Early childhood leader takes a seat on NESA Board to guide NSW education reforms

Christine Legg, CEO of KU Children’s Services, has been announced as a new appointment to the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) Board. NESA is the authority responsible for curriculum, assessment, school regulation and teacher quality across NSW public and non-government schools.

NSW Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell announced the composition of the Board, which is to be led by Professor Peter Shergold. 

Ms Mitchell said Professor Shergold’s experience as Chancellor of Western Sydney University and former head of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet is “exactly what NESA needs as the organisation prepares to reshape the NSW Curriculum and support education reforms in 2020 and beyond”. 

In addition to the announcement of both Ms Legg and Professor Shergold, Ms Mitchell noted the appointment of Paul Martin as NESA’s CEO, alongside five new board members. The composition of the Board has been tailored, she noted, to include “more members with hands-on teaching experience”.

Professor Shergold will replace current Chairperson Tom Alegounarias who is retiring after 30 years in education. Ms Mitchell noted the “extraordinary impact” Mr Alegounarias had made on education in NSW, wishing him all the best for his retirement. 

The NESA Board members effective 10 December 2019 are as follows: 

• Chairperson, Professor Peter Shergold AC, Chancellor of Western Sydney University (new appointment)
• Mr Mark Scott AO, Secretary, NSW Department of Education
• Mr Dallas McInerney, Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Schools NSW
• Dr Geoff Newcombe, Chief Executive Officer, Association of Independent Schools NSW
• Mr Denis Fitzgerald, Executive, NSW Teachers Federation
• Mr Mark Northam, Branch Secretary NSW/ACT, Independent Education Union
• Mr Nathan Towney, Pro Vice-Chancellor, University of Newcastle (new appointment)
• Ms Christine Legg, Chief Executive Officer, KU Children’s Services (new appointment)
• Ms Katherine Grace, General Counsel and Company Secretary, Stockland Group
• Ms Jude Hayman, Principal, Griffith Public School (new appointment)
• Dr Anne Wenham, Head of College, St Stanislaus’ College (new appointment)
• Mr Gary Johnson, Principal, Cherrybrook Technology High School (new appointment)
• Ms Jenny Allum, Head of School, SCEGGS Darlinghurst (new appointment)
• Mr Paul Martin, Chief Executive Officer, NESA (new appointment).

To learn more about the work of NESA, please see here.