Sunshine Coast Grammar School is one of four outstanding schools owned by the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association (PMSA) along with our sibling schools – Brisbane Boys’ College, Clayfield College and Somerville House.
Established in 1918, the PMSA is a joint mission of the Uniting Church of Australia, Queensland Synod and the Presbyterian Church of Queensland. The Churches formed the PMSA to purchase Brisbane High School for Girls (now Somerville House) and Clayfield College (now Brisbane Boys’ College) in 1918.
More than 100 years on, the PMSA is a financially strong, not-for-profit organisation that plays a vital role in setting the direction of each school and the connecting link between the schools and the two churches. All PMSA schools offer a unique ecumenical learning environment where children learn Christian values common to two churches, not the beliefs and practices of just one church.
The PMSA works together with the Sunshine Coast Grammar School Council and Principal to provide:
- A caring, Christian-based culture
- High quality programs for developing teaching excellence
- Financial strength and support
- Human resources, legal and compliance support
- Governance and policy-making support, particularly around child safety
ABOUT THE PMSA
The PMSA Board
PMSA Vision and Values
PMSA Organisation Chart
The PMSA Board
The PMSA is governed by a Board which comprises of up to 8 members. Three Board members are each appointed by the Presbyterian Church and the Uniting Church and up to two members are directly appointed by the PMSA Board. Each Board member is a volunteer and holds office for three years.
PMSA Vision and Values
All PMSA schools play an important role in educating and guiding young people with values for life. Founded on strong Christian values – respect, integrity, care, collaboration and excellence – Sunshine Coast Grammar School and other PMSA schools share these collective values. The four schools work collaboratively to share their knowledge and expertise to enhance the educational experience across all schools.
PMSA Organisation Chart
SUNSHINE COAST GRAMMAR SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL
Mr Bruce Swan (Chairperson)
Tony Sowden
Samantha Shanahan
Non- Committee Members
Mr Bruce Swan (Chairperson)
BBus, ICAA, Registered Company Auditor, Registered Tax Agent
Bruce Swan has more than 30 years’ experience as a Chartered Accountant, both in Queensland and overseas.
He has a wealth of experience in the practice area of audit, particularly through his work with not-for-profit and charity organisations, companies, and body corporates on the Sunshine Coast.
In addition, Bruce has worked with a number of small and medium sized businesses, providing business advisory guidance.
Key current and previous appointments and roles include:
- Member – Sunshine Coast Grammar School Advisory Council (appointed 2017)
- Partner – BDO
- Registered Company Auditor
- Registered Tax Agent
- Member – Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand
Tony Sowden
LLB (UQ)
Tony Sowden is a commercial lawyer with more than 36 years’ experience and has specific expertise in business structures and relationships, organisations law, governance, corporate advisory and not-for-profit entities.
Holding a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Queensland, Tony was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 1986. Having owned and managed commercial law firms on the Sunshine Coast since 1992, Tony has had extensive involvement in the establishment, operation, governance and strategic direction for many Sunshine Coast public and private corporations and institutions and held numerous roles including director, company secretary and/or general counsel.
Key current and previous appointments, roles and qualifications include:
- Member – Sunshine Coast Grammar School Advisory Council (appointed member 2022)
- Principal/Director – Tony Sowden, Lawyer
- Board Member – Sunshine Coast Arts Foundation Limited
- Member/Company Secretary – IFYS Limited
- Member/Company Secretary – Push Potential Limited
- Life Member and former Board Member – Sunshine Coast Business Council Inc.
- Former Board Member – Food and Agribusiness Network Limited (FAN)
- Former Board Member – Community Water Limited
- Former Member – Advisory Board of SunnyKids Inc.
- Former Board Member – Sustainable Business Alliance Inc.
- Former Board Member – Caloundra City Enterprises Pty Ltd (later Sunshine Coast Enterprises Pty Ltd), a corporation wholly owned by Sunshine Coast Regional Council
- Former Member – Creative Cabinet – Sunshine Coast Creative Alliance Inc.
- Former Board Member/Founder – Yandina Chamber of Commerce
Samantha Shanahan
LLB (Hons), BBehavSc (Psych)
Sam is the General Counsel of Ramsay Health Care Australia and leads the Australian Legal Team, together with overseeing the clinical legal portfolio including clinical incident management and medical malpractice claims. She is an experienced solicitor with over 20 years’ experience working in the law in both private practice and in house roles.
Sam has broad experience in the effective operation of risk and governance frameworks and has a particular interest in health law. Sam holds a Bachelors Degree in Law and Legal Practice (Honours) and a Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology).
Sam was appointed as a Board Director and Member of the Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee of Cancer Council Queensland in January 2023.
Sam is passionate about volunteer work and seeks opportunities to use her professional experience to drive continuous improvement and service excellence to support the needs of the community.
Key current and previous appointments, awards and qualifications include:
- Member – Sunshine Coast Grammar School Advisory Council
- Board Member – Cancer Council Queensland
- Member – Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee (Cancer Council Queensland)
- General Counsel – Ramsay Health Care Australia
Non- Committee Members
Mrs Anna Owen, Principal
BSc., MSc., Post Grad Dip (Ed) MAICD, MACEL