91¶¶Òõ

Carmel Leadership Team

Our leadership team comprises seven senior leaders with collective responsibility for strategic planning, business management, staff leadership, our teaching philosophy and implementation of Board-endorsed initiatives.

Dr Julie Harris

Dr Harris is an educator who joined 91¶¶Òõ in 2022 after nine years as Director of Teaching and Learning at Guildford Grammar School. Her varied career has involved working in science teaching and leadership roles in a variety of educational contexts in Australia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand, including as the inaugural Director of Pedagogy at Christ Church Grammar School.

Her priority as the Principal of 91¶¶Òõ is to provide a fabulous, safe learning environment in which students and staff are empowered to make a difference through living the School values.ÌýÌý

Working with teachers to ensure that classroom pedagogy aligns with best practice and current thinking, whilst fostering a love of learning in students and staff are of the utmost importance to her and she is committed to effective communication and involving staff and students in leadership.

A great believer in lifelong learning, Dr Harris is a Chartered Manager with IML, a certified Organisational Coach with IECL, and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.Ìý Her venomous snake handling and relocation certificate is also up to date.

Isla Knight

Head of Primary

Isla is an experienced educator and leader in primary education. A graduate of Edinburgh University in Scotland, she taught in Scottish primary schools for 10 years before moving to Western Australia. Isla joins us from John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School, where she held several leadership roles, the most recent being the Director of Primary School Operations.

With director-level experience in pastoral care, and teaching and learning, Isla believes that nurturing students' social and emotional development is paramount for their academic success. Central to this philosophy is instilling a sense of wonder to fuel lifelong learning.

Guided by her experience and her master’s degree in educational leadership, Isla is driven to develop staff professionally through coaching, mentorship, and appraisal, with the encouragement of aspiring leaders, and the clear induction and support of staff.

Isla has been married for over 25 years and has two adult children. She is a keen follower of sport and the performing arts. Isla devours books, loves playing golf and enjoys walking her dog.

Dean Shadgett

Dean is a highly qualified and experienced teaching professional, with significant leadership experience and an in-depth understanding of 91¶¶Òõ. He has worked at a number of leading Perth schools, including Carmel, and is an experienced Head of School with a dedicated and supportive approach to the staff and students he leads.

Having grown up in Perth, Dean completed his undergraduate degrees in Arts and Education at ECU, before completing a Master of Education Management, Leadership and Administration at UWA. He is skilled in classroom instruction, classroom management, strategic planning, educational technology, and curriculum development.

Dean’s responsibility at 91¶¶Òõ encompasses the leadership of the High School, its staff and students, as well as actively participating in shaping the future direction of the School as a whole. He is steadfastly committed to education and enjoys the culture and sense of community at 91¶¶Òõ.

Simon Lawrence

Simon grew up in the United Kingdom and spent time studying in Israel following school. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from Jew's College and then worked as Technical Director of Bnei Akiva before making Aliya in 1997. Simon studied Special Education at David Yellin College and taught students with a variety of special needs at 'Keren Or' and 'Chavat Hanoar Hatziyoni'.

Simon moved to Perth in 2007 as the Youth Director / Assistant to the Rabbi at the Perth Hebrew Congregation and at 91¶¶Òõ as a teacher. Later, Simon held the role of 91¶¶Òõ's Director of Jewish Studies from 2012-2023.

Simon is currently the Director of Jewish Life at 91¶¶Òõ and is responsible for leading the creation, maintenance, delivery and promotion of a vibrant experiential Jewish Life program for all 91¶¶Òõ students from Kindergarten to Year 12.

Debbi Benn

Head of Jewish Studies and Hebrew (Primary School)

Debbi grew up in Johannesburg South Africa and was always passionate about education, leading in the youth movement Habonim Dror for many years. After completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Primary Education at the University of Witwatersrand and anÌýAssociate Diploma in Speech and Drama through the Trinity College of London, she made Aliyah to Israel where she honed her Hebrew skills.

After marrying in Netanya, Debbi moved to Perth and joined 91¶¶Òõ in 1986 as a Hebrew and Jewish Studies teacher. Debbi was promoted to Head of Hebrew and Jewish Studies (Primary School) in 2006 and is currently the longest serving staff member at the school, having taught many of the current parent body.

Debbi has introduced many new programs into the School in Torah, Yahadut and Ivrit and is always looking for ways to improve on classroom practice and curriculum. She is responsible for both the formal and informal programs in the Primary School and ensures that students are introduced to the concept of community from an early age, participating in a range of activities on a daily basis that include values such as kindness, charity, ethical behaviour and responsibility for one another.

Sharon West

Business Manager

Sharon joins us from St John of God Health Care, where she worked as the Group Manager – Payroll Operations and Systems. With extensive expertise in the areas of finance, human resources, auditing, project management and procurement, Sharon believes strongly in the importance of approaching her work with a team-based and data-driven approach.

Prior to St John of God Health Care, Sharon worked as the Senior Manager – Finance Operations at The University of Western Australia and InvoCare, Sydney, as the Finance Operations Manager.

On a personal note, Sharon moved to Perth from Sydney in 2020 and lives with her two Cavoodle fur babies, Harry and Charlie, who rule the house. Her hobbies include scuba diving, watching a good movie, and enjoying live music.

David Williams

Director of Communications and Enrolments

David is passionate about developing communities and has worked in the education sector for over two decades. He joins us from Guildford Grammar School, where he served as the Executive Director of The Old Guildfordians Association, the school's not-for-profit alumni organisation. In recognition of his contributions to this role, he was elected an Honorary Life Member.

Driven by a strong desire to support the growth of advancement professionals in education, David previously served as a board director and the treasurer of Educate Plus, an Australasian organisation focused on professional development and networking in marketing and communications, admissions, alumni and community relations, and fundraising.ÌýDavid was awarded Fellowship of Educate Plus for his service.

Born in Perth, David spent most of his childhood in Tom Price in the Pilbara before attending boarding school in Perth.ÌýHe has since earned a Bachelor of Business with a Double Major in Marketing and Tourism, as well as qualifications in Project Management, Occupational Health and Safety, and Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL).