Tanya Roberts

Dynamic, values-driven executive leader with more than 20 years of experience in education and community sport. Highly skilled in strategic planning, compliance, risk management, and organisational governance. As a long-standing school principal and volunteer president of a 7,000+ member basketball association, I bring a proven track record in leading high-performing teams, building inclusive cultures, managing integrity matters, and delivering strong community outcomes. Recognised for exceptional communication, stakeholder engagement, and the ability to lead complex organisations through growth, reform, and regulatory change. Passionate about creating safe, transparent, and empowering environments especially in the space of women’s sport and youth development.

Educational leader with strong background in administration, curriculum development, and student engagement. Proven ability to foster collaborative environment that drives academic achievement and continuous improvement. Adept at adapting to evolving educational needs and ensuring that team meets high standards. Recognized for leadership, effective communication, and strategic planning.

• Nominated for the Principal of the Year Award for 2022 / 2024 years by staff and students.
• Created and supervised student mentorship volunteer program, resulting in increased confidence levels as well as improved communication skills for all involved parties.
• Instituted peer review program for teaching professionals which promoted collaborative teamwork, respect and appreciation between staff members.
• Established cultural days in which students and staffers provided insight into personal ethnic backgrounds, resulting in better understanding and more inclusive environment.
• Awarded Victorian Country Basketball Administration of the year 2024

• Chair – Cardinia Principals Network (2021–Present)
• Delegate – Basketball Victoria Regional Leadership Forums
• Volunteer Mentor – Women in Sport Leadership Program South East Victoria Growth Corridor
• Regular Speaker – Educational Leadership & Governance Panels

Growth Coaching Accreditation

Certificate in Special Education - Royal Children's Hospital

Berry Street Education Model (BSEM),

School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS),

Trauma-Informed Practice.

Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership programs:

• Unlocking Potential (UP) - Principal Mentor
• Impact Program - Leadership Coach
• Strategic Leadership for Principals

Full Registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT)

First Aid Certificates- First Aid, Anaphylaxis, and CPR training.

• ANZUK Education
• On behalf of Ohana College
• Logan Central, QLD
• Dear Recruitment Panel
• I am writing to express my strong interest in the Principal position at Ohana College. With over 20 years’ experience in education most recently as the founding Principal of a large government primary school in Victoria I bring a deep and sustained commitment to inclusive, trauma-informed leadership. Every step of my teaching and leadership career has been grounded in serving disadvantaged communities, and I am passionate about creating environments where vulnerable young people can feel safe, seen, and successful.
• Throughout my career, I have worked exclusively in schools located in high-complexity, low-SES communities. I understand, intimately, the impact that intergenerational trauma, poverty, school refusal, and marginalisation can have on a child’s ability to thrive in a traditional learning environment. At John Henry Primary School, I led the implementation of the Berry Street Education Model, embedding trauma-informed practice into our school culture, pedagogy, and behaviour response systems. We created a relational, predictable, and strengths-based environment where our most vulnerable students including those involved with Child Protection, family violence services, and the justice system could re-engage in learning.
• My leadership approach is restorative and deeply relational. I have worked side by side with families in crisis, with refugee and migrant communities, and with children affected by abuse, neglect, and complex disability. I have developed cross-agency partnerships with mental health, allied health, and community organisations to provide wrap-around support, including founding and leading an Allied Health Hub within the school. I have also led School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) and trauma-informed professional learning for staff, ensuring consistency and care across all interactions with students.
• Beyond my wellbeing leadership, I am a strategic and operationally strong principal. I have experience leading large, multi-disciplinary teams, overseeing complex budgets, ensuring regulatory compliance, and building a school culture that celebrates both academic growth and personal development. My leadership is underpinned by calm decision-making, ethical reflection, and the belief that every young person no matter their story has the right to belong and to build a meaningful future.
• Ohana College’s commitment to inclusive, trauma-informed education deeply aligns with my own. I would be honoured to lead a school so devoted to restoring dignity, agency and hope for young people who have been disengaged from mainstream education. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how I could bring my experience and values to serve the students, staff, and families of Ohana College.
• Warm regards
• Tanya Roberts