Staff
Our teaching staff consist of two teachers and two educators. They are supported by an Administration Manager. Our teaching staff hold Early Childhood qualifications and participate in professional development each year. Each staff member holds a current First Aid and CPR qualification together with a Blue Card Positive Notice (Blue Card) for Child Related Employment.
Our Teachers’ roles and responsibilities are many and varied, utmost among them being to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of the children in their care. In addition, our Teachers:
- implement the education curriculum
- maintain child developmental records
- supervise staff and children
- develop policies in conjunction with parents, the Committee and Lady Gowrie
- provide professional advice and feedback to the Committee, and
- complete regular professional development.
Elizabeth (Liz) Kerswell - Gold Group Teacher, Nominated Supervisor
Liz Kerswell holds a Master of Education (Early Childhood Teaching), Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Education (Secondary), and is currently studying her Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Liz has worked with children for 16 years and has been a teacher for fifteen of those years. She was a primary music teacher from 2009-2014 and transitioned across to Early Childhood Teaching in 2015 and has been in the early years ever since. Liz also highly values the importance of relationships as the key to supporting children’s optimal development. She is inspired by attachment theory and neurodevelopmental approaches in supporting children’s emotional well-being and social development. Liz is passionate about the value of children’s play for play’s sake and has been developing a keen interest in “play work” exploring risky play, loose parts play, and the range of opportunities that present outdoors. She is also passionate about the “environment as third teacher” to create a safe, comfortable atmosphere with careful design of the environment to maximise children’s engagement and learning.
Liz has lived in the local area in Sandgate and Fitzgibbon since 2011 and loves this special part of the world. She has a five-year-old boy, husband, and fluffy grey cat, whom she adores spending her free time with. Together as a family they are raising insects, fishkeeping, exploring the bush, playing Pokemon Go, playing Ninja Turtles, swimming at local pools, battling with action figures on the loungeroom floor, and going for scooter rides around the neighbourhood. Liz also enjoys doing boot camp gym and dance classes in her free time and one day, she’d love to get back to playing her musical instruments.
Deb Alexander - Green Group Teacher, Educational Leader
My name is Deb Alexander and I am very excited to be teaching Green Group this year. I am looking forward to meeting you all soon and finding out all about you.
I am originally from New Zealand but have lived on the north side of Brisbane for over 21 years with my husband and 2 daughters. I love going for walks at the beach, reading, being creative, spending time with extended family and discovering new bakeries to try when my eldest daughter visits from Sydney.
I have a Bachelor of Arts (Education), Diploma of Teaching and a Diploma of Children’s Services. I am an experienced Early Childhood Teacher, having run play sessions for Family Day Educators, taught in community kindergartens and long day care as well as 11 years teaching Prep in New Zealand.
I am a dedicated and passionate teacher. I believe in the importance of establishing positive relationships with both children and families. When children feel safe and secure, they can learn and grow. I also believe in providing an environment that fosters curiosity and wonder, sparks joy and encourages independence, along with opportunities to develop social-emotional skills in a supportive, collaborative space. It is a privilege to play and learn alongside the children as they participate in their kindy year.
Our Teachers’ roles and responsibilities are many and varied, utmost among them being to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of the children in their care. In addition, our Teachers:
- implement the education curriculum
- maintain child developmental records
- supervise staff and children
- develop policies in conjunction with parents, the Committee and Lady Gowrie
- provide professional advice and feedback to the Committee, and
- complete regular professional development.
Elizabeth (Liz) Kerswell - Gold Group Teacher, Nominated Supervisor
Liz Kerswell holds a Master of Education (Early Childhood Teaching), Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Education (Secondary), and is currently studying her Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Liz has worked with children for 16 years and has been a teacher for fifteen of those years. She was a primary music teacher from 2009-2014 and transitioned across to Early Childhood Teaching in 2015 and has been in the early years ever since. Liz also highly values the importance of relationships as the key to supporting children’s optimal development. She is inspired by attachment theory and neurodevelopmental approaches in supporting children’s emotional well-being and social development. Liz is passionate about the value of children’s play for play’s sake and has been developing a keen interest in “play work” exploring risky play, loose parts play, and the range of opportunities that present outdoors. She is also passionate about the “environment as third teacher” to create a safe, comfortable atmosphere with careful design of the environment to maximise children’s engagement and learning.
Liz has lived in the local area in Sandgate and Fitzgibbon since 2011 and loves this special part of the world. She has a five-year-old boy, husband, and fluffy grey cat, whom she adores spending her free time with. Together as a family they are raising insects, fishkeeping, exploring the bush, playing Pokemon Go, playing Ninja Turtles, swimming at local pools, battling with action figures on the loungeroom floor, and going for scooter rides around the neighbourhood. Liz also enjoys doing boot camp gym and dance classes in her free time and one day, she’d love to get back to playing her musical instruments.
Deb Alexander - Green Group Teacher, Educational Leader
My name is Deb Alexander and I am very excited to be teaching Green Group this year. I am looking forward to meeting you all soon and finding out all about you.
I am originally from New Zealand but have lived on the north side of Brisbane for over 21 years with my husband and 2 daughters. I love going for walks at the beach, reading, being creative, spending time with extended family and discovering new bakeries to try when my eldest daughter visits from Sydney.
I have a Bachelor of Arts (Education), Diploma of Teaching and a Diploma of Children’s Services. I am an experienced Early Childhood Teacher, having run play sessions for Family Day Educators, taught in community kindergartens and long day care as well as 11 years teaching Prep in New Zealand.
I am a dedicated and passionate teacher. I believe in the importance of establishing positive relationships with both children and families. When children feel safe and secure, they can learn and grow. I also believe in providing an environment that fosters curiosity and wonder, sparks joy and encourages independence, along with opportunities to develop social-emotional skills in a supportive, collaborative space. It is a privilege to play and learn alongside the children as they participate in their kindy year.