Helena River Waldorf School Governance

Governance

Helena River Waldorf School is overseen by a Board which meets regularly and is bound by a Constitution.

The role of the Board is to supervise compliance with the relevant laws and regulations, assess and manage risk, govern finance and develop and maintain the strategic direction of the School.

The Board members are elected by the School Association during the AGM and govern for a two-year period. All fee-paying parents are members of the Association, as are staff and also members of the community willing to abide by the objects of the Association.

2026 Board Members 

To contact the Board, please email our Chairperson – boardchair@hrws.wa.edu.au

  • Peter Fern

    Board Chair

    Joined in: April 2016

    • Secretary of the Western Australia Branch of the Anthroposophical Society
    • Member of the Management Group of the Anthroposophical Society
    • Boardchair of the Indus Project

     

    Peter has been a member of the Board since its inception and has served as Board Chair since 2023. Peter is an Anthroposophist and has been a member of the Anthroposophical Society since 1989, serving as the secretary for the WA branch for the last twenty-one years.
    He has three children and thirteen grand-children and was unable to provide Waldorf education to any of his children. He feels the future of the world is best served by providing this education to as many children as possible.

    Peter is also Board Chair of the Indus Project, which aims to establish a university to provide education and development following on from Steiner’s indication on education. The project is entering it’s seventh year and will soon be acquiring land to establish it’s first campus in 2027.

  • Dr Virginia Moller

    Board Member

    Joined in: 2026

    • Educational leadership, governance and strategy consultant/coach
    • Academic Sydney University

     

    Qualifications:

    • B ED
    • M ED (Leadership)
    • PhD

     

    Dr Virginia Moller has over 40 years of experience in education, as a teacher, Steiner school principal, project manager of the Australian Steiner Curriculum for ACARA recognition, CEO Steiner Education Australia, and currently leadership, governance and strategy consultant to educational organisations. Virginia also teaches in the Master of Educational Leadership degree and initial teacher education at the University of Sydney, and participates in ongoing research in leadership, mentoring, governance, and the way organisations flourish.

    Over many years I have watched with great interest Helena River’s journey of growth and development. I am keen to contribute meaningfully to its further growth with my strong Steiner background, and extensive leadership and governance experience and wider experience in the broader education sector.

  • Yoshi Takashima

    Board Treasurer

    Joined in: March 2024

    • Procurement Specialist
    • BCom, Finance & Accounting

     

    Yoshi has served in various roles within the finance and commercial industries and is currently a Procurement Specialist helping support and manage local and indigenous suppliers. Before this, Yoshi was in the financial services industry, providing risk assurance advice and financial statement audits for energy and natural resource clients as well as not-for-profit organisations.

    “I have a growing interest in children’s education and schooling and the significant role it plays on the development of a child. I have recently been introduced to Steiner philosophy and education and personally align to its holistic method of teaching. Together with the other board members, I hope to use my experience and skills to help support the school in achieving its strategic objectives.”

  • Boris Krestelica

    Board Member

    Joined in: 2021

    • School Parent
    • Commerical Professional
    • Member of the Anthroposophical Society

     

    Board Member (2021-2023) re-joined in November 2024

    Boris’ relationship with Waldorf education started in primary school while growing up in Switzerland. The birth of his son in May 2021 reinvigorated Boris’ passion for a wholistic form of education. This naturally drew him to Helena River Waldorf School, where he offered his volunteering services six months later and became a board member. Being a school parent, Boris brings a unique perspective to help inform the board’s decisions.

    Further, Boris is a commercial professional of over 20 years and brings valuable experience in commercial contracts and negotiations, financial management and project management underpinned by a passion for positive relationships. His belief in the beauty and strength of community and his persistent commitment to contribute to our school’s advancement is perhaps Boris’ most valuable trait.

  • Marijanna Smith

    Board Member

    Joined in: August 2024

    • Self Employed Contractor

     

    With over a decade of experience working in facilities and grounds maintenance in Steiner schools and educating her children through Steiner Education, Marijanna brings multiple layers of value to the Board.
    Her skills and experience in strategic planning, relocation of schools and ongoing involvement in the creation and revision of policies and procedures are invaluable.

    She is passionate about what Helena River Waldorf School is offering to the Midland community.

  • Dr Gladstone Davies

    Ordinary Member

    Joined in: June 2026

    • Retired GeoScientist
    • PhD, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, 1983
    • BSc(Hons) Geology, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa, 1974
    • BSc(Geology, Chemistry, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa,1973

     

    Certificates/Training

    • Health and Safety Orientation- Leinster Nickel Mine – 1995
    • Safety Management of Hazardous Materials – 1998
    • Financial Management for Non- Financial managers – 2002
    • Success Through People – 2005
    • Project Management Plus – 2008

     

    Work History

    • 30+ years’ in technical research, laboratory and project management in Universities and other Public Institutions as well as Mining Corporations and Consultants.
    • 20+ years’ experience in managerial and leadership roles, extensive experience in team management, budgeting and strategic planning. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

     

    Board Experience

    • October 2017 to July 2020, Board Chairman Helena River Steiner School
    • July 2020 to December 2021, October 2022 to December 2024, Board Member Helena River Steiner School

Strategic Plan 2025-2029

Download 2025-29 Plan

Our Purpose

Through the insights of anthroposophy, the school nurtures the imagination, cultures the intellect and recognises the unique spiritual nature and sovereignty of each child in our community.

We strive to preserve the sanctity of childhood and develop an abiding sense of wonder in our children.

We empower students to thrive in body, mind and spirit, thereby becoming purposeful, resilient, creative adults who work to uplift humanity.

We deliver a complete human-centred education based on Steiner principles and contemporary practices.

 

Our Values

  • Respect for the spiritual nature of human beings.
  • Inclusivity and diversity.
  • Truth, beauty and goodness.
  • Social renewal
  • Authenticity in our words and actions.

Annual Report

  • 2024

    Performance Information Report

  • 2023

    Annual Report

  • 2022

    Annual Report

  • 2021

    Annual Report

  • 2020

    Annual Report

Visit Our Nature-Based Hazelmere Campus Today

Discover the difference a Waldorf education can make for your child. We warmly invite families to book a school tour at Helena River Waldorf School and experience our Early Childhood, Primary and Hybrid programs firsthand. Secure your child’s place in our nurturing, nature-rich learning environment today.