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Kindergarten
Heather Jessup teaches our Kindergarten class in a colourful classroom which combines initial learning with play.
"I have lived on Bundjalung country for most of my life and have strong family and community ties that connect me to the region. My background in early childhood education provides me with an approach to value and nurture a sense of belonging in students and to embed ther interests in their learning experiences. I support students to explore their curiosities, develop strong social skills and express their individuality through creative projects. I value that each student and family has a unique way of seeing and experiencing our world and that including varied perspectives makes for a rich education experience."
Years 1, & 2
Ishta Wilson teaches the composite lower primary class of Years 1 & 2.
“I have lived on the North Coast for over 20 years and love being on beautiful Bundjalung country. I am passionate about facilitating children’s learning through practical creative projects where the kids are free to express themselves, experiment, and find their own solutions. I strongly believe in giving children the tools they need to have every opportunity in life, the confidence and self-assurance to ask questions, make informed choices, take risks, and follow their dreams.”
Years 3 & 4
Ruben Davis teaches the composite lower primary class of Years 3 & 4.
I have lived in Nimbin for two years, moving to the region after 10 years teaching in Sydney. I have always had a special interest in the natural world. I see the role of a teacher much like a gardener that tends to the growing conditions a plant needs to reach its full potential. Children learn through exploration, creativity and play, and I tend to the classroom environment to facilitate that growth. I have developed a particular curiosity for developing hands on resources that help students achieve not only academic excellence, but the joy of self-expression with this ethos. I love Tuntable Falls Community school for its child-centric approach and the nurturing community environment it is a part of.
Years 5 & 6
Joe Landers is our Teacher Coordinator and teaches the composite upper primary class of Years 5 & 6 and presents the performing arts activities.
"Having taught all ages over 25 years of teaching, I believe that a sustainable education is one that sets children up to live a healthy and satisfying life with the resilience to face all of life’s challenges and changes. I see awareness of each child’s developing abilities and interests, as the crucial building blocks for facilitating a positive engaged connection to learning. What I aim to nurture in each student is their natural sense of wonder, curiosity, creativity, empathy, imagination, play and connection to nature."
Sustainable &
Environmental Education (SEE)
Emily Jett works with each class group using the garden, ethno-botany trail, makerspace and kitchen to deliver her curriculum in Geography and History.
Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Mathematics (STEAM)
Emily Jett leads our children on adventures into the wonderful world of STEAM powered learning – aka Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics.
“In our project-based learning we focus on the practical application of scientific thinking to solve problems, experiment with the world around us, and communicate our findings through artistic mediums. This is hands on science where students are encouraged to really question and discover. As a team we formulate big questions and explore the scientific process. Our primary aim, as with all good science, is to build on and challenge existing understanding and hopefully end up with many "Eureka!" moments.”
Learning and Support Teacher (LaST)
Ochitha Karunaratne is our specialist Learning and Support Teacher who assists teaching staff to assess students' progress and gently guide individual children through any learning hurdles.
"I am passionate about equity in education. Developing respectful and positive relationships with students, parents, carers and colleagues is also very important to me.
Learning should be fun and relevant in order for students to be engaged, retain and process their knowledge, and create new understandings. I strive to make learning accessible and meaningful, and to provide opportunities for every student to experience a sense of achievement."
Circus
Simon Adams is an extracurricular teacher who provides the most amazing circus skills with the assistance of Freya Barber.
Simon holds a Bachelor of Sport & Exercise Science, is a dancer and independent artist. He has toured the world professionally, worked as the head of dance at Lismore Conservatory, been the Artistic Director at Spaghetti Circus and now coaches Circus at Circus Arts in Byron Bay.
Freya has holds a Certificate 4 in Circus Arts from the National Institute of Circus Arts.
Teacher's Aides
Between them, our amazing teacher’s aides have decades of experience working alongside children. Amanda King, Freya Barber and Cath Smith engage with students in a multitude of learning activities, such as one-on-one literacy support, small-group numeracy support and assisting teachers in class, art projects, science lessons and gardening sessions. They also provide support in sports and on excursions and camps.
“We all love the culture of the school, the students, parents, working alongside our colleagues, and the nurturing natural environment.”
Other Support Staff
In the office we also have a wonderful administration officer, René Norwie, and long time bookkeeper and former parent at the school, Roger Chester.
The Committee
A management committee, made up of elected parents, runs the school as a cooperative.
The current members of our Management Committee are Blossom Gillard, Adjana Flow, and Bart Bunting.
As parents of enrolled students at Tuntable Falls Community School, our Committee Members have a long-term commitment to the success and growth of the school. The Committee meets weekly and, with the support of the Teacher Coordinator, they are responsible for the overall management of the school. Our teachers and support staff report directly to the Committee.
Please feel free to contact a committee member if you have any questions, comments or concerns.
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