Meet our Boarding Community
Andrew Junge
Head of Boarding
Andrew Junge is the Director of Boarding / Head of Boys’ Boarding at Westminster School. With oversight of the School’s Boarding program, Andrew is responsible for the safety and wellbeing of our Boarders, our Boarding staff, and our Boarding program. Andrew has been a teacher for twenty years with a Bachelor of Arts from Macquarie University and a Graduate Diploma of Education from the University of New England with Economics and Geography as his specialist teaching areas. He has worked in boarding schools in regional NSW, Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Andrew’s approach is informed by his personal experience as a Boarder at Newington College; through working in his family’s business in Cootamundra, NSW; and through teaching in some wonderful inter-state schools. He sees the opportunity to support young people and their development through their formative years as a privilege. Andrew believes in fostering a strong sense of community and building a positive ‘culture of care’ in Boarding. He is very proud of the young men and women who travel ‘beyond the school gate’ with confidence and strong values having been Boarders at Westminster. Andrew is passionate about service-learning and introduced the Vietnam service trip for the Westminster Boarding Community in 2023.
Marissa Fiacchi
Deputy Director of Boarding
As the Deputy Director of Boarding and Head of Girls’ Boarding at Westminster School, Marissa Fiacchi is a highly esteemed member of the Boarding community, overseeing the health and wellbeing of our Boarding students. An Old Scholar of Westminster from the Class of ‘01, and a current parent of two daughters in Years 2 and 8, Marissa is profoundly passionate about the unique community that exists within Westminster School and considers it a privilege to support our Boarding students to grow.
With a passion for holistic health care, Marissa is a Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Nursing from the University of South Australia and has previously held positions in a number of wards including Acute Care, Orthopaedics, Cardiothoracic, ED, ICU, and General Medical. In addition, Marissa possesses a number of Masterclass trainings and qualifications covering Critical Care, and Mental Health First Aid. Marissa’s warm disposition is instrumental in fostering a welcoming, caring and supportive culture within our Boarding community, and leads with sincerity in all her responsibilities.
Kylie Byass
House Mother
Fulfilling the role of House Mother of Girls' Boarding at Westminster School since 2020, Kylie Byass plays an integral role in fostering a loving environment for our Boarding students. Underpinned with strong values and morals, Kylie supports our Boarders to learn, grow, and shine both within their academic and co-curricular endeavours, whilst aiding their development as young individuals.
As a mother of two teenage boys, 14 and 17, Kylie has a profound understanding of the value strong social connections place in the life of our students alongside a nurturing home life embedded with structure and routine. With a profound appreciation for varying cultures, beliefs and experiences, Kylie’s approach enables our Boarders to flourish both within, and beyond the School gates.
Sian Powell
House Mother
Sian's journey as the Housemother of Boys' Boarding began 16 years ago, following her family's move from Wales to Australia. Sian's warmth infuses every aspect of her role, creating a welcoming home away from home for the students. She understands the importance of fostering an environment where students feel supported, understood, and encouraged to thrive. Her connection to Westminster runs deep, with both of her children graduating as Old Scholars.
When she's not enriching the lives of the students in her care, Sian finds solace and joy in life's simple pleasures, especially in the company of her beloved family and pug, ‘Wally’. Sian’s family values, experience, and passion for the boarding community, provide students with the foundations needed to achieve their academic and personal goals.
