School Council

My name is Sarah Nightingale, and I am the Principal of North Melbourne Primary School. My role on School Council is the council’s Executive Officer. Part of my role is to work closely with the School Council President and other members, acting as a team, to enhance the educational opportunities for all our students.

I enjoy our school council meetings as it gives me a chance to hear the views from the community via the school council members as well as focus on efficient governance of the school and work towards our vision.

I believe the relationships between families and the school are vital to the success of our students across both campuses, so I encourage all members of our community to contribute through conversation and positive input. Speaking to our school council members is one avenue in which families can do this, so please feel free to reach out at any time.

Tom Drummond 

Tom is the Senior Assistant Principal at NMPS, working with the Executive Leadership team across both campuses to lead Tier 2 and 3 academic interventions, assessment and reporting, and staff development. Over twenty years, Tom has worked across all sectors of education, including primary, secondary and tertiary. Prior to commencing at NMPS, Tom was the Literacy Learning Specialist at Williamstown North Primary School, where he also served on School Council. He loves working in the vibrant, welcoming community of North Melbourne, supporting the work of our compassionate and highly-skilled teachers. At home, Tom has two school-aged children, and can be found most weekends cheering from the sidelines of their various sports, or taking their Yorkshire terrier for a walk. Tom also enjoys seeing the great live theatre that Melbourne has to offer.

Sean Alston 

I am thrilled to be joining the School Council in my first year at North Melbourne Primary School. My career in education spans almost 20 years and includes a range of leadership roles across schools throughout Melbourne. In recent years, I have settled into the role of Assistant Principal, which I greatly enjoy. At NMPS, I am the Assistant Principal based at the Molesworth Street Campus. Strong connections between students, staff, families and the local community are essential for a school to thrive. I value the diversity of perspectives shared within School Council, as they provide a balanced and authentic understanding of the needs of the whole community. As part of my role on School Council, I lead the Education Subcommittee. Beyond my passion for education, I enjoy spending quality time with my family, including my two young sons. Staying active has always been important to me, whether through football, cricket, running, hiking or gardening. I also enjoy music, podcasts and dancing. Travel is a particular passion of mine, and I hope one day to return to Nepal to hike the Annapurna Circuit with my wife and boys.

Lorne Franks 

Lorne is a long-time resident of North Melbourne, having called the area home for 13 years. He has two children attending North Melbourne Primary School. He joined the School Council in 2023 and currently serves as the Treasurer and convenor of the Finance SubCommittee. He got involved with the council to help promote the wellbeing and safety of NMPS's incredible students and staff. Outside of Council, Lorne is a lawyer at a national plaintiff law firm. He enjoys drawing, reading, and doing Lego projects with his kids.

Ashlea Lockett 

Hello! I am really excited to be part of the North Melbourne Primary School community. Thank you to everyone for making me feel so welcome! I have taught in Echuca, Bendigo, Auckland and Vancouver. Outside of school, I love spending time with family and friends. My favourite hobby is travel, and I'm always eager to visit and learn about new places. I'm looking forward to a fantastic year ahead at NMPS!

Shaun Andrews 

I’m Shaun Andrews, a teacher with 17 years of experience, including the past seven at NMPS. In 2026, I will continue in my role as the school’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader. In this position, I work alongside teachers across all year levels to support the implementation of our SWPBS framework and adapt key elements of the Berry Street Education Model for our NMPS classrooms. I also collaborate with staff to develop a targeted Wellbeing Curriculum that responds directly to the needs of our students. I look forward to continuing my involvement on our School Council this year and contributing to the ongoing enhancement of learning opportunities for all students.

Stephen Regan 

I am very happy to be a member of the School Council at North Melbourne Primary School, where my six-year-old son is in Year 1. This is my second year on the School Council. Although I have worked for many years in higher education, I have strong interests in all levels of learning from primary to adult education. I am currently Professor Emeritus at Durham University in the UK and an Honorary Fellow at the University of Melbourne. Previously, I worked at the University of London (Royal Holloway) and Ruskin College, Oxford. I enjoy writing and publishing books, the most recent of which is The Penguin Book of Elegy. I am a regular contributor to the Australian Book Review and a Board Member of the Shiel Street Press in North Melbourne. I take a strong interest in local history and culture, and I am an active member of the Celtic Club of Melbourne. My other interests include music (classical, jazz and folk), soccer (English Premier League) and football (AFL). I am looking forward, once again, to working closely with other members of the School Council to help shape the very best educational opportunities for local children and their families.