Meet the Head of Junior School and Senior Leaders
Meet the Head of Junior School, Ms Larissa Cameron
Ms Larissa Cameron is a highly experienced educational leader whose purpose is to inspire a love of learning and foster deep connection through the engagement of hearts and minds. With 25 years of experience in the independent school sector, her work is grounded in a strong commitment to educational excellence.
Ms Cameron is passionate about raising a generation of girls who recognise and use their voice with courage and integrity, often surprising themselves by achieving more than they believed possible. Her leadership is rooted in trust and in a profound belief in the transformative power of education.
She is dedicated to building collaborative, high performing school cultures where both staff and students flourish. With a strategic and relational approach, Ms Cameron supports positive change, nurtures staff growth, prioritises student wellbeing, and leads school operations with clarity and vision.
Ms Cameron holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and a Bachelor of Education, and was awarded a scholarship to the National Flagship Principal Development Program. Her university research explored the development of trust within high performing collaborative learning cultures.
Since joining Abbotsleigh at the start of Term 4 in 2025, Ms Cameron has formed warm and trusting connections across the school community. Her positivity, calm presence, and relational leadership have supported a smooth and energising transition into a new season for the Junior School.
Meet the Deputy Head of Junior School – Wellbeing and Engagement, Mrs Carmen Gaspersic
With a strong belief in valuing student individuality and placing wellbeing at the heart of her role, Mrs Carmen Gaspersic is committed to creating a nurturing environment where every student can thrive and engage in learning that inspires them to achieve their personal best.
Mrs Gaspersic holds a Bachelor of Education and Certificate of School Management and Leadership from Harvard. She has held several leadership roles across a variety of Independent schools in Sydney and has been the Deputy Head of Abbotsleigh Junior School since 2020.
Carmen values the meaningful relationships she develops with students, parents and staff and sees these connections as important foundations for a supportive and collaborative educational community.
Meet the Deputy Head of Junior School – Learning and Pedagogy, Mrs Peita van Bussel
Peita has led our youngest Junior School learners as the Transition to Year 2 Coordinator since 2017. Joining Abbotsleigh in 2010, her commitment to nurturing student success has been evident in her various roles across the Junior School. Valuing life-long learning, Peita holds a Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education, a Postgraduate Diploma of Special Education, Master of Special Education and a Graduate Certificate of Educational Wellbeing.
Peita firmly believes that success emerges from strong academic foundations, with the careful cultivation of skills in critical thinking, problem-solving and perseverance. She holds a voluntary position as part of the NESA Teacher Expert Network, advising on curriculum reform and reviewing the new syllabus documents and support materials, prior to their release. Peita is deeply committed to the wellbeing of girls, fostering initiatives to broaden social-emotional learning and deepen connection and empathy among the students. She delights in the girls’ sense of wonder, encouraging agile and deep learners.
