Leigh
I am passionate about early childhood and believe that learning takes place when children feel emotionally and socially secure, when they are actively engaged, interested and challenged by experiences and their learning environments!
I have been in Early childhood education for over 20 years, I returned to Riverside in August 2018, to take on the role of Director & Educational leader after previously teaching here from 2004 -2016. I am looking forward to leading the team into the future.
Carolyn
Carolyn joined the staff at Riverside, firstly as a casual teacher in 2018, and now as our 2 day Sirocco Room teacher.
She has nearly 20 years experience in long day care centres and in preschools. Her desire is to nurture and educate children to become confident leaners. She has a particular passion for children’s literature. She has 3 children of her own 24, 22 and 17.
Cindy
Cindy has been an early childhood educator for over ten years. This year she happily joined the Riverside Preschool family and felt very lucky to become part of the team.
Cindy believes that each child comes to the early childhood setting with different set of experiences, knowledge and interests. The children bring their own deverse ways of living, being and knowing from their individual families and communities to the early childhood setting. They experience belonging, being and becoming in different ways, therefore it is important to ackowledge, value and respect the histories, cultures, languages, traditions, child rearing practices and lifestyle choices of famillies.
Cindy has twin girls who are four years old. She enjoys that she is a 24-hour early childhood educator.
Chris
Chris has been an educator at Riverside since it opened in 2002. During this time, she has connected with many children and families within the preschool community.
She is very passionate about nature, the environment and sustainability and she enjoys educating the children about the world around us.
Gemma
Gemma has been an early childhood educator for over 10 years. Her extensive experience in early childhood education has given her amazing opportunities to work in preschools across Canada as well as day care centres and preschools in Australia. Gemma is passionate about mindfulness, music, movement and yoga, she became a qualified children's yoga instructor while in Canada. She loves to incorporate these practises with children.
Gemma is a mother to a busy 1 year old boy. In her spare time she loves trips to the beach, travelling and going on adventures
Gina
Gina has worked in the Early Childhood Education and Care industry since 2003. This year we welcome Gina back from maternity leave, she will join us in the 3 day Sirocco Room..
Her understanding of children’s learning and development has been gained from a combination of theory and practice in both Australia and overseas. She believes, each child is entitled to have an equal opportunity to learn, develop and grow and the best way to maximize a child’s learning potential is to work in partnership with families and community, supporting and co-operating with each other.
Jacqui
Jacqui has had a long relationship with Riverside, firstly as a parent and, since 2012, as an educator. Jacqui has now completed her Masters of Teaching (Early Childhood). Congratulations Jacqui! In 2020 she is the 3 day teacher in our Sirocco Room.
With a background in mathematics and science, Jacqui loves sharing this interest with the children.
Bonita
Bonita joined the Riverside team in 2023
and works in the office.
Julie
Julie has been working at Riverside Preschool as a casual staff since 2017. Julie has two daughters, one of which attended preschool at Riverside. Julie shares her time in both classrooms and as an inclusion support educator. Julie has a nurturing nature and loves to engage and encourage the children's imagination, creativity and learning.
Lisa
Lisa is the Team Leader of the Zephyr Room, and is Educational leader for Riverside Preschool. Lisa joined the preschool in 2008. She has a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and has worked in preschools and long day care centres for over 15 years.
Lisa has two children of her own and, in her spare time, loves to holiday with her family.
Manori
Manori has been at Riverside Preschool since 2013 and is an educator who works five days a week, sharing her time between both rooms. She is an enthusiastic individual with a caring, nurturing personality, perfect for working with children in their early years.
Manori has two teenage sons and loves spending time with her family.
Michelle
Michelle has been an educator at Riverside for 20 years.
Michelle recognises that everything is a potential learning experience and that learning can be part of every moment of the day. She especially loves promoting and encouraging children’s imaginations and creativity through shared experiences.
Michelle has three adult children and loves spending time with them.
Sam
Sam is currently an educator in our Sirocco Room on Mondays and Tuesdays, the rest of the week she joins us as an inclusion support educator across both rooms. Sam enjoys her varied role and she loves to see the progress of the children she works with and sees them flourish with the extra support.
Sam has two teenage girls who keep her extremely busy with their adventures.
Silvana
Silvana has been working at Riverside since 2012, firstly as a casual staff member and, since 2015, as a permanent educator. In the past, she has been an Authorised Supervisor and has been involved with the preparation of accreditations in preschools and long day care centres.
She has a strong belief in the importance of giving children the best start to life through interactive, stimulating education that develops their own self-worth and self-esteem.
Silvana is the mother of two teenage girls.