Executive / Leadership
Mrs Shan Christensen
Principal
BA; Honours (History); Dip Ed
Mrs Christensen attended St Clare’s College in the ACT and completed her tertiary studies at the ANU and UNSW. She majored in English, Classics and Modern History with a Minor in Sociology. She has extensive teaching experience in 4 countries and has worked teaching the International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement.
She has extensive knowledge of the external assessment of both History and English and has been involved with the marking of VCE and IB papers. She has also assisted in the writing of the HSC Trial Ancient examination.
Mrs Christensen joined the Huntingtower staff in 2006 and served as Head of English and Director of Curriculum before being appointed as Head of Secondary School in 2017 and Deputy Principal in 2019. Shan served as Acting Principal since Term 3 2023 and commenced as Principal full-time in Term 4 2023.
Ms Carly Major Gough
Head of Junior School
BMus; BEd
In two decades as a teacher, Carly has worked in government and independent schools in both the ACT and Victoria, in classroom teaching, specialist Music and leadership roles. In her time at Huntingtower she has directed musicals and Celebration Night music programs, conducted instrumental ensembles and the three JS choirs in a variety of performances, mentored early career teachers across the school, and had the privilege of facilitating the countless ‘a-ha’ moments in the classroom with students from ELC to Year 6. Carly is passionate about student wellbeing and inclusion. Her interests include the application of neuropsychology research in the classroom.
Ms Melanie Beal
Vice Principal (Secondary School)
BA; Dip Ed
Mel is passionate about education, teaching and media literacy and loves being able to help all students develop academic and life skills. Among her many achievements, she is particularly proud of the four times that Huntingtower has been awarded the Best Media School by Bond University. Many of her media students’ work has won both national and international awards.
Mel is also cofounder of The Simunye Project, an organisation which aims to empower young Australians who want to make a difference on a global scale. She is the energetic coordinator of the HT Grads, a subgroup of the alumni. She loves the opportunity this gives her to keep students connected to their school throughout their lives.
In 2019, Mel was appointed Vice Principal (Secondary School).
Mrs Susan Swan
Vice Principal (Teaching & Learning)
BEd; MEdStud
Susan has a Masters of Education Degree from Monash University and has worked in education for over 30 years. She has had leadership roles in the State Education System and has worked as a lecturer at Deakin University in the Education Faculty.
Susan is passionate about teaching and learning and has a particular interest in developing effective thinking strategies, a subject on which she has published a book and several articles in educational journals.
She has a strong belief in the potential of teachers to reflect on and research their own practice. Susan is also very interested in developing Aboriginal perspectives in the curriculum.
Mr Dean Owens
Head of Wellbeing
BSc, GDipEd, MEd
Mr Owens is a dedicated and compassionate teacher who has experience in leadership roles within independent and government schools throughout Australia. He has obtained a Master of Education, focusing on student wellbeing, and holds a specialised Graduate Diploma in Middle Years Education. This has provided Dean with extensive knowledge of frameworks and strategies that address the specific educational, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of students.
Dean strives to create a positive school culture that is inclusive and empowers all members of the school community to become lifelong learners. He strongly believes that education is gained from a multitude of experiences, in and out of the classroom, and adopts a holistic approach to education that focuses on developing all aspects of one’s life.
Mrs Tania Parkyn
Director of Business Operations
BBus(Acc), CA
Tania Parkyn is the Director of Business Operations and Public Officer for Huntingtower School. She is a Chartered Accountant with prior experience in various accounting and corporate entities. Her move to the school initially as Finance Manager was born from a passion for the education system and desire to work for the greater benefit of the children.
Tania is on the committee of the Association of School Business Administrators (ASBA Vic), an industry body promoting the advancement of education through the provision of professional development to members. Tania has also recently completed the Company Directors Course with the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is now a member of AICD.
