Administrative Staff

Administrative Staff

Currambena has one full time coordinator (who is assisted by two part time assistants). The coordinator, together with the Council and teachers, are responsible for the day-to-day running of the school. There is no Principal.

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.”

Preschool staff

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.

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. She is a trained therapy radiographer and has been chief therapy radiographer at Royal North Shore, worked overseas been a part-time lecturer at Charles Sturt University. She has owned bookshops several rural properties. She is also secretary of CLCR (www.forchildrights.com) which supports Heartland Children's Academy in Nepal.
She enjoys being in the bush, yoga, navel gazing drinking champagne

Michael Richardson, Preschool Assistant

After completing High School, Michael started working in the CASP (Currambena After School-care Program) and it was as though he had never left, after being a student at Currambena from preschool to year six. Michael worked in the CASP for a year, and when the preschool assistant job in the Preschool became available, he successfully applied for the position in February 2011. Michael is now a valued and permanent member of the Preschool Team.

Teaching staff

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.

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.

Fran McCarthy, Kindergarten 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 many years’ service as Currambena’s Preschool Director and Kindergarten teacher, in addition to experience as a Preschool Director and Kindergarten teacher in Uganda. She has a Bachelor of Education (UTS) and is working towards a Masters of Education (Psychology)

Blake Michell, Year One Class Teacher

Sarah Macgillicuddy, Year Two Class Teacher

I heard about Currambena while studying for my teacher’s qualification, a school where children were encouraged to express themselves and contribute to the school community without the restrictions associated with a conventional school system. It almost seemed too good to be true. I walked through the gate of Currambena in 2007 and began working in the after-school care facility, here I encountered an ethos that was vastly different to that which I was familiar from my practical teaching placements; an ethos that was based on collaboration and involved the students and parents in the day-to-day running of the school. After graduating I assisted in the classrooms of Fran, Jo, Olivia and Wendy, and now enjoy the privilege of teaching Grade 1. I have found the unique learning environment of Currambena challenging at times, but deeply rewarding. So much so, that I can’t imagine teaching under a conventional educational system. Outside school, I enjoy walking, hanging out with my dog, gardening, listening to music, and cooking for friends and family.

Louise Doran, Years Three and Four Class Teacher

I came to Australia nearly two years ago from the UK and after working casually in Sydney’s public schools for several months, I was feeling disillusioned with teaching. It was a gift to spot the advert for the teaching job at Currambena. From the moment I read the website I knew this was the school for me. Currambena encompasses all the aspects of teaching that I am passionate about: encouraging a love of learning through enquiry and freedom to explore, everyone using conflict resolution and respect and care for each individual child. I am blessed to be a part of this school and community.

Yumi Wong-Pan  (Relieving teacher for term 1, 2013) Years Five and Six Class Teacher

I have always been fascinated with  the different philosophies in education and am a believer in child-centred education. After working across mainstream schools across Sydney in my first years in teaching, I discovered Currambena and was instantly intrigued by the school's unique educational environment, it's philosophies and pedagogies. I began work as a casual in Louise and Wendy's class in Term 3, 2011 and also took on work at CASP. Currambena has been a refreshing and exciting place to work in and I am constantly amazed at the amazing ideas the children come up with. I love the passion and love of learning the children possess and the sense of community and belonging that the school brings.

I have a background in fashion design (having studied at East Sydney Design College) and a Bachelor of Education (UTS). I also tutor high school students on weekends and volunteer as a Sunday School teacher as I love working with children.

In my spare time, I love to make floral arrangements, play with my dog Pearl, watch movies and play boardgames with my husband. I am also working on an art exhibition and currently doing lots of paintings in my studio at home.

Wendy Pettit, Years Four, Five and Six Class Teacher

“I have had the privilege of a very long and varied association with Currambena, as student teacher, teacher, parent, Coordinator and Council member, among other roles over many years. As the school community 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 BA (Hons Ed), Dip Ed and 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 has recently completed a Graduate Diploma of Counselling.