him up!), tolerant of alternate viewpoints, and interested in details. He likes seeing things in context, is able to clearly formulate and convey ideas, and work efficiently in a team; all skills which prove useful in undertaking his Board duties. Looking to the future, Gavin wants to see Hope Christian College continue to be a loving community which blesses children, staff and parents through demonstrating the excellence of Christ’s way, just as it also teaches the curriculum to a high academic standard.
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.