Meet the Executive

Julie Jorritsma

Acting Principal
MEdLead, BEd, MACEL

Julie holds the qualifications of Master of Educational Leadership and Bachelor of Education, and has held a number of leadership positions within schools. Most recently as the Dean of Lateral Learning in a Sydney Anglican girls’ school where she was also acting Head of Teaching and Learning. Julie has worked as the Head of Social Science, IT, English and Humanities in various schools. Working internationally at an international school in Hong Kong provided her with a wealth of understanding of the needs of international students and their families. She has also worked within the pre-tertiary sector as the Head of Foundation Studies. As a Grammarian, she connects personally with the purpose, values and tradition of a CGGS education.

Kate Hill

Chief Operating Officer
BCom, CA

Kate is an experienced business leader with over 20 years’ experience in business corporate accounting, financial management and operations. Kate has an impressive record of success in leading finance teams and working collaboratively to implement innovative, results-oriented solutions. She is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants ANZ and is currently working towards her MBA from Deakin University. Kate joined CGGS after 12 years at Trek Bicycle Corporation, where she was the CFO for the Asia Pacific region.

Kate is Canberra born and bred, although has spent many years of her schooling and work-life in Asia and the Middle East. She has a son at Marist College and a daughter at CGGS.

Joanna Leaman

Acting Deputy Principal (Head of Senior School)
M.Ed (Admin), B.SC, DipTchg

Joanna rejoined CGGS in 2021 after having worked at the school from 2012 to 2018, most recently as the Head of Mathematics. She was the Academic Director in another Canberra school for three years before returning to girls education. Prior to this, Joanna worked as a Senior Advisor for the Royal Society of New Zealand (RSNZ), leaving that role when her family moved to Canberra in 2012. Joanna was a Deputy Principal in two Wellington (NZ) schools, prior to her role with RSNZ. As a Mathematics and Science teacher, Joanna is passionate about promoting Science, Mathematics and Technology as important subjects to consider when in Years 11 and 12.

Peter McDonald

Head of Junior School and ELC
MEd, GradCertEd (Maths), GradCertBusAdmin, BEd, MACEL

Peter is an experienced primary educator and university lecturer who holds four university qualifications in the areas of education, mathematics, and business. With a firm commitment to international mindedness and delivering outstanding student learning, he has held various school leadership positions both in Australia and internationally. As a published academic focusing on teacher development and inquiry-based learning, he has presented at conferences in Japan, Singapore and Taiwan. A member of the global International Baccalaureate Educator Network, Peter supports IB schools throughout Asia and the Pacific as an IB workshop leader and programme leader. As a specialist mathematics teacher, Peter holds a keen interest in supporting students to develop a passion for learning, using, and enjoying mathematics.

Claudia Doman

Executive Director (Communications and Engagement)
B.Comm, M.IJ

Claudia obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Communications with Honours from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City, and a Master's Degree in International Journalism from the University of Southern California where she received the Penny Lernoux Award (1996). She also received a UNIFEM Prize for her journalism work on the prevention and eradication of violence against women (1999). A former investigative journalist, Claudia is also the co-author of the best-selling biography El Tigre: Emilio Azcárraga y su Imperio Televisa, originally published in 2000 and now in its fourth edition. She's lived in Australia since 1999, where she has been a freelancer for Mexican, Latin American and US media. She has worked in communications and public relations in educational organisations across Canberra since 2010.

Ellena Papas

Executive Director (Operations)
BEd, BMus

Ellena graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Education majoring in Music (Primary and Secondary). She also holds a Bachelor of Music, Performance from UQ. Ellena is an experienced senior leader, passionate about girls' education and a great believer in a holistic approach to the development of children and young women. She held the position of Dean of Co-curriculum at Brisbane Girls Grammar School for four years and prior to that was the Director of Music at Sunshine Coast Grammar, Moreton Bay College and St Margaret's Anglican Girls School. Ellena is a professional musician who has played with the Queensland Symphony and a Rhythmic Gymnastics Judge who has participated in the Sydney Olympics and the Commonwealth Games.