Sean Butler
Foundation Principal of Preston High School.
Sean was previously the Assistant Principal at Northcote High School, has a PhD in Education from the University of Melbourne and lives locally.
Letter from the PrincipalOur People
Jessica James
Assistant Principal.
Jess is an experienced teacher of Science and has a passion for helping teachers to develop and enhance their teaching practice. She has been a leader in classroom practice and curriculum design that puts students at the centre of the learning process. Jess also has deep expertise in engaging students and school communities with 21st C technologies and design-based thinking.
Rohan McCarthy
Assistant Principal.
Rohan is an experienced English and Media teacher with a passion for the Arts. He is an expert in the use of developmental rubrics that build both learner confidence and agency in learning by supporting students to understand the next steps in their learning. He is a leader in school-wide approaches to literacy and the use of data to support teachers develop targeted interventions that maximise learner growth.
Tom Bentley
Advisor to Preston High School on policy, governance and innovation.
Tom Bentley is a writer and policy adviser. He is Principal Adviser to the Vice Chancellor at RMIT University and a Senior Honorary Fellow at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education. He has previously worked as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Hon. Julia Gillard, 27th Prime Minister of Australia and as Director of Demos, the independent UK-based think tank.
Tom works with institutions around the world on innovation and learning in education, economic and community development.
Professor Clare Wright, OAM
Co-Advisor to Preston High School on the Liberal Arts
Clare is an award-winning historian, author and public commentator who has worked in politics, academia and the media. Clare is currently Professor in History at La Trobe University.
Clare’s book, The Forgotten Rebels of Eureka, won the 2014 Stella Prize and was shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards. She is currently working on a new book and a television adaptation of her prize winning book. Her popular podcast Shooting the Past brings you Australian history through a new lens. Each episode features a historical event or era, and starts with a single photograph. http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/shootingthepast/
Dr Adrian Jones, OAM
Co-Advisor to Preston High School on the Liberal Arts
Adrian is Associate Professor, & Director of Teaching and Learning, at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University. Specialising in European history, he attained his MA and PhD from Harvard University.
Adrian’s work in the field of public education was recognised by the award of an Order of Australia Medal (OAM). The award cited his service to history education as a lecturer and author, and for executive roles in a range of historical and teaching organisations.
Adrian has a keen interest in historiography and the ways in which young people can learn to write powerful texts.
Dr Wee Tiong Seah
Advisor to Preston High School on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education
Wee Tiong is Associate Professor in Mathematics Education at the Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne.
Before becoming an academic, Wee Tiong has had extensive experience in mathematics teaching and pastoral care across school settings in Singapore and Australia. He currently coordinates a multinational research team focussed on more effective teaching and learning of maths in schools. Wee Tiong is also member of the federal government’s Expert Advisory and Research Group, providing advice in matters relating to the teaching and learning of mathematics and numeracy in schools.