the board of nsw parents' council
The NSW Parents' Council is a not for profit organisation, and we advocate on behalf of parents in independent schools on a strictly non-partisan basis. The Council’s Board meets a minimum of six times each year. Members of the Board are parents from member school’s parent associations around NSW and are elected at the Annual General Meeting.
Their role is to support the Secretariat, identify areas of concern, and work on solutions, responses and submissions to the wide range of educational and social issues related to our children.
Their role is to support the Secretariat, identify areas of concern, and work on solutions, responses and submissions to the wide range of educational and social issues related to our children.
Office Bearers
Dr Rose Cantali - President
Rose is a highly regarded and sought-after Education and Child/Adolescent Psychologist. Over the past 22 years Rose has held various Board and Committee positions including Chair of the Australian Psychological Society (Sydney branch), Board Member on the NSW Board of Studies, Board Member on the Australian Council of the Arts, and Board member for SPELD (NSW). Rose has been awarded status of Fellow by the Australian Psychological Society, is an Associate of various universities and a lecturer in the Master of Educational and Development Psychology, Western Sydney University. Rose initially trained as a teacher, currently works as a school counsellor and holds a unique insight into education issues from a teacher, parent and psychologist perspective. Rose has been a Board Member with the NSW Parents' Council for the last 15 years, and was elected President of the NSW Parents' Council in 2017. Chair of the NSW Parents' Council Sub Committees on Student Mental Health & Wellbeing, and Student Screen Addiction. |
Teresa Rucinski - Vice President
Teresa currently sits on the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Board Curriculum Committee for Technologies (Yr 7-12) , and Languages (K-10). She has a special interest in the impact of technology and ethics in the evolving education landscape. Over the last 20+ years, Teresa has had a successful global career holding senior roles in strategic brand management, new product development and tech innovation in the world's top blue chip marketing & technology companies (including Coca Cola, Procter & Gamble and Google) in Sydney, Singapore and London. She was also CEO and founder of a successful tech start up. Teresa joined the Board of the NSW Parents' Council in 2017, and was elected Vice President in July 2018. Teresa is a strong advocate for parent engagement and parent/school collaboration. Chair of the NSW Parents' Council Sub Committee for Strategy and Planning. |
Michael Cantali - Secretary
As a notable and pioneering Consultant Engineer, Michael was an inaugural Board Member of Energy Australia, and has lectured extensively throughout Australasia, Italy and the United States. He was Commissioner of Ethnic Affairs - dedicated to serving the Italian and the wider Australian community for over three decades. He also served as councillor on the Sydney County Council, and is presently a councillor of Canada Bay Council, a post he has held for the past 21 years. Michael has been a Board member of the NSW Parents’ Council for the last 15 years, and currently holds Board positions on various not-for profit charities. |
Bob Fozzard - Treasurer
Bob had a 20 year career in the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry [DAFF] and its predecessor, the Department of Primary Industries and Energy [DPI&E]. He has a passion for addressing the drift of young people away from careers in rural industry. Bob is active in the development of meaningful links with a wide range of rural business and educational stakeholders. Bob has served on the NSW Board of Studies Vocational Education and Training [VET] Advisory Committee. Bob has been a member of the NSW Parents' Council for 20+ years and during this time served as Treasurer and Chair of the Social Issues Committee. Chair of the NSW Parents' Council Sub Committee for VET. |
Board Members
Philip Argy
Philip has a distinguished career as an international technology lawyer, mediator, arbitrator and strategist. Euromoney's Best of the Best has repeatedly listed Philip as one of the best information technology lawyers in the world. He is an experienced angel investor and business and professional mentor. Philip has served as Past President of the Australian Computer Society, and held many CEO/President/Chairman positions on various high profile Committees and Boards. Philip has been a member of the State Executive of the NSW Parents' Council for the last 8 years. Philip is also Chairman of the Council’s “Good Governance” subcommittee and is its representative on the NSW Education Standards Authority’s Consultative Committee for the Year 12 Science Extension individual research project. |
Jonas Ball
Jonas is a Principal Environmental Scientist and as a parent of a child with Autistic Spectrum Disorder has a keen interest in the education and support of Students with a Disability in the school and community environments. Jonas has also served as a member and office bearers on school P&Cs and Before/After School care committees. Chair of the NSW Parents' Council Sub Committee for Special Needs. |
Piers Parbury
Piers has served on the Board of the Parents’ Council for over a decade. He has extensive exposure of non-government schools in two countries. His sons went to independent school in London and Sydney respectively. Piers has previously held positions as NSW Parents' Council Treasurer and Vice President. |