Introducing our Acting Director/s of Sport
In the 2 May 2025, newsletter, I announced that Lisa Filby, our Director of Sport, was taking on a new opportunity and committed to sharing the plans for sport at MLC School with you.
In consultation with the Sports Department and School Executive, I believe it is wise to take the time to explore the best model for the leadership of sport at MLC School. As such, I have made a temporary appointment to allow us to ascertain the team’s long-term needs and carefully consider what models of leadership and resourcing will best serve our community to enhance sporting opportunities for all students at MLC School, regardless of their ability. To achieve this, we will rely on the advice of Kathryn Taylor, a highly regarded consultant from Turning Point Consulting. She will work with the team to examine their needs, build their leadership capacity, and provide mentorship and support throughout this period. Combining this expertise with the feedback we received from the whole school Sports Survey conducted in 2024 we will have a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of our current programs and processes to provide the basis for our sports strategy moving forward.
In the meantime, I am delighted to advise that I have appointed Sarah Jauncey, Director of Experiential Learning and Scott Carpenter, our Head of Senior School Operations as co-Acting Directors of Sport in addition to their current roles. Sarah and Scott had a comprehensive handover from Lisa and are excited to meet you all around the grounds this weekend.
Sarah Jauncey is well known to the MLC School community as a much-loved Junior School Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) teacher for the past six years. She commenced her time at MLC School as the Head of Gymnastics, has led outdoor education and immersions and is currently the Director of Experiential Learning. Sarah is responsible for most of our experiences beyond the curriculum. Her expertise in leading co-curricular activities will greatly enhance the Sports Department, through her knowledge of School Systems and processes across both the Junior and Senior School.
Prior to MLC School, Sarah was Head of Junior School Sport and PDHPE at Pymble Ladies’ College, at PLC Sydney she held roles as Head of Junior School Sport, coordinator of strength and conditioning and Duke of Edinburgh. She was Director of Sport Pre-Kindergarten – Year 6 at Meriden for five years. Sarah also served a long tenure at NSW IPSHA as the girls’ sport convenor; and has been the convenor of NSWCIS swimming and NSWPSSA swimming team manager. Sarah is passionate about empowering students to go beyond their perceived limits and sees her role as an educator to develop physically literate individuals who are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of physical activity. Her number one goal is to share her passion for fun, laughter, and activity with every student she teaches.
Scott Carpenter is a highly experienced educator and sports leader with over 20 years in the Department of Education and various other educational settings. He is Head of Secondary School Operations at MLC School, a Senior School PDHPE teacher, and holds extensive qualifications, including a Certificate III in Sports Coaching and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
A passionate advocate for student sports development, Scott has been a Whole School Sports Coordinator for over a decade, managing staff and students from school to State levels. With extensive coaching experience, Scott has held roles as a Coach and Convenor at the CHS Championship level in football and squash across the Sydney East and Western regions. Additionally, Scott has contributed to numerous community-level sporting programs in a wide range of sports, including football, athletics, squash, basketball, rugby league, water polo, triathlon, tennis, and touch football.
As the Central and Western Tablelands Coordinator for the Girri Girri Sports Academy, Scott has overseen the coordination of over 10 satellite academies, helping to develop sporting talent across the region. He was also proud to be a member of the Learn Earn Legend program with NSW Rugby, further demonstrating a commitment to fostering youth participation and excellence in sports.
I would like to thank Sarah and Scott for their willingness to share their expertise. I am confident that Sport at MLC School will flourish under their leadership, we are very fortunate to have such depth of leadership within our School and combined with our existing Sports staff the future of sport at our School looks positive.
Communication
To ensure there is no confusion for parents or students, if you have a query or concern that you would like to raise about sport, both Sarah and Scott are contactable at directorofsport@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au, you are welcome to address both of them and the most appropriate person will respond. Scott Carpenter will oversee the Emerging Athlete Program. They will both be introduced to students at our next school assemblies in the Junior and Senior Schools.
Following the Whole School Sports Survey conducted last year, we developed a new Sports strategy with a clear vision for Sport at MLC School and we are determined to see this come to fruition.
MLC School is dedicated to fostering a culture where sport is celebrated as a vital part of our educational offerings. We aim to inspire every student to embrace the transformative power of sport, nurturing their physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. We envision sport as a dynamic and inclusive platform that enriches the lives of our students, nurtures their talents, and shapes their futures. Guided by the principles of participation, enjoyment, skill development, and character formation, our sporting culture is built on the belief that every student has the opportunity to flourish, both on and off the field.
– Melissa Boyd
Deputy Principal