Leadership Staff

Mr Richard Cornish | Deputy Principal - Curriculum

Richard hails from Wales in the United Kingdom. Taking on leadership roles, such as Dean of Teaching and Learning in other educational settings has provided Richard with extensive experience in leading Teaching, Learning, Curriculum and Pedagogy from Year 5 to 12. Richard is also a skilled Humanities Teacher. Richard is looking forward to joining our College community in 2022, and contribute to Lutheran Education in the Southern Greater Brisbane.

Mr Denis Merciér-Lee | Deputy Principal - Community MREd, MEdTeach, GradCertComm, BEd, MACE, MACEL, MACSA

Denis comes to Redeemer Lutheran College with over 30 years of teaching and leadership experience in Prep to Year 12 schools. Most recently, from 2019-2020, he was Team Leader: Teaching and Learning which involved him advising Principals and School Leadership Teams in Catholic Schools across the Northern Territory in strategy, curriculum, pedagogy, inclusion support and student well-being.

Denis’ extensive experience encompasses various leadership roles including that of Acting Principal, Deputy Principal and Head of Senior School, Director of Mission and Head of Department in Independent, Anglican and Catholic Schools in New South Wales and the Northern Territory.

Denis was born in Singapore and his family emigrated to Sydney, New South Wales when he was 16 years old. He has extensive experience and understanding of both education in an Asian country as well as in Australia. He has a passion for contemporary curriculum and pedagogy and how to collect, analyse and use educational data to effect improved outcomes for all students.

Denis is a committed Christian whose personal faith is summed up by the Prophet Micah (6:8):

“He has told you, … what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?”

Denis feels blessed to be called to minister among the community at Redeemer Lutheran College as Deputy Principal and is wholeheartedly committed to the College’s Redeemer Master Plan: 2018 and beyond. He is looking forward to collaborating with the Redeemer Lutheran College community so that we can all be faithful to the words of Christ in the Gospel of John (10:10), “…I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Mr Anthony Vassallo | Business Manager MSc(Mgt), MEd, FBCS, Sloan Fellow (LBS), FIML

Anthony’s education and experience span business, information technology and education from a global perspective. Born in London, he has worked in the Far East (Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong), the Middle East (Saudi Arabia) and Europe (UK and Germany). Anthony is a Fellow of the British Computer Society, a Sloan Fellow of London Business School and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Managers and Leaders. He has a Masters of Management degree from the University of London and has studied at Greenwich University (Computer Science), the MIT Sloan School of Management (Systems Dynamics) and the University of Queensland (Education). Anthony recently completed a Master of Educational Leadership degree at QUT.

Anthony spent the first 20 years of his working life in international banking, specifically in operations, accounting and IT. Anthony’s passion, however, is teaching and while working in banks he wrote and ran numerous training courses on aspects of international banking operations. In his spare time, he has been a Cub Scout leader, provided standardised test preparation training and run dance classes.

After the birth of his son, Anthony and his family moved to Australia and he turned his passion into his career, completing a Graduate Diploma in Education. He now combines his business skills and passion for education in the somewhat unusual role of teaching Business Manager. For the last few years, Anthony’s teaching has focussed on Robotics. He also runs the College’s Robotics Club and the Duke of Edinburgh Award program.

Besides his work at Redeemer Lutheran College, Anthony also mentors Business Managers at other independent schools in Queensland and New South Wales.

Anthony’s favourite bible verse is from Matthew 5:41 – “And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.”

Mrs Anastasia Strong | Head of Senior School BEd, DipEd

Anastasia is an educational leader with over 20 years experience in secondary schools.

Graduating from the Queensland University of Technology, Anastasia completed a Diploma of Secondary Education and a Bachelor of Secondary Education. In 2016, Anastasia became an accredited leader in Lutheran Schools, completing a Graduate Certificate in Leadership.

During her career, Anastasia has served in a number of roles, including classroom teacher, House Leader and for the last eight years, has been the Head of Senior School at Redeemer Lutheran College.
Anastasia believes that pastoral care is critical in enhancing a student’s capacity for personal and academic growth and instilling confidence and hope in our young people, in a rapidly changing world. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the area of student wellbeing, is passionate about the mental health of young people and is an advocate for restorative practice in schools.

Anastasia is well informed in youth culture, emerging issues and trends impacting on teenagers and is committed to assisting students and families navigate through the trials and tribulations of adolescence.
Anastasia was born in London and moved to Melbourne, Australia, as a young girl, before re-locating to Brisbane with her family in the late 80’s. Her schooling was for the most part, in multi-cultural settings and for this reason, she is a strong advocate for inclusive education and celebrating diversity.

Born and raised in the Greek Orthodox Christian faith, Anastasia has been transformed personally and professionally, by her faith in Christ. Anastasia’s favourite scripture verse comes from Isaiah 40:31:
“but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint”

Anastasia is happily married to Mark and has two children, Maria and Nicholas.

Mr Aaron Hardke | Dean of Learning, Senior Years BA, GradCertEd(Th), GradDipEd(Sec), MEdTheol

Aaron is a dedicated educator with more than 20 years of experience. He studied Humanities, Literature and Media before completing postgraduate studies in Education at Griffith University. His teaching career spans Primary, Secondary and Tertiary institutions in the state and private sectors. The majority of his teaching and leadership has been in service to Lutheran Schools in Queensland. While teaching he has completed further postgraduate studies, in Education, Theology and Leadership. He is an accredited Teacher and Leader in Lutheran Schools.

Having served at St John’s Lutheran Primary School, Living Faith Lutheran Primary School and the Lutheran Education Queensland office, Aaron’s training as a secondary teacher has seen him develop and support teaching and learning in a wide range of contexts. He has also worked closely with Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ) the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) and Lutheran Education Australian (LEA) on various advisory committees and groups over the past decade.

Aaron is passionate about learning and encouraging students to reach their potential by nurturing their unique gifts. As a lifelong learner himself, Aaron is continually seeking new knowledge and skills in and beyond Education. He loves witnessing students grow, learn, achieve and fail. Aaron wants students to embrace their mistakes and understand that learning happens through failure, not just success.

Aaron and his wife Kellie are dedicated Christians and have been lifelong members of the Lutheran Church. They have 2 children who share their faith and passion for learning.

He has complete trust is God - “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". Jeremiah 29:11

Mr Adam Ayling | Head of Junior School (Acting)

Adam has been working as an educator for the past 17 years after graduating from Griffith University with a Bachelor of Education. He began his time at Redeemer teaching Year 5 at the beginning of 2021 before moving into the role of Acting Teaching and Learning Co-ordinator (P-6) in Term 2 of that year.

Prior to commencing at Redeemer, Adam had taught at a variety of schools including 15 years at Redlands College where he held a number of roles including Director of Years 6-9 and Dean of Learning 6-9. With a passion for enhancing and deepening students’ learning through connection with the community and the wider world, Adam was deeply involved in project-based learning programs, student-led worship bands and as a qualified outdoor education leader in the Duke of Edinburgh Award program.

Adam is driven by the belief that each student is created by God, who has a plan a purpose for their lives. Furthermore, that as educators we have the great privilege and responsibility of being part of God’s plan to grow and nurture the knowledge, skills and agency of each student so that they can positive impact the world around them.

A scripture that gives him constant encouragement and direction is Ephesians 2:10:

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Mr Andrew Marshall | Pastoral Care Coordinator P-6

Andrew has been working as an educator for the past 17 years after graduating from the University of Tasmania with a Bachelor of Education. This is his first year at Redeemer Lutheran College and he is looking forward to making a positive impact on the school community.

Andrew started his teaching career in Tasmania before making the move to Brisbane, where he has taught in a number of Christian schools. Having recently served at Somerville House as a P-3 Coordinator, he has a strong background with pastoral care and firmly believes that every student has the right to shine and be an individual.

Andrew is empowered by the thought that God is the creator of all people and they are called to care for one another as God has loved and cared for them. This allows strong relationships to be formed and therefore impact positively upon one’s sense of belonging.

In his role as the Pastoral Care Coordinator, Andrew’s actions reflect God through his core values of love, service, humility, courage and hope. These guide him when actively working with the Redeemer community, ensuring they feel supported and well equipped to tackle any situation.

One verse that Andrew looks to for strength and wisdom is from 1 Peter 4:8-10:

⁸ Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ⁹ Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰ Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Mrs Nikki McKenzie | Head of Admissions and Marketing

Mrs Tracey Lewis | Corporate Services Manager