School Board

Board Members

Meet your School Board

Ben Graham – Board Chair / Parent Representative

I am a dad of two boys at Poynter and husband to an extremely brilliant wife/midwife. I nominated and was elected to the Board in 2023, and 2024 am Board Chair. I have been an active member of Poynter’s P&C, previously being Secretary and Vice President. After moving back into the area in 2020 and being welcomed by a cracking group of parents, I wanted to try give something back and am keen to try do my bit. I coach Junior footy at the Carine Cats and am a committee member for Conquer Cystic Fibrosis. I have roughly 20 years in property and development across private sector and State Government.

Steve Bank – Parent Representative

I have 3 daughters currently at Poynter, with our eldest graduating in 2022. I’ve really enjoyed being part of the Poynter Board and look forward to making a continued contribution to the school & our community. Last year I was Board Chair and supported the school in its recent and very positive Public School Review process. My involvement with the Board these last few years has been from a data analytics and IT standpoint, offering guidance and assistance. I work for Microsoft supporting WA Government customers in their adoption of technology to support their internal business and citizen services to the state.

Josh Hurley – Parent Representative

I’m a dad of three with two at Poynter PS and the other to come. I joined the Board because I want to see our kids have the best school experience possible and I think the Board can help achieve that. I am also President of our P&C. By day I work full time as an engineer in the renewables industry.

John Ward – Parent Representative

I am the father of two girls, one having completed her primary schooling at Poynter in 2022. I have been on the Poynter Board for the past 8 years, either as Board Chair or a parent representative, using the experience and knowledge gained to help drive the continued high performance and growth of our school. I understand the importance and benefits of a strong community that works closely with the local school.

I am focussed on the collaborative nature of the Poynter Board and appreciate the different perspectives each Board Member brings when we are making key decisions to ensure the best outcome for our school. Through my career in finance I have developed a number of skills which will allow me to contribute significantly as a parent representative including; strong financial and commercial management; excellent communication skills through working closely with Boards and management, and the ability to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders to achieve the best outcome for all.

Ciane Brown – Parent Representative

I am a parent to three daughters, joining the school community in 2021. I am a qualified Social Worker with an additional Grad. Dip. in Health Leadership, specialising in the health and aged care sector. My strengths lie in problem-solving, capacity building, and working with teams and individual to achieve established goals.

I have a keen interest in supporting Poynter Primary School to be a safe and supportive environment for all students to learn within while developing a strong, positive sense of identity. I am involved in the School’s P&C association, and in my spare time love playing board games and op-shopping!

Russ Fishwick JP – Community

I am currently serving in my third term as Deputy Mayor at the City of Joondalup having been elected to the Council in 2006.  I was the Chair of the Mindarie Regional Council for 10 years.  I sit on the Western Australian Local Government Advisory Board and am a WA Local Government Association State Councillor.  I am a Justice of the Peace and has been a member on the States Crime Prevention Council and Anti-Graffiti Task Force.

I hold a university post graduate qualifications in business and management. With a long employment history in local government holding senior positions in metropolitan councils including acting as a chief executive officer.  I have a long history as a volunteer in surf lifesaving and is a Senior Assessor for Surf Life Saving WA. I also hold board positions at the Duncraig Primary School and the Churchlands Senior High School.

Lisa Wade – Principal

I was appointed Principal at Poynter in 2023. Prior to Poynter I was Principal at a variety of primary schools- Woodvale, Halidon, Mosman Park and Deputy at West Leederville and Goollelal. I grew up in City Beach and then went to the Goldfields to teach and gain life experience in schools of different contexts, namely Laverton and Kalgoorlie, where I taught in the classroom, was a long-standing Physical Education specialist and the Deputy Principal for Student Services. I moved back to Perth after missing our amazing beaches and live footy. I am a mum of two beautiful teenage girls and cavoodle Lola.

I bring over 30 years of diverse contextual leadership and educational experience into Poynter. I am a passionate, relational leader. I lead with a dynamic strategic vision that places our students at the heart of my decision making. I am incredibly proud to be part of Poynter’s friendly, collaborative community and look forward to continuing to build on our relationships and excellence in teaching and learning.

Wendy Bray – Staff Representative

I have had the privilege of being an educator at Poynter Primary since the beginning of 2019. Prior to my appointment at Poynter I spent ten years enjoying rural life at Bindoon Primary, juggling a dual classroom teacher and art specialist role, as well as eighteen months as Deputy Principal. Before my big move to Western Australia I taught at Bondi Beach Public School for eight years.

I can whole-heartedly say that Poynter Primary is an amazing school to work in and for two of my children to attend.  My eldest son and daughter love Poynter, love living in Duncraig and are thriving here.

Although my initial appointment at Poynter was as a Visual Arts Specialist, I enthusiastically embrace roles beyond the art room. I joined the School Board in 2020 and am an active member of the school leadership team. I’m passionate about whole-school wellbeing and leading Poynter’s reconciliation journey. Being a part of a vibrant and inclusive school community makes me happy and I want to do what I can to ensure that the young people who I have the privilege of working with feel valued and equipped to navigate all that their future holds for them.

Alison Guhl – Staff Representative

I am a passionate public school educator, specialising in Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) education. I have taught at Poynter for over 12 years in variety of roles, whilst also playing mum to two young girls. Last year I was honoured to guide our Tournament of the Minds team to victory, with our STEM team winning the 2023 International title in Melbourne.

I am excited about the opportunities of my newly appointed position of Associate Principal at Poynter, whilst also being fortunate to hold on to teaching the HOTS program with our Year 4-6 students. I am passionate about The Poynter Way and all it encompasses, with ‘successful students’ at the core of everything we do. Our School Board has played and will continue to play an integral role in the success of our school, community and ‘every student, every classroom, every day’

Daniel Walldorf – Staff Representative

I joined Poynter in 2022, marking the beginning of my full-time teaching career. Prior to this, I completed a diploma in Youth Work and was inspired to pursue a teaching degree by my grandmother, aunt, and partner, all of whom are teachers. Over the past three years at Poynter, I have taught Year 4, Year 4/5, and Year 5. I am passionate about creating dynamic and engaging learning experiences and particularly enjoy incorporating technology into the classroom.

In 2023, I joined the School Board, aiming to contribute my own ideas and those of my colleagues. Outside of school, I love all sports, especially Aussie Rules Football. Unfortunately, a knee injury has kept me off the field this year; however, I have taken on a team manager role. I also enjoy adventuring with my Border Collie named Dash.

Dagmar Allen – Executive Officer

I have been at Poynter PS for more over ten years in positions of School Officer and Manager Corporate Services. I grew up in Germany and started my working life in Hospitality Industry in Germany and London. I moved to Australia to marry a ”Karrinyup boy” I met in London.

Working at Poynter PS has been very rewarding. The School Community is amazing and it’s the hard-working staff are fantastic colleagues.

It is a great pleasure to support the School Board as Executive Officer and contribute to the school’s vision of excellence in teaching and learning.

Board Minutes