GIRRINBAI STAFF
2011
STAFF HAPPENINGS
Jenny and Linda on our Crazy Hair Day March 2012.Raising money for Cystic Fibrosis.
Staff Training in 2012
* Linda, Gillie and Jody completed their Senior First Aide in the school holidays.
* Sue upgraded to a Senior First Aide in February 2012.
* Lyn has attended a seminar on Business Management in February.
* Lyn has attended a seminar on developing our Quality Improvement Plan in March.
* Lyn has completed her recertification of Senior First Aide in March.
* Staff have discussed lock down procedures and we have reviewed our service philosophy.
Mrs Gail Brewer Retires from Girrinbai.
It is with sadness that I have received the official resignation letter from Mrs. Gail Brewer. Gail has been a wonderful teacher for Girrinbai. I have worked with Gail for 16 years at Girrinbai and I feel very honoured and privileged to have worked alongside a colleague who has given 100 percent of commitment for the children and families that have attended Girrinbai. Girrinbai will lose a very dedicated teacher and friend. I know how hard Gail pondered this decision. Teaching young children can be very demanding on our bodies with the small furniture and the daily lifting of equipment every day. It is only this reason why Gail feels that now is the time. However, we will not lose Gail completely as she has agreed to help with casual teaching from time to time and she may need to step in for Office Time in the future due to changing regulations
I personally would like to thank you for your role and friendship as well as guidance over the years. Please keep in touch.
A Dedication to Kim Halsey From Lyn Best
In Memory of Kim who passed away on the 7th August 2007 from Breast Cancer.
* I remember the day that Kim came to see me to ask if we had any positions at the centre. It was my first year at Girrinbai (1994) . Kim told me that the only experience that she had with children was in raising her own two children- Kate and Todd. It must have been fate. I was looking for a new Special Needs Support Assistant to commence in Term Two. After spending time talking to Kim about the position and her role at the centre- it did not take me too long to sense that Kim was a warm, genuine and caring person. I always rely on my emotions to guide me.
Kim started at Girrinbai in April 1994. Kim and I shared a lot in that first year. We both lost our dads one week apart. The warmth and understanding that Kim displayed too me at this time will always be appreciated. We both struggled together through this ordeal in our lives. Her positiveness kept me going to deal with my grief at that time.
During the 13 years that I worked with Kim- I knew that any child who I enrolled with a special need ( Autism, Downs Syndrome, Hearing Disabilities) Behavioural Difficulties, Developmental Delays, Muscular Dystrophy, Physical Disabilities) - would have a very caring and committed and warm support person to guide them through their childhood
Kim was willing to take on board the programmes that I implemented for the children. Kim ( along with our other support staff) attended any in-service training that I recommended to help develop her knowledge and skills .
Over the years- Kim became so skilled in reaching and supporting children with additional needs. I knew that no matter what disability a child had-Kim had the patience and understanding to be able to provide their lives with appropriate guidance and nurturing during their time at Girrinbai.
I will miss her terribly as will all of us at Girrinbai. But I can’t help feeling that she is still apart of us in many things that we do here. Her memory will never be forgotten.
I was not able to speak at her funeral on behalf of the centre as I was too sick at the time.
I wish to thank our management committee again- in particular Sue Gay- Sue called me at home during my illness to say that she was closing the centre so that all staff could farewell our special friend. We thank you deeply.
In my 22 years of teaching under a management committee- The committee’s at Girirnbai over the years have been the most compassionate and decent caring individuals . No wonder the children that we teach are so special to us all.
Thank you Kim for being you.
Lyn :
The Director of Girrinbai and Teacher of the Kimberley Room. Lyn has been teaching for 25years and directing for 23 years. Lyn has lectured in Child Development at the Belmont TAFE. She obtained her Degree of Early Childhood Education at Newcastle University.
Her interests in education are :
Maintaining a high quality
service.
Maths and Science in Early
Childhood.
Implementing a Non-Sexist
Play Program.
Perceptual Motor Skills-movement
and music combined.
Gifted Programming.
Child Development.
Persona Dolls.
Anti- Bias Education.
Special Needs.
Sue :
The Teacher in the Coral Room . Sue has been teaching for 26 years and has her Degree of Early Childhood.
Her interests in education are:
Persona Dolls.
Enrichment activities for
older children going to school.
Music and Movement both
through free expression and perceptual development.
Art and craft.
Block Play -encouraging Anti-Bias
play through blocks and making accessories to enhance play.
Linda:
The Assistant in the Coral Room and Kimberley.
Linda has worked at Girrinbai Preschool since its inception and holds her Diploma in Early Childhood.
Her interests in education are:
Signed English /Auslan and
Makaton.
Teaching the Staff Signing.
Introducing the children to
animals.
Jody :
The Assistant in the Coral Room on Monday and Tuesday. Jody has her Diploma in Social Science ( Child Studies) from TAFE and has Worked at Girrinbai for 13 years.
Her Interest in education are:
Non-sexist and Anti- Bias
Programming.
Creative Play experiences.
Creativity.
Drama/Music and Movement.
Special Needs Children.
Gillian
The Assistant in the Kimberley Room on Wednesday/Thursday and Friday.. Gillian has her Associate Diploma of Child Studies and started at Girrinbai in 2005. Gillian has been a Child Care Worker for 16years.
Her Interest in education are:
Sharing her love of the Asian Culture especially Thai and the
Vietnamese.
Story Telling- using any props to enhance the story that I
can create.
The outdoor environment and helping the children to discover
the wonder in the environment.
Cheryl :
The Special Needs Assistant in the Coral Room. Cheryl has worked in this role for 19 years.
Her Interest in education are:
Recycling and the
environment.
Special Needs Children.
Jenny :
The Special Needs Assistant in the Kimberley Room. Jenny commenced in this role in 2007.
Her Interest in education are:
Special Needs.
Ensuring children receive
individual and a warm environment.
Further developing strengths
and skills in Early Childhood.
Working as a Team Member to
achieve quality care.
Special Needs Assistants:
Girrinbai also employs other Special Needs Assistant when required. Anne-Maree Wells , Tracy Manderson , Mandy Harvey and Jetaime Best.
Neen :
Office Manager.
Neen has been with the centre since the commencement of Term Four 2000 and looks after all our clerical and administration duties.
Her Interests at Girrinbai include:
Maintaining a quality
service.
Public relations.
Cultural Teachers
Our Cultural Teachers
Her Interests at Girrinbai include:
Incorporating Cultural programmes in the Early Childhood Curriculum.
Assisting children with
English as their second language to integrate in the centre.
Speech Pathologist:
Emma Hardie is our Speech Pathologist. She also has a Private Practise