Leadership Team

Principal Team

Principal – Brent Houghton

Brent has been the Principal of Coburg High School since March 2021. He was the Acting Principal of Melbourne Girls’ College (MGC) between April 2020 and January 2021 and prior to that an Assistant Principal at MGC with a wide variety of responsibilities in student management, pedagogy and data. Brent has a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours), Diploma of Arts (Political Science), Diploma in Education and Master of Education (Educational Management) from the University of Melbourne. Brent’s passions are in providing opportunities for students to lead others; giving students meaningful and authentic voice to improve the learning environment; and in developing a professional learning community which stretches students at their point of need.

Assistant Principal of Student Engagement, Support and Management – Gary Vella

Gary is an English and Humanities teacher who has been a student leader at Coburg and local schools and has taught internationally with many years in the UK. Responsible for the Student Support Team at CHS, his role covers the sub-schools, wellbeing, events and enrolments. Gary is passionate about setting high standards and providing students with the best possible learning environment.

Assistant Principal of Operations and Inclusion – Melanie Buscema-Moore

Melanie is an English and Humanities teacher with more than 15 years of educational leadership experience in Student Support, Curriculum and Operations. First joining CHS in 2015 when it reopened as a 7-12 school, Melanie is passionate about ensuring Coburg High provides opportunities for all students to excel, both within and outside of the classroom. The Operations and Inclusion portfolio aims to strengthen Coburg High’s role in the community as a proudly inclusive and safe school where all of our students can achieve their personal best.

Acting Assistant Principal of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning
Selina Dennis

Selina is an English Language and Software Development teacher who has had many years of experience in curriculum, teaching and learning. She has led faculty and whole school curriculum teams and has worked on multiple study design teams for VCAA, producing successful study designs from multiple VCE areas. Selina has almost two decades teaching experience in government schools in the Moonee Valley and Merri-bek areas. In 2025, Selina is responsible for the Curriculum Executive and Teaching and Learning Teams at CHS. Her role covers curriculum programs, assessment, data and reporting, pathways, as well as professional development for staff to enhance teacher capacity in the classroom.