Principal's Message
I am delighted and excited to be the inaugural Principal of the new primary school in Whitlam, opening for the 2027 school year to welcome preschool to year 2 students. I am so looking forward to getting to know the community and working alongside you and ‘Principal Lifterson’ to build and open a truly amazing school. Please look out for upcoming opportunities to come and meet me.
I lead with the belief that students must be at the heart of every decision. Every child deserves to feel they belong, have their voice heard and know they are valued. I am a leader devoted to inclusion of every child and family, meeting learners where they are and responding to what they need to thrive. Kindness shapes how I listen, speak and act. I foster collaborative partnerships, so students, staff and families feel safe to seek support, share ideas and raise concerns. Safety is non-negotiable. I build relationships grounded in trust, respect and positive regard for every person. I consider there is always opportunity for improvement, and I have a solution-focussed, collaborative and optimistic approach which allows me to lead change and motivates and inspires others to do the same.
We’re still open for enrolments
Our school will open for preschool to year 2 students in 2027. Students who applied for a place in years 3 to 6 for the 2027 school year have been offered a place at nearby Evelyn Scott School. Enrolments for our school remain open – apply online.
I look forward to recruiting and introducing my staff over the coming months.
Felicity Levett, Principal
Melissa Mongan is stoked to be joining Whitlam School as Deputy Principal, bringing her exuberance, competitive spirit and passion for learning to the team. Her extensive experience in educational leadership, teaching, and wellbeing, has contributed to creating positive school cultures, supporting student success and building high performing teams. Melissa is up for the challenge of the opening chapter of Whitlam School’s journey, to establish meaningful connections, a strong sense of collaboration and an educational setting where students, families and staff truly feel they are valued and belong.
Deputy Principal
Melissa Mongan
Daniel Thompson is thrilled to be joining Whitlam School as Business Manager. With more than 20 years of experience leading finance, operations, and people across the public and private sectors, he enjoys finding practical ways to support staff and create great places to work and learn. Daniel is looking forward to getting to know the Whitlam community, helping everyone feel welcome and connected, and playing a part in building a school where people can grow, contribute and imagine what's possible together.
Business Manager
Dan Thompson
Angela Donaldson is excited to be joining the Whitlam Team. With over 25 years’ experience teaching and leading from P-6, she creates learning environments where every student feels they belong and every family is valued as a partner in learning. Her infectious energy and enthusiasm inspires those around her and she is committed to ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive.
A strong advocate for student-centred decision-making, collaboration and continuous improvement, Angela believes the best schools are built together. The opportunity to help shape Whitlam School’s foundations is at the forefront of her mind and she looks forward to working alongside staff, students and families to build a connected school community where everyone feels valued, a sense of belonging is fostered, and every learner is supported to achieve their best.
Luke is so excited to be joining Whitlam School as the School Leader C of our Preschool team. He is a born-and-bred Canberran and has taught across ACT public schools from preschool to Year 6, with most of his journey spent in the early years. He believes the preschool year is where belonging begins. Luke hope is that every child and family feels connected, known and respected from their very first day, because that sense of belonging is the foundation for everything that follows. He is passionate about play-based and inquiry learning, getting outdoors and into nature, and intentional planning that responds to each child’s needs, all while nurturing those early literacy and numeracy skills.
As a leader, Luke values collaboration and co-construction. He believes in working shoulder to shoulder with the Whitlam team and families, and he enjoys learning from everyone around him. When Luke is not at school, you’ll find him bushwalking, on the mats at Brazilian jiu-jitsu, cooking, or around a board game with friends.
About this project
The ACT Government is delivering new and upgraded public schools to meet the needs of our growing city. When fully open, the new preschool to year 6 school and Early Childhood Education and Care Centre (ECEC) in the suburb of Whitlam will enable the growing local population to get an excellent education close to home.
This modern, sustainable facility will be an inclusive space to support all students. The design includes flexible spaces that will foster student development and learning. The new school in Whitlam will cater for up to 780 students from preschool to year 6 for the growing number of families in the Molonglo Valley. Planning for the ECEC is underway and will be developed in a future stage.
The first stage of the new school will open for Term 1 in 2027 for preschool to year 2.
The school is located centrally within the suburb – bounded by Sculthorpe Avenue, Alice Moyle Way, Hazel Hawke Avenue and Pixie O'Harris Street – strategically positioned to offer easy access for students and families.
To find out more about the suburb of Whitlam, visit the Suburban Land Agency website.
