MEDIA RELEASE - Association of Independent Schools of Western ...

MEDIA RELEASE29 April 2008AISWA Appoints New Executive DirectorMs Valerie Gould has been appointed as the next Executive Director of theAssociation of Independent Schools of Western Australia (AISWA), effective 21stJuly 2008. This appointment is due to the impending retirement of the AISWAExecutive Director, Mrs Audrey Jackson.AISWA is the peak body representing independent schools in Western Australia. Ithas 150 member schools which enrol some 59,000 students; accounting for 16% ofWestern Australian school enrolments.AISWA Chairman, Dr Kenneth Evans congratulated Ms Gould on her appointment,citing her extensive experience in education policy.“Ms Gould’s experience as AISWA Deputy Executive Director and impressive recordof achievement in the area of education policy makes her a valuable asset to theindependent schools sector in Western Australia,” Dr Evans said.“On behalf of the Board, I am pleased Ms Gould has accepted the position at anexciting time for AISWA. Enrolments in Western Australian independent schoolscontinue to grow and the sector is recognised for its leadership and innovation inschool education.”“Under Ms Gould’s leadership, AISWA will continue to work with Governments torepresent the sector’s interests on key policy issues ranging from the implementationof the Rudd Government’s Digital Education Revolution through to theimplementation of the changes in the senior secondary years in Western Australiaboth in curriculum and the extension of the school leaving age.Dr Evans also thanked the outgoing Executive Director, Mrs Audrey Jackson andpaid tribute to her hard work and commitment.“Audrey Jackson is a highly regarded Executive Director who has demonstratedstrong leadership of AISWA for the past 11 years. Under her leadership, AISWA hastaken a leading role in advocacy and promotion of the independent schools sector inWestern Australia and Australia.”“I am confident that Ms Gould will build on Mrs Jackson’s achievements inadvocating choice and diversity in the provision of schooling for Western Australianparents,” concluded Dr Evans.Page 1 of 2

VALERIE GOULD’S BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATIONValerie Gould has a Bachelor of Economics and a Diploma of Education from UWA.Her first four years in teaching were in the areas of Economics and Mathematics.Following seven years working in New York with Ernst and Young, and being greatlyinvolved in the introduction of microcomputer applications into business, Valeriereturned to WA as Director of Computing at St Mary’s Anglican Girls School.Following seven years at St Mary’s, she worked with the Curriculum Council for fourand a half years before joining AISWA as the Manager of Curriculum andCommonwealth Targeted Programs (now Australian Government Targeted Programs– and called the AISWA Targeted Programs). She has worked closely with schoolsand other stakeholders in the areas of curriculum change, Curriculum Frameworkand Senior Secondary Education.She was promoted to the position of Deputy Executive Director in 2003. Ms Gould’sresponsibilities as Deputy Executive Director include the management of Stateeducation issues, such as funding and registration of schools and teachers. Shecontinues to be involved with the Curriculum Council and the implementation of thenew Senior Secondary strategy, as well as managing the AISWA TargetedPrograms, and represents AISWA on the Western Australian College of TeachingBoard.Media Contact:Mrs Audrey Jackson0400 109 500Page 2 of 2