Ms Dale Miller
Principal
I am delighted to join the Cape Naturaliste College team and to lead them in the next exciting chapter in its history as the College continues to grow and develop.
I have spent my educational career in regional education all over the state, the early years in the Kimberley at Halls Creek DHS and Kununurra SHS. I then travelled south to Newton Moore SHS and then to the Midwest at both Jurien Bay DHS and Moora SHS. In more recent years I have headed back south to be near my family and spent time as Principal at Collie SHS.
I am excited to be in the Capes Region and working with talented staff who have developed a warmth and care for students whilst encouraging and allowing individuals to achieve to their potential. Working with our local businesses, supportive industries, families and community will see Cape Naturaliste College continue to thrive and lead the way in education for our young people.
Mrs Jane Spurgeon
Manager Corporate Services
I am happy to have been welcomed so warmly into the Cape Naturaliste College Community.
Originally from the north of England I emigrated to Perth in 1993 where I continued my career in Finance and Administration working in the Banking Industry before re-locating to Dongara between 2004 and 2016. My areas of work during this time were diverse and included being full time Mum, Activities Coordinator at Dongara District High School as well as the Finance and Administration, Document Control and Governance Officer with WA Health Department (WACHS) in Dongara. Finally arriving in the Southwest February 2017.
Since re-locating to the Busselton, I have continued in Finance and Administrative roles as Finance Officer, Assets and Support to Assistant Accountant with the City of Busselton before joining the Cape Naturaliste College Team in July 2023 as Facilities and Finance Officer and more recently Manager Corporate Services. I have also embraced and enjoy the lifestyle that Busselton has to offer from cycling, mountain bike riding, swimming, hiking as well as the many attractions on offer – it is a great place to live and work.
A place where students feel safe and can achieve to their own potential.
Cape Naturaliste College in the heart of Vasse.
Associate Principals
Associate Principals coordinate, manage and monitor the educational program and pastoral care needs of students across all year levels. They have a shared responsibility to ensure all students are able to fulfil their learning potential in a safe, inclusive, supportive and culturally responsive environment. They work closely with Year Coordinators, Heads of Learning Area and teaching staff to support all students in their respective year groups. The Associate Principals oversee all significant educational programs, personalised pastoral care approaches and individualised teaching and learning adjustments as well as understanding the specific needs of the whole cohort.
Mr Rob Nail
Associate Principal (Year 7 & 8)
I am proud to have been a staff member at Cape Naturaliste College since the middle of 2007, when I was appointed as Associate Principal and tasked to help establish and open the college. My time at the college has been the pinnacle of my career which started with a short period of time working as a D&T teacher in Perth before moving to Mullewa DHS, Narrogin SHS, Merredin SHS and Busselton SHS. I feel very fortunate to be able to lead a school that has such a strong and positive culture. My own children attended Cape Naturaliste College, and I appreciate the excellent education and mentoring they received from our wonderful staff. I am determined to help maintain our strong college culture where student needs and effective learning programs are the key priorities.
Mrs Jacqueline Bovell
Associate Principal (Year 9 & 10)
I am a Busselton girl born and bred. I grew up here and went to West Busselton Primary and graduated from Busselton Senior High School.
After 18 months at John Forrest SHS and a 12 year stint at Kent Street SHS as a Year Coordinator, Beacon Foundation Coordinator, Health Education Specialist, HOLA of Health and Physical Education and Senior School Coordinator, my husband and I decided it was time to return to our roots and head home.
After watching the College grow and succeed so quickly from afar, it was an absolute pleasure to have the opportunity to join the team at Cape Naturaliste College as the substantive HOLA of Health and Physical Education. Throughout my career I have adopted many Leadership opportunities and have settled into my role as Associate Principal with pride and compassion.
It has been a pleasure to join the leadership team at Cape Nat as we as a whole school strive to support our students and staff to achieve their potential.
Busselton has most definitely changed over the years and the opportunities are plentiful. That’s why it is so important that we as a community work together to develop our young people, help them to dream big and aspire to be the best they can be.
This place is my home. I am committed and passionate about our community and look forward to supporting our students to develop into successful and inspirational young adults.
Mrs Melanie Ryan
Associate Principal (Year 11 & 12)
I started my journey as a high school educator in 1994 with my first teaching position in the Wheatbelt. Since then, I have taught at District, Middle and Senior High Schools in the areas of English, Society and Environment and Physical and Health Education. In 2008 I joined Cape Naturaliste College and had the privilege of helping to establish the college and work with such an energetic, dynamic and enthusiastic team of teachers and administrators.
Working at Cape Naturaliste College has been an exciting and rewarding experience and in recent years, I have also had the opportunity to work closely with our local primary schools in supporting the transition of students to the college. I look forward to watching these students play an integral role in the development of the local community and shaping the identity that is Cape Naturaliste College.