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Who We Are

Mastery Schools Australia (MSA) was founded to provide a high-quality educational alternative for young people who are disengaged, or at risk of disengaging, from their current schooling environment. Since opening our first campus in Queensland in 2021, we have grown steadily and now support students in Victoria as well. With a new campus approved in Tasmania (opening 2026) and an application underway in New South Wales, we are building a network of schools that helps students across Australia reconnect with their education and reach their full academic potential. 

At MSA, our focus is on strengthening academic foundations while also fostering the resilience and confidence students need to thrive. Our aim is to equip students with the skills to re-enter and succeed in mainstream education, or to continue their schooling with us as they prepare for future pathways. 

We deliver evidence-based, structured approaches to teaching and learning that respond to the needs of each individual student. By meeting learners where they are, and surrounding them with the right support systems, we help them leverage their strengths, overcome challenges, and accelerate their growth. 

As a Middle School provider, we serve an age group where disengagement from learning is at its highest and research shows that many middle years students face disengagement due to learning difficulties or lack of support. Studies, including those by the Grattan Institute, suggest that up to 40% of Australian students could be considered disengaged, reinforcing the urgent need for tailored schooling options like ours. 

Our emphasis is on exceptional teaching, evidence-based curriculum and programs, and maintaining high expectations for both students and staff. By combining these elements, we create learning environments where students are supported, challenged, and inspired, leading to exceptional outcomes and brighter futures. 

Our Vision

Our Vision

For all students to reach their full potential

Our Mission

Our Mission

Providing the highest quality education for all students

Our Values

Our Values

Resilience
Discipline
High Expectations
Personal Responsibility

MSA Patron

Sir Nick
Gibb

Board of Directors

Scott
Whiting

Chairperson

Cassandra
Trapp

Tanya
McGaughey

Michael
Roberts

Toni
Hatten-Roberts

Annual Report

Annual Report
2024
Annual Report
2023
Annual Report
2022
Annual Report
2021

Scott Whiting

Scott Whiting is a world recognised marine conservation scientist who has worked across northern Australia promoting cross sector outcomes by combining conservation, health, education, job pathways and closing the gap concepts. 

In his current role as Principal Research Scientist with the Western Australian Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) he coordinates turtle conservation across WA and leads one of the largest and longest (60 years) environmental offset programs in Australia. 

In the corporate world, Scott has worked in government, university, non-government and private sectors and has been a member in many and varied advisory and decision-making bodies. Scott represented the Australian Government at the 8th Signatory States meeting of the United Nations MOU on sea turtle conservation (IOSEA) in 2019 and at that meeting was voted onto the Scientific Expert Panel. Scott has previously represented the NT Government on various issues and in WA is currently a member on several committees including those advising the WA Environment Minister and Director General of DBCA. 

Scott has worked extensively in remote communities across the NT and WA for over two decades and has worked actively with schools to promote job pathways through conservation initiatives. His current programs have over 50 diverse partners and in recent years leveraged over $13M of additional funds and support. 

Scott is a strategic big-picture thinker and values a good governance, high performance teams, strategic planning, prioritization, cross discipline partnerships and innovative communication to achieve common goals.

Cassandra Trapp

Cassandra Trapp is a pre-serving primary P-3 teacher of more than twenty seven years and is currently employed by the Department of Education as a classroom teacher at Broadbeach State School. After completing her Diploma in Primary Education and Early Childhood at the University of Southern Queensland and a Bachelor of Education at Curtin University, Cassandra dedicated her career to bettering education in Queensland with particular focus on the “Early Years.”

Cassandra has worked as a Year 1 Coordinator and a pre-service supervising teacher in addition to over eight years of experience implementing Direct Instruction and Explicit Direct Instruction in the classroom. Cassandra’s Science of Learning knowledge and experience landed her a position on the Mastery Schools Board in June 2020 where she contributes and provides vital insight into the delivery of these programs.

Tanya McGaughey

With over 30 years of experience in education, Tanya McGaughey joins the Mastery Schools Australia board, bringing her expertise in fostering inclusive, high-quality learning environments. Currently the Head of Campus at Tagai State College on Mabuiag Island, Tanya has excelled in various leadership roles, including Acting Deputy Principal and Head of Sub-School, where she has championed evidence-based, structured teaching approaches. Her extensive experience working in multilingual and remote settings uniquely equips her to support MSA’s mission to enhance educational outcomes for at-risk students. Tanya’s deep understanding of community engagement and curriculum development will be invaluable as she helps guide MSA’s growth and impact.

Michael Roberts

Michael Roberts is a highly respected school principal in Australia, known for his exceptional leadership and dedication to student success. With over thirty years of experience in the education sector, he has worked tirelessly to create a positive learning environment that fosters academic excellence and personal growth. 

After completing his Bachelor’s Degree in education, Michael began his career as a teacher before quickly advancing to various leadership roles in schools across Australia and South East Asia. His passion for education and his commitment to empowering students led him to pursue an honours degree in Psychological Science, which he completed in 2016.

Between 2011 and 2017, Michael led Broadbeach State School to amazing results in all areas. This was as a direct result of the adoption of science of learning principles, explicit instruction pedagogy and Direct Instruction programs.

Michael has held national roles, firstly as Executive Director of Schools for Good to Great Schools Australia, then as a panellist for the National Review into Educational Achievement (Gonski 2) and finally as General Manager of Learning Difficulties Australia.

In 2020, Michael decided to synthesise his experiences into the development of a new schooling system to support the many students left behind by mainstream education approaches. From this, Mastery Schools Australia was born. Michael is currently Managing Director of Mastery Schools Australia, Board Member of Science of Teaching and Learning Australia, and Board Member of Men of Business Academy.

Toni Hatten-Roberts​

Toni Hatten-Roberts is one of the most accomplished educators in Australia. This is evidenced by her many achievements and the number of schools and educators that she has influenced during her career. Toni has vast experience in education. She has been a teacher, head of curriculum, education advisor, deputy principal, principal, director of schools and education consultant. She has worked with teachers from over 200 schools. Her focus is on helping teachers incorporate principles from the science of learning into classrooms in order to achieve fantastic results.

In 2016, Toni became the first person outside of the United States to win the National Institute for Direct Instruction Educator of the Year award. Toni was invited to present her research into cognitive load theory at the 2018 Learning Sciences International conference in London. In 2022, Toni was one of twelve educators across Australia to be chosen as Commonwealth Bank Teaching Fellows. This prestigious scholarship included a generous stipend of $25,000 which Toni used to establish the Science of Learning Education Centre at Mastery Schools Australia.

In 2020, Toni decided to synthesise her experiences into the development of a new schooling system to support the many students left behind by mainstream education approaches. From this, Mastery Schools Australia was born. Toni is currently Executive Director of Education at Mastery Schools Australia. Toni has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, and an Honours degree in Social Science (Psychology).

Angela Andresen

Angela Andresen has over fifteen years’ experience working within the Queensland Education Department and is currently working at a Queensland State School providing administration support to students and parents whilst performing a series of HR duties to ensure the school remains compliant in key areas of operations. Angela has further experience working as an Education and International Support Officer in both independent and regional offices across Queensland where she worked on a number of national projects.

Angela has been on the Mastery Schools Australia board since July 2019 where her knowledge in governance, HR, and finance management provides a wealth of support that contributes to the implementation of essential structures and processes within Mastery Schools Australia.

Angela’s contributions to Mastery Schools Australia have been imperative to the school’s growth and development which has earned her the title of Chairperson of Mastery Schools Australia.