A Career That Invests in You
At Mandurah Baptist College, we believe that investing in the growth of our people is of pivotal importance as we seek to carry out our mission and develop the next generation to be capable, confident, character-filled learner and citizens. This happens in a multitude of ways each year, from internal professional learning days, external experts and staff attendance at a range of professional learning opportunities.
One additional way that the College encourages growth in its staff is through the Maynard Scholarship, an initiative designed to both reward innovative practice and professionally develop the recipient, who it is expected in turn will share knowledge with the MBC staff community.
The Maynard Scholarship was created in recognition of the work of Garry Maynard, foundation staff member, Head of Year and Deputy Principal Curriculum (2010 to 2015). Garry has continued his outstanding contribution to Christian school leadership following his time at Mandurah Baptist College, serving as the Principal of Cornerstone Christian College in Busselton from 2016 to 2026. Garry is currently Principal of Dunsborough Christian College in Dunsborough.
The scholarship takes the form of a significant financial contribution for a staff member to submit a paper and/or attend a conference that will directly impact innovative teaching and learning in the College each year. The scholarship covers conference fees, budget travel and accommodation costs.
Recent recipients of the scholarship have seen significant growth and development from the programs they have been able to access as a result of the scholarship.
Two of our recent recipients, Catherine Eppen Van Der Aa and Anidha Kemsley, reflect on their experiences as follows –
As part of the CSA (Christian Schools Australia) Step Up Leadership Program, Larey van der Walt (Head of Mathematics) and I had the opportunity to travel to Kalgoorlie to visit CAPS Karawang. It was a genuinely moving experience that gave us an up-close look at a school doing remarkable things with a small but growing community.
What struck us most was the school’s deep commitment to inclusion, wellbeing, and belonging. These are values that are lived out in everyday practice rather than simply stated. Seeing how staff differentiate for diverse learners, embed emotional safety into daily routines, and connect students to their natural environment gave us so much to reflect on as leaders. The school’s culture of gratitude among staff was particularly memorable, and something we have both carried back into our own contexts.
Beyond the visit itself, Larey and I came away with a genuine sense of excitement about what might be possible going forward. We have already begun thinking about ways our two schools could connect and collaborate, with a shared heart for Christian service and community. We believe there is real potential to build something meaningful across the distance between us.
The Gary Maynard Scholarship made this experience possible, and we are deeply grateful for it. Visits like this remind us why leadership development matters and how much we grow when we step outside our own walls. We thank Matt, Jo and the Board for this opportunity.
Catherine Eppen-Van Der Aa | Head of Humanities & Languages
Through the Maynard Scholarship, I was given the opportunity to travel to Brisbane in 2024 to attend the Doing School Differently Conference. The conference brought together educators and school leaders from flexible, alternative and inclusive school settings across Australia, and it was incredibly inspiring to see the different ways schools design learning environments and support structures to meet the needs of diverse young people.
During the conference, I attended a range of keynote addresses and workshops including those focused on student voice, documented plans, trauma-informed practice, primary-secondary transition planning, academic engagement in flexible classrooms, and the design of inclusive learning environments.
I was 6 months into my role here at MBC and the conference significantly contributed to my professional growth as Learning Support Coordinator. It helped me reflect more deeply on how we understand student needs, not just through diagnoses or behaviours, but through a strengths-based and student-centred lens.
Seeing how other schools approached inclusion challenged me to think more intentionally about how support is developed, documented and implemented at MBC. It gave me practical ideas to further shape the culture and attitude of my team members and the way learning support is delivered at the College. Two years on, the conference has continued to guide my team’s work in the way we support students, teachers and the families we work with and it’s an opportunity I’ll always be grateful for.
Anidha Kemsley | Learning Support Coordinator (Secondary)
Matt Dusci | Principal