Leadership / Governance

Appointed Head of the School in September 2022, after spending more than six years as Deputy Head of the School, Mr Gerard Houlihan is a great believer in the importance of ‘managing oneself’ – that is, developing personal agency, knowing your strengths, and identifying opportunities to contribute to the community. His belief in lifelong learning and willingness to engage in new challenges are defining character traits. Gerard began at St Michael’s as Head of Science and Technology in 2001. He has since filled several leadership roles, including Co-Head of Breen House, Head of IT and Online Learning, Dean of Teaching and Learning (Curriculum), and Head of Senior School. He also brings valuable experience from his tenure as Vice-President of the Science Teachers Association of Victoria, consultant to the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, conference presenter and textbook author. In 2020, Gerard was awarded an Australian Council for Educational Leaders Fellowship and named on The Educator Hot List, acknowledging his work as a leader in the education sector.

Mrs Nicole Armatas joined St Michael’s in Term 3, 2020, as Associate Head (K-6). In Term 4, 2022 she was appointed Deputy Head of the School, and continues in her role as Head of Junior School. Nicole holds a Dip Ed (Prim), B Ed (Prim), and M Ed (Hons), from the University of Melbourne. Early in her career, Nicole worked in several school settings, and held various leadership roles in curriculum development and design, specifically in Literacy, Gifted and Talented Education and Inquiry based learning, as well being a ‘Train the Trainer’ (Literacy) for Independent Schools Victoria. Prior to St Michael’s, Nicole held the roles of Head of Campus (P-3) and Head of Campus (3-6) for almost a decade in a K-12, co-educational, multi-campus, independent school. Her work focused on leading and managing building redesign projects, guiding pedagogical change to build future focused programs, and developing individual and team capacity in a multi-campus setting. During her time at St Michael’s, Nicole has focused on enhancing the learning spaces and the teaching, learning and caring programs. The new P-6 playground redevelopment, the refurbished 3YO playspace in the ELC and an architecturally designed retreat play area have added value to the external spaces in the Junior School. Additionally, after nearly two years of planning, the newly opened Centre for Inquiry and Innovation has provided all Junior School students with a purpose designed facility for research. Student inquiries, specifically into our Signature Programs, are supported by research rooms, a technology hub, maker spaces, a fully equipped kitchen and provocation zones. The Centre facilitates and supports every stage of the research process, for both students and staff. Nicole always seeks to build a culture of aspiration amongst dedicated educators and students. Her passion is to ignite curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and agency in students through child-centred, evidence-based, innovative programs that inspire graduates to achieve their personal best.

Emma McDonald is a passionate educator with a strong focus on adolescent development and wellbeing. With over 20 years’ experience, Emma has a deep understanding of the emotional and intellectual needs and strengths of young people. In her new role as Deputy Head and Head of Senior School at St Michael’s Grammar School, she is a strong advocate for unlocking students’ potential by co-creating learning environments where their voices are heard. Emma understands that the crucial middle and senior years of schooling are characterised by the students’ increasing desire for autonomy, expanding capacity for complex thought, and greater curiosity about self and their role in the world. Emma has held the roles of Director of Curriculum (7-12), Director of Learning (Years 6-9) and Head of House (Years 7-12) giving her a comprehensive insight into the key transition points for students as they begin and end secondary school. She has taught English and Drama, Years 4 to VCE.

Mr Farai Mufuka was appointed as St Michael’s Director of Business in May 2017 and in 2025, he now takes on the role as Chief Operating Officer. Farai brings with him a wealth of experience in senior leadership and management positions. Prior to joining St Michael’s, Farai was the Business/Finance Manager at Epworth HealthCare, where he was responsible for the business and operational services within the Rehabilitation Division and the Mental Health Division. This involved leading multi-disciplinary teams, including finance, facilities, hospitality services and administration, as well as contributing to the organisation’s operational and strategic planning process.

A Music teacher by training, Ben Moody joined St Michael’s in 2017 as the Director of Performing Arts and is also an award-winning composer and Musical Director in youth theatre. After completing a Master of Instructional Leadership at the University of Melbourne in 2022, he moved into leadership roles in curriculum and now leads a high-functioning team of academic experts in embedding the St Michael’s Framework for Teaching, Learning and Caring across the School. Ben also oversees staff professional learning and supports teachers and leaders in producing meaningful evidence to document their growth and impact on exceptional student outcomes in learning and wellbeing.

Mr Eddy is a senior finance professional with extensive experience in the public sector and professional service firms. He is the co-founder of the Neurodiversity Hub, which is an initiative to create more neuroinclusive workplaces and support neurodivergent students to become more job-ready and increase their chances of securing a role and commencing a career. Mr Eddy was previously Deputy Chancellor at La Trobe University where he served on the Board for nine years until the end of 2019. He has now retired but continues his interest in neurodiversity and advocating for more inclusive workplaces and learning spaces.

Daniela Acquaro, PhD, MEd, GradDipEd, BA, joined the Board of Directors in 2019. Daniela is an Associate Professor of Teacher Education and currently serves as the Associate Dean Global Engagement in the Faculty of Education at the University of Melbourne. She is also chair of the University of Melbourne Academic Board Teaching and Learning Quality Assurance Committee. Daniela’s research focuses on initial teacher education, educational leadership and school-university partnerships. Daniela brings to the board extensive experience as an educator and leader across both secondary and tertiary sectors.

Mr Jason Newman joined the Board of Directors in April 2020. He is a Principal with Gilchrist Connell and is an expert in managing litigation for insurers across all lines and categories of insurance, in particular product, public and professional liability claims. Jason is a regular presenter on insurance topics for both legal and non-legal audiences. He has served on the Ethics Committee of the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) for over 10 years, and is a past recipient of the Legal Ethics Award from LIV. He was formerly the Vice President of the Australian and New Zealand Education Law Association and continues to serve on the Victorian Committee of ANSVAR. Jason also received the Rogers Legal Writing Award for his article in the Law Institute Journal on professional negligence in education.

Natasha is currently the Chief Operating Officer for Epworth HealthCare. Epworth HealthCare is Victoria’s largest not for profit private hospital group and provides health care for the community across nine sites across Victoria. Prior to this Natasha was the Executive Director of Operations at Western Health. Her multi-site operational role there encompassed major capital, commercial and clinical projects, including commissioning of the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Natasha holds a Master of Public Health (Monash University), Bachelor of Physiotherapy (University of Melbourne), and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Diana is a leadership development consultant, educator, and award-winning author. She leads the design, facilitation and coaching for a variety of leadership development programs across the sectors and is a senior lecturer in the Bachelor Science Advanced – Global Challenges (Honours) Program at Monash University. Diana is co-author of Not Knowing: the art of turning uncertainty into opportunity, winner of the U.K. Management Book of the Year award, and Not Doing: the art of effortless action. The books have been translated in more than 12 languages. Diana is an Old Michaelian (OM 1990) and has been a St Michael’s parent since 2016.

Jacqui Walker is a senior executive with a diverse background in education, manufacturing, consumer products, banking and financial services, and retail. She has worked in both for-profit and not-for-profit sectors.  For the past five years, Jacqui has served in Chief Operating and Innovation Officer, Deputy Chief Executive Officer - Strategy, Commercial and Operations, and Director of Business Services positions in the tertiary and secondary education sectors. Jacqui has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne, a Master of Business Administration from the Melbourne Business School and is a CPA. She is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.  She joined the Board of Directors of St Michael’s Grammar School in 2024, having been a parent and the president of the Parent Community Association until 2023.