Australia Day Honour for our Principal

It is with great pleasure that the College Council, staff and broader community congratulate our Principal, Dr Helen Drennen on being awarded a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia in the 2016 Australia Day Honours List for “significant service to secondary education through leadership roles, to professional bodies, and to the community.” 

A truly well deserved recognition of her contribution to Wesley College, Australian education and to the many service and leadership positions she has held. The College is very proud to have Dr Drennen provide leadership and vision of such high calibre to our community.

In addition to being the Principal of Wesley College since 2003, Helen's achievements include;

• Established the Yiramalay/Wesley Studio School in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia, in conjunction with the Fitzroy Valley Bunuba Indigenous community, since 2004, with the school opening in 2010.
• Established the Wesley College Institute for Innovation in Education, 2005.
• Head of Campus, Glen Waverley, 1994-1997.
• Associate to the Principal, 1992-1994.
• Head of Senior College, 1990-1992.
• Senior Teacher, 1989.
• Governing Board Member, International Baccalaureate Organization, since 2009 and Regional Director, Asia Pacific (Singapore), 2002-2003 and Director of Academic Affairs (United Kingdom), 1997-2002.
• Council Member, Monash University, since 2014.
• Executive Committee Member, Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia, 2005-2010 and Member, since 2003.
• Chair, Associated Public Schools of Victoria, 2010-2012.
• Council Member, Queen's College, University of Melbourne, 2005-2008.
• Board Member, Centre for Strategic Education, 2006-2009.
• Fellow, Australian College of Educators, since 2010.
• Fellow, Australian Council for Educational Leaders, since 2011.
• Trustee, Shrine of Remembrance, since 2010 and Member, Planning Development and Public Education Committee, since 2010.
• Member, Advisory Board, Australian Football League Players' Association, 2010- 2012.

We congratulate Helen, and all other recipients of awards this Australia Day.