Rob Gratton
DipTeach, BEd, MEd, MACEL
Principal – Primary School
Rob has been an educator since 1984 working in a variety of government and independent schools. He was the founding Principal of Mandurah Baptist College Primary School which commenced in 2008.
Rob’s passion is to authentically communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ, enable students to thrive educationally and personally, and grow emerging leaders. Rob has recently completed a Master of Education (Leadership) and serves as a member of the Western Australian School Curriculum and Standards Authority Primary Principals advisory committee. Read more about the Primary School here.
Matt Dusci
BMusEd, MEd, MACEL
Principal – Senior School
Matt has been involved in education for almost 20 years at a number of Christian schools. He has a background in Music Education in both primary and high school settings, and experience teaching in a range of other disciplines, Matt has also held a number of leadership positions across both pastoral and curriculum areas.
Commencing as Principal of the Senior School in July 2021., Matt has a passion to see students and communities flourish as they grow and develop together. He is excited about the future of the College, and working with staff, student, parents and the wider community to enable students to reach their potential and thrive both academically and socially through a rich, broad and engaging program.
Outside of school, Matt serves on the Board of his church and is involved in the music ministry. He is married to Emma and they have two children, Nate and Norah. Read more about the Senior School here.
Tracey Richmond
BA Hons, PGCE, MA (Cantab), NPQH
Deputy Principal, Teaching and Learning – Primary School
Tracey has been teaching since 1986 in both Australia and the UK. After graduating from Cambridge University with a degree in Classics, she spent the first 20 years of her career in primary education as both a Deputy Headteacher and Headteacher. Upon moving to Australia in 2006 Tracey worked in secondary education as a maths teacher and latterly as Head of Learning Support at MBC.
Tracey’s passion is curriculum, especially the development of strong literacy and numeracy skills in order to prepare students for high school and to help them access the broader curriculum. She is also a passionate linguist and especially loves the French language.
Outside of school, Tracey is married to Mike and they have three adult children who all graduated from MBC. She is a keen cook, baker and reader.
Joanne Meek
BA (English Literature), DipEd (Secondary)
Deputy Principal (Curriculum) – Senior School
Prior to becoming an educator, Joanne worked in the insurance sector in a leadership role. Through her volunteer work with The Smith Family, she discovered her passion for education and helping young people find their place in the world.
Joanne joined Mandurah Baptist College in 2018 as an English Teacher. She is extremely passionate about literacy and supporting students with different educational needs. Joanne’s current role as Deputy Principal (Curriculum) allows her to use her skills and experience to support the College’s community, and she is excited to be able to serve the staff and students and help enable them to thrive.
Brendan Waddy
Higher DipEd, Further DipEd
Deputy Principal (Student Services) – Primary School
Brendan enjoys his role as Deputy Principal (Student Services) as his passion is to play a part in the social, academic and physical development and growth of the students at Mandurah Baptist College. He has enjoyed teaching students from Pre-Primary to Year 8 in South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
Wanting to help students reach their full potential, led him into directing a tutoring business that worked with schools and students before becoming a Teaching Principal at two rural schools in New Zealand. The opportunity to be part of a new Christian based school, led Brendan to Mandurah Baptist College where he started off as the Year 3 teacher.
Valme Batley
Cert lll in Ministry, Diploma of Medical Technology & Cytotechnology, Higher DipEd
Deputy Principal (Pastoral Care) – Senior School
Valme began her career working in the medical field but soon realised her passion was teaching, so as a mature age student she returned to university and completed a teaching degree majoring in a Home Economics. Her first position was in East London, South Africa. Before leaving South Africa, Valme worked for the Danish Government who started a Youth School for underprivileged teenagers, followed by teaching in New Zealand for some years and pastoring a church together with her husband. However, the call to teach remained strong.
She was then offered a position at Somerville Baptist College some 16 years ago, teaching Home Economics and was Head of Year 10 and 8. Later Valme was part of the creation of Kennedy Baptist College and Head of Christian Education doing many relief roles in Director of Student positions and Heads of Year before coming to Mandurah in 2019 as Assistant Deputy Principal.
Pieter Conradie
BComm (Accounting), Hons BCom (Accounting), CPA
Director of Finance and Resources
Pieter has been working for the College in this role for the past 9 years and is responsible for Finance, Human Resources, Property and Maintenance and ICT. Prior to joining the Education Sector Pieter was working in the Business, Banking and Finance Sector for 25 years.
Pieter works across the Primary and Senior School and enjoys the diversity of the role and the challenges it brings. The Education environment is constantly changing and it remains a challenge to ensure the College remains ahead on the funding and technology side as well as ensuring we achieve the best outcome for staff, students and our families with the resources at our disposal, this is a challenge Pieter is relishing.
Outside of school, Pieter loves playing golf and spending time with his family. He is married to Janine and they have one adult child, Talya.
Cornelius Smit
BCom Law, PGCE, Hon Ed, MEd (Leadership and Management)
Assistant Deputy Principal
Cornelius has been working in education for nearly 15 years across both boys and co-educational schools. His passion for education, and in particular pastoral care, developed through his work in residential programs and his coaching of various sporting teams’ over the years. He has taught Accounting, Mathematics, Physical Education and Business Studies.
He joined the MBC team late in 2022, and he hopes that through his experience he can help strengthen the ‘sense of belonging’ and collegiality amongst students and staff.
Cornelius is married to Zenia, who is also a senior school teacher. He is a sports fanatic, enjoys cycling and just about any team sport.
