RedGum Governance and Management Structure

RedGum – the Waldorf School of Central Victoria Constitution

RedGum supports and promotes the principles and practice of Australian democracy, including elected representation, the rule of law, equal rights for all before the law, freedom of religion, freedom of speech and association and the values of openness and tolerance.

CSSK Constitution – updated 2023

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors serves as the guardian of the School’s vision, values and mission, ensuring that the principles of Steiner education are reflected throughout all aspects of School life.
Working in service of the School community, the Board provides stewardship and strategic leadership for the long-term wellbeing and sustainability of the School. Its responsibilities include setting the School’s strategic direction, establishing governance and policy frameworks, overseeing risk management and legal compliance, and ensuring the School maintains its financial sustainability and solvency.
The Board’s role is one of governance rather than day-to-day management. While it provides guidance, oversight and accountability, responsibility for daily operation and educational leadership of the School rests with the Head of School and leadership team.
Through its work, the Board supports the School in creating an educational environment in which young people can grow with purpose, resilience, creativity and a lifelong love of learning.

Head of School

The Head of School provides educational and operational leadership for the School, working collaboratively with the Leadership Team to nurture a thriving learning community and ensure the School’s resources are used wisely in support of its vision and strategic goals.
Responsible for the day-to-day management of the School, the Head of School oversees all aspects of school operations, staff leadership and educational delivery, while fostering a culture that reflects the values and principles of Steiner education. The Head of School reports directly to the Board of Directors and is accountable for implementing the School’s strategic direction and policies.

Business Manager

The Business Manager is a core member of RedGum’s Leadership Team and a key partner to the Head of School in leading the School. Reporting to the Head of School, the Business Manager provides strategic and operational leadership across finance, administration, facilities, governance support, compliance and risk. Within RedGum’s revised Head–Heart–Hands leadership model, the role is responsible for ensuring the School’s business operations, systems and resources effectively support its educational mission, long-term sustainability and the wellbeing of the school community.

Leadership Teams

The Head of School works collaboratively with the Education, Business and Administration and Site and Facilities Teams to support the effective operation and stewardship of the School.
These teams meet regularly to provide guidance, expertise, and collaborative leadership across all aspects of School life. Together, they consider matters relating to governance and compliance, educational provision, child safety, wellbeing, emergency management, workplace health and safety, facilities maintenance and development, and the ongoing management of the School’s technology and infrastructure.
Matters that directly impact the educational experience of students are also explored through the College of Teachers and other collaborative forums. These conversations encompass teaching and learning, festivals and celebrations, student wellbeing, and the anthroposophical foundations that inform and inspire the School’s Waldorf educational approach.
Through this shared leadership model, the School seeks to balance sound governance and operational excellence with the nurturing of a vibrant educational and community life.

College of Staff

The College of Staff is at the heart of the School’s collaborative leadership and serves as a steward of the educational, cultural, and spiritual life of RedGum. Through collaborative inquiry, professional study, self-development, and a shared commitment to the Seven Core Principles of Steiner Education, the College works to ensure that the School’s vision, values, and educational practices remain vibrant and responsive to the needs of children, families, and the wider community.
Drawing on the insights of Waldorf education and anthroposophy, the College contributes to curriculum development, teacher mentoring, student wellbeing, strategic planning, festival life, and opportunities for parent and adult education. This work includes ongoing child study, artistic and professional development for staff, and the study of Rudolf Steiner’s educational and anthroposophical insights through lectures, readings, presentations, and professional learning opportunities. The College also contributes to curriculum implementation and review, supports the School’s festival calendar, provides educational input into selected policies, and helps guide the long-term development of the School.
Through shared leadership practice, the College helps sustain the distinctive character, educational integrity, and community life of RedGum Waldorf School, ensuring that every child is supported within a rich, meaningful, and developmentally appropriate learning journey.

Board Members

Beatrice Varga
Beatrice is a parent of two children at RedGum, and an alumna of The Melbourne Rudolf Steiner School. She is a Director with an international not-for-profit organisation, where she works across public health policy, market shaping and scale, organisational governance, and evidence-informed development practice. Beatrice holds master’s degrees in Public Health and Social Policy and brings a strong strategic and systems-thinking lens to her Board role. She is deeply committed to the value of Steiner education and the role it can play in supporting children to thrive in an increasingly complex world.

Matt Hoiles

Matt has a daughter at RedGum, and has recently moved to Castlemaine after living in America for the past thirteen years.  Matt has strategic, operational, and financial management experience spanning from privately owned businesses to multinational corporations.  He currently owns and remotely operates a residential property development business, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.  Matt is a Chartered Accountant, and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Monash University.

Marian Goodman

Marian Goodman has a whole life history of close involvement with the Waldorf School and the Anthroposophical Movements. She trained in Eurythmy in Germany and the USA and has been a practising Eurythmist since 1989. Marian has held Board and Treasury positions at Eukarima School and for The Christian Community respectively and has a keen interest in Governance, supervision and support in ensuring a healthy, strong, flourishing and resilient school.

Liz Betts

Liz works as a classroom teacher at RedGum and is also a parent at the school. Liz brings more than 15 years teaching experience from the state school system and joined the RedGum teaching team in 2025. She previously worked at a leading Maths school in the Loddon-Campaspe region and has a passion for inclusive education delivered through high-quality teaching practices. She is undertaking ongoing training in Steiner Education. Liz has a breadth of career experience outside education, including work in industrial relations and horticulture. Liz holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne, a Graduate Diploma in Education from the Australian Catholic University as well as a Diploma of Conservation and Land Management from Federation University.

John Carruthers

John has been an active member of the regional community for almost a decade. He has a lifelong love of learning and is fervently optimistic about the creative capacity of young people to help shape our world. John has more than three decades’ experience in marketing, finance and project management. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. John has also served in leadership roles with local community organisations including the Castlemaine-to-Maryborough Rail Trail and the board of the Castlemaine State Festival.

Linden Smith

Linden holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and International Studies and currently works in project management within the family violence sector. Her professional experience spans a range of community organisations, including roles in youth justice and employment services, where she has developed a strong understanding of complex social systems and community needs. She has a long history in volunteering and volunteer management, and is passionate about building stronger, more resilient communities. As the parent of a child attending the kindergarten, she is deeply invested in fostering a learning environment that supports the development of the whole child – building confidence, curiosity, and a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

Tracey Robertson

Tracey currently serves as the Enrolment Officer at RedGum and has been a parent in Steiner schools for many years. Drawing on her background as a team leader, IT professional, and small business owner, as well as her qualification in Financial Counselling, Tracey brings a well-rounded and practical understanding to the School Board. Through her daily engagement with students, parents, and the wider community, she builds strong connections that enrich her contribution to the life of the school.

Leadership

Jane brings more than a decade of experience as a Steiner educator to her role as Head of School, together with a lifelong connection to Steiner education and a deep commitment to our school community.

Before becoming a teacher, Jane practised as a lawyer, bringing a thoughtful, balanced, and considered approach to leadership. As a Steiner-educated student herself, she has a lived understanding of the philosophy and values that underpin Steiner education, and a genuine appreciation for the importance of nurturing the whole child.

Jane’s connection with our school spans many years. Her own children were educated here, and she began her teaching journey within our community before broadening her experience across other Steiner schools. This unique perspective gives her a deep understanding of our school’s culture, history, and aspirations.

As Head of School, Jane is committed to honouring the strong foundations of our school while thoughtfully guiding its continued growth. She is passionate about fostering a learning community where every child feels known, valued, and inspired to meet the world with confidence, creativity, compassion, and purpose. Through collaborative leadership, she is dedicated to supporting continuity and stability for students and families while nurturing a culture of trust, belonging, and shared responsibility that enables the whole community to flourish.

Grounded in the enduring principles of Steiner education and inspired by the possibilities of the future, Jane leads with warmth, wisdom, and a steadfast belief in the transformative power of education to cultivate thoughtful, resilient, and capable young people.