School Board

Peter Hurle

Principal

Over the course of my 30-year career with the Department of Education, I have accumulated 21 years of collaborative leadership experience in complex high schools. I have led diverse school environments ranging from 20 to 200 staff members and catering to the educational needs of 400 to 1400 students. My selection for principalship of NASHS was reflective of experience at schools in Mandurah, Eaton, Atwell, Cocos Islands, Geraldton, Karratha, Wyndham, Mt Magnet and Forestfield.

My aims for the NASHS Board, School and Community are to collaborate with the community to build sustainable success and a positive reputation for our school.

Julie Fordham

Secretary

Julie commenced at Newdegate Primary School as Registrar in 1997, returning to Albany in 2012 and becoming the Manager Corporate Services at Spencer Park Primary School in 2013. Julie moved to North Albany Senior High School at the beginning of 2024. This position oversees the management of the school’s facilities, finances, and non-teaching staff. Julie works strategically alongside the Principal and Executive team and is integral to the school’s leadership team. In collaboration with the Principal, Julie provides operational input to the development of the school’s workforce and business and marketing plans and oversees the school’s financial performance against the plans.

Julie sits on the School Board as its Executive Officer, providing consultancy financial planning and budgeting advice.

Perdita Beebe

Parent Representative

Perdie has been a parent member of the NASHS Board since 2018 when the eldest of her four daughters commenced studying at NASHS.  Perdie holds a Master of Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety and a Bachelor of Health Science (Health Promotion). She has worked in various State Government health promotion and community development positions within regional WA and held the position of Regional Youth Development Officer with the Department for Communities for ten (10) years. In this role, Perdie worked collaboratively with the Minister for Youth and the regional communities of the Great Southern, Wheatbelt and South West to advocate for and deliver youth policies, strategic priorities, funding, consultations and initiatives. Perdie also has experience in the agricultural sector, specifically the grain handling and road transport industries.

Together with her husband, Perdie owns and operates two local businesses, Beebe Bulk Haulage and BB Minicrete.  Perdie also provides community development support to Spencer Park Primary School and works part time in pharmacy accreditation at Albany Community Pharmacy 777.  In the community, Perdie chairs the School Board at Spencer Park Primary School, is a parent member of the NASHS School Board, is a Life Member of Albany Surf Life Saving Club and actively involved in local sporting groups including soccer, netball, volleyball, basketball and surf lifesaving.

Perdie looks forward to working with the NASHS community to meet the diverse needs and aspirations of our growing school community.

Rebekah Polette

Parent Representative

Rebekah moved to Albany as a teenager and finished her final 2 years of high school at North Albany Senior High School. After finishing high school Rebekah travelled and spent several years working in the UK and Europe. After travelling Rebekah returned home to Albany, met her husband, had 2 children and completed a Bachelor of Science in Restoration Ecology at the Albany UWA campus. Whilst at university Rebekah developed a keen interest in GIS (Geographical Information Systems) and has pursued a career in that field.

Rebekah works for the City of Albany as Senior Civil Engineering Officer (Assets) and specialises in the spatial mapping of infrastructure assets using GIS. Rebekah is active in the GIS space and continues to develop her skills and connections in the field to both promote the discipline and encourage people to invest in STEM subjects as a career.

Rebekah has 2 children currently at NASHS and would like to contribute to continue the schools' positive benefit to the community. Working in a field that requires balanced decision making, communication skills and problem-solving, Rebekah hopes to bring these skills to the Board.

Shannon Elphick

Parent Representative 

Jo Loton

Staff Representative

Jo has been a dedicated public school educator for the past 30 years, holding teaching and administrative roles at several rural high schools, including Bridgetown High School, Manjimup Senior High School and Esperance Senior High School. While living and travelling overseas for three years, she worked as a supply teacher at several London schools. Passionate about providing a quality education to students in a safe and supportive environment, she puts students first and foremost. Her professional practice is guided by her desire to support, encourage and improve every student’s engagement, health and well-being so they can maximise their potential as individuals and as contributing citizens in our society.

A firm believer in lifelong learning, Jo has organised and facilitated many international, interstate, intrastate and local excursions in an endeavour to expose students to greater educational and personal opportunities.

Jo has lived in Bridgetown for 24 of the past 30 years, raising her two children with her husband, but felt that a sea change was necessary. She joined the NASHS staff at the commencement of the 2024 academic year as an English, Home Economics and Childcare teacher.

Jo has also been a keen Volunteer Ambulance Officer with St John Ambulance for over seven years, joining the Albany sub-centre as soon as she moved to town. She maintains an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) scope of practice and has previously been a Volunteer Development Officer.

Whilst new to NASHS and the town of Albany, Jo brings a wealth of experience to the School Board. She is keen to see the school and the community continue to work together to achieve great things for the students and staff of NASHS now and into the future.