Board members
The Non-State Schools Accreditation Board, established under the Education (Accreditation of Non-State Schools) Act 2001, section 105 (repealed 1 January 2018), continued in existence from 1 January 2018 under the Education (Accreditation of Non-State Schools) Act 2017, section 97(1).
The Board consists of seven members appointed by the Governor in Council. Members are appointed for not more than four years but are eligible for reappointment.
Ms Patrea Walton
Nominee of the Minister (reappointed 10 March 2026 to 9 March 2030)
Patrea Walton has had an outstanding career in education, holding leadership roles such as subject master, deputy principal, and principal of 2 Brisbane high schools, as well as serving as Deputy Director-General of State Schooling (2013–2018). She has contributed to national committees and boards, including the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority, and Loreto College Coorparoo.
A Fellow of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL), Patrea received its 2021 ACEL Gold Medal for her exceptional contributions to educational administration and leadership. Other honours include the QUT Education Outstanding Alumni Award (2018), the Australian Council of Deans of Education Outstanding Contribution to Education Award (2018), and the Public Service Medal (2017). In 2016 she earned the Australian Human Resources Institute National CEO Diversity Champion award, and, in 2023, Griffith University awarded her an honorary doctorate.
Patrea has driven key initiatives, including narrowing the Year 12 certification gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, improving NAPLAN performance and elevating Queensland’s education standards and equity initiatives.
Ms Christine Clarke
Nominee of the Minister (reappointed 10 March 2026 to 9 March 2030)
Christine Clarke holds a Master of Educational Leadership (Australian Catholic University), a Bachelor of Education, a Bachelor of Arts with Honours, and a Diploma in Education (all from the University of New England), as well as a Certificate IV in Theology (Institute of Faith Education).
After nearly 40 years as a teacher and educational leader in Queensland secondary schools, Christine recently retired. She began her career in Toowoomba and moved to Brisbane in 2011, gaining experience in both rural and urban schools, as well as co-educational and girls’ schools of various sizes. Over the years, she has held key leadership roles, including college principal, deputy principal, assistant principal, curriculum leader, and pastoral leader.
Christine has also contributed to the profession as an AITSL Initial Teacher Education Panellist and is a recognised Fellow of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders.
Mr Brian Short
Nominee of the Minister (reappointed 10 March 2026 to 9 March 2030)
Brian Short holds a Master of Arts (San José State University), a Master of Literary Studies, a Bachelor of Educational Studies, a Diploma of Education and a Bachelor of Arts (all from the University of Queensland).
After a 40-year career in secondary education, Brian retired as Headmaster of Brisbane Grammar School in 2013. Throughout his career, he held key leadership roles, including Head of Department, Dean of Studies and Deputy Headmaster–Curriculum. He also shared his expertise as a university lecturer in educational leadership and Australian national government. From 2014‒2022, he was Chair of the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority and from 2013‒2025, contributed to Queensland education as Director, Deputy Chair and ultimately Chair of Independent Schools Queensland’s Block Grant Authority.
Brian is a Fellow of the Australian College of Educators and the Australian Institute of Management and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Dr Tsae Wong
Nominee of the Minister (appointed 10 March 2026 to 9 March 2030)
Tsae Wong has a PhD (Curtin University), Master of Education (Queensland University of Technology), Bachelor of Science (National University of Singapore), Diploma of Education [National University of Singapore], and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management (FAIM) and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Directors (GAICD).
Tsae retired as Principal of Trinity Lutheran College at the end of 2025, concluding her 40-year service to education in Singapore, Canberra, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. She has close to 3 decades of leadership experience as a Head of Department, Director of Teaching and Learning, Acting Head of Senior School, Deputy Principal and Principal. Tsae’s experience in the non-state school sector includes Grammar, Anglican, Lutheran and independent schools which were both all girls and co-educational. She has served on the Independent Schools Queensland Education Committee.
Dr Grant Webb
Nominee of the Director-General of Education (appointed 10 March 2026 to 9 March 2030)
Over the past 40 years Grant Webb has undertaken a number of teaching and leadership roles across a variety of educational contexts, both nationally and internationally.
While working for the Department of Education in Queensland Grant has been a classroom teacher, learning support teacher, educational consultant, Director, Executive Director, Assistant Director-General and school Principal.
Grant is currently an independent educational consultant. He has extensive experience working in both primary and secondary schools as well as in the tertiary sector.
Christopher Mountford
Nominee of Independent Schools Queensland (reappointed 10 March 2026 to 9 March 2030)
Christopher (Chris) Mountford holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Queensland and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
In June 2021, Chris became the CEO of Independent Schools Queensland. Before this, he served as the Queensland Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia. With more than 20 years of experience in member-based advocacy organisations and government relations, Chris has developed strong expertise in policy, government advocacy, and commercial activities. He also has a deep understanding of government regulation and has played a key role on various state and local government advisory boards.
Mr Allan Blagaich
Nominee of the Catholic Education Queensland Limited (reappointed 10 March 2026 to 9 March 2030)
Allan Blagaich was appointed the Executive Director of Catholic Education Queensland Limited (formerly Queensland Catholic Education Commission) in June 2023. Before this, he was the Executive Director of the School Curriculum and Standards Authority in Western Australia (2011–2023), working closely with independent, Catholic and public education sectors in WA.
Earlier, he held senior roles in the WA Department of Education, including Executive Director of Statewide Planning and Delivery (2010–2011) and Executive Director of Metropolitan Schools (2008–2009). He was also a principal of a senior secondary school (2002–2008) and deputy principal at three rural and metropolitan schools.
Allan chaired the Australasian Curriculum Assessment and Certification Authorities (ACACA) in 2012–2013 and its Vocational Education and Training Committee (2011–2023). He served on the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) board for 6 years and was a foundation Director of the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership and was a co-writer of the Australian Professional Standard for Principals. In 2008, he completed a Churchill Fellowship, studying education systems and interventions to support schools in challenging circumstances.
Last updated 11 March, 2026