Kathy Walker
Founding Director
Kathy Walker is a renowned Melbourne-based Educational Consultant who conducts a range of professional development sessions throughout Australia for staff working across all sectors of early childhood and primary education as well as a range of government organisations . She also works with parent groups on a range of topics. Kathy is formerly a university lecturer in education and author of the best selling book for parents, What's the Hurry? as well as her latest book for teachers, Play Matters on the Australian Developmental Curriculum
Shona Bass
Chief Executive Officer
Shona Bass has worked in the education sector for thirty years. Early in her career Shona taught in secondary independent and public schools and mentored tertiary students in teacher training. Shona completed her PhD in the Department of Medicine at the University of Melbourne specializing in children's growth and development. Shona built an international research career and has been the recipient as principal Investigator of numerous internationally and nationally competitive grants;
Sandy Breit
Parent support
Sandy currently works as a community support worker at Cystic Fibrosis Victoria. Previously she worked as a Counsellor at The Alfred Hospital for over 11 years. She has also worked as a Counsellor at the Victorian Deaf Society and at Children and Family Services at Monash University. Before changing career directions, Sandy was a Primary Teacher & also worked as a Family Support Worker assisting people with parenting skills and organisational skills.
Helen Newton
Australian Developmental Curriculum Mentor
Helen is a retired Primary School Principal who has worked extensively in all sectors of education: preschools, primary schools, special schools, special education consultancy, secondary schools, preservice teacher training, and universities. She has taught overseas as well as in Australia.
Helen’s formal academic studies include qualifications in early childhood education , special education, and a Master’s Degree in educational administration.
Maria Kyrgias
Australian Developmental Curriculum Mentor and School Readiness assessments
Maria has many years of teaching experience, including positions as Assistant Principal in the primary sector. She has also taught in the middle school sector and in the Education faculty of a tertiary institution.
Maree Mullen
Australian Developmental Curriculum Mentor and Community Presentations
Maree is an experienced primary school teacher who has had many roles of responsibility in teaching and coordinating in the junior, middle and upper year levels of primary school.
She has extensive teaching experience in the early years of schooling and has been a Prep Coordinator for many years.
Emily Ryan
Australian Developmental Curriculum Mentor
Emily has always had an unwavering commitment to quality education. Throughout her teaching career she has had a wide range of experience in all curriculum areas and grade levels at a range of schools across the state. Much of Emily's teaching has been as a Prep Teacher and Junior School Co-ordinator; for the past few years she has worked in a Leading Teachers role while also teaching in the senior grades.
Lyn Benson Psychologist and Family Therapist
Counsellor
Lyn is a fully Registered Psychologist and Family Therapist in private practice since 1996.
Lyn’s areas of special interest include : Changes in the couple relationship following the birth of children; Parenting; Relationship counselling; Women’s issues (in particular helping women become assertive); Family of origin issues; Stress and work related issues; Anxiety; Depression; Problem gambling and Sexual abuse issues.