School Council members
Anthony Parle – Chair of Council
- Bachelor of Commerce (BCom)
- Fellow Certified Practicing Accountant Australia (FCA)
- Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD)
Tony was appointed to the Board of Northholm in 2010 and has served on the Finance and Audit Committee and was elected Chair in 2019.
With the majority of his career in commercial finance. Tony has held the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in several retail businesses as well senior finance roles covering corporate reporting, investment review, procurement and organisational redesign. Additionally, he has held positions on several other Boards – SIW a Warehousing and distribution business and is currently a Director on the Board of a Mutual bank. Particularly through his Board experience, Tony brings to the Northholm Board, extensive expertise in governance, risk management, strategic design as well as financial performance analysis and financial forecasting.
Having had three children come through Northholm Grammar, Tony has strong connections to the school and enjoys the opportunity of contributing to its success as a member of the Board. In his leisure time, Tony and his wife, Kristin, enjoy spending time with their four children in their various locations around the country and with his large extended family.
Paul Cassar
- Bachelor of Manufacturing Management (BMM)
- Graduate Diploma, Business Management (AssocDip (Mngt))
- Member of Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD)
Paul was appointed as a Director in November 2019, joining the Finance Committee in February 2020, and taking on the role of Finance Committee Chair from February 2021.
Paul is a senior business professional, with extensive experience working in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Asia, and a proven record of success, in various General Manager, C-Suite and transformational Program Director roles.
Paul is married to Shelley, and they have 3 children – 2 are Northholm graduates and their youngest is a current Northholm student. Paul’s interests include watching and participating in a range of sports and outdoor activities, travel, and spending time with family and friends.
Dr Peter Coad
- Bachelor of Environmental Science (BSc)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Dr Peter Coad joined the Board in 2019 and is currently a member of the Governance and Risk Management Committee and Finance Committee.
Peter has over 30 years in technical and senior management experience in environmental science, policy and project management. He has worked with various catchment management authorities, local and state government agencies as well as private industry. During his career he has managed waterway, estuary, bushland and bushfire management programs which have involved capital works, research, education and planning components. Internationally, he has worked with the British and Icelandic conservation agencies. In 2012, he completed his Doctorate with the University of NSW and Manly Hydraulics Laboratory where he developed novel artificial intelligence approaches in environmental management. He is currently a member of the NSW Government’s finance advisory committee for state coastal management projects and is a fellow of Peter Cullen Trust which is a Commonwealth program which supports leaders who seek to bring science and policy together.
Peter is a former student of Northholm graduating in 1990 and is also a school parent. He enjoys time with family and friends, travelling and being in the outdoors.
Marie Hanson
- Masters in Business Administration (MBA)
- Bachelor of Education (B.Ed)
- Bachelor of Physical Education (B.PE)
- Graduate Member Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD)
Marie joined the Northholm Grammar School Board in 2024 and is a member of the People and Culture Committee.
Marie has over 30 years’ corporate experience in Management and Executive roles in organisations such as Qantas Airways, Lend Lease, Adcorp and Greater Bank. Marie brings a grounded approach in finding people solutions in real world work environments by combining strategy with the practical in the workplace. Marie has extensive expertise in people and culture including cultural transformation, change management, leadership and management development, employee engagement, organisation capability and human resources.
Marie enjoys singing, travelling, working with dogs and spending time with her family.
Mieka Hutchinson
- Bachelor of Commerce (B Com)
- Masters of Policing Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism
- Masters of International Security Studies (MPICTMIntSecSt)
Mieka was co-opted to the Community Engagement & Partnerships Committee (formerly the Marketing Committee) of Northholm Grammar School in 2019 and appointed to Council in November 2020. Mieka is currently a member of the Governance and Risk Management (GARM) Committee.
Mieka is a seasoned project management and fundraising expert with over 14 years experience. She excels at coordinating complex projects, cultivating key relationships, and fostering results-driven solutions. She is currently making a difference at the Australian Red Cross, project managing their $65 million fundraising portfolio. Her innovative approach has been recognised by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Solferino Academy, which named her one of the ‘Top 40 Under 40 Tech Entrepreneurs’ in 2023 for her work to implement a streamlined process to rapidly launch emergency fundraising appeals during times of crisis.
Mieka is a former school captain of Northholm Grammar School and finds balance through her passions for family travel adventures, getting lost in a good book and competing on the pickleball court.
James Solomons
- Bachelor of Commerce (BCom)
- Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand (FCA)
- Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD)
James was appointed to the Northholm Grammar School Board in June 2020. He is Chairman of the Building Committee and has previously been a member of the Governance & Risk Committee and Community Engagement & Partnerships Committee.
James is an innovative business leader with over 23 years of experience in accounting and corporate finance. Currently serving as the Global CFO/COO and General Manager of Xref Limited, an ASX-listed global HR Tech company. Previously, James held the industry leadership position of Head of Accounting at Xero Australia from 2014 to 2018. His experience also includes co-founding and leading successful & award-winning accounting and advisory firms.
James is passionate about education and mentorship, continuing to serve as a guest lecturer & industry adviser at Macquarie University since 2012. He has a history of community service, including board memberships in not-for-profit organisations and registered charities. James attended Sydney High School and after leaving sat on the Sydney High School Old Boys Union and Sydney High School Foundation boards from 2009 to 2023.
James’ expertise spans across professional services, financial services, HR, and software development, bringing to his roles a combination of professional expertise, governance experience, and a personal commitment to education and community engagement.
Outside of his professional life, James is a devoted family man, married with two young children, both of whom attend Northholm Grammar School. He has a passion for football and is also a car enthusiast. As an avid writer and industry commentator, he continues to contribute to thought leadership in his field.
Kerry Rose
- Bachelor of Arts (foreign languages)
- Diploma in Education (BA DipEd)
Kerry was appointed to the Northholm Board in 2015. From 2015 – 2019 she was Chair of the Education Committee. Since 2020 she has been Chair of the Governance and Risk Management Committee.
Kerry has 35 years’ commitment to secondary education in a variety of learning environments, coeducational, single sex and specialist high schools, including 10 years as principal and experience in setting up multi-campus and cross-school cooperative learning environments, Kerry is passionate about enabling students to achieve their personal best and enhancing the effectiveness of teachers.
Kerry’s extensive experience in NSW syllabus and curriculum development, Head of HSC Exam Committees, assessor of HSC exams and Supervisor of HSC marking, her knowledge and experience in catering for all learning abilities to achieve personal best including gifted and talented students and in teacher professional growth, are valued by the School Council.
Kerry is married to Allan, a structural engineer, and they have two children: Ben, an environmental scientist, and Sarah, an Australian Paralympian, writer, and employee at the Department of Communities and Justice. Kerry’s interests are keeping abreast of current educational theory, practice and trends, book club with discussions with the author where possible, travel, photography, keeping fit, socialising and helping out with her beautiful young grandchildren.
