Educator Spotlight

A school’s legacy is measured not just by time, but by the lives transformed within its walls. Across 150 years of education, Hurstville Public School’s greatest strength has always been its extraordinary staff—the leaders, mentors, and guides who turn classrooms into vibrant spaces of opportunity. In this special edition of our 150th Anniversary newsletter, we are proud to feature six dedicated educators, ranging from our longest-serving teachers to those who have gone on to lead as principals at other schools.

Julie Kirby (HPS 1980-2011)

Joining Hurstville Public School in 1980, Julie embarked on an extraordinary 31-year journey that made her a cornerstone of the school community until her retirement in 2011. Arriving from a cozy, eight-teacher school, stepping into the HPS staffroom alongside more than 50 colleagues was an eye-opening shift. Though she could have taught elsewhere, she chose Hurstville specifically for its rich history and prestigious reputation—a decision that launched over three decades of inspired teaching and lasting traditions.

Early Days & Historic Grounds

In the 1980s, HPS had no demountable classrooms—just traditional brick buildings and a vast asphalt playground. Julie spent four years teaching the OC classes before moving into mainstream teaching, primarily guiding Years 4 and 5. She fondly remembers the top floor of G Block, where three Year 4 classes shared the space and formed an exceptionally close-knit team of teachers who collaborated every day.

Chalkboards, Gestetner Copiers & School Song Legacy

“I was the last remaining teacher in the school using a blackboard!”

Having taught across four different decades, Julie experienced a dramatic technological shift:

Hand-Typed Stencils to USBs: When she began, every worksheet was hand-drawn, typed on a typewriter, and cranked out on a Gestetner copier. Years later, when colleague Danielle Scott introduced her to a USB drive to usher her into the digital age, Julie was amazed that an entire term’s work could fit on a tiny memory stick.
A Musical Gift to HPS: Beyond the classroom, Julie left a permanent cultural mark on Hurstville Public School—she wrote and recorded the official Hurstville Public School song, a musical legacy that generations of students continue to sing.

"Kirby Kash", Living History & Favourite Traditions

Classroom life in Mrs Kirby’s room was famous for its creativity and joy:

"Kirby Kash" & End-of-Term Auctions: To reward good behaviour, Julie created a classroom currency system called "Kirby Kash." At the end of each term, students eagerly bid their earnings at an auction to "buy" pencils, novelties, and her famously delicious homemade toffees.
Living History at Elizabeth Farm: At the conclusion of their Colonisation unit, she loved taking students to Elizabeth Farm in Parramatta, where children dressed up in 1800s attire and experienced a hands-on day as servants in a historic homestead.
Crunch & Sip Revolution: Among classroom trends over 30 years, the arrival of Crunch & Sip stood out—a major shift from earlier decades when eating or drinking inside the classroom was strictly forbidden.

Community Evolution & Educational Leadership

Over the course of her 31 years, Julie watched the local Hurstville community transform. In 1980, the student body was mainly composed of Greek, Italian, Arabic, and Anglo-Australian families. From 1997 onward, a significant influx of Asian families joined the community, creating the vibrant multicultural landscape the school enjoys today.

She recalls legendary leaders like Principal Mr Whalley—a softly spoken leader who knew every single child by name and spent his breaks in the playground solving problems and building genuine connections with students.

Even today, in retirement, former students sometimes recognise her in local shopping centres and approach her to share where their lives have taken them.

The 150-Year Legacy

Looking back on the school’s 150-year history, Julie views HPS as a beacon of academic standards and leadership across the Department of Education.

“Every year in teaching is a challenge, but if you can make a difference and see children enjoying themselves and invested in their education, that is incredibly rewarding.”

“Excellence in education has always been at the core of HPS—it has always been viewed as the ‘Lighthouse’ school for staff and academics.”

Kaye Florence (HPS 1985-Current)

Kaye, known affectionately to generations of students as Miss Florence, holds the proud distinction of being the longest-serving teacher currently teaching at Hurstville Public School. Since arriving in 1985, she has dedicated 41 years to the school community. Currently teaching Year 4, she has guided countless students across Year 5 Opportunity Class, Year 6 Opportunity Class, Year 4, and composite 5/6 classes.

The Early Days & First Impressions

Reflecting on her first week at HPS in 1985, Kaye vividly remembers the excitement of having her own classroom for the very first time, alongside the sheer scale of the school. At the time, the school had fewer buildings, smaller facilities, and blackboards instead of modern technology. When asked why she chose to stay at HPS for over four decades, her answer is simple: she has always been deeply happy here, describing HPS as a wonderful school where she felt she couldn't be happier anywhere else.

Changes, Growth & Evolution

Over four decades of dedication, Kaye has seen HPS evolve in remarkable ways:

The Shifting Community: She considers the biggest change over the years to be the turnover and shifting generations of colleagues coming and going. Beyond the school's expanding student body, she has also loved seeing the local community become significantly more involved in school life in recent years.
Teaching Before Tech: Long before laptops, iPads, and interactive whiteboards, teaching meant blackboards, chalk, overhead projectors, and student reports written entirely by hand. While she embraces modern technology, she admits she still misses creating colorful, artistic chalk displays on a blackboard!

Unforgettable Moments & Cherished Traditions

With 41 years of memories, Kaye's time at HPS is filled with joy, music, and nostalgia:

Funniest Classroom Memory: Her class once performed an assembly play based on the iconic 1980s TV show Perfect Match. The kids had an absolute blast dressing up, acting, and singing and the audience was left laughing hysterically!
Favorite Traditions: She holds a special place in her heart for regional NSW school camps, excursions, and putting together fun, creative assembly performances.
Generational Impact: While she hasn't directly taught the child of a former student in her own classroom yet, she has loved seeing the children of her past students attend the school.

Legacy, Advice & What Matters Most

For Kaye, the heart of teaching has always been about genuine connection and watching young minds grow. She finds the most rewarding part of her job to be seeing children discover new things, helping pass on core morals and values, and watching her students bloom into confident individuals.

"I would tell a new teacher to have fun with their teaching and really remember what a privilege it is to teach the future of our country."

Above all, she hopes her past and present students look back fondly on the music and singing, the learning, and the fun they shared together in her classroom

Bronwyn Daniels (HPS 2008-Current)

For nearly 30 years, Bronwyn (known to students as Ms Daniels) drove past Hurstville Public School, living just down the road in Bexley. But stepping onto the grounds as a new teacher in 2008 was a whole new world. Having previously taught at a school with a total enrollment of just 12 students, walking into HPS was a jaw-dropping change. On her very first day, she was tasked with hosting the morning assembly—speaking to over 1,000 students and parents all at once!

"I was nervous because it was the first time I had spoken to over 1,000 students and parents in one go. Now I do it nearly every day!"

Bronwyn is the second-longest-serving teacher among HPS’s current staff, having taught at the school for an impressive 18 years.

How Times Have Changed

Looking around the school today, it’s hard to imagine HPS without N Block or O Block, but back in 2008, demountable classrooms covered much of the playground.

The "Cosy" Classroom: Bronwyn’s first classroom was in E Block. It was so tiny that when 30 Year 6 students packed in, it was extremely snug. When the building was renovated around 2010, that entire classroom was converted into just a storeroom and a wet area!
The Tech Evolution: Teaching tools looked vastly different back then. Chalkboards had to be repainted with black paint every term just so the writing remained visible.
The BTN Rush: "I remember having to borrow the ONE television in the school to watch Behind the News (BTN) that I would record on a video recorder every Tuesday at 11 am. The kids used to get very excited when we would wheel the small television into the class. Now we do it all on a Computer on Wheels (COW)!"

Memories and Milestones

Having taught every grade from Kindergarten to Year 6, as well as Support Unit and Technology classes, Bronwyn loves that no two days in teaching are ever the same.

Memorable Events: Year 5 and 6 camps are always standout events—especially watching students conquer their fears while abseiling or canoeing for the first time.
Iconic Leadership: Her first Principal at HPS, Anita Rooney, made a lasting impression—not just for her deep care for the school, but for her iconic style:

"You never knew on Monday morning assembly what colour her hair would be—Blue, Pink, Purple, or one day it was even dyed leopard print! It was amazing!"

Looking to the Future at 150 Years

While high-rise apartments have changed the local Hurstville skyline over the past 18 years, Bronwyn notes that the true spirit of the community hasn't shifted an inch. Seeing former students return as confident young people remains one of the most rewarding parts of her career.

To Bronwyn, HPS in three words is simply: Huge, Exciting, and Special.

"Despite all the changes over the past 150 years, the heart of Hurstville Public School has always been its people. My hope as we celebrate 150 years is that its strong sense of community and commitment to excellence continue to shape generations of confident, kind, and curious learners."

Danielle Scott (HPS Early 2000s-2017)

When Danielle Scott joined Hurstville Public School in the early 2000s, she stepped straight into teaching the Opportunity Class (OC)—a role she held for seven vibrant years. Her very first class was a group of bright, inquisitive thinkers whose enthusiasm for learning set an inspiring tone from day one. On that first day, she felt immense excitement to dive into OC teaching and collaborate alongside a creative, experienced team of educators.

Early Days & Changing Grounds

During her time at Hurstville, Danielle taught across nearly every grade level, gaining a deep understanding of the K–6 learning continuum. In her early years, the school grounds were defined by fewer buildings and more open spaces—including Area 8, which was then a small grassy area where students gathered to play sports and run around at lunchtime.

A typical day in her OC classroom was fast-paced, engaging, and dynamic. Mornings were usually dedicated to English, followed by Mathematics in the middle session, and afternoons filled with Science, History, or Art. Weekly student-led grade assemblies were a regular highlight, while recess and lunch breaks were bustling with PSSA sports training and band supervision.

Tech Evolution & Conceptual Learning

“Over time, the curriculum shifted to help students deeply understand concepts needed to best prepare them for high school, rather than just memorising facts.”

Throughout her tenure, Danielle witnessed significant evolution in both curriculum and classroom technology:

From Overhead Projectors to BYOD: She began her career utilising overhead projectors and creating custom transparencies to display concepts visually. Over time, these gave way to interactive whiteboards and digital scaffolds. HPS also became an early adopter of the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program, helping students build strong digital literacy skills from the start.
Building Future-Ready Learners: As teaching practices evolved, lessons intentionally focused on cultivating critical and creative thinkers, strong communicators, and collaborative learners equipped for life beyond primary school.

Favourite Memories, Camps & Showcase Traditions

“I loved seeing our students become well-rounded citizens who excelled in creative arts and sport as well as in their academic achievements.”

Classroom life was filled with joy and energy. Danielle fondly recalls:

Book Week & Gold Rush Days: Dressing up as book characters alongside her students and participating in "Gold Rush" days, where students dressed in olden-day attire to hunt for hidden "gold" around the school using clues.
Maths Relays: Watching her OC students enthusiastically race against each other to solve complex mathematical problems.
Camps & Creative Arts Showcase: Attending numerous school camps, where seeing students thrive in new environments revealed unexpected personal strengths. She also loved watching the annual creative arts Showcase grow into an incredible extravaganza celebrating student talent.

A Culture of Joy, Partnership & Community

To Danielle, HPS was a joyful place to work, defined by shared laughter and a collective dedication to doing the best for every child. She formed lifelong friendships with colleagues who mentored her early in her career.

Later, as she stepped into the role of Deputy Principal, she worked closely with parents and families who deeply valued learning, respected teachers, and supported the school's high-expectations culture.

Over the years, as the surrounding suburb developed into a landscape of high-rise living, that core community bond remained steadfast. Years later, Danielle continues to take immense pride in running into former HPS students and seeing them thriving as successful, well-rounded adults.

The 150-Year Legacy

“I believe a strong commitment to learning and a collective desire to ‘strive for success’ has always embodied the spirit of Hurstville Public School.”

Now serving as the Principal at Bexley North Public School, Danielle looks back on Hurstville’s 150-year milestone with deep fondness. Her wish for the future of HPS is that it continues its proud tradition of academic excellence while continuing to value success across all domains of high potential and giftedness—including the creative, physical, and social-emotional spheres.

Rebecca Ingram (HPS 2006-2020)

Rebecca, known to students as Ms Ingram, arrived at Hurstville Public School in 2006 as a casual teacher. Walking through the gates on her very first day, her immediate thought was, "How am I ever going to find my way around this place?" With nearly 1,200 students and a massive staff, the school felt more like a small town than a primary school! However, she quickly discovered that behind its large scale was an extraordinarily welcoming community, and it didn't take long for Hurstville to feel like home.

Like most teachers starting at a new school, she felt a bundle of nerves on her first day. Fortunately, she landed in a supportive Year 4 team alongside Ms Smith, Mrs Roger, and Mrs Pino, who immediately welcomed her like family. The kind, respectful students and their beautiful manners made those initial nerves vanish in no time.

Classroom Rhythms & Teaching Across the Grades

Reflecting on her early years at HPS, Rebecca recalls the familiar, comforting rhythm of school life: the morning bell, busy classrooms, playground chatter, and constant laughter. While those early days involved far fewer digital devices and a lot more handwritten work, the heart of HPS remained constant: students arriving eager to learn and teachers dedicated to helping them succeed.

Having previously taught in England, Rebecca always pictured herself strictly as a Stage 3 educator. She happily spent her first five years teaching Years 5 and 6. However, in 2010, Principal Ms Rooney encouraged her to broaden her experience by taking on a Year 2 class.

Though initially terrified by the shift, it turned out to be one of the absolute best surprises of her career! Rebecca fell in love with teaching younger students, and she even had the unique privilege of teaching several of those same children again years later in Years 5 and 6, watching them grow from little 7-year-olds into confident school leaders.

Technology & Playground Evolution

During her 14 years at HPS, Rebecca witnessed dramatic shifts in technology and student culture:

From Overhead Projectors to BYOD: Her early classrooms were a mix of traditional blackboards, whiteboards, and overhead projectors (where you constantly hoped the clear transparency film wouldn't slip off mid-lesson!). Desktop computers were housed in a single computer lab upstairs in E Block, where securing a booking felt like winning the lottery. Years later, Rebecca was fortunate to work alongside Ms Daniels to help introduce the school's Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program, which completely transformed classroom learning.
Playground Crazes: While card games remained a timeless constant on the playground, Rebecca watched a parade of popular trends come and go, including scooters, Beyblades, Zhu Zhu Pets, Tamagotchis, Pogs, Bratz dolls, SpongeBob, One Direction, and Britney Spears.

Cherished Memories, Camps & Assembly Laughs

The Opportunity Class Experience: Rebecca taught the Opportunity Class (OC) alongside Mrs Muir for several years, calling it the most professionally rewarding teaching experience of her career. The two challenged each other daily, and Rebecca feels she learned just as much from Mrs Muir and their students as they did from her.
Stage 3 School Camps: Camp week was always her favourite week of the school year. She strongly believes some of the greatest learning happens beyond desks and worksheets, whether watching students build confidence on the flying fox, collaborate on complex problems, or discover hidden strengths.
Assembly Highlights: Rebecca fondly remembers Miss Florence’s legendary assembly performances, especially her hilarious rendition of the 1980s TV show Perfect Match. The performance left the audience in stitches with no dry eyes in sight, serving as a great reminder that school should always make room for fun.

Legacy & Lasting Connections

Although she departed HPS in 2020 after 14 incredible years, Rebecca remains in touch with several of her former students. Watching them grow into wonderful, accomplished young adults brings her immense pride—even if it occasionally serves as a humorous reminder of just how long she has been in the teaching profession!

Today, Rebecca continues her journey in educational leadership as the Principal at Peakhurst West Public School, carrying forward the collaborative spirit, high expectations, and passion for learning nurtured during her time at Hurstville Public School.

Jessica Maakaroun (HPS 2013-2024)

When Jessica Maakaroun walked into Hurstville Public School in Term 3 of 2013 as the Assistant Principal of Year 2, her immediate impression was scale. Feeling a mix of excitement, pride, and first-day nerves, she realised just how massive the school was and knew it would take time to get to know all the staff and students.

Today, as Principal of Lakemba Public School, Jessica looks back on her transformative journey at Hurstville with immense pride and affection.

Transforming the Grounds & Classroom Technology

The physical grounds at HPS changed dramatically throughout Jessica’s tenure.

Demountables & Playgrounds: In 2013, her classroom was located in an old demountable where Areas 2 and 3 sit today, alongside a row of demountables along the fence line that were removed shortly after. The Kindergarten playground lacked artificial grass or wooden seating; instead, rows of silver benches lined the area, and students frequently scraped themselves on the old pebbled concrete surface.
New Buildings & Hall Upgrades: Several years later, O Block was constructed—a project Jessica was fortunate to help plan as a committee member. The canteen, originally located at the back of a much smaller hall facing Orange Lane, was moved before the hall was expanded and upgraded. A new deck area was also built near the hall.

Jessica’s teaching career spans major technological leaps:

Chalk to Whiteboards: After starting her career writing with chalk on blackboards, she transitioned at Hurstville to whiteboards paired with older, trickier overhead projectors.
Interactive Boards & COWs: The arrival of interactive whiteboards brought excitement and dynamic lessons, though it required teachers to go through a daily ritual of calibrating the board every morning. Later, the school invested in COWs (Computers on Wheels), further revolutionising dynamic learning in the classroom.

Leadership & Student Life

Jessica spent many years teaching Year 2 and Kindergarten, specialising in helping young learners and their families transition smoothly into school life. As Deputy Principal, she went on to supervise Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 2, and the Support Unit.

During her time at Hurstville, she guided staff through major curriculum changes—first with new English and Mathematics syllabuses upon her arrival in 2013, and again with updated syllabus implementations in 2023.

Over the years, Jessica noticed that students’ schedules grew increasingly busy with extracurricular activities, adding extra pressure to their days. Technological advances also altered how students accessed information and entertainment, impacting daily routines and sleep patterns. Externally, the surrounding Hurstville community transformed into a bustling landscape of high-rise developments, leading to busier roads and impacting student enrolment numbers.

Unforgettable Memories & Traditions

One of the most memorable moments occurred during lunch at the old canteen, when a long, brown baby snake slithered across Area 1—passing directly under the legs of unaware Kindergarten students sitting on the silver benches. Staff acted quickly to safely usher students inside. A snake catcher arrived shortly after to bag the snake, and luckily, no one was harmed.

Among many fond memories, 2018 stood out. After teaching class KM for six months, Jessica stepped into a Relieving Deputy Principal position. Whenever she returned to visit her former classroom, the students would rush over to wrap her in a giant group hug—a moment that filled her with immense pride.

Every year concluded with a fun-filled Kindergarten excursion to a local indoor play centre, where teachers and students shared snacks, laughs, and fond memories of the school year.

Having served as both a backstage helper for many years and an audience spectator, Jessica loved watching the Showcase grow at the Hurstville Marana Auditorium, bringing the whole community together in a celebration of student talent.

“It would bring me so much joy to see all of our talented students shine on stage—the atmosphere at Showcase was electric!”

Colleagues and Community

To Jessica, HPS felt like a giant family. She shared a strong, visionary partnership with Principal Mr. Steed, who worked tirelessly for student opportunities. She also collaborated alongside inspirational Deputy Principals—including Ms Birch, Ms Scott, Ms Lovell, Mrs Ingram, and Mrs Muir—and directly mentored Assistant Principals like Mrs Bringmann Walker, Mrs Andersen, Miss Mansour, Miss Ryan, Mrs Pollard, and Mrs Sawell.

Living locally, Jessica frequently runs into former students and their families around Westfield Hurstville. Former students often return to visit her at school, and a colleague recently shared a moving message from a young man reflecting on the profound impact she and Mr. Steed had on his life. Notably, her very first 2014 Kindergarten class has now grown up to complete their HSC exams.

The 150-Year Legacy

"Throughout all of the changes over the years, Hurstville Public School has remained dedicated to creating a positive difference in the life of every single student."

As Hurstville Public School celebrates its 150th milestone, Jessica believes the school's core spirit has remained unchanged. Now guiding her own school community as the Principal of Lakemba Public School, her wish for HPS is to continue to flourish, stay true to its moral compass, and excel for the next 150 years.