Providing vision for excellence in Christian education
Supporting Christian education is much more than sending your children to a school where someone else can teach them about the bible. ‘Parent-controlled’ or ‘parent governed’ schools were founded on the premise that God has equipped teachers, administrators, and others to work in partnership with parents in the Christian community, and parents retain the primary responsibility for the education of their children.
Not only do parents – by God’s grace – model Godly character at home, they are also active in the stewardship of their own gifts of planning, finance management, research, teaching, and leading, and there are those who are called to administer these in various ways within the 91¶ÌÊÓƵ community.
Meet our Executive Team
Natasha Mackinnon
Executive Principal
Natasha Mackinnon
Executive Principal
Natasha is an innovative, highly relational, and strategic educational leader whose work is grounded in a deeply held commitment to Christ‑centred, transformational education. Her leadership reflects a strong dedication to nurturing communities where Biblical foundations, Christian worldview formation, and the dignity of every student shape both culture and practice.
Natasha’s greatest strengths lie in executive team leadership, with a particular focus on innovation, strategic human resource development, and building flourishing organisational cultures. Throughout her career, she has consistently achieved significant and successful outcomes by developing high‑functioning, mission‑aligned teams that deliver exceptional results across diverse and interconnected domains. She leads with an adaptive and distributed leadership style and is renowned for her collaborative, relational, and spiritually grounded approach.
A passionate advocate for personalised learning, Natasha holds the firm belief that every student is uniquely created in the image of God and deserving of an education that enables them to grow in wisdom, character, and capability. Her flexible, creative, and student‑centred mindset supports young people in pursuing pathways as varied as a high ATAR for university entry, trade qualifications, entrepreneurship, or direct entry into the workforce, affirming that each learner’s calling and God‑given potential is worthy of recognition and support.
With more than three decades of educational leadership and teaching experience, Natasha has served in Independent, Catholic, and Government school systems across Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Her leadership journey includes serving as Executive Principal of Leighland Christian School and Principal of an innovative, project‑based international charter school. She has also held senior roles such as Assistant Principal at Templestowe College, one of Australia’s most forward‑thinking secondary schools, Assistant Principal (Staff), Junior High Vice Principal, Head of Performing Arts, Head of Music, and School Chaplain.
Natasha is delighted to have joined the 91¶ÌÊÓƵ community as Executive Principal and looks forward to partnering with families in the education of their children, supporting each one to grow, thrive, and realise their God‑given potential.
Peter Bain
Director of Business and Strategy
Peter Bain
Director of Business and Strategy
Peter has spent over twenty years in executive and governance roles spanning the corporate and not for profit sectors. He has worked in various fields including health, education, international aid, aged care, disability, and housing. He holds a Bachelor of Economics from Monash University.
Craig Ogden
Director of Christian Formation
Craig Ogden
Director of Christian Formation
Craig desires to see students not just informed but transformed. He is passionate about creating culture where God’s Kingdom values are taught and caught in daily life, curiosity about Jesus is aroused and faith is fostered amongst students and staff. Craig has a Bachelor of Education, Master of Divinity, and Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Living. He has served as an ordained Anglican church planter, established a discipleship coaching network, and has worked in Christian Education for over 15 years. His children all attended Plenty Valley, where he also has responsibility for Homegroups and teaches VCE Psychology.
Rebekah Kearney
Primary Principal
Rebekah Kearney
Primary Principal
Rebekah serves as the Primary Principal with a deep passion for fostering a holistic approach to education, integrating Christian values to nurture the academic, spiritual, and personal growth of every child. A proud graduate of the college herself, Rebekah is deeply connected to the school community where her children attend and her husband is also a valued staff member. Rebekah and her family have a heart for missions and are heavily involved in teacher training and development in Vanuatu, reflecting their commitment to equipping others for impactful service. Her unwavering dedication ensures a Christ-centered environment where students are inspired to thrive.
Chris Prior
Secondary Principal
Chris Prior
Secondary Principal
Chris enjoys the opportunity to partner with others in Christian education. He has held positions in both Christian schooling and the Christian tertiary sector, including serving as the principal of the National Institute for Christian Education, the training arm of Christian Education National. He holds several qualifications including a Master of Education and a Doctorate in educational leadership. Chris attends St Alban’s and St Augustine’s Merri-bek church.
Board members
Our college Board is the governing body of 91¶ÌÊÓƵ, elected by the members of Plenty Valley Christian Education Ltd, a company limited by guarantee, whose purpose is to provide Christian education for Christian families who are actively involved in a faith community. Members of the college community who have expressed a commitment to the Christian faith, and who value Christian education, particularly parents who have enrolled their children at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ, can seek membership. The company members elect our college Board at Annual General Meetings.
The current elected members are all current parents of the college. They are joined by the College Principal who is a member of the Board ex-officio.
The Board operates under a policy governance model, which ensures that the vision and objectives of the organisation are achieved. Day-to-day management of the college is delegated to the Principal and the Executive team.
Ange Smith
Chair Ange Smith
Ange has four sons and one daughter-in-law. All of her children have been or are current students at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ, and Ange has been a part of the 91¶ÌÊÓƵ community as a parent since 2006. Ange is currently the global Communications Director for World Outreach International and the owner of a digital marketing business. She is an active member at Mill Park Baptist Church. Ange serves at her church on the preaching team, creative communications team and kids outreach ministry. Ange considers it an honour to serve the college through a role on the Board and is keen to help shape the future legacy God has in store for the college and its community.
Greta Dench
Vice Chair Greta Dench
Greta has been a parent at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ since 2013. She has eight children, of which seven are currently enrolled at the College, ranging from kinder to Year 12. Her firstborn graduated from 91¶ÌÊÓƵ in 2022.  She is a Primary School Teacher, having previously taught at Oxley College before having her children.  She owns a small business with her husband Simon, acting as Marketing Manager and overseeing their online store.
Greta has been an active member of several local churches for over 25 years, serving in various leadership roles.  She is extremely passionate about Christian Education and its future.  Her extended family has been involved in 91¶ÌÊÓƵ for several decades and she wants nothing more than to see the College thrive and positively impact the wider community, by authentically displaying Christ’s love and servant heart.
Chris Griffin
Chris Griffin
Chris Griffin and his wife have six children, three of whom are currently studying at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ. Chris has a Bachelor of Theoretical Physics and a PhD from Melbourne University. Chris has spent many years working in science, engineering, quality, and product development both overseas and in Australia. As a Christian, Chris is passionate about the synergy between science and faith and continues to work in his local church particularly in the areas of teaching youth and Sunday school. Chris embraces the mission of encouraging the next generation to develop a robust belief in Christ as Lord and Saviour, and a truthful, authentic, and obedient walk with God.
Garreth Le Page
Garreth Le Page
Gareth has been involved with 91¶ÌÊÓƵ for the past 15 years in a professional capacity as a master plan and landscape designer. Gareth grew up in a Christian household and is a member of Eltham Presbyterian Church. He and his wife have two daughters, both of whom attend 91¶ÌÊÓƵ. Gareth is inspired by the Christ-focussed devotion the college is committed to, and is excited to continue being a part of it.
Ashton De Silva
Ashton De Silva
Ashton and his wife Jennifer (a primary school teacher) have two children at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ. He has a PhD from Monash University in econometrics.  He is active in the local community and contributes to various activities of a local church that he has attended for approximately 20 years. He has a passion for education and sharing with people the hope and certainty that only a close relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ can bring.
Christine Ernest
Christine Ernest
Christine has been a 91¶ÌÊÓƵ parent since 2008. Four of her five sons are currently at the college, the eldest graduating in 2020. Christine is passionate about Christian education and decided to move to the area specifically so that her children could attend a Christian school with a Christ-centred ethos, principles, and worldview. Christine works part-time as a Registered Psychologist.
Christine’s educational qualifications include Bachelors & Masters degrees in Psychology, obtained in the US, and a Doctor of Psychology (Neuropsychology) from the University of Melbourne. She is a member of Mill Park Baptist Church. Her desire is to serve on the Board at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ and help maintain the strong Christian foundations and the community spirit instilled by the founders, and to support the student’s growth in wisdom and knowledge, in Christ.
Courtney Chhuon
Courtney Chhuon
Courtney and her husband Buntha have two children, with one currently attending 91¶ÌÊÓƵ. As a past student at the College, she feels blessed to continuing to be a part of the school community. Courtney attends Empower church and has served in a range over ministries over the past 20 years.
Courtney has 18 years experience in education and is currently a Learning Specialist – Teaching and Learning in a local government school. She is an advocate for engaging, student-focused learning environments where students thrive in who they are called to be. Courtney has a focus on the ongoing support for the professional growth of teacher practice through coaching, mentoring and development of instructional practices school wide. She is deeply passionate about Christian education and the role it plays in the formation of each child’s heart and education experience.
Courtney feels honoured to serve on the Board and is committed to supporting the College to provide strong educational foundations grounded in Christian values and biblical worldview.
Oliver Somanader
Oliver Somanader
Oliver and his wife Kathleen have been actively involved at the College since their two children started in kindergarten there. As members of Mill Park Baptist Church, they serve in various areas including Kids Church.
Oliver is a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) with 20+ years’ experience in Risk Management and Governance within the Banking and Financial Services industry.
I find it to be a real blessing to be part of a school that is passionately centred around the Christian faith and its values and supports us parents instill these into future generations.