Staff Directory

Principal – Mr Brian Savins, BEd, MEd(Ed Mgt), DipT, MACEL
Mr Brian Savins joined Clayfield College as Principal in January 2007. Mr Savins brings to this position more than 25 years of educational experience in both the independent and State school sectors, throughout Australia and the United Kingdom. From 2002 to 2006, Mr Savins served as Principal of Pedare College in Adelaide, having previously led as Assistant Principal at St Margaret's Anglican Girls School for four years and Deputy Dean and Acting Dean of Studies at The Southport School for seven years. Mr Savins is committed to the pursuit of excellence in academic, sporting and cultural endeavours, himself recognised as a leader in education, a keen sportsman and a passion for the performing arts. Mr Savins grew up in rural Australia and has international experience in overseas education and marketing. He demonstrates a friendly and caring rapport with young people in schools and encourages students to aspire and grow spiritually while utilising their God given talents. Mr Savins is keen to continue and strengthen the strategic direction of Clayfield, building on the excellent leadership and commitment of previous Principals of the College.

Chaplain - Rev Paul Yarrow, DipT, BEd, GradDipMin
Rev Paul Yarrow joined the College staff in August 2009 after eleven years as Family and Children's Ministry Coordinator in the state office of the Uniting Church. Rev Yarrow has extensive experience working with young people and their families. He has been involved in youth and children's ministry in a variety of capacities, including local church, regional and state coordinator roles. Rev Yarrow brings to the College an enthusiasm for nurturing young people in all aspects of their lives, particularly in their spiritual lives, and a desire for them to have a personal experience of God.

Business Manager – Mr Marko Rukavina, CA, BEc
Mr Marko Rukavina commenced with Clayfield College in November 2012, and holds a Bachelor of Economics (Monash University) majoring in Accounting and a Graduate Diploma in Company Secretary Practice. Mr Rukavina is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and is a Registered Tax Agent. Mr Rukavina's career development has been considerable in diversity, including financial roles in hospitality, entertainment, retail, sport, logistics and public practice. Mr Rukavina commenced with Chartered Accountancy firms before joining ASX listed Jupiters Limited as a Business Analyst and then as Director of Finance for Jupiters Townsville Hotel. From 1999 to 2005, he worked with the Tabcorp Holdings/Jupiters Group before joining the Brisbane Lions Australian Rules Football Club as Chief Financial Officer, a senior position he held until 2011. Mr Rukavina, appointed by the PMSA, is responsible for overseeing the business and commercial affairs of the College, including Foundation matters.
 

Head of Senior Schooling – Ms Paulina Skerman, BA, GradDipEd, MEd, MACE, MACEL
Ms Paulina Skerman is an experienced and dynamic educator and school leader. Her focus at Clayfield College is on providing young women with opportunities to excel, to be confident and courageous. Ms Skerman has served previously as Head of English and Director of Studies at Toowoomba Grammar School and more recently, as Deputy Head (Academic) at Canberra Grammar School. She has also worked for the Queensland Studies Authority as District Review Panel Chair for English in the Toowoomba District. Ms Skerman began her teaching career with Education Queensland in rural communities. Originally from Ingham in North Queensland, she first came to Brisbane for secondary school as a boarder at Lourdes Hill College. She holds a MEd in Guidance and Counselling, a BA in Communication Studies, a Graduate Diploma in Education and is currently studying an MBA in Educational Leadership. She is a Member of the Australian College of Educational Leaders and a Member of the Australian College of Educators. Ms Skerman is passionate about enhancing learning pedagogy in 21st Century classrooms, monitoring, tracking and counselling students to focus on improvements, building learning communities and supporting aspirational female teachers in education.

Head of Middle Schooling - Ms Vicky Jones, BEd, GradDipGenderSt
Ms Vicky Jones is an experienced education leader, having served in reputable independent schools including most recently as Head of Middle School at Wesley College, Melbourne. Prior to Wesley College, she served as Head of House and Head of the Design Technology Faculty at Melbourne Boys Grammar School. Preceding her independent school experience Ms Jones worked in the Victorian State Education system for a period of 10 years.

In her 25 years of educational experience Ms Jones has demonstrated ability in curriculum development and pastoral care accompanied by energetic and passionate professional knowledge regarding the developmental and educational needs of young people, sound academic and teaching background and excellent communication skills. Recognised as an outstanding classroom teacher, Ms Jones brings energy and inquiry thinking into Years 6 to 9 learning, to further develop a middle years learning pedagogy at Clayfield College. She is passionate about engaging young adolescent students in their learning and will use her rich teaching experience to enable each student to reach her full potential.

Her portfolio of achievements includes experience in the corporate world of product design and a related interest in the use of technology, in educational practice. She has demonstrated an ability to foster the professional growth of teachers and work with them collaboratively, to provide challenging learning environments focussed on improving student outcomes. She has previously worked with middle schooling students in leadership development, peer support and mentoring, community service programs, aboriginal reconciliation, Christian groups and Outdoor Education programs. She is a creative thinker with an understanding of the importance of tradition, who will fit into a College that dares to let their light shine.

Head of Junior Schooling – Mrs Sue Hendriks, BArts, Grad Dip Teach (Primary), MEd Leadership
Mrs Sue Hendriks joined Clayfield College as Head of Junior Schooling in July 2008. Mrs Hendriks is an experienced educator who brings 20 years of knowledge and expertise to this role. From 2002 to 2008, Mrs Hendriks served as Deputy Principal at Upper Coomera State College and a Curriculum Development Officer for the Technology, Maths and Science Centre of Excellence at Ironside State School. 

Mrs Hendriks and her family also spent some time in Mount Isa where she was involved in a variety of roles including: the Coordinator of Sunset State School - Technology, Maths and Science Centre of Excellence and Mount Isa District Education Advisor - Outcomes Based Education. Mrs Hendriks has also taught in several indigenous communities across Queensland including Yarrabah, Thursday Island and Boigu Island.

Mrs Hendriks has an excellent understanding of the P-12 context; and also has an energy and passion for Science and Information Communication Technologies (ICTs).

Head of Learning Development (P-12) – Mrs Lois Kavanagh, BA, DipEd, MMusSt, MACE, MACEL
As Head of Learning Development (P-12), Mrs Lois Kavanagh has responsibility for overseeing the academic program of the College and ensuring that teaching and learning remain at the highest level. With over 30 years teaching experience in a variety of schools and systems, Mrs Kavanagh brings to the school a passion for learning and a strongly held belief in the importance of helping each student to reach her full potential. Experience in teaching in state and private schools, in three different Australian state systems as well as in California, USA, along with her previous role as a Standards and Assessment Officer for the Queensland Studies Authority, have given her a clear perspective of the strengths of the education system in Queensland and its application to the students of Clayfield College.

Acting Head of Pastoral Development (P-12) – Ms Jane Elliott, MLI, BBusCom, GradDipT
Overseeing the pastoral care program at the College Ms Jane Elliott aims to provide a supportive environment in which all students can explore and exploit their talents and interests. Her experience in government and independent schools, both single sex and coeducational, has given her considerable perspective on the emotional needs of students, and more than a decade of specialising in pastoral care has not dampened her enthusiasm for her charges. Ms Elliott is passionate about building relationships amongst all members of the Clayfield College community to ensure that all feel empowered to contribute to the holistic education of the students.

Head of Boarding - Mrs Diane Kerr

Director of Marketing & Enrolments - Mr Ross Thomson, BEd, CertSchMktg, MEducatePlus
Mr Ross Thomson joined Clayfield College in 2004 as Marketing Manager. In 2007 he was asked to assume the added responsibility of looking after the enrolments department at the College. In 2008 Mr Thomson assumed the role of Director of Marketing & Enrolments. Mr Thomson has extensive experience in independent education having been a classroom educator as well as assuming a number of leadership positions at Brisbane Boys' College between 1984 - 1994. From July 1994 to February 2003 Mr Thomson was Principal of Blackheath & Thornburgh College in Charters Towers.