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Staff The Current Staff List may be downloaded as an MS-Word Document. RHONDA SHEEHAN - Principal I have been at Beehive Montessori School since 1984, and Principal of the School since July 1998. I have my Bachelor of Education and am currently studying my Masters Degree. Prior to commencing at Beehive, I have worked in State and Catholic schools, and in 1982 I spent a year in Italy studying my Montessori International Diploma for 6 - 12 year olds. I have two children, a 25 year old and a 13 year old, who have both been educated at Beehive Montessori School. I am passionate and committed to the Montessori method of education and am proud to say that Beehive Montessori School aims to honour the objectives for education as outlined by Dr Maria Montessori. We continue to use the AMI, Association of Montessori International curriculum developed by Dr Montessori, her son Mario and their team of teacher trainers. DEANNE KEENE - School Secretary Hi, my name is Deanne Keene and I am the School Secretary at Beehive. I have two children, Jasmine 20 years and Tyson 17 years. Hi, my name is Deanne Keene and I am the School Secretary at Beehive. I am married with two children, Jasmine 20 years and Tyson 17 years. I enjoy working at Beehive as there are a lot of eventful challenges. LISA WIERINGA - Personal Assistant to the Principal My name is Lisa Wieringa and I'm the PA to the Principal, Rhonda Sheehan. I enjoy working at Beehive as the variety of events is always interesting and challenging. I am married and have two children, Jackson who is 13 and Demi who is 10. I love the beach and swimming, enjoy going to the movies, playing tennis and getting together with family and friends. ELIZABETH SMITH - Office Assistant Hi, my name is Elizabeth Smith. I emigrated to Australia in 1987 from England with my husband Peter and three daughters and now have three grandsons. My Interests are reading and looking after my part-time Healing and Massage business. JANE POLLA - Office Assistant Hi, my name is Jane Polla. I have been an office assistant (part-time) at The Beehive Montessori School since October 2006. I really enjoy working at Beehive because of the positive, caring atmosphere that not only exists for the students but for all the staff . I'm married with two children, both are currently studying at UWA. I enjoy eating well, keeping fit and social get togethers with family and friends. TED ROLLINSON - Bursar I commenced at the Beehive in December 1997, taking over from Janet Lovell. As Bursar, I look after finance matters, set budgets and generally oversee and support the finance committee, ensuring the school continues its financial stability. I am a father of four grown ups, and enjoy eight grandchildren (one of which attended Riverlands Montessori School from the ages of 3 to 8) and 1 great grandchild. SONJA HOLMSEN - Finance Administrator SCOTT MILNE - School Computer Systems Administrator I joined the Beehive Montessori School mid-2004. Over the past few years I've performed IT support for several schools and I must say that I'm constantly pleasantly suprised by my first exposure to a Montessori environment. Both the Staff, and the students are a pleasure to work with, and I'm thoroughly enjoying every minute of it. JOCELYN WORKMAN - School Librarian I was introduced to Montessori education through a book that is etched into my memory because it had such a profound influence on my thinking and educational desires for my children. "Montessori: a Modern Approach" by Paula Polk Lillard, convinced me that a child who had this kind of educational experience would be equipped to face the challenges of our world. Each of my four children was privileged to have such an education. Children's literature is a great love of mine, and I very much enjoy working with the children promoting the reading of books. I also feel that it's most important for children to develop the skills to be able to find information for themselves. Family and friends are central to my life. I enjoy reading, gardening and decorating, and have a particular interest in the arts. Having travelled to some fascinating places, I am interested in other people and their cultures. The library has many terrific resources. Please visit and encourage your children to use them. VICKY STEVENS - Teacher - La Casa Contenta I have been teaching in Junior Primary classroom at the Beehive since 1980. When I started at the school I had a Diploma in early Childhood Education and two years experience with pre-school and year 1 students. Soon after joining the Beehive I started an external Montessori course with M.W.E.I and in 1985 competed my Montessori Diploma for teaching 0-5year olds. My classroom is called La Casa Contenta and I have 25 children ranging in age from 3-6. I get great satisfaction from working with children of this age as they are so enthusiastic and caring. It is always interesting to watch as their personality develop over the three years that they are with me. Having been with the school for so long I have seen many of the children grow up from very small babies and consider it a privilege to be part of their lives. GERALDINE ASHBY - Teacher's Assistant - La Casa Contenta My name is Geraldine Ashby and I am the Teachers Assistant in La Casa Contenta. I have three children and five grandchildren. I am married to Dave and he has three children and four grandchildren. I have been at Beehive Montessori School since 2004 and I really enjoy it here. The students are great and the parents have made me feel very welcome. I have found the working environment and our beautiful outlook to have had a very positive effect on my life. CHRISTINE PIZZEY - Teacher - La Casa Del Nord I first started teaching in the Junior Primary classroom at The Beehive Montessori School in 1984, I had a break in between to start a family. I have two beautiful daughters one is 15 and the other is 12 years old, both girls attend The Beehive School. I returned to teach again at the school in 1994. I studied in London at the A.M.I College to gain my Montessori International Diploma for 3-6 year olds, and I am currently studying for my Bachelor of Education Degree externally with Murdoch University. My classroom is called La Casa del Nord and I have 25 children ranging in age from 3-6. I have been involved in Montessori for many years as a teacher and a parent and for me it is a way of life. TRACY GRAHAM - Teacher's Assistant - La Casa Del Nord My name is Tracy Graham and I am currently working as a Teacher's Assistant alongside Christine in La Casa Del Nord. I grew up in a small country town called Narrogin before moving to Perth for employment. I completed my Teacher's Assistant qualifications in 2003 and started work at the Beehive in 2007. I previously worked in the child care industry for 7 years looking after 3-5 year olds. I am enjoying the change and like working in such a wonderful environment. All the parents, children and staff have made me feel welcome. HAZEL KILEFF - Teacher's Assistant - La Casa Del Norde I am an Assistant in La Casa Del Norde working along side Christine. I started with The Beehive in March 2000. I was born and brought up in Aberdeen on the northeast coast of Scotland, a windy city and on the sea like Perth, but there any similarity ends. I am married and have a wonderful family, I have travelled quite extensively and in February 2000 my family and I moved to Perth, in that same month I discovered The Beehive Montessori School - the great educational system here and the wonderful people, both children and adult. DEBBIE McCARTHY - Teacher - La Casa Del Giardino I have been a junior primary teacher at the Beehive Montessori School since 1993. My class of 25 three to six year olds is called La Casa Del Giardino, which means house in the garden because we love growing plants both inside and outside the classroom. I live on a ten acre property east of Fremantle, with my husband and the youngest of our four children, along with chooks, rabbits, geese, sheep, guinea fowl and lots of goldfish and koi. I love having the bush around to walk and explore in, and really enjoy working outdoors on our property and with all our animals (which often are taken to the Beehive for visits!). My interests in Montessori began when our eldest daughter started at The Beehive Montessori School in 1984, and increased as our other children progressed through the school from age three to twelve. What I experienced promoted me to change my career from that of a textile conservator with my own business, to that of a Montessori Teacher - a career I very much enjoy! ANTHEA BRIGNOLI - Teacher MP-A I began my Montessori career at the Perth Montessori School in 1983. I worked in the children's house (3-6) for 4 years before I traveled to Bergamo, Italy, where I studied the 6-12 Montessori curriculum. Upon my return to Perth, I worked with 6-9 age group and consolidated my newfound knowledge and joy in teaching this age of Montessori Education. In 1993 I started a family, and spent the next 5 years nurturing 2 wonderful children. In 1998 I commenced part-time work at The Beehive Montessori School, firstly teaching Italian, then setting up the 4th children's house classroom and later working with the 9-12 age group. This was an extremely rewarding experience and I have many fond memories of the dynamic, enriching times in Upper Primary. In 2007 I accepted a position in the 6-9 classroom, once again, and I'm loving this stage of development too! SUZANNE CAMERON - Teacher's Assistant - La Casa del Giardino I am a Teacher's Assistant in La Casa del Giardino working along side Debbie. I grew up on a 24 acre school campus surrounded by 250 years of rich history in India. In 1979 I took up the position of a Teachers Aide and got absorbed working with Nursery children. I decided right then that that was what I intended to do for as long as I could. I married John who I grew up with on the same campus in 1986, we have a daughter Ashton Sasha, the love of my life, who was born in Calcutta India in 1988. She has excelled in the field of performing arts and classical music. Joining The Beehive in 1999 was the highlight of my landing in Australia. I find much satisfaction and a great deal of joy each day I spend with the children at the school. It is a great place to be and I have felt welcome and have received a lot of support at the school. I consider myself fortunate to be a part of this wonderful institution. MARIA PARTRIDGE - Teacher - La Casa Dei Fiori I am a Junior Primary teacher at The Beehive. I was born and raised in a large family in India. I am of Anglo Indian descent and immigrated to Australia with my husband in 1986. I started a family and spent six years looking after my two children, a girl and a boy who are now teenagers. I joined The Beehive as an Assistant and worked part-time while I obtained a Diploma in Montessori Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education. As a qualified teacher I worked in another Montessori School but returned to the Beehive as the opportunity arose. I have had many years of experience with children having worked in a Montessori School in India as well. I am currently pursuing further studies in this area. MARIA FAHY - Teacher Assistant - La Casa Dei Fiori Hi my name is Maria Fahy (known as Rie) and I am the assistant in La Casa dei Fiori. I am married with three children. Born in Ireland, I worked in the civil service before coming to Australia in 1997. I completed a Teacher Assistant Course in 2003 and prior to joining the Beehive in 2004, I enjoyed a couple of terms leading the playgroup at Rockingham Montessori. The Beehive provides a wonderful learning environment, and I really enjoy working with the children! CHERRILL MORCOM - La Casa Del Cuore Cherrill began her teaching career in Victoria after graduating from the Frankston Teachers College with a Diploma of Primary Teaching. After moving to Western Australia she studied and taught pottery. When her children were of school age she found the Montessori system of education and was overwhelmed by the precision of the materials and the method. While setting up a kindergarten for underprivileged children in Perth she studied for her Montessori Diploma by correspondence through the M.W.E.I. During the next six years she taught at the Guildford Montessori in the 3-6 classroom and in the 6-9 classroom. Upon moving to the Beehive she taught in the 9-12 classroom for three years and is now working in the 6-9 group which is her area of special interest. Cherrill is very interested in the Arts, craft work and biology. She lives by the ocean with her husband and has two adult children daughters who both work in education and two grandsons. SALLY THOMSON- Teacher Assistant - La Casa del Cuore Hi, my name is Sally Thompson and I am currently the Teacher's Assistant in Cherrill's class, Cuore. My introduction to Montessori began with my auntie being a trained practitioner in India. She also taught my mother as a child, in India. I have been very fortunate to be a member of the Beehive team on and off now for over seven years. I have an Associate Diploma in Social Science and have worked with all ages from 0 - 18 years, plus worked with the elderly here and overseas. I have been back to Beehive three or four times now and I truly believe this is where I belong. TINA CREESE - Teacher - La Casa Del Gioia Tina is currently employed a The Beehive Montessori School with the 6-9 year old children. Her journey in Montessori education begun in Africa where we directed a council school in Zambia for physically and mentally challenged children. In 1980 her family moved to the Kalahari in Botswana and Tina became employed at the mine pre-school. Her main contribution was in developing language and art programmes for the Setswana speaking children. When the school was rebuilt, Tina became involved in the relocation and design of the classes and playground. Another move within Botswana led to employment at the mine school where she encouraged integration between the expatriate and local children enrolled at the same site. She returned to the Kalahari to teach a class in 1987 before coming to Western Australia in 1988. She qualified as a State Teacher 4-8 years at Edith Cowan University soon after and in 1993 became a Directress at Banksia Montessori pre-school. In 1994 Tina began teaching primary aged children at The Beehive Montessori School. She has represented the staff on School Council and has been a committee member in the process of Enterprise Bargaining. She has represented the Montessori Teacher's Association in WA and has continued to pursue her own enjoyment of learning and self-improvement through Professional Development workshops and refresher courses. Education qualifications include London Montessori Centre Diploma in teaching and a Bachelor of Arts in Education. Tina believes though, the best education is that of experience, travel and embracing life's opportunities. CANDICE SHIELDS - Teacher - La Casa della Luce Soon after completing my Masters of Education in Sydney, my husband and I moved to Perth, and I commenced working at Beehive in the 6-9 environment. I have two adult children and enjoy meditation and yoga. VERA LIM - Teachers Assistant - La Casa Della Luce
I have an AMI Montessori teaching diploma. I have taught for 8 years in Singapore in the 3-6 Age group. LORRAINE MARTIS - Teacher - La Casa D'Oro I am the Special Education Teacher in La Casa D'Oro, which means the House of Gold. I began in 1990 and have been at The Beehive Montessori School for the past 14 years. I have enjoyed each day of the 14 years, with its challenges, tantrums, laughter and humour! ALWYNE ROACH - Teacher's Assistant - La Casa D'Oro Working in Special Needs for the past three years has been very rewarding for me personally. Prior to joining The Beehive, I was a Level 2 coach of horse riding for the disabled, teaching children of all ages to ride. My husband and I have three children who are now in the workforce. REBECCA BARTH - Teacher's Assistant - La Casa D'Oro I have worked as an Assistant in Special Needs for the past 5 years. Born in South Africa, I came to Australia 28 years ago. I have three children and two grand children (and hopefully that will double in 25 years!). JULIE NICHOLSON - Relief My experience with children comes from my 20 years as a coach with the Riding for the Disabled Association. I recently qualified as a National Assessor of Coaches and Horse Handlers for the organization. I am still actively riding and enjoy the art of dressage. I am currently assisting in La Casa D'Oro on a temporary basis, following my three years working with Vicky in La Casa Contenta. I have been part of the Beehive team for almost five years in all. My first year was in Middle Primary. I really enjoy the experiences of seeing the children coming into the room as three year olds and getting to know them as individuals and watching them develop their potential before moving on excitedly to Middle Primary. ANTHEA BRIGNOLI - Teacher - MP-A I began my Montessori career at the Perth Montessori School in 1983. I worked in the children's house (3-6) for 4 years before I traveled to Bergamo, Italy, where I studied the 6-12 Montessori curriculum. Upon my return to Perth, I worked with 6-9 age group and consolidated my newfound knowledge and joy in teaching this age of Montessori Education. In 1993 I started a family, and spent the next 5 years nurturing 2 wonderful children. In 1998 I commenced part-time work at The Beehive Montessori School, firstly teaching Italian, then setting up the 4th children's house classroom and later working with the 9-12 age group. This was an extremely rewarding experience and I have many fond memories of the dynamic, enriching times in Upper Primary. In 2007 I accepted a position in the 6-9 classroom, once again, and I'm loving this stage of development too! BRONWYN CHAPLIN - Teacher - La Casa del Mare I am a past student from this school and now teach 9-12 year olds in Upper Primary. I have a Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology) from James Cook University and a Graduate Diploma in Education from Edith Cowan University. I have recently returned from Italy where I completed my Montessori studies in Bergamo. JACINTA HINDE – Teacher – La Casa Del Mare My name is Jacinta Hinde. I graduated from Edith Cowan University in 2002 having been awarded with the highest grade possible for my final teaching practice. I worked at various schools in the South West as I was living in Margaret River at the time. I moved to Tasmania for two years where I taught in both Primary and High schools and returned to 'good old' Perth in September 2006. I have the most extraordinary husband. He supports me in anything and everything that I do and I absolutely adore him. I participate in many different volunteer and assisting roles and community projects. When I was living in Tasmania in 2006, I was awarded a community volunteer award for outstanding contribution for a youth project that I was involved in called The Festival of Dreams. I love teaching at Beehive Montessori School and I am both honoured and challenged by the experience. MICK BAILEY - Garden and Maintenance Mick has been looking after the buildings and the gardens at the Beehive since February 2001. Always on hand to assist, you'll find Mick busy with many jobs ranging from potting flowers to painting railings and playgrounds, together with his beautiful dog, Badger. HEIDI KNAPP - Music Teacher Heidi was a past student at Beehive and has been working as a music teacher for many years, sharing her skills and talents with the Junior Primary children. THERESA MULLINS - Relief Teacher I am a Relief Montessori Teacher in Junior Primary 3-6 years at The Beehive. I have a Diploma in Montessori Education from St Nicholas London for 2-5 years and 5-7 years. At present I am completing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and majoring in Children's Literature. I was born and educated in Dublin Ireland before immigrating to Australia in 1982, with my husband and family.
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