Teachers | Padbury Community Kindergarten

Captivating Curious Minds

Our staff are all passionate and qualified early childhood educators, focused on making the transition from home to school a fun, smooth and rewarding one. We aim to create an environment where children feel safe and nurtured, but also challenged to build independence and to try new things.

Cathy Witney

Cathy Witney trained at Churchlands Teachers College before completing a Post Graduate Bachelor of Education. Cathy has 30 years teaching experience and began teaching at Padbury Community Kindy in 1992. Highly skilled in guiding children to learn through play, Cathy is also passionate about developing early literacy and numeracy skills.

Jaymee Wiseman

Jaymee Wiseman completed a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Studies) at Edith Cowan University, before teaching at schools in the Pilbara and in London. On her return to Perth she worked at our linked school -Bambara Primary - before starting a family. As a strong advocate for the importance of using play and hands on learning experiences to develop the whole child, Jaymee enjoys teaching in our play-based environment.

Liesel Erskine

Liesel completed a Diploma in Early Childhood Studies at Edgewood College in South Africa. She has spent 28 years passionately teaching Kindergarten and Pre-Primary, with a wealth of knowledge acquired from being employed at both public and private schools. Liesel is a mum to 2 grown up children and 1 still in high school. She believes in play-based and hands-on learning, values working together in partnership with the children, parents and community, and loves singing and dancing with her class. Her main focus is to develop happy, independent and caring individuals under her nurturing supervision which supports them to learn to their best ability.

Cathy Witney

Cathy Witney trained at Churchlands Teachers College before completing a Post Graduate Bachelor of Education. Cathy has 30 years teaching experience and began teaching at Padbury Community Kindy in 1992. Highly skilled in guiding children to learn through play, Cathy is also passionate about developing early literacy and numeracy skills.

Jaymee Wiseman

Jaymee Wiseman completed a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Studies) at Edith Cowan University, before teaching at schools in the Pilbara and in London. On her return to Perth she worked at our linked school -Bambara Primary - before starting a family. As a strong advocate for the importance of using play and hands on learning experiences to develop the whole child, Jaymee enjoys teaching in our play-based environment.

Liesel Erskine

Liesel completed a Diploma in Early Childhood Studies at Edgewood College in South Africa. She has spent 28 years passionately teaching Kindergarten and Pre-Primary, with a wealth of knowledge acquired from being employed at both public and private schools. Liesel is a mum to 2 grown up children and 1 still in high school. She believes in play-based and hands-on learning, values working together in partnership with the children, parents and community, and loves singing and dancing with her class. Her main focus is to develop happy, independent and caring individuals under her nurturing supervision which supports them to learn to their best ability.

Lisa Hall

Lisa has a Certificate IV in Education support and has worked in primary, secondary and education support schools for a decade. Lisa's journey with Padbury Community Kindy (PCK) began with her daughters who both attended the Kindy, allowing her to discover first hand what makes it such a special place. Lisa then began working as a relief Education Assistant and in 2015 became a permanent member of the PCK team. Lisa is passionate about working with children, connecting with students using humour and drama to build the relationships that encourage and benefit a positive learning experience.

Nicole Mattingley

Nicole has a Certificate III Qualification. She joined Padbury Community Kindy as an Education Assistant (EA) in 2015 and has many years experience at Bambara Primary School. A strong advocate for community kindergarten, Nicole’s own two children attended Kallaroo Community Kindy. She is resourceful, passionate about play-based learning and highly active in our local community.

Melissa Hetherington

Melissa (more commonly known as Miss Mel) completed a Bachelor of Education (Kindergarten – Year 7) at Edith Cowan University and has been working as an Early Childhood Teacher across both the Public and Private Education sectors for the past 10 years. As a qualified Dance and Special Needs Teacher also, Melissa is passionate about inclusive education, nurturing each child’s individuality and ability. She sees the learning environment as the ‘third teacher’, and is committed to providing a safe, supportive and welcoming space, with a strong emphasis on play and inquiry-based learning.

Lisa Hall

Lisa has a Certificate IV in Education support and has worked in primary, secondary and education support schools for a decade. Lisa's journey with Padbury Community Kindy (PCK) began with her daughters who both attended the Kindy, allowing her to discover first hand what makes it such a special place. Lisa then began working as a relief Education Assistant and in 2015 became a permanent member of the PCK team. Lisa is passionate about working with children, connecting with students using humour and drama to build the relationships that encourage and benefit a positive learning experience.

Nicole Mattingley

Nicole has a Certificate III Qualification. She joined Padbury Community Kindy as an Education Assistant (EA) in 2015 and has many years experience at Bambara Primary School. A strong advocate for community kindergarten, Nicole’s own two children attended Kallaroo Community Kindy. She is resourceful, passionate about play-based learning and highly active in our local community.

Melissa Hetherington

Melissa (more commonly known as Miss Mel) completed a Bachelor of Education (Kindergarten – Year 7) at Edith Cowan University and has been working as an Early Childhood Teacher across both the Public and Private Education sectors for the past 10 years. As a qualified Dance and Special Needs Teacher also, Melissa is passionate about inclusive education, nurturing each child’s individuality and ability. She sees the learning environment as the ‘third teacher’, and is committed to providing a safe, supportive and welcoming space, with a strong emphasis on play and inquiry-based learning.

“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.”Albert Einstein

2 Caley Road, Padbury 6025 | Phone: (08) 9401 2989 | © Padbury Community Kindy 2021 | padburycommunitykindergarten@gmail.com