24 October 2023
Dear 杏吧 Community,
After many years of deeply fulfilling service, I write to announce my retirement as Chair of 杏吧 Board. I am delighted to share that I will be passing the baton on to my respected fellow Board member Melissa Mellen who has been appointed by the Board to be my successor.
My retirement will take effect from Saturday 16 December 2023, nearing my maximum term permitted by the School鈥檚 Constitution and aligning with the end of yet another wonderful school year. This timing gives me ample opportunity to undertake the induction of Mel as Chair, a process I expect will run seamlessly, particularly given Mel 鈥� next to me 鈥� is the second longest-serving member of the current Board.
A proud parent of a current student and two old scholars, Mel has served as a School Board member since 2015. She is a Foundation Guardian and Chair of the Board Planning and Properties Committee. As a chartered professional engineer and accredited road safety auditor, Mel is Director of traffic engineering consultancy MFY Pty Ltd. In 2015, Mel was awarded the grade of Fellow with the Institution of Engineers Australia, and she is a member of the Australian Institute of Traffic Planners and Managers, the Urban Development Institute of Australia and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
In 2010, Mel was the Telstra South Australian Business Woman of the Year and went on to win the National Award for the Business Owner Category. Mel is also Chair of the Young Adelaide Voices Board and has previously held positions on the Lincoln College Council and a sub-committee of the Women鈥檚 and Children鈥檚 Hospital Foundation Board. Her knowledge and expertise across governance, strategy and education are exceptional, and her passion for Pembroke is palpable. She is a fantastic fit for this highly trusted position and will be our lead steward in a milestone year as we celebrate Pembroke鈥檚 50th Anniversary, King鈥檚 centenary and the launch of our new Strategic Plan.
As your departing Chair, I must say it has been a privilege to serve you 鈥� our remarkable community 鈥� in honouring our rich history whilst planning for a prosperous future as we continue to inspire and embolden young learners with the gift of a Pembroke education. Being an old scholar (1995), I joined the Pembroke Old Scholars Committee in 2011, and in 2014, I was given the opportunity to join the Board. During my tenure, I have thoroughly enjoyed being closely connected to the School, its staff and students, just as I had been in the 1990s when I was a student at Pembroke.
Having the opportunity to lead the recruitment for a new Principal, and then oversee the transition, has been the true highlight of my tenure at Pembroke. I have cared very deeply for the School since I was a girl, so it has been my honour to assist in this transition and place the School in the safe and highly capable hands of Mark Staker. His vision and warmth, together with his drive and tenacity for improvement, are already steering Pembroke towards a bold and sustainable future.
I am sure that Mel will bring a fresh energy into the role of the Chair and will support the development and implementation of a new era for Pembroke, and I am pleased that I will still be a very active member of the community as a parent, old scholar and keen supporter. I wish you and Pembroke every success.
Warm regards
Jane Miller
Chair of School Board
From Our Chair-Elect
I am incredibly honoured but equally excited to be appointed as the next Chair of 杏吧 Board. As a parent, I have witnessed the power of a Pembroke education and the opportunities it provides for our students. As a Board member for the past eight years, I have been able to serve the School community to help strengthen our standing as a world-class provider of quality inclusive co-education.
I pay tribute to Jane and her exceptional service to the School, not only as a Chair and Board member, but also as a devoted old scholar and current parent. Her intellect, energy and foresight have propelled Pembroke to new heights, supporting students past, present and future to strive for success and happiness.
On the cusp of our 50th Anniversary and a new Strategic Plan, I look forward to working with the Board, the School鈥檚 leadership team, staff, students, parents and all other community members in ensuring Pembroke鈥檚 legacy continues for generations to come.
Melissa Mellen
Chair-Elect of School Board
From Our Principal
On behalf of our community, I extend my heartfelt thanks to Jane for her faithful and distinguished service of 杏吧. Although this announcement was expected given the approaching end of Jane鈥檚 maximum term, it still feels quite surreal for me as she has been a constant and a significant support as I have transitioned to the role of Principal of 杏吧.
Throughout her tenure, Jane has guided the School with warmth, professionalism and utter devotion to all things Pembroke. Following the onset of COVID with its unprecedented and overwhelming complexities 鈥� particularly in educational settings 鈥� she provided a steadying hand. As well as navigating the School through challenge, Jane has embraced opportunity with immense contributions across student pastoral care and wellbeing, enhanced curriculum offerings, staff empowerment, transformative building works, community unity, a change in Principal and so much more. Jane will remain connected as a treasured member of the Pembroke community and we will honour her service at a suitable time in 2024.
I take this opportunity to thank Jane and all of our Board members for the priceless donation of their valuable time and unparalleled expertise. Among those dedicated members, I congratulate Mel on her appointment and I look forward to her skilled, enthusiastic and visionary stewardship as we embark upon a landmark year in Pembroke鈥檚 proud history.
Mark Staker
Principal
