Bull Creek Primary School

A school Board in an Independent Public School has a specifically defined role.  An overview of this role can be found on the Department of Education website www.education.wa.edu.au/dl/l9872k)

An Independent Public School Board will:

APPROVE

• a charge or contribution determined by the principal for the provision of materials, services and facilities.
• the costs determined by the principal to be paid for participation in an extra cost optional component of the school’s educational program.
• the items determined by the principal to be supplied by a student for the student’s personal use in the school’s educational program, and
• an agreement or arrangement for advertising or sponsorship in relation to a government school.

TAKE PART IN

• establishing and reviewing from time to time, the school’s objectives, priorities and general policy directions.
• planning financial arrangements necessary to fund those objectives, priorities and directions.
• evaluating the school’s performance in achieving those objectives, priorities and directions
• formulating codes of conduct for students at the school and
• take part in the selection of, but not the appointment of, the school principal, or any other member of the teaching staff (if prior approval is given by the Regional Executive Director).

PLUS

• Determine in consultation with students, their parents and staff of the school, a dress code for students when they are attending or representing the school.
• Promote the school in the community.
• Provide advice to the principal of the school on a general policy concerning the use in school activities of prayers, songs and material based on religious, spiritual or moral values being used in a school activity as part of religious education; and
• Provide advice to the principal of the school on allowing time for the special religious education of students in the school, up to a total of 40 hours in a year.

In summary, the board’s role is to work with the principal to determine the overall strategic directions of the school, prepare the business plan, monitor the school’s performance, and support the school to achieve its objectives.

Hana McDonald

I am a Bull Creek Primary School parent with two daughters attending the school. We moved to the area at the start of 2020 and love the green spaces, family-friendly-community vibe, and the people. I’ve been involved in the School Board since early 2022, and am happy to take on the role of board chair in 2023.

I have over 12 years’ experience working for the State and Federal Governments; previous roles have included work in policy, project management, grant programs, committee and board governance, communications, and stakeholder management. I enjoy the diversity of work in government, and am motivated to make a real and positive difference to people and communities in WA.

Through my involvement with the School Board I hope to contribute to the school and connect more with the local community. 

Hari Kirupananther

As a former alumnus of Bull Creek Primary (Class of 1999) and a proud parent of a Year 2 student, I am passionate about being one of the “so many hearts” that makes this school. As a community member of Bull Creek for over 30 years, I have seen this school grow from strength to strength.

I have worked as a doctor in WA for over a decade, specialising in radiation oncology. I serve on a number of boards related to helping people who have been diagnosed with cancer. And I teach & mentor students and junior doctors. I will bring my passions for mental and physical health, academic excellence and for having a compassionate mindset to the school board.

Parvati Pillai

I am a proud parent of two wonderful children who attend Bull Creek Primary School. I have been a part of the close-knit community of Bull Creek for 11 years.

I have 12 years of private and public sector experience in project management, resource management, coordination of multi-disciplinary teams and contract management. My current role at the Department of Finance has allowed for unique opportunities to work closely with the most vulnerable people in Western Australia in remote, regional, and metropolitan settings. Through these roles I have led the delivery of hospitals, prisons, schools and culture and arts projects.

As a Civil Engineer I have a passion to see more students and young women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) research and study. I am excited to join the School Board in 2024 and positively contribute to this school community.

Rasa Subramaniam OAM JP

A Medical Imaging Technologist worked all over WA for the Health finished up at Fremantle Hospital from 1970 to 2015 and finally head the Radiology department in Emergency Department at Fremantle Hospital. I was involved with Jaycees, Rotary and finished up become heavy involved with Lions club of Bull Creek. Was the President of Lions Club of Bull Creek.

I served on the Ministerial Multicultural Advisory council, Ethnic communities of WA and the Local Government Convener at the Federation of Ethnics council of Australia.

I was also the first Asian to be elected to Local Government in WA. I served on several Boards – Quality and health Care Council of WA, Health Consumers Council of WA as its President. I was also a member of Challenger Tafe Governing Council, Fremantle, and the member of Surgical Mortality committee of the Royal College of surgeons of WA.

I served on the Board of KULCHA and Celebrate WA. I was awarded Hon Life membership of Celebrate WA and the Health Services Union of WA. Served a Chair of Health consumers Council.

Raj Thambyah

Career opportunities as a Piping and Mechanical Engineer in the oil and gas industry brought me to Perth from NZ in 2008. I spent much of my working life here as part of Worley’s site team at the BP Refinery in Kwinana. I was also a member of the Chevron site engineering team during the construction of the Wheatstone LNG Plant in Onslow. The last project I worked on was the Kwinana Renewable Fuels Project, which was both novel and challenging. The objective was to produce renewable diesel and aviation fuel from biological feedstocks e.g. tallow and used cooking oil. It represented a new frontier. The project was halted in early 2025 as bp decided to stop investment in green energy. This resulted in many Worley staff being made redundant.

Having reached retirement age, I decided to give it a try. Pauline Hough, the school chaplain, introduced me to EdConnect. The connection appealed to me as it allowed to give back to the community where I have lived and worked. After a career spent working with numbers, I hope to share those skills with primary school students at Bull Creek.