Amanda Hirst

I am the Sunflower Teacher on Monday and Tuesday and the Red Kangaroo Teacher on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. My life is a busy one mixed with work and family.

I trained as an Early Childhood Teacher at Sydney Kindergarten Teacher’s College and have combined this with a Bachelor of Arts from Queensland University. I have worked as a teacher and director in a number of community based pre-schools in New Zealand, Queensland and Sydney. I had a break from teaching while concentrating on raising my family during which time we lived in England for several years which was a wonderful experience before returning back to Sydney. It was at this time I went back to teaching on a casual basis before being employed permanently part time by St Stephen’s in 2005. Full time came a few years later.

I have three wonderful children all busy working, travelling and/or still studying.

My philosophy of education is based on appreciating the child as an individual with their own individual strengths and interests. Our role is to nurture and provide an environment which will encourage each child to learn within the group setting. My interests lie particularly within music and the natural environment. Encouraging each child to take risks and appreciate what nature provides around them.

I love history and last year with my eldest daughter visited Hadrian’s Wall which was very exciting.

I very much enjoy the personal connection we have with the families at St Stephens. I like to think that every child and parent becomes a part of our greater ‘St Stephen’s family.’