Our Team

Diploma of Children's Services - Centre Based Care 0-8 years. Studying Bachelor Of Early Childhood Teaching (University of New England). Bec has worked in the Child Care Sector for 25 years and currently works 5 days per week in the Director position.

What do you love about Early Childhood as a profession? Working collaboratively with children, families and the wider community to provide an environment that encourages learning, discovery and a sense of belonging.

What do you love about St. Mark’s? We are a warm, welcoming, inclusive community of Educators, staff and families learning together in an environment that is built on and encourages Christian values and principles.

What do you feel are your strengths as an Early Childhood Professional? I am passionate about teaching children and seeing them grow and develop. I have good leadership and communication skills, and love making connections with staff, families, and community.

Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood Education 0-8 years), Newcastle University NSW. Shell has been with St Mark's Preschool since September 2002. Shell currently works 3 days per week as Educational Leader.

‍What do you love about Early Childhood as a profession? No two days are ever the same!! Children always make a bad day a good one with their positivity and honesty. I love witnessing their most formative years and being a part of the amazing growth and development that occurs at this time.

‍What do you love about St. Mark’s? What an amazing place to work! We provide a safe, welcoming space for children and families alike. As a staff, we are respectful of one another as professionals, colleagues and friends, and value each other’s opinions, philosophies, andideals. We also manage to have a lot of fun every day!!

‍What do you feel are your strengths as an Early Childhood Professional? I am friendly and welcoming. I love to laugh and have fun with the children, as well as prepare them for the journey towards formal schooling. I am empathetic and supportive of families, and value the wonderful input they provide.

Steph has extensive and varied Office Administration experience of 3 years.

‍What do you like about your job? I enjoy the relationships I form with staff and the wider St Mark’s Community.

‍What do you love about St. Mark’s? It is a welcoming, friendly environment that makes you feel like you are stepping into a family when you walk in the door. We are all working towards a common goal and under a strong philosophy that puts children and families' needs at the forefront.

‍What do you feel are your strengths? I love being able to take the load off others and help them to complete tasks and reach goals. I have excellent organisation skills.

Bachelor of Education Early Childhood and Primary (Charles Sturt University). Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (TAFE NSW). Ellie has worked in the Early Childhood Sector for 9 years and currently works 4 days per week as the Room Leader in the Possum Room.

What do you love about Early Childhood as a profession? I love observing and celebrating children’s curiosity, wonder and awe as they learn. It’s so important to help them grow into capable and independent lifelong learners.

‍What do you love about St. Mark’s? St. Mark’s has the best outdoor environment in Tamworth with so many beautiful and practical spaces for exploration and learning through play. The St. Mark’s team are supportive and a pleasure to work alongside.

‍What do you feel are your strengths as an Early Childhood Professional? My friendly nature allows connections with children, families and staff. I feel it’s important to work together for the benefit of the children. Setting up appeasing learning environments based on children’s interests is something I really enjoy and is where all the magic happens! I’m also passionate about play-based education.

Diploma of Children’s Services (Australian Childcare Career Options). Hayley has been working in the sector for 15 years.

What do you love about Early Childhood as a profession? I love forming strong, supportive bonds with the children and witnessing their progress and growth throughout the year, which is amazing. I also love seeing the little moments of pure joy they experience throughout their days.

‍What do you love about St. Mark’s? I love the warm and inclusive atmosphere. It has a strong sense of community and is a wonderful place to work.

‍What do you feel are your strengths as an Early Childhood Professional? I have a kind and nurturing nature with a genuine interest in the well-being and educational development of the children.

Diploma of Early Childhood Education & Care (TAFE). Molly has worked in the Early Childhood Sector for 5 years and currently works 5 days per week as an educator in the Possum Room.

What do you love about Early Childhood as a profession? I love being able to create a safe place for a child. For me, this involves teaching them self-help skills and providing a consistent and dependable approach for emotional regulation. I also love being immersed in messy play alongside the children.

‍What do you love about St. Mark’s? The Staff! The level of experience, knowledge and professionalism is unmatched anywhere else in Tamworth! I may be a little biased as Penn and Shell were my preschool teachers in 2004/2005.

What do you feel are your strengths as an Early Childhood Professional? I am empathetic, kind and caring. I am able to recognise children’s strengths and build upon those. I create meaningful observations / portfolio pages. I also love engaging and interacting with children at their level.

Certificate lll in Early Childhood Education and Care (TAFE NSW). She has been employed at the Centre since 2016. She currently works 3 days per week in the Possum Room.

What do you love about Early Childhood as a profession? I get paid to play! I love working with children and watching them grow to be the best person they can be!

‍What do you love about St. Mark’s? It’s such a wonderful place for all – to work at, play at, leave your children at.

What do you feel are your strengths as an Early Childhood Professional? The great conversations I have with the children and knowing their needs.

Studying Certificate lll in Early Childhood Education and Care (TAFE NSW). Renee worked in the Early Childhood Sector many years ago and has now decided to return to the sector and update her qualifications.

‍What do you love about Early Childhood as a profession? I love watching the children grow and learn and develop into independent, confident little children.

‍What do you love about St. Mark’s? I love the staff, families and children and our wonderful playground.

‍What do you feel are your strengths as an Early Childhood Professional? I think my strength is being patient, calm, nurturing and always putting the needs of the children first.

Diploma of Early Childhood and Care at New England Institute of TAFE.

Mary-Jane has been with St Marks Preschool since 2012 and currently works five days per week as the Room Leader of the Turtle Room.

What do you love about Early Childhood as a profession? I love the opportunity to participate in children’s growth and learning and celebrating all those special moments of life with them.

What do you love about St. Mark’s? It is a fun place to work. We laugh a lot and enjoy spending time with each other, the children and families.

What do you feel are your strengths as an Early Childhood Professional? I make strong connections, show empathy and support the families and children I work with. I am very good at identifying children’s individual needs and interests and planning for these.

Bachelor of Teaching - Early Childhood education (UNE).

Charlene has been in the Early Childhood Sector for 20 years and currently works five days per week at St Mark’s, 4 of them in the Turtle Room.

‍What do you love about Early Childhood as a profession? I love building connections with the children and families. I also find it rewarding to assist children to settle into the care environment and help them build confidence.

‍What do you love about St. Mark’s? St Mark’s is a very fun and friendly environment for both the children and staff.

‍What do you feel are your strengths as an Early Childhood Professional? Building connections with the children, providing them with support and a sense of safety on a daily basis.

Certificate lll in Early Childhood Education and Care. Currently studying Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care. Juanita has been working in the sector for 7 years in a variety of roles. She currently works 3 days per week in the Turtle Room.

‍What do you love about Early Childhood as a profession? I love encouraging children to learn about the world and their community. I enjoy helping them to explore and develop skills for navigating life as they grow older.

‍What do you love about St. Mark’s? Working with an amazing team of educators who are so involved with our families. Our philosophy that guides us in helping all children feel valued, loved and knowing that they are created by God.

‍What do you feel are your strengths as an Early Childhood Professional? I enjoy sharing my musical skills (singing, playing guitar). I have extensive cultural knowledge and love to provide opportunities for education in this area. I feel that I am a friendly person who is welcoming of the families and children in our Centre.

Certificate III Early Childhood education and care – Goodstart Training College, has been in the Sector for 25 years and is currently working 3 days a week in the Turtle Room.

‍What do you love about Early Childhood as a profession? The opportunity to be part of children’s lives, to help children develop and grow in a safe and happy place. No two days are ever the same and I continue to grow with the children.

‍What do you love about St. Mark’s? The family feeling when you walk through the front door. The feeling that all educators are here for the children. That children are allowed to be children in a safe and caring environment.

‍What do you feel are your strengths as an Early Childhood Professional? Willing to get down to the children’s level and listen. Work with children to create play spaces following their lead.

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (ACTAC) and has been in the Early Childhood Sector since 2019 and works 5 days a week in the Bilby Room.

‍What do you love about Early Childhood as a profession? I love the conversations I have with the children and how they all view things differently to one another. It delights me that they find so many things fascinating!

‍What do you love about St. Mark’s? The amazing children, families, staff, and little community we have at St. Mark’s!

‍What do you feel are your strengths as an Early Childhood Professional? The relationships I build with the children and their families and always making myself available for a conversation. I make an effort to communicate something significant about each child, so that the families have their own personal story daily.

Diploma of Children’s Services (Early Childhood Education and Care) and has been at St. Mark's since 1998. She currently works 5 days per week in the Bilby Room.

‍What do you love about Early Childhood as a profession? I love being part of the community that helps children grow, learn, and develop to their greatest potential. It is an amazing, fulfilling and rewarding career.

‍What do you love about St. Mark’s? The support and love from Management and co-workers. The comfortable and relaxed atmosphere and the fun we have with the children and each other!

‍What do you feel are your strengths as an Early Childhood Professional? I have a kind and caring nature with a passion for giving children the best start in life.

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and is currently studying her Diploma of Early Childhood and Care (TAFE). She currently works in the Bilby Room 5 days per week.

What do you love about Early Childhood as a profession? I love seeing children expand their imaginations and explore their environments. Seeing them grow into amazing little people and knowing that I am part of the process that starts them on their amazing life journeys.

What do you love about St. Mark’s? I love the staff and working in a Centre that collaborates with families to make the children’s experiences the best they can be. I also love our playground!!

What do you feel are your strengths as an Early Childhood Professional? My interactions with the children, story-telling and technology.