Governance & Leadership
Principal
Allan Guihot has been the Principal of St Columba School since July 2023. Allan joined St Columba in 2003 as the Head of Middle School, before taking on the roles of Head of Secondary School and then Deputy Principal. Prior to joining SCAS, Allan spent twelve years at The Hills Grammar School in Dural as an English teacher, Year Patron, Dean of Students and Assistant Head of Senior School. Allan spent his early teaching years in the Department of Education in regional areas such as Corowa and Lithgow. He has a Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of NSW and a Bachelor of Arts and Diploma in Education majoring in Medieval Language and Literature, Linguistics and Modern History. Allan has a unique understanding of the School’s trajectory and what needs to be done to continue to improve the School’s service to our students and the wider community.
Deputy Principal
Emma Bylsma was appointed to the role of Deputy Principal in July 2023, having joined the School in 2020 as Head of Secondary School. Emma has over 20 years of teaching experience, and was previously the Head of Student Wellbeing at Kinross Wolaroi School in Orange. Emma holds a Bachelor of Education (University of Sydney) and a Masters of Science Education from Macquarie University where she was awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Commendation for academic excellence. She is also involved in the Advanced Leadership Program with the National Excellence in School Leadership Initiative (NESLI).
Head of Primary
Shannon Rosewood the Head of Primary at St Columba Anglican School, completed her Masters of Education (Special Education) at Newcastle University and also holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Western Sydney. Ms Rosewood’s career in Primary education began at Blue Mountains Grammar School. She commenced teaching at Abbotsleigh in 2005, where she held the positions of Year 3, 5 and 6 Coordinator. Ms Rosewood was the Head of Junior School at New England Girls’ School until 2017.
Head of Secondary
Paul Rikmanis was appointed to the role of Head of Secondary at St Columba Anglican School in July 2023. Paul has been on the staff at SCAS for more than two decades and has held various key roles including Head of House, Head of Mathematics, Director of Studies, and most recently, Director of Teaching and Learning. With over 30 years of teaching experience and a Bachelor of Education (Hons) from the University of Sydney, Paul’s commitment to learning as a transformative process is evident in every aspect of his work.
School Chaplain
Reverend Jon Cornish is St Columba’s third School Chaplain, joining the School in 2022. Reverend Jon has previously worked as the Chaplain at John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School and was a priest at St Paul’s Anglican Parish in Western Australia. Jon also has Chaplaincy experience in a number of Queensland independent schools.
The School Council
The government and management of the School shall be the responsibility of the St Columba Anglican School Council constituted with the powers and functions contained within the Ordinance under which it operates.
The School Council has responsibility for:
- Goal-setting and long term planning
- Selection, appraisal and pastoral care for the Principal
- Budget control and financial management
- Political matters, promotion and public relations of the School
- Finance: fee structure, fund-raising policy and government grants
- Industrial relations: provision of remuneration and conditions
- Provision of land, buildings and other capital improvements
- Maintenance and provision of resources and equipment
- Legal matters
Back row (l-r): Jim McIntyre (Member), Phillip Hinds (Business Manager), Dan Berris (Member), Graeme Kightley (Member), Allan Guihot (Principal)
Front row (l-r): Emma Bylsma (Deputy Principal), Ann Reardon (Council Executive Assistant), Jennifer McArthur (Member), Heather Norton (Chair), Pina Waba (Member), Sandra Hollins (Deputy Chair)
Mrs Heather Norton, MEdAdmin BEd DipT – Chair of Council
Heather Norton commenced teaching in 1981. In 2005, after a long career at NEGS Armidale, she was appointed as the Foundation Deputy Principal of St Columba Anglican School in Port Macquarie. During 2007, Heather was chosen as the first female Principal of The Scots School Albury. In 2014 she was appointed Principal of Firbank Grammar School, where she remained until her retirement in 2017. Heather holds a Master of Educational Administration (UNE) and has studied leadership at Harvard University. She is currently planning further study of psychology to pursue her interests of staff and student welfare. Heather and her husband Colin, are thrilled to see the growth of St Columba Anglican School and the wider Port Macquarie area.
Mrs Sandra Hollins, BCom GradDipPsych BSocSciPsych (Hons) MBA – Deputy Chair of Council
Sandra is an experienced corporate professional with expertise in product and service development, market intelligence, and data analysis. She has a proven track record in driving business improvement programs, managing corporate projects, and supporting staff through organisational change. In her current role as Integrated Planning and Reporting Manager, Sandra manages Kempsey Shire Council’s corporate planning and performance reporting, business improvement program, and delivers strategic projects. In addition, Sandra has dedicated much of her time to various volunteer efforts, including the Rotary Club of Port Macquarie Sunrise, the SCAS Parents and Friends Association and the Hastings Sports Awards.
Rev. Dan Berris, BTh (BST) AdvCertBibStudTheol (Tabor)
Rev. Dan Berris describes himself as a committed family-focused individual who is passionate about serving and enabling others to learn how to effectively serve others. He holds an Advanced Certificate in Christian Studies and a Bachelor of Theology and has been involved with the church in a number of roles since 2006. Rev. Dan has volunteered as a Police Chaplain since 2013 and in Immigration Detention Pastoral Care since 2021. He is passionate about serving disadvantaged communities, youth and young adults, men’s ministry, and sharing the Christian gospel. Rev. Dan became the new rector of St. Thomas’ Anglican Church in 2022 and is enthusiastic about becoming a part of the Port Macquarie community.
Mr Graeme Kightley, BSc DipEd MA
After obtaining a Bachelor of Science, Graeme began work as an Exploration Geologist. He then worked in London for a year before returning to Australia and taking up a teaching position teaching Science, Geography and Technical Drawing. During his teaching career, Graeme has had roles as Faculty Coordinator, Work Experience Coordinator and Sports Coach. In 1995, Graeme was appointed the Director of Studies at William Clarke Anglican School, Kellyville. He then moved on to St Andrew’s Cathedral School in Sydney, where he was Deputy Head of School until his retirement. Graeme has now retired to the Port Macquarie area and is a member of Port Anglican Church, where he oversees their Operation Christmas Child project and is also on the Parish Council.
Mr Jim McIntyre, BA LLB Grad Dip Legal Practice
Jim is the sole Director of HB Legal, an incorporated legal practice in Port Macquarie, where he focuses on business and property law. Prior to this appointment, Jim has practised as a solicitor in both Port Macquarie and Sydney where he developed experience in civil and commercial litigation, business and property advice, and transactional and dispute resolution. We trust that Jim’s wealth of experience will be a considerable asset to our School community and council.
Mrs Pinado Waba, BSC (MassComm) ALM (Journalism) GradCertPhil&Ethics DipComServ
Pina is a freelance journalist and a mother of three. Her children go to SCAS and enjoy being part of the community. After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication, she began her professional career as a reporter in television before moving to newspaper and then to radio. She has now gained over 15 years of experience in the field of journalism and a Master of Liberal Arts in Journalism from the Harvard University Extension School. Pina worked in international media development with BBC Media Action and was also an editor with the Hausa Radio Service of Deutsche Welle in Bonn, Germany where she lived for more than six years. She loves writing and contributing to the community in her free time and she currently translates news stories for Scrolla.Africa and DUBAWA, a West African investigative reporting and fact-checking platform. Together with her family, they worship at the St Thomas’ Port Anglican Church.
Dr Jennifer McArthur OAM MBBS FRACS GAICD AFRACMA
Jennifer McArthur has enjoyed long-term links with SCAS since 2002 as wife of Duncan, the Foundation School Chaplain, and mother of Logan and Calum who benefited greatly from their time at SCAS. As her alter ego, Dr Jenny Chambers, she established the first vascular surgical service in Port Macquarie and the Mid North Coast and continues to care for patients as well as teaching medical students and junior doctors and hoping to inspire others to become surgeons. She serves as a Board member on the Council of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons as well as on the Board of Omnicare Alliance locally. She enjoys worshipping at St Thomas’ Anglican Church with Duncan.
Annual Reports
Annual Report 2023
You can download and view our 2023 Annual Report here.
Annual Report 2022
You can download and view our 2022 Annual Report here.
Annual Report 2021
You can download and view our 2021 Annual Report here.
Annual Report 2020
You can download and view our 2020 Annual Report here.
Annual Report 2019
You can download and view our 2019 Annual Report here.
Annual Report 2018
You can download and view our 2018 Annual Report here.
Annual Report 2017
You can download and view our 2017 Annual Report here.
Annual Report 2016
You can download and view our 2016 Annual Report here.
Annual Report 2015
You can download and view our 2015 Annual Report here.
Annual Report 2014
You can download and view our 2014 Annual Report here.