Friends of St George's

Happy first birthday!

Dear friends and families,

As we move through 2026, it feels like the perfect moment to reflect on what an extraordinary journey the past year has been for our young school and our growing parent community.

When Friends of St George’s was formally established in mid- 2025, we could not have imagined how quickly it would become part of school life. From our first social events in Semester Two 2025 — those lively year-group gatherings that helped families connect in the heart of the city — to the excitement surrounding the official opening of 441 Murray Street in July 2025, it has been a time of tremendous growth and energy for the school. 

The new campus has transformed what is possible at St George’s. Seeing the new facilities come to life and the school expand across two CBD campuses has been genuinely inspiring. 

In 2026, Friends of St George’s marked its first birthday with pride. In one short year we have organised a quiz night, Kings Park picnic, parent sundowners and supported music and arts events (such as “Rhythm in the City” and the Creative Arts Exhibition), sponsored new cross-country singlets for our ACC athletes and helped strengthen connections between families, staff and students. None of this would have been possible without our year group representatives and ideas and support from many of you.

Meet the 2026 Friends of St George’s Committee

Belinda Murphy, Year 7 parent:

"My daughter, Susie, is in Gandhi. We are new to the school and I am excited to be involved through my role as an Assistant Coordinator. I’m from Newcastle in England and have been living in Perth since 2017. I love the strong sense of Australian community and am also a representative for the girls’ soccer teams at South Perth United FC and my son’s pursuits in rowing and rugby. Professionally, I spent over 20 years working in HR and now run my own business where I support leaders and teams to reach their potential."

Marije Potter, Year 12 and Year 9 parent:

"As mum to Anouk and Fieke, I have been part of the St George’s community for six years now and I love the city life and the unique opportunities it gives our girls. I am happy to help new families find their way, so please reach out with any questions you may have. Professionally, I work as an engineer in the city, guiding clients through the implementation of new technologies and the change management needed to make those transitions a success."

Andrew Haines, Year 10 parent:

"I am proud dad to Emmersen, who is reading this over my shoulder and has already aged five years in the last 30 seconds! By day I'm a tech architect working with the Department of Education (the irony of being the school dad who works in school IT), and on weekends I coach Year 7s at Forrestfield Junior Football Club, where my tactical brilliance is reliably out-thought by 12-year-olds. I look forward to meeting everyone over the year and I hope you can make it to the Year 10 casual drinks

 sundowner." Book now: 

https://www.trybooking.com/DMKLS

Candice Tait, Year 7 parent:

"I am mother to Oliver and Madeleine (Year 3 – a few more years before joining St George’s). I’m the Year 7 Parent Representative, with Oliver in Lincoln House. I work as a Head of Talent and am also a chef, so I love bringing people together and getting involved in events and the school community. I’m looking forward to supporting our Year 7 families and being part of a great year ahead."

Janelle Barnes, Year 8 & 11 parent:

"This is my second year as an assistant coordinator of Friends of St George’s. I am proud mum to Lorelei and Phryne and, like both of my children, I am involved in the performing arts. I enjoy being in Perth Fringe shows each year as well as teaching dance classes as part of an inclusive dance cooperative. I work for the state government advocating for small businesses and trying to help reduce red tape. I get excited each time I see a photo of St George’s kids wearing the interschool sports uniforms that the Friends of St George’s sponsored last year, representing our school community in style.

Tash Coombs, Year 8 & 10 parent:

I am mother to Alyssa and Nathan, and I am the Coordinator of the Friends of St George’s for the next two years, however I think I accidentally put six years on the form! I have previously run our local primary school P&C, been on the school board, and currently I’m training to become the assistant Group Leader of Bayswater Sea Scouts. I work fulltime for Hancock Corporate Services. Friends of St George’s is not like any of these previous activities - it is more like my social ballroom dancing, where we reach out to new community members that have joined our school, help their kids find a buddy, help families find a new parent friend to call and organise social functions to encourage the building of connections in different year groups. 

I would like to thank the school for allowing a group of parents in our school community to be involved to benefit all students and their families at our wonderful school and I am thrilled to be continuing as the co-ordinator for the 2026 school year.

Tash Coombs  

Friends of St George’s Coordinator