Meet Our Staff

Specialist Teaching Team

Karen Nihill - Languages & Performing Arts

1. How long have you been with Sacred Heart? I started working at Sacred Heart in the Library when my two youngest started school. They are now 22, so about 16 years.
2. What is your favourite thing about your job? Teaching all classes gives me the opportunity to get to know all our students and to see their progress from Foundation to Grade 6. We have a lot of fun in Music and Italian and I love the enthusiasm so many of our students bring to these sessions.
3. Any kids/pets? My husband Tim and I are very lucky to have four fabulous children, three of whom still live in Tatura. James 28, Michael 25 and twins Sarah and Molly who are 22. Teaching runs in the family, James teaches at Tatura Primary School and Molly is in her third year of studies in Melbourne. Michael works at Planright as an assistant surveyor, he is currently studying a Cert 4 in Surveying and Sarah works at Kensington Gardens in Shepparton and is also studying a Cert 4, in Community Services.
4. What are your hobbies? My favourite way to spend time is with my family and friends. I also love walking, listening to music, singing, dancing and heading off on weekends/holidays to explore various parts of our beautiful country.
5. Favourite holiday destination? Our family have spent many a holiday in Queensland over the years, a fantastic destination for rest, relaxation and exploring. Now our children are all grown up, Tim and I are looking forward to exploring a few overseas destinations. UK, Italy and Spain are high on our bucket list.

Matt Hooper - Visual Arts

1. How long have you been with Sacred Heart? I started working at Sacred Heart in 2017 so this will be my sixth year.
2. What is your favourite thing about your job? My favourite aspect of teaching Visual Arts is seeing students become inspired and ultimately express themselves in their artwork. We spend a lot time learning about artists (past and present) and their story, their passion and techniques, and with that inspiration we go and create our own masterpieces. I love seeing students be proud of their artwork and to hear and see photos of their pieces framed and hung on the wall at home.
3. Any kids/pets? I have 3 super kids – Lennon (7 years old), Franklin (4 years old) and Mack who has just turned 3. Lennon is in Grade 1 and Franklin will start school at Sacred Heart in 2023. We have 2 cats (Rosie and Dot) as well as 8 chickens who all have names however, we can’t tell them apart!
4. What are your hobbies? I love to garden, read and play chess with my kids. I also love music! Listening to and collecting music such as CDs and vinyl as well as sing and play guitar with Mrs Hooper.
5. Favourite holiday destination? Our family loves to head to Tasmania in the summer holidays.

Rachel Fidock - Writers' Workshop

1. How long have you been with Sacred Heart? I have been part of the Sacred Heart community since my eldest son, Fraser, started Foundation in 2012. I have been teaching Writer's Workshop at Sacred Heart since 2021. 
2. What is your favourite thing about your job? I enjoy talking to the students and seeing their smiling faces. I thoroughly enjoy teaching and seeing students do their best.
3. Any kids/pets? I have three kids - Fraser, Lilly and Kurtley. I have a husband called Heath. I have lots of pets - three dogs, a cat, some fish, seven chooks, and 14 different types of birds.
4. What are your hobbies? Walking the dogs, reading and fishing.
5. Favourite holiday destination? I enjoy going to National Parks for sightseeing and walking. I also enjoy going to the beach or river.

Laura Bradbury - Digital Technology

1. How long have you been with Sacred Heart? I'm in my 6th year of teaching at Sacred Heart. 
2. What is your favourite thing about your job? My favourite thing about being a teacher is getting to know all of the students and watching them shine in their own ways. One of my favourite things to see is 'aha!' moments - when a student understands something they have been working on - I love seeing them feel so proud of themselves!
3. Any kids/pets? My husband Matthew and I have a beautiful baby daughter, Lily. She's 10 months old (as all of my students know, she's the cutest thing in the whole world). We also have 2 red heeler dogs, Sky and Eevee. They are sisters from the same litter, so they are our twins. Needless to say, we love Bluey in our household!
4. What are your hobbies? My main hobby is cross stitching - I love relaxing and creating awesome designs! I also love playing games (video or board games) and taking photos of wildlife.
5. Favourite holiday destination? We have just got a camper trailer, so we are loving going out and camping! However, we went on a cruise to the Pacific Islands a few years ago which was amazing.