Our Leadership Team
Marc Light
Principal
Marc started his role as Principal of The King David School in 2014.
Marc holds a Bachelor of Laws/Arts as well as a Graduate Diploma in Education from the University of Melbourne.
He was previously Assistant Principal – Curriculum at Bialik College where he worked for the past 4 years and prior to that spent 5 years at Mount Scopus Memorial College.
Having attended The King David School in his primary schooling, Marc is the first alumnus to become Principal of a Jewish School in Melbourne, and is well known throughout the Jewish community.
With proven experience in culture setting, change management and strategic goal setting, Marc has been an active member of the Senior Management Team across the K-12 continuum of Melbourne’s top performing Jewish Schools.
Marc and his wife Emma have three children, Daniel, Layla and Raphy.
Russell Kaplan
Vice Principal - Teaching & Learning
Russell has more than 25 years of teaching experience across Independent and Government schools. After starting at King David in 2010 as the Head of Middle School, Russell Kaplan became the Vice Principal (Teaching and Learning) in 2015.
Recently Russell has been working and studying in the area of Educational Neuroscience, with a particular interest in executive functions and how they assist the learning process. Russell has applied his Educational Neuroscience expertise to our whole-school Teaching and Learning framework, and developed the SOWATT framework for intentionally developing critically important executive function skills. This program won the Innovative School’s award in 2019 and is used in the King David School’s Early Learning Centre.
Russell received his Dip. Ed from University of Western Australia in 2000.
David Opat
Vice Principal - Wellbeing
Head of Junior School
David holds degrees in psychology, education and school leadership. He has worked in government, private industry and schools for over 30 years. His original training is in child psychology and this informs his approach to working with children in a holistic manner.
David is also a teacher of Jewish Studies. David believes that students need to have fun at school and that they must develop great relationships with their friends and their teachers. High standards in academics and behaviour are critical to the way that David leads the Junior School. As Head of Student Wellbeing, he has overseen a very elaborate and rounded program that helps all students to develop into resilient, community-minded caring individuals.
Rod Kenning
Chief Operating Officer
Rod began his career at the ABC working in radio. Transitioning to publishing in the late 80s, Rod worked for the LGBTQ press and other magazine publishers, before moving to The Australian Jewish News (AJN).
Eventually serving as CEO, Rod managed the transition of the AJN from purely print to a multi-platform media company. He was also appointed Ambassador for Small and Medium Publishers by the World Association of Newspapers.
Rod has served as Chief Operating Officer of The King David School since 2018, the first person in this position. With his team, he manages the school’s finances, foundation, community relations, admissions, facilities and maintenance. Rod is also Company Secretary to the School Council.
Rod has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney and a Grad Dip in Management (Rochfield).
Michelle Lazarow
Director of Digital Engagement
Michelle first began at The King David School in Kindergarten in 1981 and finished her primary schooling at KDS. After spending fifteen years at International Universities and other Independent Australian schools, returned to KDS in 2015 as the eLearning Coordinator.
Over the last 7 years Michelle’s portfolio has expanded to oversee the School’s Education and Business IT systems and is a crucial link between IT and Education.
Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts, Graduate Diploma of Education and a Masters of Education (School Leadership).
Ilan Bloch
Director of Jewish Life & Learning
Ilan embarked on his teaching career at KDS in 2002 teaching Jewish Studies and Hebrew. At the same time he served as head of the Informal Jewish Education Program (now called Jewish Experiential Education). His journey as a Jewish Educator included positions as
Youth Director of Hineni, Education Coordinator of the Hagshama Department of the World
Zionist Organisation, and Program Coordinator and Israel Educator for Ramah Programs in
Israel.
Ilan holds a Bachelor of Arts (Jewish Studies & Hebrew); a Grad.Dip.Ed; and a Master of Arts (Jewish Education).
Ilan’s wealth of knowledge, coupled with his multifaceted experience both in Israel and Australia, foreshadows a period of growth and enrichment for our school.
David Robinson
Head of Senior School
David Robinson is a highly regarded and experienced English teacher. He has previously held the position of Head of the English Department and, until this year, was our Year 11 and 12 VCE Coordinator, VASS Coordinator and a VCE English teacher.
David has a Bachelor of Arts & Sciences and a Grad Dip in Education from the University of Melbourne. He is a confident and approachable educator that will lead the Senior School with great care and vision.
Jayne Wise
Head of Middle School
Jayne has worked in both Primary and Secondary education for many years. She has previously held the position of Assistant Head of Junior School, Middle Years’ Coordinator and until the end of 2022, she was our Senior School Wellbeing and Nitzan Coordinator. Jayne is completing her Masters in School Leadership and Student Wellbeing.
Jayne is known as an excellent educator and an innovative leader.