Together we can do something wonderful
On top of being passionate and talented educators who care deeply about the wellbeing of children, all team members have participated in specialised trauma-informed and emotional literacy training to best support individual children’s needs. Team members are committed to self-development and nourishing their own wellbeing. This in turn allows them to be their best selves for the children.
We value diversity amongst our team and are proud of the unique talents, skills and experiences each member brings to Woodline.
Mel
Austin
Melanie is the Chair of the Woodline Board and she brings her vast experience in business and philanthropy to the table. Melanie is very passionate about creating a new paradigm in the education system as well as making sure Woodline is a thriving sustainable business that will continue for many years.
Lael
Stone
Lael is a Speaker, Author, Educator, Therapist and the Director of Energygame Pty Ltd and About Birth Pty Ltd. Lael often advises companies and educational facilities on trauma-informed practice and emotional intelligence. Her role on the Board is to ensure the vision, philosophy and cultural of Woodline is upheld.
Bianca
Limb
Bianca is a Teacher, Educator, Youth Worker and Case Manager and has spent many years volunteering with Lifeline Australia as a volunteer with telephone crisis support and suicide intervention. She is also part of the CFA and has a passion for policy, child safety and wellbeing practices.
Shaun
McWilliam
Shaun is a financial planner and the founder/owner and director of Edge Financial Advisory. He is also the President of the Newtown and Chilwell Football Club and he brings his expertise and experience with finance to ensure Woodline runs as a thriving business.
Mel
Austin
Melanie is the courageous founder behind Woodline. Her dedication and commitment has been pivotal in establishing the school, driven by fostering a nurturing environment for children. Alongside her husband Nigel, their generous philanthropic endeavours will leave a legacy of excellence and opportunity within the community.
Lael
Stone
Lael is the co-creator of Woodline, which stemmed from her background in counselling, parent education and trauma therapy. Her experience set the foundation and vision for the school and she continues to support the team and families with education, training and a pioneering vision of creating change in the education system.
Claire
Principal
Claire’s purpose is to foster our community, honouring the individual and the collective. Every decision she makes has the child at the centre. Claire leads with compassion, purpose and a sense of joy which filters down to our wonderful team of educators.
Kelly
Deputy Principal
Kelly is a passionate educational leader, learner, innovator, researcher and writer. One of her strengths is her capacity to see and describe the gifts of others in many forms. She is often dreaming, scheming and conversing about the possibilities for what school can be.
Beth
Business Operations Manager
As a founding team member, Beth has a deep understanding of all aspects of our school. Her high attention to detail and processes ensures that she provides exceptional operational management. Beth fosters strong relationships and provides beautiful holding and support for all community members.
We have chosen to call our teachers, Guides, as we believe that is the role of the adult is to guide children within their learning. We trust in the children’s ability to learn and the role of the Guide is to foster their intrinsic motivation to ask ‘why’ and to follow their passion and instinct.
We also have an Assistant Guides in each group to support the Guide with the social, emotional and academic development of children at Woodline. This may be achieved through holding space for a child who needs to share their emotions or have a sensory break, assisting individuals or small groups with their learning, roaming the learning space to see if any extra needs of the children can be met.
Ash
Group Guide
Ash values diversity, inclusion and social justice. They create wonderful opportunities for children to grow, explore and be their most creative fabulous selves.
Emily
Group Guide
Emily embodies the Woodline ethos of supporting the whole child and fostering safe learning environments. She treasures cultivating connections to self, others, and nature. Emily enjoys family time, exploring the outdoors and immersing herself in creative pursuits.
Liam
Group Guide
Liam has many passions including art, music, fitness and nature. He aligns with Woodline’s focus on social and emotional wellbeing and our creative approach to pedagogy.
Sarah
Group Guide
With a rich background in education and a deep-rooted passion for nature, community and child-centred learning, Sarah nurtures curiosity, creativity and compassion. Sarah not only brings the joy for the children but also the team.
Shae
Group Guide
Shae was drawn to Woodline as she values a place where the emotions, needs and differences of all are welcomed. She knows that relationships and connections are the key to a successful learning environment.
Talitha
Group Guide
Talitha believes that working with children is the most rewarding, most playful and most ever-changing work. She is passionate about childhood being immersed in nature, connection and play.
Bec
Specialist Guide
Bec is a talented musician and athlete. She endeavours to provide empowering, purposeful and collaborative experiences. She is passionate about all children accessing the Arts in a way that meets their indiviudal needs and that provides a platform for self-expression, reflection, transformation and creativity.
Bridie
Specialist Guide
One of Bridie’s biggest loves is Art. Creating it, seeing others create it, viewing it, talking about it, thinking about it, she loves everything about it. She believes that every child has an incredible capacity for creativity. Bridie shares her Reggio Emilia approach experience with the team providing a rich collaborative environment for research that is child led and fosters the many languages of children.
Cassie
Specialist Guide
Cassie’s extensive experiences allows her to nuture our young people through their educational journey with a strong environmental focus. She is an innovative educator with a drive to support the health and wellbeing of all beings and the planet.
Jess
Specialist Guide
Jess brings with her a wide range of experience, in particular wellbeing and librarianship. She has a calm and grounded approach and demonstrates genuine care for the children and all community members. Jess is reflective by nature and strives for everyone to have their needs met.
Steve
Specialist Guide
Steve is passionate about health, wellbeing and fitness. Steve values the importance of working in a team and building an environment where children feel safe to take on risks and challenges. He is also and advocate for sustainability, self-sufficiency and in particular, growing our own food.
Tammy
Specialist Guide
Tammy is passionate about children understanding Deaf culture and fostering deaf awareness. She provides opportunities for the children to learn collaboratively together and linking Auslan sessions with each group’s projects. Tammy is a dedicated and highly valued LOTE educator.
Casey
Group Guide
Casey’s warm, nurturing and reflective manner enables her to create safe spaces and build personal connections with children, families and our team. Casey loves spending time in nature and going for bush walks.
Amy
Assistant Guide
Amy has a love of working with children and a passion for mental health. She endeavors for children to develop emotional awareness and giving them the strategies to know when and how to ask for help.
Ash
Assistant Guide
Ash is passionate about the wellbeing of young people. She excels at the pedagogy of listening and has the ability to hold space for others. Ash enjoys sharing her love of cooking with the children.
Carolyn
Assistant Guide
Carolyn loves fostering connection, emotional wellbeing and offering support to people, in particular to chiildren. Her passions are travelling and anythign related to the snow. Carolyn creates a safe space for all at Woodline.
Kat
Assistant Guide
Kat enjoys learning, playing, laughing and creating pure magic with the children. She values when vulnerability is celebrated, and that wellbeing underpins every decision made at Woodline.
Stevie
Assistant Guide
Stevie’s kind, compassionate and patient personality is valued at Woodline. She is passionate about creating calm and nurturing environments where children feel connected and safe. Stevie prides herself on being as self sufficient as possible and embodying our value of environmental responsibility.
Tali
Assistant Guide
Tali is a ray of sunshine. She brings a calm and beautiful energy to all that she does. Tali is passionate about providing the support and nuture that she wished she would of had at school.
Tess
Assistant Guide
Tess resonates deeply with the wonder and awe of a child, believing in the magic that this life has to offer us. The spark and joy she gets from witnessing the world through the eyes of a child has kept her grounded in purpose. Tess brings a calming and balanced presence and beautifully holds space and supports the children.
Isabelle
Assistant Guide
We love Isabelle’s calm and kind nature. Isabelle has the natural ability to create space for children to feels safe and connected. When not at work Isabelle loves being in nature and enjoying the outdoors.
Teagan
Reception Guide
Teagan is a person of many talents and is always spinning many plates. She enjoys connecting with our community members every day. Teagan provides a welcoming, nurturing and safe space for all.
Peter
Grounds and Maintenance Manager
Pete takes great pride in his work and maintains our grounds and facilites to a very high standard. Pete brings with him a great sense of humour and funa and the Team and children adore him. Pete loves connecting with the children and finding ways to support their learning.
