Teaching Team
Deanne Millar– Director, Nominated Supervisor, Educational Leader and Teacher of our 4yr old Koala Group.
Dee joined us as Director and teacher of the 4 year old groups in 2015. Dee’s passion for early childhood education grew out of watching her own children blossom. She embarked on her learning journey, which continues 18 years later. Dee believes, ‘Each day you have the opportunity to offer students the world, to give them life- changing knowledge and experiences. Relish the possibilities.’ She is looking forward to working with families to ignite a love of learning in our children that they can carry into school and beyond.
“As the educational leader it is my role to inspire, motivate and guide our teaching team along a path of continuous improvement ensuring our knowledge and practice are exemplary. This is a collaborative endeavour involving research and reflection, to provide the best possible outcomes in the important work our educators do with the children and families of Hurlingham Preschool.”
Deanne Millar– Director, Nominated Supervisor, Educational Leader and Teacher of our 4yr old Koala Group
Dee joined us as Director and teacher of the 4 year old groups in 2015. Dee’s passion for early childhood education grew out of watching her own children blossom. She embarked on her learning journey, which continues 18 years later. Dee believes, ‘Each day you have the opportunity to offer students the world, to give them life- changing knowledge and experiences. Relish the possibilities.’ She is looking forward to working with families to ignite a love of learning in our children that they can carry into school and beyond.
“As the educational leader it is my role to inspire, motivate and guide our teaching team along a path of continuous improvement ensuring our knowledge and practice are exemplary. This is a collaborative endeavour involving research and reflection, to provide the best possible outcomes in the important work our educators do with the children and families of Hurlingham Preschool.”
Felicity Jones– Teacher of our 4 year old Wombat Teacher
Felicity is an experienced and qualified early years educator having worked in both community kindergartens and Early Learning Centres. When planning a kindergarten program of children my philosophy and passion is based on play based learning. Children learn through play. When playing, children are organising, constructing, manipulating, pretending, exploring, investigating, creating, interacting, imagining, negotiating and making sense of their world and environment. Play base learning encourages children to learn through doing, through investigation and through inquiry developing lifelong skills along the way. Children’s learning needs to be relevant and meaningful to them. A rich play-based program will assist children develop the foundations for a life-long love for learning.
Felicity Jones– Teacher of our 4 year old Wombat Teacher
Felicity is an experienced and qualified early years educator having worked in both community kindergartens and Early Learning Centres. When planning a kindergarten program of children my philosophy and passion is based on play based learning. Children learn through play. When playing, children are organising, constructing, manipulating, pretending, exploring, investigating, creating, interacting, imagining, negotiating and making sense of their world and environment. Play base learning encourages children to learn through doing, through investigation and through inquiry developing lifelong skills along the way. Children’s learning needs to be relevant and meaningful to them. A rich play-based program will assist children develop the foundations for a life-long love for learning.
Natalie Cromer– Teacher of our 3yr old Bilby Group
Natalie joined our fabulous teaching team in 2018 and has been teaching in both 3 & 4 yr old kindergartens for 18 years. She is currently teaching the 3 year old Echidna Group and co-teaching the 4 year old Wombat Group. Natalie believes that Kindergarten is one of the most important learning experiences for a young child. Not only do they develop crucial social skills, but the majority of their learning experiences are through play. As a teacher, Natalie believes it is her responsibility to provide each child with the environment, skills and opportunity to experience and learn through their individual interests.
Natalie Cromer– Teacher of our 3yr old Bilby Group
Natalie joined our fabulous teaching team in 2018 and has been teaching in both 3 & 4 yr old kindergartens for 18 years. She is currently teaching the 3 year old Echidna Group and co-teaching the 4 year old Wombat Group. Natalie believes that Kindergarten is one of the most important learning experiences for a young child. Not only do they develop crucial social skills, but the majority of their learning experiences are through play. As a teacher, Natalie believes it is her responsibility to provide each child with the environment, skills and opportunity to experience and learn through their individual interests.
Shona Burley – Teacher of our 3yr old Echidna Group
Shona joined us in 2019 working casually in the Kindergarten Program, she is now going to be running the Kookaburra extended care program on Tuesdays and Thursdays and the Platypus 3 and 4yr old extended care program on Friday afternoons. Shona is a fully qualified teacher who has been working in the Early childhood sector for over 15 years. Her Teaching Philosophy focuses on each child’s individual developmental needs; as a Teacher she wants to provide a holistic program that values the whole child within the context of their family, community and culture. “I look forward to teaching and guiding your children through their kindergarten experiences and watch them grow,develop and become independent and confident individuals.”
Shona Burley – Teacher of our 3yr old Echidna Group
Shona joined us in 2019 working casually in the Kindergarten Program, she is now going to be running the Kookaburra extended care program on Tuesdays and Thursdays and the Platypus 3 and 4yr old extended care program on Friday afternoons. Shona is a fully qualified teacher who has been working in the Early childhood sector for over 15 years. Her Teaching Philosophy focuses on each child’s individual developmental needs; as a Teacher she wants to provide a holistic program that values the whole child within the context of their family, community and culture. “I look forward to teaching and guiding your children through their kindergarten experiences and watch them grow,develop and become independent and confident individuals.”
Orlinda Alla– Teacher of Echidna & Wombat Groups (currently on maternity leave)
Orlinda started with Hurlingham in 2017 as the Platypus Group teacher, before then moving into the Echidna and Wombat teaching roles. Orlinda’s teaching philosophy is to engage in positive relationships with each child and their family throughout the year to ensure growth and achievement in all areas of their learning journey. She believes that all children learn and develop at their own pace. As their teacher, she will strive to create and maintain a safe, supportive and enriched environment in which all children can feel socially, emotionally and physically safe and valued. Once they feel safe and supported then they will thrive while exploring the world around them.
Orlinda Alla– Teacher of Echidna & Wombat Groups (currently on maternity leave)
Orlinda started with Hurlingham in 2017 as the Platypus Group teacher, before then moving into the Echidna and Wombat teaching roles. Orlinda’s teaching philosophy is to engage in positive relationships with each child and their family throughout the year to ensure growth and achievement in all areas of their learning journey. She believes that all children learn and develop at their own pace. As their teacher, she will strive to create and maintain a safe, supportive and enriched environment in which all children can feel socially, emotionally and physically safe and valued. Once they feel safe and supported then they will thrive while exploring the world around them.
Pam Moulton– Educator of our Koala Group
Pam commenced at Hurlingham in June 2014. Pam is passionate about the education of pre-school children. She loves the way that children absorb everything around them and their enthusiasm for learning.
Pam Moulton– Educator of Koala Group
Pam commenced at Hurlingham in June 2014. Pam is passionate about the education of pre-school children. She loves the way that children absorb everything around them and their enthusiasm for learning.
Christine Driscoll- Educator of our 3yr old Bilby and 4yr old Wombat Groups
Chris has been at Hurlinham since 2006 and loves working with children. Chris has a belief that nurturing leads to children feeling safe and supported so that they can grow into capable and confident learners. Chris is passionate about our community and your children.
Christine Driscoll- Educator of our 3yr old Bilby and 4yr old , Wombat Groups
Chris has been at Hurlingham since 2006 and loves working with children. Chris has a belief that nurturing leads to children feeling safe and supported so that they can grow into capable and confident learners. Chris is passionate about our community and your children.
Sallyanne Greenwood – Educator of our Echidna Group
Sallyanne commenced at Hurlingham as a volunteer in 2018 after moving to Melbourne in the same year. “As an educator I believe that kinder is an important part a child’s life, a place to feel safe and nurtured in an environment that encourages learning through play. A place to build confidence and independence for lifelong learning. Outside of kinder, I love to keep healthy through cycling, yoga, paddle boarding, cooking and love playing the guitar.”
Sallyanne Greenwood – Educator of our 3yr old Echidna Group
Sallyanne commenced at Hurlingham as a volunteer in 2018 after moving to Melbourne in the same year. “As an educator I believe that kinder is an important part a child’s life, a place to feel safe and nurtured in an environment that encourages learning through play. A place to build confidence and independence for lifelong learning. Outside of kinder, I love to keep healthy through cycling, yoga, paddle boarding, cooking and love playing the guitar.”
Ayona– Platypus Extended Care Co Educator
Ayona joined our team this year 2022. She has been associated with preschool kids since 2010. Ayona finished her Master’s in Education (gifted education) From Monash University (Clayton) in 2008. Since then she has worked with various organisations. She is highly motivated to address the participation barriers of children with additional needs as she firmly believes that inclusion is a right. Ayona has innate love for children and derives immense pleasure and motivation in nurturing children to grow into confident human beings. “The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child’s own natural desire to learn” Maria Montessori
Ayona– Platypus Extended Care Co Educator
Ayona joined our team this year 2022. She has been associated with preschool kids since 2010. Ayona finished her Master’s in Education (gifted education) From Monash University (Clayton) in 2008. Since then she has worked with various organisations. She is highly motivated to address the participation barriers of children with additional needs as she firmly believes that inclusion is a right. Ayona has innate love for children and derives immense pleasure and motivation in nurturing children to grow into confident human beings. “The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child’s own natural desire to learn” Maria Montessori
Deb Brennan- Our emergency Teacher
Deb is a a retired primary school teacher with 45 years experience in education. In 2020 due to COVID restrictions in schools, Deb began volunteering at Hurlingham Preschool in the Wombat group initially and then in the Echidna and Platypus groups as the year went on. This year she is working with Sally in the Platypus extended care group whilst keeping up her volunteer role on other days. Deb’s love of teaching grew from her own childhood enthusiasm for learning, an enthusiasm she strives to foster in all children in her care to this day. Deb has been married to Gerry for 42 years and they have 3 adult children. She loves to catch up with friends and family and has taken up bike riding in retirement.
Deb Brennan- Our emergency Teacher
Deb is a a retired primary school teacher with 45 years experience in education. In 2020 due to COVID restrictions in schools, Deb began volunteering at Hurlingham Preschool in the Wombat group initially and then in the Echidna and Platypus groups as the year went on. This year she is working with Sally in the Platypus extended care group whilst keeping up her volunteer role on other days. Deb’s love of teaching grew from her own childhood enthusiasm for learning, an enthusiasm she strives to foster in all children in her care to this day. Deb has been married to Gerry for 42 years and they have 3 adult children. She loves to catch up with friends and family and has taken up bike riding in retirement.
Georgie Manning– Administrator, Operations & Enrolments
Georgie began working at Hurlingham temporarily in June this year and loved it so much she successfully applied for the Admin, Operations and Enrolment role. She is a mother of three children and actively participated on Committees throughout their kinder years. She is studying Social Science (Psychology) and understands and believes in the importance of quality early childhood education. It is very rewarding to be part of the team at Hurlingham preschool and I look forward to meeting you all in person soon!
Georgie Manning– Administrator, Operations & Enrolments
Georgie began working at Hurlingham temporarily in June this year and loved it so much she successfully applied for the Admin, Operations and Enrolment role. She is a mother of three children and actively participated on Committees throughout their kinder years. She is studying Social Science (Psychology) and understands and believes in the importance of quality early childhood education. It is very rewarding to be part of the team at Hurlingham preschool and I look forward to meeting you all in person soon!
