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Our School & Admin Team

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Jessica Chesterfield

Principal

Jessica is an accredited AITSL Lead Teacher with a Master of Leadership. She leads Yarranlea’s educational and operational life, working with the Board to shape a school where every child is known, valued and supported to thrive.

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Sally Silva

Business Manager

Sally brings extensive experience in finance, accounting and commercial management, including senior financial leadership with Qantas. With qualifications in business and law, she supports Yarranlea’s operations, governance and long-term sustainability, providing strong financial foundations for the school’s future.

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Sharlene Roach

Finance

Sharlene is a Chartered Accountant with a Master of Business Administration. Her experience in auditing and financial leadership supports Yarranlea’s financial operations, systems and processes, helping build the sound organisational foundations that underpin the school’s day-to-day work.

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Rebecca Zouliou

Teacher

Rebecca brings experience in early childhood and primary education across Australia and the United Kingdom, with a focus on early years and multi-age learning. Her qualifications in education and child development, alongside further mental health study, inform her understanding of play, relationships and wellbeing.

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Andrew Platten

Teacher

Andrew began at Yarranlea as an OSHC Educator while completing his teaching degree, before moving into classroom teaching. His experience across school and care strengthens his understanding of children throughout their day, with relationships, connection and knowing each learner shaping his approach.

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Shontelle McCarthy

Teacher

Shontelle brings more than 20 years of experience across primary, special and early childhood education. With postgraduate qualifications in special education, she creates responsive, inclusive learning environments that recognise individual needs and help children build confidence, experience success and engage meaningfully in learning.

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Anika Watson

Teacher

Anika brings teaching experience from Queensland, London and Japan, with a background in physical education, creative learning and the arts. As a relief teacher at Yarranlea, she draws on hands-on workshops, gardening and creative education to support engaging, positive learning experiences.

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Michiko Nakagawa

Japanese Teacher

Known as Michi, Michiko brings Japanese language and culture to life for students from Prep to Year 6. Through engaging learning and cultural experiences, including calligraphy, she helps children develop communication skills, cultural understanding and curiosity about the wider world.

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Michelle Blythe

Music Teacher

Michelle is an experienced music educator with expertise in classroom music, instrumental tuition and ensemble direction. With qualifications from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and in Kodály teaching, she helps children develop musicianship, creativity and confidence while discovering the enjoyment of music.

Our OSHC Team

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Maree Pooler

OSHC Director

Maree combines extensive experience in children’s services, administration and management. She supports school administration and leads Before School, After School and Vacation Care, bringing strong organisational knowledge and connections with children and families that provide continuity across school and care.

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Claire Jones

OSHC Assistant Director & Teacher Aide

Claire brings 17 years of early childhood experience, including 15 years managing a childcare centre. Working across OSHC and the school, she draws on her leadership and programming expertise to help children build confidence, independence and self-belief through play, exploration and meaningful connections.

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Stephanie Kennedy

Teacher Aide & OSHC Educator

Steph brings 26 years of education experience and has supported Yarranlea children since 2019 across learning enhancement, classrooms and care. She creates safe, inclusive environments, placing wellbeing and strong relationships at the centre of helping every child feel understood and experience belonging.

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Elizabeth Johnson

OSHC Educator

Known as Liz, Elizabeth is a Certificate III-qualified educator and longstanding member of Yarranlea’s team. She supports children across Before School, After School and Vacation Care, bringing experience, familiarity and continuity to a welcoming environment built on positive relationships and belonging.

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Daniel Cardona

OSHC Educator & Teacher Aide

Daniel is studying a Bachelor of Education and holds a Certificate III, with previous experience in inclusion support. Working across school and OSHC, he brings interests in sport and fitness to supporting children’s learning, participation and positive experiences within the Yarranlea community.

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Isaiah Carter

OSHC Educator

Isaiah is an ACA Registered Counsellor with qualifications in psychology and counselling. His experience in children’s wellbeing, resilience and anti-bullying programs informs his work at OSHC, where he uses a strengths-based approach to support positive relationships, confidence and a sense of belonging.

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Sienna Austin

OSHC Educator

Sienna is studying Speech Pathology with an interest in paediatrics. Her experience as a children’s swimming instructor and background in musical theatre, songwriting and performance bring creativity to OSHC, complementing her interest in helping children communicate, connect and enjoy meaningful experiences.

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Toni Galvin

OSHC Educator & Teacher Aide

A former Yarranlea student, Toni is completing a Bachelor of Education and brings experience in OSHC, dance teaching and aquatic environments. She enjoys giving back to her school community, creating safe, welcoming experiences where children can build confidence, friendships and creativity.

Our Board

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Adrienne Innes

Chairperson

A qualified lawyer and Foundation Director, Adrienne helped establish Yarranlea as an independent school. With four children who attended Yarranlea, she brings a strong personal connection alongside experience in governance, administration and financial management, supporting the school’s long-term future and commitment to multi-age education.

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Wendy Smith

Director

Wendy is a Foundation Director whose four children attended Old Yarranlea State School. She brings more than 20 years’ experience in education-sector administration, with expertise in community liaison and facilities management. Her longstanding connection reflects a deep commitment to multi-age learning and meaningful relationships between children, families and their school. 

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Leauarne Adams

Director

Leauarne is a Wulli Wulli woman and higher education professional with more than three decades’ experience supporting student success. A Yarranlea Director since 2016 and mother of five Yarranlea alumni, she brings educational leadership, relationship-building expertise and a deeply personal commitment to the school and its community.

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Professor Jennifer Cartmel

Director

Jennifer is an academic specialising in extended education, outside school hours care and children’s wellbeing. Commissioned to write the first My Time, Our Place framework, she brings research expertise and a valuable educational perspective to the Board, supporting Yarranlea’s commitment to multi-age learning, belonging and meaningful participation. 

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Emily Jackson

Director

Emily is a Chartered Accountant with experience across education and the not-for-profit sector in Australia and the United Kingdom. She brings financial management, strategic planning and audit expertise to the Board, supporting Yarranlea’s continued development and the strong foundations it provides for children’s learning and future success.

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