School Governance
School Governance
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



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.
Sunshine Coast Grammar School Advisory Council
The School Advisory Council is made up of five members drawn from both the School and wider community and the Principal who is a non-voting member.
The Sunshine Coat Grammar School Advisory Council is a sub-committee of the PMSA Board and is an advisory body that informs, advises, and supports the Principal, CEO and PMSA Board.
The School Principal reports to the PMSA CEO and is responsible for the daily operations of the school.
A call for expressions of interest will be advertised for vacancies of all positions on the School Advisory Council.
Each School Council’s Charter outlines the School Advisory Council’s objectives, responsibilities, and governance framework as well as their relationship to the PMSA.
The current Sunshine Coast Grammar School Advisory Council members are:
Emeritus Professor Jennifer Radbourne (Chairperson)
CertTeach, ATCL, LSDA, BA, MA, PhD, GAICD, AICD
Jennifer Radbourne is a retired academic and has held teaching and management positions in the Faculty of Business at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Most recently, she was Dean and Pro Vice Chancellor, Faculty of Arts and Education at Deakin University in Melbourne.
Jennifer is a graduate of the AICD and has held board positions over 35 years in state and non-profit arts organisations in Queensland. She is also a current member of the Sunshine Coast Arts Advisory Board.
Jennifer is keen to bring her knowledge of management in an educational institution to the PMSA. Her arts background, balanced by several years in a business faculty, gives her a creative edge in thinking and leading in contemporary governance. She has published in relationship marketing, nonprofit governance, strategic management, curriculum development and teaching and learning. Jennifer also has a strong interest in international students, having managed a business program in Hong Kong and taught and recruited students in China, Vietnam and Indonesia.
Mr Wayne Knapp
PG Cert (Applied Mgt), PG Dip (Bus Admin), PG Cert (Bus Admin)
Wayne Knapp has more than 25 years’ experience on not-for-profit boards for both the Presbyterian and Uniting Churches, including Chair of the board roles at the Wesley Hospital Townsville, PresCare, and more recently Calvin Aged Care.
He has also served on the following Boards: –
- Andrews War Memorial Hospital
- Qld Uniting Health Care Board
- Presbyterian Church Finance and Administration Board
Wayne was appointed to the St Andrews War Memorial Hospital Board and the Presbyterian & Methodist Schools Association at times requiring significant change. He has extensive experience in governance reform, risk management and leadership, and is currently the Chair of Calvin Aged Care and Chair of the Presbyterian Church Property Board.
In 2020 Wayne was appointed as CEO of PresCare and undertook a financial review of the operations of the business which included several Residential Aged Care Facilities, two thousand community care clients, and a number of commercial businesses. Wayne subsequently restructured and managed the sale of the operations.
A former police officer retiring as an Inspector after 35 years’ service, Wayne has experience in investigating serious and organised crime, district operations, disaster management, risk management, human resource management, and program management.
Key current appointments and roles include:
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- Director PMSA (Brisbane Boys College, Somerville House, Clayfield College, Sunshine Coast Grammar School, and Risk, Child Safety and Assurance Committee)
- Deputy Chairman, Sunshine Coast Grammar School Council.
- Chairman, Property Board – Presbyterian Church of Qld.
- Chairman, St Andrew’s Hospital Toowoomba Nominations Committee.
- Chairman, Calvin Aged Care.
- Acquisition Lead, Apollo Care Operations
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
Mr Bruce Swan
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
Brian Connors
EFP (ANZSOG), MA, Grad (Cert) PSMP, Dip Queensland Police Service, ADip Queensland Police Service
Brian Connors is currently the Assistant Commissioner for the North Coast Police Region, comprising of Moreton, Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay Burnett Police Districts. Brian joined the Queensland Police Service in 1986 and has more than 35 years of policing experience, with most of his service undertaken in operational leadership roles, within the district and regional policing environments.
He was the District Disaster Coordinator for the Far Northern Region and managed the preparation and response to tropical cyclones Oswald and Yasi where he was awarded the National Emergency Medal for his work in this area.
Brian has also been awarded the Australian Police Medal (Australia Day Honours List), the National Police Service medal and the Queensland Police Service medal and clasps.
Brian is passionate about supporting local communities, our frontline police officers and staff and creating a safe and inclusive environment for all.
Key current and previous appointments and roles include:
- Member – Sunshine Coast Grammar School Advisory Council (appointment 2023)
- Assistant Commissioner, North Coast Region
- Acting Assistant Commissioner, Operations Support Command (OSC) (2020)
- Commander (Supt), Specialist Response Group, Operations Support Command (2019)
- Chair (Acting) – State Disaster Coordination Group (SDCG), Queensland (2019)
- Superintendent, Assistant District Officer, North Brisbane District, Brisbane Region (2014)
- Superintendent, District Officer, Cairns District, Far Northern Region (2010)
- Appointed Commissioned Officer, Inspector, South Brisbane District, Metro South Region, Brisbane (2006)
Ms Lyn Stokes, Business Manager
BA, MCom, CPA, GradDip App Corp Gov, FGIA
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 – relationships, care, ethics, personal development, excellence and celebration – 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
Download Information & Policies
Grammar Code of Conduct
Complaint Procedure for Non-Compliance with Student Protection Processes
Bullying Prevention and Intervention Policy
PMSA Code of Conduct
BYOD Learning Program 2023
SCGS Complaints and Appeals Policy – International Students
SCGS Deferment, Suspension and Cancellation Policy – International Students
SCGS Entry Requirements Policy – International Students
SCGS Refund Policy – International Students
SCGS Student Transfer Request Assessment Policy – International Students
SCGS Welfare and Accommodation Policy – International Students
SCGS Attendance and Progress Monitoring – International Students
Fee Schedule – International Students
Complaints Management Procedure
PMSA Child Protection Policy
PMSA Child Safeguarding Processes
Procedures for Responding To and Reporting Harm or Allegations of Harm (to students under 18 years)
More about PMSA (Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association)
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