School Leaders

Hi, my name is Liam Mara, and I am the Campus Principal of both the Primary and Secondary Campuses at Marnebek School.

I have over 20 years of experience in Special Education, having worked in a variety of roles including Education Support, Physical Education Teacher, Classroom Teacher, and School Leader. These experiences have provided me with a deep understanding of the diverse needs of students and the importance of building strong relationships that support every learner to thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

I joined Marnebek School in 2020 as the Community Engagement Leader, where I had the privilege of working across all areas of the school and developing meaningful relationships with students, families and staff. This experience strengthened my passion for inclusive education and reinforced my belief that every student deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential within a supportive and empowering school community.

As Campus Principal, I am privileged to lead across both our Primary and Secondary Campuses. My role focuses on ensuring every student experience high-quality teaching, consistent wellbeing supports and engaging learning opportunities from Foundation through to Year 12. I work closely with our dedicated staff to build a culture where students feel safe, connected and challenged to achieve their personal best.

My leadership philosophy is grounded in the values of Respect, Responsibility and Resilience. I believe that positive relationships, collaboration and high expectations are the foundation of successful schools. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collective responsibility, we can create learning environments where both students and staff flourish.

Across the Primary Campus, my focus is on establishing strong foundations for learning through evidence-based teaching, positive wellbeing practices and early intervention that supports every child’s individual strength and need. At the Secondary Campus, I am passionate about preparing students for life beyond school by providing meaningful learning experiences, developing independence, and creating authentic pathways into further education, training, employment and community participation. Across both campuses, I am committed to ensuring our students develop the confidence, skills and resilience to become lifelong learners and active members of their communities.

One of the greatest privileges of my role is working alongside such an exceptional team of educators, education support staff and allied health professionals who share an unwavering commitment to our students. Together, we strive to create an inclusive school community where diversity is celebrated, individual strengths are recognised, and every student is empowered to succeed.

It is an honour to be part of the Marnebek School community, and I look forward to continuing to work in partnership with our families to ensure every student is supported to learn, grow and achieve their goals.

Hi, my name is Mandy Thomas, and I am the Assistant Principal at New Holland Drive campus. With over thirty-five years of experience in education, I have had the privilege of working both in the UK and Australia, across primary and secondary schools, and in a variety of mainstream and special education environments.

In addition to classroom teaching, I have taught specialist Music and Physical Education, coached sports teams, and coordinated sporting and music events. I have also held various leadership roles, including Head of Year, Head of Middle School, and Curriculum Leader. I have always been deeply committed to ensuring that all students, particularly those with additional needs, receive the highest quality education possible.

Since joining Marnebek in 2021 as a Leading Teacher, I have worked predominantly with the primary students at New Holland Drive. In my current role I lead Curriculum across the school and manage School Operations at New Holland Drive. My passion for inclusion and creating meaningful educational experiences for our students drives my work, and I am proud to have made a positive impact on the lives of many young learners. I look forward to continuing to work with our wonderful community to provide the best possible opportunities for our students as they continue their journey at Marnebek School.

My name is Shaun Simpson, and I am the Assistant Principal of Wellbeing at Marnebek School.

I have worked in education for 10 years as both a social worker and a teacher, bringing extensive experience in student wellbeing. I am passionate about creating positive school environments and improving wellbeing outcomes so that every student has the opportunity to thrive.

I joined Marnebek School in 2023 as a Leading Teacher and was appointed Assistant Principal in Term 2, 2026. During my time at Marnebek, I have led portfolios including Student Voice, Student Wellbeing, Careers and Pathways, and Student Engagement.

A significant focus of my work has been strengthening whole-school wellbeing systems and enhancing the quality of support provided to students. In the Careers and Pathways area, I have developed partnerships with external organisations to expand work experience opportunities and improve students' access to meaningful post-school pathways.

I currently lead the School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) team, where I am focused on strengthening whole-school SWPBS practices and supporting the consistent implementation of positive, evidence-informed classroom management strategies.

I am deeply committed to continuous improvement and believe that strong relationships, inclusive practices, and high expectations are the foundation of student success. I am proud to be part of the Marnebek School community and genuinely enjoy supporting our students, staff, and families to achieve the best possible outcomes.