Eastern College Australia has recently appointed Jennie Bickmore-Brand to the position of Dean of Education and Academic Program Advancement and we are delighted to have such a respected leader in education.
‘I am so grateful that God has blessed me with this faith-filled community at Eastern College and MST.’ Jennie shares. ‘My heart is to serve and bring God glory in all I do. I believe in the transformational power of education from a Christian worldview and am a willing participant with Eastern and MST to raise up and equip the next generation.’
Jennie Bickmore-Brand’s career has largely been in the University and Higher Education sectors from South Australian and Western Australian universities, and Sydney Colleges in training from Early Childhood to Adult Literacy. As Dean of Graduate Education she taught in a Masters of Leadership program with Alphacrucis College (NSW), including Psychology of Leadership and Raising Women in Leadership, and developed their Masters of Teaching (Primary) for second career teachers, with strong links to rural and indigenous communities. She was recently commissioned by Australians Together to research how each of the universities across Australia prepare teachers to teaching Indigenous Australian students. Jennie is an expert reviewer with TEQSA (higher education program approval body in education qualifications).
Jennie also works alongside leaders and policy-makers, mentoring them as they challenge the status quo and seek new solutions. Her clients include schools and NGO’s across Australia, PNG, Philippines, Indonesia, South Africa, Zambia and Uganda. Jennie worked with Alphacrucis to grow their education and leadership initiatives as Director for the Centre for the Future of Schooling and continues to supervise PhD students. Her current projects are School Reviews; Setting up Teacher-Education programs in Uganda and South Africa; Study Tours: Learning from the Education system in Israel, and the Canadian Arrow-Smith Program for Special Needs; and research into Graduate Attribute formation of students in Christian higher education and schools.
Formerly Head of Primary at Lake Joondalup Baptist College (WA), and Inaugural Principal of Lindisfarne Anglican Parish School (SA), Jennie has a heart for all those involved in raising the next generation in the 21st century. Jennie is widowed, mother of three daughters (step-mum of two) with eight grandchildren. Jennie knows about the challenges facing families trying to raise children with a Christian worldview, and is a regular guest concerning education and families on The Project. She is active in trying to make society a better place for the next generation and believes in the transformative power of Christian education.
Jennie’s own faith walk has included some very tough seasons of stripping and yet knowing God’s grace and shares, ‘I absolutely bear witness to God’s goodness in my life.’
“I am delighted to welcome Jennie to our team. Jennie brings not only a deep passion for Christian education, but very significant academic, educational and leadership experience. She will be a tremendous asset to both Eastern and MST, and a wonderful new member of our community.” states Tim Meyers, Executive Principal.
