Teaching Team
Meet our Teachers
Deanne Millar – Director, Nominated Supervisor, Educational Leader and Teacher of our Koala and Wombat Groups
Dee joined us as Director and teacher of the 4yr old groups in 2015.
Her passion for early childhood education grew out of watching her own children blossom in the kindergarten setting. She embarked on her learning journey, which continues more than 20 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 Koala and Wombat Groups
Dee joined us as Director and teacher of the 4yr old groups in 2015.
Her passion for early childhood education grew out of watching her own children blossom in the kindergarten setting. She embarked on her learning journey, which continues more than 20 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 Group
Felicity is an experienced and qualified early years educator having worked in both community kindergartens and Early Learning Centres.
“When planning a kindergarten program for 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 Group
Felicity is an experienced and qualified early years educator having worked in both community kindergartens and Early Learning Centres.
“When planning a kindergarten program for 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.”
Orlinda Alla – Co-Teacher of the Koala Group and Lead Teacher in the Platypus Group – returning from 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 – Co-Teacher of the Koala Group and Lead Teacher in the Platypus Group – returning from 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.
Natalie Cromer – Teacher of our 3 year old Bilby Group
Natalie joined our fabulous teaching team in 2018 as the teacher in the Platypus Group. She has been teaching both 3 year old and 4 year old groups in sessional kindergartens for almost 20 years.
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 most 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 3 year old Bilby Group
Natalie joined our fabulous teaching team in 2018 as the teacher in the Platypus Group. She has been teaching both 3 year old and 4 year old groups in sessional kindergartens for almost 20 years.
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 most 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 3 year old Echidna Group
Shona joined us in 2019 working casually in the Kindergarten Program.
She 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 3 year old Echidna Group
Shona joined us in 2019 working casually in the Kindergarten Program.
She 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.”
Meet our Educators / Teachers Assistants
Christine Driscoll – Educator of our 4 year old Wombat Group
I have been part of the Hurlingham family since 2006, over the course of that time I have had the pleasure of working with both the 3 and 4 year old groups.
I sincerely believe that a sessional kindergarten such as Hurlingham is best placed to give our children the best start possible with a smooth transition to school the following year. While your children are attending Hurlingham you can be assured that they are in a safe and secure place with educators who are passionate about their role in your child’s life. Outside of kinder I like to keep fit and catch up with my ever-growing family.
Christine Driscoll – Educator of our 4 year old Wombat Group
I have been part of the Hurlingham family since 2006, over the course of that time I have had the pleasure of working with both the 3 and 4 year old groups.
I sincerely believe that a sessional kindergarten such as Hurlingham is best placed to give our children the best start possible with a smooth transition to school the following year. While your children are attending Hurlingham you can be assured that they are in a safe and secure place with educators who are passionate about their role in your child’s life. Outside of kinder I like to keep fit and catch up with my ever-growing family.
Jessica Corbyn – Educator of our 3 year old Echidna Group
I joined the amazing Hurlingham team in 2022 and I work as part of the team with the Bilby and Koala groups. My passion for early education started when my children were attending a community run kindergarten in which I participated on the committee and was constantly involved in parent duty.
I strongly believe that good play-based learning in the early years sets children up for successful schooling. Children thrive when they are able to explore, feel safe and motivated.
Outside of kinder, I enjoy getting out of the city and into the outdoors with the family.
Jessica Corbyn – Educator of our 3 year old Echidna Group
I joined the amazing Hurlingham team in 2022 and I work as part of the team with the Bilby and Koala groups. My passion for early education started when my children were attending a community run kindergarten in which I participated on the committee and was constantly involved in parent duty.
I strongly believe that good play-based learning in the early years sets children up for successful schooling. Children thrive when they are able to explore, feel safe and motivated.
Outside of kinder, I enjoy getting out of the city and into the outdoors with the family.
Ayona – Co-Educator of our extended care Platypus Group
Ayona joined our team this year. 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.
Ayona is highly motivated to address the participation barriers of children with additional needs as she firmly believes that inclusion is a right. She 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 – Co-Educator of our extended care Platypus Group
Ayona joined our team this year. 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.
Ayona is highly motivated to address the participation barriers of children with additional needs as she firmly believes that inclusion is a right. She 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
Meet our Emergency Teacher
Deb Brennan – Teacher of Platypus Group
Deb is an 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.
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 – Teacher of Platypus Group
Deb is an 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.
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.
In the Office
Georgie Manning – Operations/ Enrolments/ Administration and sometimes emergency assistant…..
Georgie began working at Hurlingham temporarily in June 2021 and loved it so much she successfully applied for the Operations and Enrolments role. She has three school age children and has actively participated on Committees throughout her children’s kinder years.
Georgie is studying a Certificate 3 in early childhood and hopes to further her studies to be a kindergarten teacher in the future. She understands and believes in the importance of quality early childhood education. It is very rewarding to be part of the team at Hurlingham Preschool.
“I learn every day from our teachers! “
Georgie Manning – Operations/ Enrolments/ Administration and sometimes emergency assistant…..
Georgie began working at Hurlingham temporarily in June 2021 and loved it so much she successfully applied for the Operations and Enrolments role. She has three school age children and has actively participated on Committees throughout her children’s kinder years.
Georgie is studying a Certificate 3 in early childhood and hopes to further her studies to be a kindergarten teacher in the future. She understands and believes in the importance of quality early childhood education. It is very rewarding to be part of the team at Hurlingham Preschool.
“I learn every day from our teachers! “
