Media Statement - NEWS

Why this 
program?

Early Childhood is a unique and exciting phase of life. We honour this extraordinary period of childhood by providing our youngest students enthralling environments and unhurried time in which they can expand their curiosity through exploration and discovery.

How children learn in this stage

Young children learn through the relationships they build with others, having secure and trusting relationships is vital to young children’s wellbeing and learning.

 

Our classroom teaching team work carefully and intentionally towards establishing trusting and mutually respectful relationships with the children, families and within the group as a whole. As children develop a sense of belonging to a broader community, they build a basis for understanding their connection to the world around them.

Where children learn

Our early childhood classrooms are carefully prepared to be warm, inviting, and beautiful spaces. They are designed to evoke curiosity, wonder, experimentation, and exploration. Each day has a pattern and predictable rhythm that children become familiar with. This supports the development of their self-regulation skills within the environment. We intentionally provide learning experiences that encourage the children to work together building the skills required for teamwork.

Assessment of Learning

We are committed to building relationships with families and making the student's learning visible. Our educators regularly communicate with families through various modes. These include face-to-face meetings, EDUCA, our web-based story platform, or class meetings. Families can access on-line stories which provide a window into their child's learning via our online platform, EDUCA.

 

Children receive a letter from their teaching team and a portfolio twice a year. Recognising the imperative of early intervention, we utilise a range of developmental assessments and milestone indicators to monitor children's development and learning progress. These can be used to discuss any concerns with families or recommendations for further investigation.

Core Curriculum

Our early childhood programs are guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (V2). 
In addition to this our Out of School care program references My Time, Our Place

We implement the “Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum” – a student focused curriculum for teaching protective behaviors and understanding of healthy relationships.

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Our Teachers

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    SUE PHILLIPS
    Team Leader - Early Childhood

    Team Leader - Early Childhood

    SUE PHILLIPS

    2018

    Sue has been a dedicated member of the Bold Park Community School since 2008, serving on our Early Years team. As a passionate and hardworking educator, she was appointed as the Team Leader for Early Years in 2024.

    Sue’s educational philosophy centers around understanding each student’s unique personality, interests, and abilities. She is committed to catering to their individual needs, ensuring a personalised learning experience. Sue places great importance on the social and emotional wellbeing of every student. Her love for teaching drives her to inspire and instill wonder in all those she educates.

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    VIENNA PARRENO
    Co-Educator

    Co-Educator

    VIENNA PARRENO

    Vienna is a strong believer in the critical importance of early childhood experiences, relationships and education in laying down the foundations for a happy, meaningful and healthy life. Vienna moved to Sydney with her immediate family in the early 1990s as an 11-year-old child. As a first-generation migrant she has lived through an often-complicated life of sometimes opposing contexts, but through this has also been fortunate enough to encounter people from all walks of life.

    Looking for greater direction, she enrolled in an early childhood postgraduate teaching degree at the University of Sydney, graduating in 2013. The post-grad course provided greater research and insight into early year brain development, and along with other philosophies she was there exposed to Reggio Emilia – which she happily made use of, organically fusing this with her many years in the creative arts. In 2015, Vienna relocated with her then partner (now husband, Craig) to Perth. As parents, Vienna and Craig were so happy to come across Bold Park when looking for more nature-based weekend activities for their daughter Isobel.

    They were amazed that something like Wildspace and Bold Park’s Wilderness Playgroup actually existed. The rich sensory activities that the teachers set up, the messiness and the mud – it’s truly what every healthy, happy, carefree childhood should have! From that beginning they came to learn about how special and different Bold Park is as a school, enrolling Isobel in the Pre-Kindy program as well. They love its authentic child centered philosophy and the focus on nature and Reggio Emilia, along with its wonderful community.

    As an educator, Vienna is grateful that through a confluence of many different things – early childhood education studies & work, the creative arts, parenthood- she came to be here.

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    GABBI LOVELADY
    Acting Junior Primary Team Leader

    Acting Junior Primary Team Leader

    GABBI LOVELADY

    1999

    Gabbi’s connection to Bold Park dates back to 1994, when her son attended Bold Park Kindergarten as a Pre-Kindy student. She was invited to do some relief teaching and to work as a teaching assistant in 1998. Then, as the school began its first year in 1999 as Bold Park Community School, she was given her first Pre-Kindy class.

    She has taught Pre-Kindy at BPCS ever since – to this day, the complexities and capabilities of the three-year-old child remain her passion. Gabbi has also held the leadership role of Early Childhood Team Leader since 2007.

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    FIONA HOLBEN
    Accounting Coordinator (REMOTE)

    Accounting Coordinator (REMOTE)

    FIONA HOLBEN

    Fiona is a dedicated business administrator with over 25 years’ experience in administration, bookkeeping and accounting roles. Holding a Bachelor of Business from Edith Cowan University, Fiona’s experience is varied from working in commercial business, to educational environments, and operating her own bookkeeping business.

    Fiona enjoys dynamic and caring environments. Her commitment to this extends beyond the office – she also enjoys golf, travelling, and spending quality time with family.

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    CAITLIN WALKER
    Co-Educator

    Co-Educator

    CAITLIN WALKER

    Caitlin joined the Bold Park team in 2022 after completing her Education Support studies in 2020. With a background in photography – and a childhood spent outdoors – she is excited to be a part of the Bold Park community, where creativity and nature, and their importance, are encouraged and incorporated into learning.

    Having watched her daughter Ellery’s growth, Caitlin realised how important it is to support a child’s development and learning while providing a challenging and hands-on environment. She believes that patience and acceptance are key in growing a child’s self-confidence to give them the tools they need to flourish.

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    LAURA BLACKMAN
    Wilderness Playgroup

    Wilderness Playgroup

    LAURA BLACKMAN

    Laura is a nurturing and conscious early childhood teacher who facilitates the Wilderness Playgroup.

    With extensive experience teaching within Early Years, Laura has spent six years leading the Preschool and Toddler Rooms at the UWA Early Learning Centre.

    Committed to providing outreach to children and families, Laura has also worked as a Young People’s Services Librarian for the City of Rockingham, an Austswim Teacher for the City of Canning, and a Birthday Party Host at The Pickled Fairy and Other Myths.

    The fairy inside has never really left!

    Laura is motivated by sparking joy and wonder within each child. Combined with her love of the creative arts and passion for reconnecting children with nature, she is excited to venture into the Wildspace at Bold Park.

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    EMILY WALLACE
    Lead - Physical & Health Education

    Lead - Physical & Health Education

    EMILY WALLACE

    Emily is a creative and inquisitive educator with a goal for all students to feel empowered and welcomed in the sporting space. Emily has an enthusiastic strive towards mindfulness in and outside of the classroom. Working part-time has allowed Emily to continue her passion in touch football and teaching it across schools in WA.

    Coming from an extensive sporting background, Emily has been pursuing her teaching profession throw a variety of experiences. Emily graduated with her degree in health and physical education in 2020 while working as a swim teacher.

    Being involved in a professional sporting team representing WA, this has helped Emily to develop a teaching perspective that focuses on being hard working and fair. Emily promotes independence, initiative and giving everything a go in her classroom.

    With previous experience of teaching senior school health and sport, Emily has taken on this teaching role to find new challenges, connections and experiences to expand her profession. Emily also hopes connecting with young people will help her discover more about herself and new ways to make learning fun.

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    AMY WAINWRIGHT
    Co-Educator

    Co-Educator

    AMY WAINWRIGHT

    2021

    In 2012, Amy graduated from university in England after completing her studies in Children and Playwork and moved over to Australia 6 years ago. Amy enjoys building positive relationships with her team, children and families.

    Before starting at Bold Park in 2021, Amy worked as a coordinator for before and after-school care, caring for children aged 3-12 years. Over the past 13 years she has worked in a number of services, including schools and daycares. She also was an Au Pair for a family of 5 children, and completed various placements in Adventure Playgrounds, Children’s Hospitals and Social Services during her studies.

    Amy loves being an educator and making a positive contribution to children’s lives through their learning and development. She enjoys working as part of a team and having fun! Most of all she loves the funny things the children say – they make her smile every day!

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    TAYLAH PHELPS
    ELC and SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION COORDINATOR

    ELC and SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION COORDINATOR

    TAYLAH PHELPS

    Taylah joined the Administration team at Bold Park in October 2022. She is an experienced Administrator, working previously as a Receptionist, Office Administrator, and Executive Assistant.

    Taylah loves being a friendly face that staff, families and visitors can put their trust in and rely on. Taylah had not been at BPCS for long before she felt very at home within the school community.

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    HELEN DOWEY
    LEAD Educator

    LEAD Educator

    HELEN DOWEY

    2011

    Helen has worked in early childhood education since 2005. She is passionate about working with young children and graduated with a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) in 2012.

    She has worked at BPCS since 2011 as an intern and teacher. She began working at BPCS as she believes in seeing the child as an individual and giving every child the opportunity to learn in their own way. She enjoys cooking every week with the children.

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    ERICA SKELLY
    Co-Educator

    Co-Educator

    ERICA SKELLY

    2021

    Erica is originally from the north of England and has lived in London, Hong Kong and Sydney, before settling in Perth. She started her Bold Park journey in 2021 when her son started middle school, and she began volunteering in the Wild kitchen with Fran.

    Erica has a Diploma in Nursery Nursing from the UK and has worked in a variety of childcare settings. She has a passion for working with children and families in the Early years. Erica enjoys concerts and travelling.

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    TOMOKO YAMASHITA
    Co-Educator

    Co-Educator

    TOMOKO YAMASHITA

    2001

    Tomoko joined the Pre-Kindy team at BPCS in 2001, as she had a great interest in early childhood education. As she worked, she completed her Certificate 3 in Children’s Services (0-12yrs). Tomoko left in 2009 to prepare for the birth of her daughter, Sakura, and returned in 2013. Now, as the mother of a child who speaks Japanese at home and English at school, Tomoko is very interested in how to support children in early childhood who speak more than one language.

    Apart from her work in Pre-Kindy, Tomoko works across the whole of the Early Childhood department, not only supporting the Japanese speaking students but also working with their families to support their understanding of the BPCS philosophy.

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    SARAH POLSON-BROWN
    LEAD Educator

    LEAD Educator

    SARAH POLSON-BROWN

    2012

    Sarah graduated with honours in Primary and Early Childhood Education from Murdoch University in 2012. She thrived whilst working from 2013 as a Co-Educator at Bold Park Community School during her studies, having found like-minded educators with a passion for innovative teaching and learning. Sarah’s work has been acknowledged with publications for AISWA, and awards such as the Vice Chancellors Commendation For Academic Excellence at Murdoch University.

    Over the past 10 years she has taught in the early years, from the youngest members of BPCS in Playgroup through to Year 2. With two short periods on maternity leave over the past few years, she has also had the opportunity to work in a relief capacity with students throughout middle and upper primary.

    Sarah considers herself to be a motivated and innovative individual who has a commitment to engaging and inspiring students into the 21st century of education. She has developed a holistic approach to education which considers the whole child. She believes that children can only truly excel to achieve their personal best when surrounded by adults who enable their learning and capacity for trust, competence and independence.

    Current and innovative research in the field of education is constantly evolving – as is Sarah’s personal and professional knowledge and experience. Sarah welcomes a teaching career that invites her to always ask the question; ‘how can I best support my students in their development to be healthy, happy and active contributors in an ever-evolving society?’

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    RENATA BIANCARDI
    Visual Arts Specialist

    Visual Arts Specialist

    RENATA BIANCARDI

    2010

    Renata moved to Perth, Western Australia in 2006. Her interest in the arts began as a child – she grew up the daughter of an artist, surrounded by musicians and creatives. Influenced by street art and the diversity of Brazilian artists, Renata uses a broad range of mediums in her work.

    When Renata completed her Bachelor in Fine Arts and Art Education in 2001, she combined her nurturing side with her love of art working in the field of art education. This resulted in opening her mind to a whole new experience in Visual Arts.

    Prior to beginning at BPCS in 2010, Renata worked for seven years creating, planning, developing and managing integrated Arts and Education. Having taught in a range of different environments and age levels, she believes in the power of creativity and art as an important language for our society these days.

    Working at BPCS Renata has found a perfect place to learn, grow and share her passion for art and education with the children around her.

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"I love how much my daughter’s teachers genuinely care for her and see her as a whole person."

Pre-Kindy Parent

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Questions?

Speak to our Early Childhood Coordinator
Email: ELC@BoldPark.com
Phone: +61 8 9387 5050

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PEDAGOGISTA

Nicole Hunter

QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor of ScienceGraduate Diplomas in Education (Science and Early Childhood)Masters of Education

AT BPCS SINCE: 2004

Nicole fervently believes that quality early life relationships, experiences and education are critical in providing a solid foundation for healthy life patterns and continuous learning. Nicole has both contributed to and experienced the growth of Bold Park Community School as a parent, teacher and board member; first joining the community in 2001, when the school was a one-room primary school! She became part of the Early Childhood teaching team in 2004.
From 2008 until 2015 Nicole was Early Childhood Co-Team Leader with the responsibility of expanding the outdoor learning program and National Quality Standards. In 2016 Nicole was appointed to the role of Pedagogista. This role sees her working, in collaboration, with the teaching teams and leadership to align the principles, practices and philosophy of Bold Park with current educational research and translate these into the daily experience of students and families.
To this role, Nicole draws not only her many years of experience in the Bold Park context, but also her teaching experience in a breadth of contexts including high school science and early years learning. Nicole is grateful to have had the opportunity to travel internationally to visit educational contexts of Reggio Emilia and has recently completed her Master’s of Education in Teaching and Learning.