MARIJA PANDZA

Principal

I am a passionate educator with a deep commitment to leading with purpose and heart. I believe every child holds a quiet brilliance – something that makes them who they are – and as educators, it’s our privilege to help them discover and develop it. At the core of everything I do are the students. I genuinely believe in the incredible potential of every young person, and I am committed to finding what makes each learner unique, then shaping an environment where they feel seen, supported and able to thrive.

I feel incredibly proud and privileged to be the Principal of Boneo Primary School where our philosophy for learning is grounded in the belief that children are active participants in their education. We support our learners to understand where they are in their learning, reflect thoughtfully on their progress and set purposeful goals to guide their next steps.

I thoroughly enjoy the coastal lifestyle and sense of community of the beautiful Mornington Peninsula. I have a passion for travel, reading, soccer, V8 Supercars and spending time outdoors, especially at the beach. Throughout my teaching career, I’ve been fortunate to work both locally and overseas, which has given me a broad perspective on education and a deep appreciation for different cultures and learning environments.

It’s a joy to lead a school where learning is purposeful, relationships are authentic and every child is given the chance to shine.

Davey Smith

School Council President

Dad of two girls who are both here at Boneo and passionate about supporting our incredible school with delivering on its vision and strategic priorities.

I joined School Council in 2023 and this year is my second term as President. A few highlights so far have included:

• Supporting key projects like the ninja course playground, cover structure over the basketball court and major landscaping upgrades
• Introducing strengthened governance at our School Council meetings
• Taking part in the recruitment of our new Principal

Love being part of such a wonderful school community and my number one priority is helping create an environment where all family’s feel connected, actively participate and contribute towards our school’s success.

Natasha Perri

Vice President

I grew up on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula and feel incredibly lucky to now be raising my own family here. My daughter Aliyah is currently in Year 2 and my son Will has just begun his school journey in Prep. We’ve loved being part of the Boneo Primary School community and I’m excited to contribute more actively through the School Council.
I joined the School Council because I’m passionate about community connection and ensuring every family has the opportunity to feel a strong sense of belonging at the school.
On a personal level, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of how our school operates, build stronger relationships within the school community, and grow my own skills in leadership and collaboration.

 Stacey Brown

I’ve never known a life that didn’t revolve around learning. From the moment I left Secondary College, I moved directly into university, driven by a deep instinct, not just to teach, but to nurture potential. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working across all year levels, each one offering its own unique rhythms and revelations. Along the way, I’ve also explored education through specialist roles in PE, Tech/Media, and STEM where creativity, curiosity, and capability intersect in powerful ways.

I believed that great education comes from cultivating conditions where students can discover their passions, develop their strengths, and grow with confidence. This requires trust in teachers, autonomy in schools, and a culture that values experimentation and imagination.

Being a member of on School Council gives me the opportunity to be a voice for teachers and students alike, and to help shape a learning environment that celebrates individuality, encourages bold thinking, and nurtures a deep love of learning.

 Rowena Sykes

While teaching wasn’t my original career pathway, my initial studies to become a holistic
psychologist led me to realise that I could fulfill my goal of helping children, by pursuing a career in
education. I believe in my role as an educator, I continually strive to provide an environment that
nourishes the children in my care, while assisting them to expand their knowledge in a classroom
that encourages the inquisitive mind.
As a child, I always marvelled at the natural world and I enjoy utilising the beautiful grounds and
surrounds that encompass Boneo Primary. Children’s literature is a real passion of mine. I get great
joy sharing my favourite books and watching my students’ passion for literature grow. A favourite
learning space of mine is out under the canopy of the ‘Story Tree’ (sheaoak) and in the peaceful
outdoor classroom at the neighbouring Boneo Wetlands.
Proudly, I have been a part of the Boneo Primary School community for well over a decade now, and
the values that first attracted me to this fabulous community are those that continue to hold our
school in high esteem.
A sense of belonging, pride and courage drive our learners and I aim to provide a classroom that
caters to the whole child, supporting them to achieve their highest potential. I have a background in
social sciences and believe that successful learners feel valued and supported in their quest for
curiosity. I celebrate mistakes as a basis for growth and recognise that resilience in learning and
persistence in adversity has sparked some of history’s greatest discoveries.

Jessica Hennessey

My name is Jessica Hennessey, I’m a mum to Emily in Grade 6, & Charlotte in Grade 3. I hold a Bachelor of Nursing, and a Diploma of Interior Design which I use in our family business Curl Constructions. I am also heavily involved in community basketball where I am a coach & a referee with the Southern Peninsula Basketball Association.

I first joined school council in 2021 & it’s been so rewarding watching the school grow & evolve over the years into the version that it is today.

I have enjoyed every part of being on school council & am looking forward to seeing what the next two years bring.

Katie Reid

Working Mum of 5 kids, I’m passionate about Boneo and the Boneo Community we love helping out at the market and getting the kids involved with the BBQ and Parking, engaging in school and community events. 

Stauart Mclean

Hi, I’m Stauart – a long-time Boneo Primary parent. Ange and I have four kids who’ve been at Boneo Primary, with the youngest two currently in Year 2 and Year 4. By the time our youngest finishers, we’ll have been part of the Boneo community for 15 years.

I work at Peninsula Hot Springs, and my background covers everything from construction and water treatment to events, logistics and manufacturing. I’m also a mindset and life coach, helping people let go of limiting beliefs and negative thoughts.

Like many parents, I spent years having thoughts about how things could be better- but being busy, I kept them to myself. Eventually, I decided it was time to stop sitting on the sidelines and get involved.

I’m looking forward to working with the school community to creat the best possible environment and facilities for our children and staff, now and into the future.

Josie Pierce

My name is Josie, and I’m a proud parent of two children currently attending Boneo Primary School – Olive in Grade 3 and Sunni in Grade 1. Our youngest, Oak, will be joining the school in the coming years.
I’m a scientist by profession, with 12 years of experience in environmental monitoring and remediation before transitioning into a role focused on climate change adaptation and mitigation in 2023. Since moving to the Mornington Peninsula in 2018, our family has embraced the sea change and felt genuinely welcomed by this close-knit community. As a local resident, I’m passionate about protecting our unique natural environment and helping to create a more sustainable future for our children.
I joined the School Council at the beginning of 2025, after many years of wanting to become more involved. I’m excited to better understand how we, as parents, can support our school and contribute in meaningful and lasting ways.