Teaching Team
Deanne Millar– Director, Nominated Supervisor, Educational Leader and Teacher of Koala & Wombat
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 Koala & Wombat
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.”
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.
Shona Burley – Teacher of Kookaburra and Platypus Groups
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 Kookaburra and Platypus Groups
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.”
Natalie Cromer– Teacher of Platypus Group
Natalie joins our fabulous teaching team in 2018 as the teacher in the Platypus 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 Platypus Group
Natalie joins our fabulous teaching team in 2018 as the teacher in the Platypus 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.
Deb Brennan- Teacher of Platypus Group
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- Teacher of Platypus Group
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.
Pam Moulton– Educator of Koala & Wombat Groups
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 & Wombat Groups
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.
Sallyanne Greenwood – Educator of Kookaburra and Platypus Groups
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 Kookaburra and Platypus Groups
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.”
Christine Driscoll- Educator of Echidna, Wombat & Platypus 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.
Christine Driscoll- Educator of Echidna, Wombat & Platypus 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.
Elaine Moore– Administrator
Elaine has been involved with the kinder since 2007, when her son, Andrew, attended and then again in 2010 with her daughter Jessica. It was during Jessica’s time at kinder that Elaine joined the committee as a class rep and then the enrolment officer. It was towards the end of Jessica’s kinder time that Elaine saw an opportunity to continue her relationship with Hurlingham and took on the role as the office administrator.
Sam Jensen-Muir- Operations and Enrolments Manager
Sam became involved with the kinder when her first child started at Hurlingham in 2007. She was Enrolment Officer for 2 years before taking on the role of President. After 6 consecutive years at the kinder with her 3 children, the Committee asked her to stay on and become the Operations and Enrolments Manager. Sam believes Hurlingham epitomises the best of community kinder, creates a special environment for the children and their families and enjoys working with the wonderful team of educators.
Elaine Moore– Administrator
Elaine has been involved with the kinder since 2007, when her son, Andrew, attended and then again in 2010 with her daughter Jessica. It was during Jessica’s time at kinder that Elaine joined the committee as a class rep and then the enrolment officer. It was towards the end of Jessica’s kinder time that Elaine saw an opportunity to continue her relationship with Hurlingham and took on the role as the office administrator.
Sam Jensen-Muir- Operations and Enrolments Manager
Sam became involved with the kinder when her first child started at Hurlingham in 2007. She was Enrolment Officer for 2 years before taking on the role of President. After 6 consecutive years at the kinder with her 3 children, the Committee asked her to stay on and become the Operations and Enrolments Manager. Sam believes Hurlingham epitomises the best of community kinder, creates a special environment for the children and their families and enjoys working with the wonderful team of educators.
