We are delighted to welcome two new Deans to the Duncraig campus in 2025.
Although both Eleanor Glacken, Dean of Alethea and Melissa Beale, Dean of Timae are new to the roles, both of them have their own histories with St Stephen’s School.
Melissa Beale is actually a St Stephen’s School alumni herself, so we are incredibly fortunate that she has joined as only our third Dean of Timae in the Schools 41 year history.
It wasn’t always Melissa’s plan to return in a teaching capacity but “after spending just 1 day as a relief teacher in 2024, I was reminded of how amazing the culture of St Stephen’s School”.
Read more about Melissa here.
Eleanor Glacken has been part of the St Stephen’s School community at the Carramar campus since 2017 and we are absolutely delighted that she has joined us as the Dean of Alethea at Duncraig.
Eleanor was – and is! – an extremely well-loved member of staff at Carramar campus, having taught English, Literature and HASS as well as taking on the role of Assistant Dean of Charis in 2019 and the Gifted and Talented Coordinator role in 2022 plus a host of extra-curricular activities including debating.
“I love the supportive community and the focus on care across every facet of schooling life at St Stephen’s,” said Eleanor.
“The kids are so awesome and it makes me excited for a future when they are in charge. I feel very privileged that I’ve been given the opportunity to grow and wear different ‘hats’ alongside being a classroom teacher.”
Eleanor’s original career plans didn’t actually include education, her first degree was an English and Law double major.
“After school I wanted to become a human rights lawyer. I knew that I wanted to help others and at that stage, law was the pathway to do that,” said Eleanor.
“It wasn’t until talking with some friends who were teachers that I realised I could do this through teaching too. I had some awesome English teachers at school and I hoped I could be that person for someone. By the end of my law degree, I decided that I enjoyed English much more than Law so I enrolled in a Diploma of Education at UWA. It was a lesson in the importance of loving what you do.”
It’s very clear when you spend time with Eleanor that she made the right decision in pursuing education.
“I love the conversations you have and the relationships you build with students,” said Eleanor.
“It’s pretty special to come across so many amazing young people every day and work with them to help them achieve their goals.”
Whilst it was a difficult decision to leave her House and classes at Carramar, the opportunity to be the Dean of Alethea was just too tempting!
“I’d worked under two amazing Deans at Carramar who were such great role models for me in terms of creating a safe and supportive haven for students in their House,” said Eleanor.
“I saw how important it was for students to have people like this in their schooling lives and when the opportunity came up, I jumped at it.”
“I hope I can be a friendly face and a cheerleader for every student in Alethea,” she continued.
“I’m hoping to strengthen the unique culture in the House and empower students to have a voice and ownership in how their House is run. I want to be a champion for inclusivity and diversity and help the students in my care to become well rounded humans.”
When Eleanor isn’t at school, she and her husband, Tom, share their life with a very special – and spoiled – greyhound called Bertie.
“We’re looking forward to dressing him in his variety of coats come wintertime,” said Eleanor.
“I also play hockey for ModsOGM and try and make it to the gym or pilates when I’m not training. I love cooking and baking as well as any type of puzzle or game. Tom and I are in a pub quiz team, which we try and do most weeks and in the school holidays I love reading books while Bertie snoozes on the couch next to me.”