About DFS Consultancy

DFS Consultancy is an education consultancy run by Dr Deborah Seifert, B Sc (Hons), Dip Ed, M Ed St, D Ed, FAIM, MACE.  

Having begun her career in education as a secondary school teacher of Mathematics, Deborah  held  various pastoral, curriculum and administrative roles in independent and government schools as well as in the tertiary sector for over thirty years. Her educational leadership positions have included nine years as Principal of Fintona Girls’ School, Melbourne, and six years as Head of University College, affiliated with The University of Melbourne. 

Deborah has a strong commitment to school effectiveness through school review, performance management and change management. She has overseen enormous changes in schools including school restructuring, review of curriculum, re-imaging and the appropriate upgrading of facilities.  Deborah has presented papers at numerous conferences within Australia and internationally as well as published articles in a range of educational journals and popular press. 

Deborah is currently a member of the Council of Presbyterian Ladies' College, Melbourne, a Director of The Invergowrie Foundation and also Chair of the Mary Jane Lewis Scholarship Trustees.

Serving on the Victorian Executive of The Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia for a number of years, Deborah also served on the Editorial Committee of Principal Matters, the journal of the Secondary Principals’ Associations of Australia and has been a member of a number of reference groups set up by the Association of Independent Schools of Victoria. Deborah also served as secretary of the Victorian Chapter of The Australian College of Educators. 

Deborah has been a reviewer for the Victorian Department of Education Government Schools' Triennial Reviews as well as verifier for the Performance and Development Culture Reviews. She is an accreditation adviser for The Council of International Schools (CIS), joining accreditation teams to international schools in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi Vietnam, Vientiane Laos, Tokyo Yokohama and Hiroshima Japan and Florence Italy as well as undertaking preliminary visits to schools in Asia and within Australia. Deborah  is also an accreditor for the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), joining their accreditation teams to international schools in Yokohama Japan and Bangkok Thailand. Other educational consultancy work has included facilitation of strategic planning, Head Evaluation, Board Training on Roles and Responsibilities, research and publication on Principal Leadership, assistance with senior appointments and staff professional development seminars.

Email: dseifert@dfsconsultancy.com

web page: www.dfsconsultancy.com