Staff
We have a small team of teaching staff and educators and we are proud of our experienced and caring team, and their record of continuous service.
Pre Prep teaching staff
Nikki Samuel, Director and Pre Prep Teacher
I love being a teacher because I love watching the children grow and develop over the course of the time that I am teaching them and watching their minds explore new ideas and gain confidence within themselves and their abilities
I love being at St Dunstan’s because it feels like a family – I love how there is a real community feel to it and that it encompasses the concept that we are a community based kindergarten
My favourite book is The Seven Sisters series by Lucinda Reily
My favourite place is the beach – It’s my happy place (ask any of my friends where I am during Summer)
My favourite TV show or movie are Bridgeton, Drama Based Series and Conversations based shows
My students make me laugh when they say or do the funniest things and don’t even realise or when I get to be silly with them
Qualification – Bachelor of Early Childhood Education with Distinction
Years of Teaching – 20+ years
Years of Service at St Dunstan’s – 2023 to now
Nicky Tully, Pre Prep Educator
I love being an Educator because it is a privilege to watch children grow and learn while supporting them in a nurturing environment.
I love being at St Dunstan’s because it is a small community based kindergarten in a wonderful bush like setting. There is an amazing amount of quality learning resources available and a team of supportive and experienced co-educators.
My favourite book is 28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand
My favourite place is relaxing somewhere sunny and warm with a good book.
My favourite TV show or movie is a TV series with crime, drama or comedy.
My students make me laugh when they have a good sense of humour and enjoy having fun.
Qualifications
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- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
- Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care
Years of Service at St Dunstan’s – 2024 to now
Three year old group teaching staff
Olenia Costa, Three Year Old Kindergarten Teacher
I love being a teacher because I want to enrich children’s lives with vibrant learning programs that are fun and allow me to watch them grow in confidence.
I love being a St. Dunstan’s because of the wonderful families that create such a beautiful community; the amazing grounds and resources we have at our fingertips and the fantastic staff who are supportive and brilliant to work with.
My favourite book is there are so many I just can’t choose. As an avid reader I like fantasy, historical fiction, murder mystery, gothic thrillers (not horror or psychological thrillers or romance). The list is endless.
My favourite place is Verona, Italy. But if I can’t afford that, any beach will do.
My favourite TV show or movie is anything that I can get completely lost in and forget about all the chores that need doing.
My students make me laugh when they try to tell jokes or play tricks on the staff.
Qualifications
- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
- Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care
Years of Service at St Dunstan’s – 2024 to now
Trish Imbastaro, Three year old Educator
I love being an Educator because once my children grew up I really missed the precious early years and the Kindergarten environment. That’s when I decided to retrain as an Educator and… the rest is history.
I love being at St Dunstan’s because the community is the best. It’s a small kinder that focusses on what is best for the child and that’s what I’m all about. I also work with the loveliest people in the world which makes coming to work so enjoyable.
My favourite books are Wuthering Heights – Emily Brontë, anything by Anita Shreve or a really good crime novel by Lynda LaPlante
My favourite place is home! That’s where my family is. Or the Greek Islands, life is so simple and pared back, the weather is amazing and you can sit in the ocean or the pool all day long and stay awake all night (I’m a night owl).
My favourite TV show or movie is Sex and The City series (not the movies or the trash new series), Notting Hill, all the Bridget Jones movies and Fleabag
My students make me laugh when they are themselves. Children have great sense of humours and say some of the funniest things. Love, love, love!
Qualifications
- Certificate III in Children’s Services
- Bachelor of Business
Years of Service at St Dunstan’s – 2017 to now
St Dunstan’s Kindergarten strongly supports and actively encourages opportunities for staff to engage in regular professional and personal development. Our teachers participate in high quality, inspiring and challenging professional and personal development experiences.