Fiona McAuliffe

Principal
B.Ed, M.Ed

Mrs McAuliffe started her career in education as a mathematics teacher and has experienced a number of management roles across a variety of areas including Head of Senior Years, Director of Studies, IB Diploma Programme Coordinator and Head of Mathematics.

Having extensive experience in implementing and maintaining International Baccalaureate frameworks, she has spent many years as a curriculum expert in South Australia. During this time, Mrs McAuliffe worked with the SACE Board, the Mathematics Association of SA, the SA Government International Student Advisory Group for the Minister and as Chair of the Independent Schools of SA Secondary Curriculum Reference Group.

Curriculum delivery, especially the IB curriculum has been a large part of her professional career, demonstrating a passion for inspiring learners of all ages.

Fergus Weber

Business Manager
BIS, BBus (Acc), BLaw, CA

Fergus has served as the Business Manager at Good News Lutheran College since 2017. He has had a varied background with substantial business and finance experience in the education sector and accounting firms in the commercial sphere.

Prior to joining Good News Lutheran College, Fergus worked as the Finance Manager of a similarly large independent school and a Manager at a prominent national chartered accounting firm. He enjoys the opportunities and challenges that the role creates to ensure an ongoing vibrant college in which to educate our young people in this local community.

Fergus provides advice to the Board in relation to the corporate functions of the College, including overall financial management of the business, oversight over the operations team and facilitates the growth of the College through capital development projects to ensure that Good News offers a quality Prep to Year 12 co-educational education.

Richard Baird

Deputy Principal
B.Ed, MBA, ASAM, MACE, MACEL

Mr Baird completed his schooling in South Australia. He commenced work at Westminster School, a large co-education Independent Day and Boarding School. During his 12 years there he held several senior positions including VET Coordinator, Head of House, SACE Coordinator and Head of Senior Students. In 2012 Mr Baird moved to Albany, WA where he was Deputy Principal P-12 for 6 years. During his time at GSG he completed a Master of Business Administration. Prior to commencing at GNLC Mr Baird was a Principal in Victoria and has also worked in the Catholic sector.

He has extensive experience in academic improvement, pathways programs and has been involved in a number of large building projects and was the recipient of a Scholarship to the USA attending the International Society for Technology in Education conference (ISTE).

Mr Baird has coached 1st XI soccer, HPV and has been involved in the World Solar Car Challenge and the World Solar Cycle, as well as International tours and service projects.

Joanne Wegener 

Head of Senior Years
BA(Hons), Grad Dip Ed (Sec), Grad Cert Theol (Ed), M Ed Lead

Prior to joining Good News Lutheran College in 2023, Ms Wegener has worked in several Lutheran colleges in South Australia in various roles as a pastoral care and curriculum leader. In these roles she established and maintained high standards and respectful learning relationships between students and teachers.

Ms Wegener began her career teaching Geography. Her passion for Geography has seen her lead the Geography Teachers' Association of South Australia for five years as President. During this time, she promoted the teaching of Geography in the Australian Curriculum and lead numerous workshops for teachers which encouraged the development of fieldwork skills and the use of spatial technology. Ms Wegener has been a Lead Practitioner of Geography for the SACE Board for a number of years, contributing to curriculum development and assessment.

Ms Wegener recently completed a Master's in Educational Leadership, during which time her enthusiasm for leading quality teaching and learning from a well-being perspective was enhanced. She has a deep desire to help Senior Years students forge their future pathways and achieve their individual measure of success through learner agency.

Steven Tkaczuk

Head of Middle Years
B.Ed, BA, MedTheol

Steven Tkaczuk joined the College this year as the Head of Middle Years. He has served within the Lutheran Educational system for 19 years and prior to that, had worked in the government education sector. Steven arrived having experienced varying classroom and leadership positions with a particular passion for developing strong pastoral connections with students in order to support their educational journey not only academically, but emotionally, socially and spiritually.

He has completed his Masters of Education (Leadership) and Theology which have provided additional insight into authentically leading and serving within a Christian Environment. Providing exciting opportunities for staff and students to embed contemporary practices with opportunities for rich inquiry is a passion, with the knowledge that students are equipped with necessary skills enabling them to flourish beyond the boundaries of the college gates.

Maria Denholm

Head of Junior Years
GradDipTheol, GradCert (Educational Leadership), GradCert (Mathematics), B.Ed

Maria joined Good News four years ago as a classroom teacher with over 30 years of teaching experience in Lutheran Schools across South Australia, Western Australian and the Northern Territory. She completed a Graduate Diploma in Theology and is a passionate advocate for teaching Christian Studies through a Lutheran lens. Sharing her faith with others and guiding students to learn more about God's love and forgiveness is a highlight of her career.

Maria has held many leadership positions and has completed the Leadership Development Programme through Lutheran Education Australia resulting in a Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership. Completing a Graduate Certificate in Mathematics led her to becoming an advocate for teaching Mathematics in a way which is accessible to all students and results in understanding, not just memorisation. From this she has led professional development courses with teachers in Australia, Hong Kong and The Philippines.

Recently she guided the staff of Good News through the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme verification process. Maria encourages staff and students to have voice, choice and ownership for their teaching and learning so that self-efficacy is fostered, the relationship between teacher and students is seen as a partnership and this then influences the degree of ownership and impact they have in their lives. Providing opportunities to further develop connections with parents and the wider community is an ongoing goal for Maria in her role as Head of Junior Years.

Melissa Furtado

Head of People and Culture
BMgmt, GradDipHR

Melissa serves as the Head of People and Culture in Good News Lutheran College. Melissa has over 15 years of diverse Human Resources experience and has had exposure to the areas of child protection, banking and finance. Prior to joining Good News Lutheran College, she worked as the Manager of People and Culture in an Asset Management firm and  a large Not-for-Profit organisation. Melissa also has overseas experience working in Human Resources in India for a large MNC bank.

Melissa is passionate about the Human Resources function and believes in leading with Empathy. Melissa also believes in creating and sustaining an environment in the organisation where staff and the organisation can reach their fullest potential.

Melissa is a lifelong learner and has completed her Bachelor’s in Management Studies in Finance and a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resources. She is currently pursuing a Certified HR Practitioner (CPHR) accreditation course through Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI).