My family and I are very excited to have made the move to Denmark to join this special community! I share your dream for children to be raised in a school that promotes community, a love of learning, connection with the environment, and of course learning through play. I feel honoured to join this team and lead the school to build upon the achievements that it’s community has made since its conception.

As a passionate and experienced teacher, I began my learning journey into nature pedagogy at Bold Park Community School, and developed my skills in this teaching alongside Elders on Country in a remote Aboriginal school in the Pilbara. I then worked as a curriculum consultant with the CSIRO where I co-authored a resource for schools integrating traditional Indigenous knowledge and learning on Country with the WA curriculum, and most recently returned as Principal back in the Pilbara.

I have always been focussed on student well-being and student learning, and pride myself as being approachable and collaborative in order to deliver the best outcomes for students, families, and teachers. If you are a prospective parent, I look forward to meeting with you soon and supporting your children to become life-long learners.

 

I am feeling very fortunate to become a part of the Spirit crew. My first experience at Spirit of Play was during a practical component of my Bachelor of Education degree.

During this time, it became apparent that this school is special in the following ways: dedicated and passionate staff, supportive and proactive parents, confident and compassionate students, environmental and indigenous focus, child centred learning, and of course – the most picturesque setting for a school. During my studies I worked as an Education Assistant and also homeschooled my three children for eight years.

In 2016 I had a variety of experiences working as a relief and contract teacher. For the majority of 2017 I worked in Denmark in a Physical Education specialist role. My personal towards teaching is driven by authentic and situated learning, as well as creating opportunities for integrating curriculum content in meaningful ways.

I have four children of my own, the eldest being 24 and youngest is 15. My hobbies include anything artistic, reading, sport – especially soccer, surf club and surfing, gardening, bike riding and keeping fit. I love living in Denmark and feel so blessed that my children have been raised here. 

 

When you come into the grounds of Spirit of Play, you are entering into a
very magical place where children grow into confident and active life-long
learners.

I was initially attracted to Spirit of Play because of the school’s ethos to
provide early years and primary education grounded in play, exploration,
nature, Noongar culture and creativity. As an avid hiker, I am continually
learning from being outdoors in nature and believe that nature provides a
pivotal learning opportunity for children to learn, explore and discover
our incredible world.

While studying my undergraduate degree in Law and Geography, I worked
part time at an early learning centre in Perth as an education assistant.
This sparked my passion for working with children and from there grew
my desire to continue working with children as a career. I returned to
university to complete a postgraduate diploma in teaching and I haven’t
looked back since.

Children offer a unique perspective of the world and listening to their
stories, interests and passions brings so much joy to each day. As I join the
Spirit of Play family this year, I am excited to learn and teach alongside a
wonderful community of children, parents and staff.

 

It was with great pleasure and excitement that I joined the school as a staff member at the beginning of 2017. For two years my role was as the Specialist Art teacher and in 2020 I moved into an Education Assistant role. My experience at Spirit of Play began when my daughter attended kindergarten twelve years ago. My son has also been at the school since kindy and he is now in year four. Over that time I have watched the school evolve from a small early childhood school into what it is now… an amazing and vibrant school with classes up to Year Six. As it’s grown, the school has retained and refined the things that make it special. Things like the emphasis on learning through nature, play and creativity, a vibrant music program and learning about Noongar culture.

I really enjoy the wonder and excitement of the children as they learn about the natural world through the walkabout program and other nature based activities at Spirit Of Play. Living in the abundant and beautiful environment that we do here in Denmark it is wonderful to see it being utilised as not just a playground but as a stimulating learning environment.

One of the highlights of working at Spirit of Play is the wealth of knowledge and experience of the staff. Everyone has so much knowledge in their area of expertise from music through to science, permaculture and botany. It is wonderful to work in a supportive environment where everyone is on the same page.

I hope that the education offered by Spirit Of Play will ensure a generation of unique and socially responsible individuals who care for each other and their environment. I think the impact of this kind of learning can already be seen in the interests and knowledge of the older students at the school. I envisage that such empathy and wisdom will feed into the community of Denmark ensuring the emphasis on the environment, the arts and social well-being as the town grows.

I’d like to imagine that Spirit of Play will one day extend to the high school years so that students can attend for their entire schooling. I imagine a bustling and creative place where all ages intermingle, a school that is embedded in its environment and it’s community, a relationship of reciprocity – both receiving and sharing creativity and knowledge.

 

I have been involved with Spirit of Play since 2009 when my elder daughter started Kindy here. I quickly became an involved parent and served on the School Council for 4 years before transitioning to an administrative role in 2016 where I assist the Principal in the areas of governance, registration and compliance, and school expansion.

I’ve always loved the small and intimate nature of this school, where the staff are close knit and see the students as part of our extended family. I love watching all the children grow and blossom into such sparky individuals.

Prior to working at Spirit of Play I spent many years working on my Doctorate in Environmental Management. Through my research I was able to meet and work with Indigenous communities north of Broome and assist them in setting up a community Ranger program to look after marine turtles and dugong. I think that the work I did then has really helped me in my role at the School, as I had to develop good listening and collaboration skills when working with diverse community groups and organisations.

My biggest challenge is often to resist the urge make everything happen immediately, I can get pretty impatient with government processes and bureaucracy at times; but I have learnt to slow down and reduce my expectations of myself and the systems I work with.

A highlight of my time with the School has been the chance to watch this amazing place grow from such a small size to the thriving organisation it is now. I am really looking forward to seeing what the future will bring as we transition to a new school site and become a full Primary School.