Leadership and Board

The College Leadership Team 

The Headmaster is responsible for the vision and strategic direction of Somerset College. Our College Leadership Team work together to achieve common strategic goals and provide leadership in their areas of responsibility within the College. 

Craig Bassingthwaighte

Headmaster | MA (Griffith), BEd Studies (Qld), BA, Dip T, FACE, FCEOI, MACEL

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Craig is the third Headmaster of Somerset and joined the College from Whitsunday Anglican School at Mackay where he was Principal. Before this he was Deputy Principal of Trinity Anglican School in Cairns and Director of Admissions and Master of McKinley House at The Southport School. He has taught at The Hotchkiss School, Connecticut, USA and St Anne's School, Windermere, UK. He has taught Senior English, Literature and Media Studies for many years. As Headmaster, Craig is the chief executive of the College. He is appointed by the College Board and is responsible to the Board for the proper conduct, management and discipline of the College.

Mrs Michele Sauer

Acting Deputy Head - Studies | M Ed, GAICD, B Ed, DipT, MACE

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Michele joined the staff of the Junior School at Somerset College in 1985. In 1993, Michele was appointed as Year 7 Co-ordinator and in 1998 she was appointed Junior School Curriculum Co-ordinator. She was promoted to Head of Department - Junior Curriculum in 2003 and was Deputy – Junior School from 2003 to 2013. From 2014 to 2020, Michele was Dean of Middle Years. Michele is now Acting Deputy - Studies and is responsible for the curriculum and academic leadership in the Senior School.

Mrs Allison Foster

Acting Deputy Head – Pastoral | M Arts, B Arts, Dip Ed, Grad Dip Public Relations

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Allison joined the staff of Somerset College in 2006 as a teacher in the Senior School, teaching English and Humanities. In 2008, Allison was appointed Head of House – Franklin. In 2018, she was appointed to the role of Head of Senior School when she was responsible for overseeing the pastoral care of all students in Years 7 to 12. Allison is now Acting Deputy Head - Pastoral overseeing the pastoral care and wellbeing programmes in the Senior School.

Ms Rebecca Collie

Head of Junior School | M Ed, B Ed, B Teach, GKIHSM

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Rebecca joined the staff of Somerset College in 2018 as Head of Junior School. Rebecca was previously Assistant Head of Junior School Years 3 to 6, Pastoral and Curriculum, at All Saints Anglican School. Prior to that, Rebecca worked with Education Queensland for 20 years in a variety of teaching and leadership positions, in schools across Logan and the Gold Coast. As Head of Junior School, Rebecca is responsible for overseeing pastoral care and curriculum, working with staff, students and parents, to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the Junior School.

Mr David Thornton

Chief Operating Officer | BA(Hons), MBA (AGSM), CA (ICAA, ICAEW)

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David commenced at the College in January 2013. He is responsible to the Headmaster for the financial operations of the College and the management of accounting staff.

Ms Lisa Thomson

Dean of Information Technologies | M Ed, BA, GradDip, MACEL

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Lisa is the inaugural Dean of Information Technologies, having commenced in 2011. Lisa was previously Head of Information Technology at Toowoomba Grammar School. She is responsible for the strategic development, implementation and support of curriculum and system wide information technologies in the College, as well as leading the College's library services.

Ms Fiona Smith

Director of Human Resources | M ER, Grad Cert HR, CAHRI

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Commencing in 2021, Fiona brings multi-dimensional local government, state government and private sector strategic and operational workforce management experience. Her oversight encompasses talent management, employment relations and strengthening a culture of strategically aligned achievement amongst the Somerset College Team.

Mr Dane Robinson

Dean of Activities | BExSc, BBusMgt, BAppSc

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Dane commenced at the College in 2023. Dane was previously a professional triathlete and has expertise across a diverse range of sporting and educational environments. He brings an extensive wealth of knowledge in leading the development, implementation, and delivery of operational and performance outcomes for high performance sporting organisations, the university sector and the schooling environment.

Mr Troy Zernike

Dean of Community Engagement | M Ed, B Ed, B App Sc, MACE

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Troy commenced at Somerset College in 2007 as a teacher in the Junior School, being both a Year Level Co-ordinator and House Convenor - Laver. Prior to this, Troy worked in the United States in outdoor education. In 2013, Troy was promoted to Assistant Head of Department – Operations before becoming Assistant Head of Junior School – Pastoral and Operations in 2015. Troy was appointed Dean of Community Engagement in 2023, a role in which he oversees Admissions, Events, Communications and Alumni.

The College Board

The College Board has responsibility for the governance of Somerset College in finances, buildings and grounds, and policy. Its most important task is to appoint the Headmaster to manage the operations of the College. The Board discharges its responsibilities through its regular meetings, including its Committees, and by supporting and monitoring the performance of the Headmaster. All contact with the Board is through the Headmaster’s Office. Somerset College is a separately incorporated not for profit company limited by guarantee.

Mr Anthony Hickey OAM

Chair of the Board

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Mr Peter Trimble

Deputy Chair of the Board

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Mrs Penelope Thurnwald

Chair of Governance Committee

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Mr Bede Young

Chair of Foundation Committee

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Mr Jason Cordner (Class of 1990)

Chair of Finance Committee

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Ms Amanda Appel (Class of 2003)

Board Member

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Mr Simon Chan

Board Member

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Ms Alisha Swain

Board Member

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Mr Alex Woodthorpe

Board Member

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