ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵAPP

Our College

Executive Leadership Team

Our Principal

Mr Joel van Bentum

The Principal of ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵAPP, Mr Joel van Bentum began working at GPCC in January 2023 following fourteen years in various roles as part of NT Christian Schools in the Northern Territory. During his tenure he held the roles of Principal of Transforming Training, a Registered Training Organisation catering to both secondary students and adults. Principal of NT Christian College, a multi-campus senior secondary college serving students in five campus’ across the breadth of the NT, and Principal of Marrara Christian College, a Preschool to Year 12 Christian College in Darwin.

Joel has extensive training and experience as an educator, holding a Bachelor of Human Movement and Health Education from the University of Sydney and a Master of Education (Leadership) from the National Institute for Christian Education. He has over 20 years' experience in various educational roles from PDHPE teacher, Year advisor, Faculty Coordinator, Head of School and various Principal roles. 

Joel is passionate about holistic Christian Education that seeks to support every student to find the gifts and talents that God has given them and to see them stretched and developed in those gifts. He is also committed to seeing parents equipped in their God given roles and to support them in partnership in supporting and forming young people. Joel is married to Phoebe and has 3 adult children.


Our Deputy Principal K-12

Mrs Jane McLarty 

Mrs Jane McLarty started working at ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵAPP in 2007 as Assistant Head of Middle School.  Prior to this Jane taught in the State system.

Jane’s background is in the Technologies Faculty with training in Food Technology, Hospitality, Textile Technology, Technology Mandatory and obtained a Master of Education (Leadership) in 2016.  During her time at GPCC, she has held many positions including a classroom Teacher, Head of Middle School, Acting Head of Primary School, and Acting Principal. 

Jane notes her most significant qualification as a mum to James (22) and Laura-Jane (19) who both attended GPCC from Kindergarten to Year 12.


Our Business Manager

Mr Brendan Wood 

Mr Brendan Wood joined GPCC in 2019 as the Marketing & Community Relations Manager and was then appointed Assistant Business Manager in 2021. Prior to coming to ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵAPP Brendan served in pastoral roles in Baptist Churches, and across several Christian for purpose organisations including BaptistCare NSW & ACT and Baptist World Aid Australia.

Brendan has a Bachelor of Applied Science, a Bachelor of Ministries, an Advanced Diploma of Theology, an Advanced Diploma of Leadership & Management, and is currently undertaking Governance training through Bond University.
Brendan is a member of the Association of School Business Administrators. Brendan is married to Kylie, and together they are raising three young adult and teenage daughters.

Our Acting Head of Primary

Mrs Amanda Rutlidge 

Mrs Amanda Rutlidge started at ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵAPP in 2023 as the Primary Curriculum Coordinator and was the Acting Head of Primary School for Term 1 - Term 3, 2024. Amanda has worked in Christian Schools for over 17 years and prior to coming to GPCC she taught at Toongabbie Christian College. She has a Bachelor of Arts with a Diploma of Education. 

Amanda is married to Oliver, and together they have two teenage children.

Our Head of Secondary

Mr Steve Lobsey

Mr Steve Lobsey began working at ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵAPP in January 2023, having previously served as Head of HSIE at Oxford Falls Grammar School. 

Steve lives in Berowra and has two children, one at Berowra Christian School and the other who will start there next year.  He is a Business Studies teacher and has Highly Accomplished teacher accreditation.


Our Director of Enrichment K-12

Mrs Sarah Brown

Mrs Sarah Brown began her career as a Primary teacher at ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵAPP in 2001 after graduating with Honours in a Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Social Science double degree from The University of Newcastle. During her time at university, and in her early teaching years, Sarah developed an interest in learning about students with additional needs and has since endeavoured to meet them by means of adjustments and differentiation within the mainstream setting. 

As the Director of Enrichment K-12 she manages a large team of support staff at the College who work together with classroom teachers to ensure our students are thriving, whatever their needs.

Sarah’s husband, Jay, is also a teacher and together they have three children. 

Our Director of Teaching Development K-12

Mrs Fiona Fordyce

Mrs Fiona Fordyce joined GPCC in 2022 as the Head of HSIE, then appointed the Director of Teaching & Learning at the start of 2023. Prior to coming to ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵAPP Fiona was the Head of HSIE Department at Penrith Christian School and has been working in CSA schools since 2013.

Fiona also has a Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations) and a Bachelor of Law –from the University of Sydney.

Fiona is a member of the CSA Communities and Practice Steering Committee, and since coming to GPCC has become the leader of CSA Central Coast Community of Practice.

Fiona is currently studying a Master of Education (Leadership) at UNSW. She is married to Nick, and together they have two primary aged children.