Staff


To learn more about Currambena’s staff, click on the name of the staff member:

Chris Price, Preschool Assistant

“I discovered the magic of Currambena, enrolled my two boys and joined the staff in the Preschool. The children challenge my own humanity every day. We are partners in the learning experiences we encounter throughout the Preschool day. I enjoy the excitement of working with my colleagues, parents and children in maintaining the ethos of Currambena.”

Outside school, Chris teaches conflict resolution skills to adults and other professionals in childcare, and enjoys navel gazing and drinking champagne. She is a trained therapy radiographer and has been chief therapy radiographer at Royal North Shore, a part-time lecturer at Charles Sturt University and bookshop owner.

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Chris Rochester, Arts and Crafts Teacher

“I first came to Currambena in 2002 as a relief art teacher and was so inspired by the place I came back to fill the post in the last term of 2003. The high level of enthusiasm, commitment and creativity from children, parents and staff combine to make Currambena feel more like a community than an institution.”

Chris completed a Bachelor of Fine Art (painting), a Diploma of Fine Art (painting) at the National Art School in 2000. Since then he has been a practising artist with numerous exhibitions. Prior to this he served two years of a Bachelor of Education (Primary) at the Australian Catholic University and is now eager to never complete his degree.

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Claudia de Rachewitz, Specialist Teacher in Italian

“I come to Currambena each Wednesday to teach Italian to primary students. We practise the required vocabulary and then use our newly acquired vocabulary as we make a meal. In addition we learn about other aspects of Italian culture through stories, song and craft. Outside Currambena, I enjoy being a mother to two young children, cooking and gardening and following my interests in Italian culture.”

Claudia’s experience includes teaching Italian at three other Sydney primary schools.

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Fran McCarthy, Kindergarten and Year One Class Teacher

“I am constantly amazed at the talents of the children and the importance and complexities of the Currambena ways of teaching and learning. I believe important elements of the curriculum include teaching children conflict resolution skills and individual responsibility.”

Outside school Fran teaches Conflict Resolution to adults, has an interest in guitar playing and photography and continues to try her hand at all sorts of things between family life and Currambena. She has 7 years service as Currambena’s Preschool Director in addition to experience as a Preschool Director and Kindergarten teacher in Uganda. She has a Bachelor of Education (UTS).

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James Richardson – After School Care Coordinator – shared

James shares the role of After School Care Coordinator with Vanessa Maginnis

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Julianna McCarthy, School Coordinator

“With very heavy hearts we left Uganda in 1992, one of the important reasons being to find a better education. Rote learning was something we definitely did not want! But what did we want?

For twelve months we experimented with various schools; then by sheer chance we were introduced to Currambena. This was something definitely different and I was sceptical! Did they really do what they said? My five-year old son started with Wendy in May 1993. Shai (11 years old) and Victoria (4 years old) began in February 1994, at which stage we were one of the converted.

In November 2001 I signed a contract to job share the coordinating role and Victoria finished at Currambena to go off to High school. So I am still here and truly believe it to be a wonderful place that constantly challenges your ideas and where you are going with your life. Currambena has definitely given our family unforgettable life skills.”

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Lana Trofa, After School Care Assistant

“I come from a large family and have always enjoyed being around people. Since leaving school I have been studying at university and have undertaken several part time jobs to get me through. After working in waitressing, sales, data entry and telecoms, it’s easy to see that childcare is definitely the most fun!”

Currently Lana is studying at Macquarie University, where she began a Science degree, then transferred into a Bachelor of Chiropractic Science.

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Olivia McCarron, Years 3, 4, 5 Class Teacher

“I was a student at Currambena for 9 years and it is great to be part of a school that encourages the development of all aspects of the child, rather than just the academics.”

Olivia left her full-time position in Preschool at the end of 2003 to commence the Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood at Macquarie University at the beginning of 2004. She will be helping us in CASP (After School Care) and Preschool whenever she can.

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Soojin Kim – Preschool Assistant

“I first came to Currambena in 2005, after leaving my country in search of the more insightful and essential ethos of alternative schools. I started to learn about Currambena under Wendy’s supervision, when I was doing one of my uni courses, and then began working in CASP and Preschool casually last year. Since this year (2007), I started my career as a Preschool Assistant and am thrilled by the fact that what I love to do is my work.”

Soo Jin completed a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Psychology in Korea. After working as an instructor for children’s dynamic meditation, and a Free School (one of the alternative primary schools in Korea) teacher for Years 3 & 4, she came to Australia to complete her Master’s in Educational Psychology from Sydney Uni and Grad. Dip in Languages Teaching from UTS. When not working, she enjoys tea-ceremony and energy-dancing.

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Sue Goode, Preschool Director

“I came to Currambena at the beginning of 2004 as a Preschool assistant and now have taken on the role of Preschool Director. I am challenged, absorbed and involved in Currambena, which so exemplifies the philosophy and practice I see as vital to early childhood and primary education. It is fulfilling working to provide truly child-centred, democratic education along with the staff, children and parents of Currambena.”

Sue has three older children and Sam in Fran’s class. She has a B. Ed (Early Childhood) from Macquarie University. She also has a B.A. and a Higher Diploma in Primary Education. Sue has worked with children with special needs for 8 years before coming to Currambena and enjoys reading, music, gardening, making things and the animals that live with her.

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Vanessa Maginnis – After School Care Coordinator – shared

“I frist experienced Currambena at the end of 2003 as a four week student placement for my Diploma of Children’s Services. I had read an article about democratic learning and was inspired by the respect and person-centred nature of this philosophy. I am very happy to be part of the Currambena community and be involved with the confident and capable students in CASP.”

Vanessa has recently returned from an 8 month student exchange in the UK to complete her BA Dip Ed (ECE) at Macquaries University. Vanessa shares the role of After School Care (CASP) Coordinator with James Richardson.

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Wendy Pettit, Years Five and Six Class Teacher

“I have the privilege of a very long association with Currambena, as student teacher, teacher, parent, Coordinator and Council member, among other roles over many years. As the school community gently evolves I delight both in the changes that accommodate different needs and in the essential philosophy, which remains constant. Children at Currambena know they are loved and that makes it a very happy place.”

Wendy holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours in Education), Diploma in Education, Diploma in Children’s Literature from University days. More recently she has studied Conflict Resolution and NLP, which she finds very useful adjuncts to her teacher training. She is currently completing a Graduate Diploma of Counselling.

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Posted December 11th, 2007 in General by admin