Meet our primary teachers

Michelle Walker

Group 3 Teacher

Michelle job shares with Katie in group 3, teaching our older students, including our pre-highs. Michelle was employed in 2006 and brings a diverse range of skills to the School. Michelle has understanding, tolerance and non-judgment in her daily work.

Along with her obvious love and enthusiasm to the Kinma students is her great passion and delight in watching her two young daughters flourish.

Qualifications: 2005 Bachelor of Education (Primary) (Edith Cowan University)

 Katie Court

Group 3 Teacher

Katie came to Kinma after completing her internship in her last year of studying her Masters of Teaching at UNE in 2016. Katie is also the mother of three children, and has a passion for creativity and design.

Qualifications: Masters of Teaching (Primary) - University of New England (2016); Bachelor of Fine Arts - University of NSW (2000) 

Grace Paddon

Group 2 Teacher

Grace joined the team of Kinma in 2014 from across the ocean, all the way from the UK. We have decided we will not be giving her back! Gentle, with a big heart, she's able to see beyond the facade. Grace has a passion for all things literacy based and brings the learning alive with ease and joy.

Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) Primary Education - Nottingham Trent University (2004)

Deepika Mistry

Group 2 Teacher

Deepika joined the Kinma family in 2017. She teaches with Tristan in Group 2 and is so excited to be teaching and learning at Kinma where she feels she has found her other home.

Deepika loves making things, all things art and is constantly intrigued by the beauty of the world around her.

Kate Chockman

Group 1 Teacher

Kate is yet another teacher who completed her internship with us all the way back in 2013. After a couple years teaching rurally and exploring the globe, Kate has returned to teach Group 1 with enthusiasm and excitement.

If you were ever searching for Kate at Kinma, you’d find her running around on the bottom field playing a game of soccer or observing and admiring the native wildlife. Kate has a strong passion for the environment, creative arts, and science which she utilises to spark children’s creativity and interest.

The inquiry-based and open-ended feel of Kinma resonates strongly with Kate’s teaching style. She loves to create learning experiences which allow children to naturally engage and explore. She finds that without even realising it, children extend their skill base. This is also the case in literacy, where experimenting with language becomes the fun and joy.

Tristan StClare

Group 2 Teacher

Tristan was employed in mid-2015 and has brought with him his longstanding love of the natural enviornment, in all forms. From making shelters to instruments, and just enjoying its beauty. Tristan has worked in a number of other independent primary schools before joining our team.

Qualifications: Graduate Diploma: Education - University of Wollongong (2000); Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) Cognitive Sicence - University of NSW (1997); Bachelor of Science (Hons.) - University of Sydney (1994)

Andy Lamond

Group 1 Teacher

Andy team-teaches with Kate in Group 1 (5-7yrs approx.) and was employed at Kinma in 2011, after completing his 4th year practicum with the school in term 2 of 2010. Andy is easy to find - guitar playing, singing pied piper of Kinma - sitting somewhere in the sunshine. Andy is a master at woodwork and fixing stuff along with surfing and spending enormous amounts of time for his young students.

Qualifications: Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) - Macquarie University (2010) 

Bea Heine

Key Learning Teacher

Bea team teaches group 2 (7-9yrs approx.) and was employed at Kinma in 2012.

Qualifications: Masters of Teaching (Primary) - University of Sydney (2011); Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) - University of Sydney (2007) 

Morag

French teacher

Jerome

Basketball teacher