Head of Studies
Wilkommen! Huanying! Vitejte! Fáilte! Merhba! Croeso! Yokoso! Kher mqadam!
As varied as us all, welcome in many different languages to all new and returning students to WACOA-Denmark. Welcome also to our new staff! We have 7 new teaching staff this year, representing a significant era of change for the College. We have been very fortunate to recruit such enthusiastic staff, who bring a wealth of experience from a wide range of contexts across the state and around the world. I am sure you are keen to hear a little about our new staff, so here we go …
Sarah Johnson
Originally from the UK, Sarah has previously taught at Denmark SHS and WACOA – Morawa in her time in WA. She is thrilled to experience the more intimate educational experience at WACOA – Denmark that our small class sizes and family atmosphere foster. Her aim is to build upon the College’s solid foundation of academic excellence through consolidating the full range of English courses offered to our students in the English area. With an obvious passion for reading, Sarah most enjoys delivering authentic learning experiences for our students.
Ian Manuel
A ‘boy from the bush’, Ian grew up in the Wheatbelt, sharing with our students the experience of attending small country schools. He was last teaching at Meekatharra as a secondary generalist, but has worked Statewide as a HASS teacher in numerous different contexts. He is very pleased to be teaching HASS, English and Career Education at the College, and is looking forward to getting to know our lovely students.
Trudi Romano
With an extensive background of teaching country kids on country, from the Goldfields southwards, Trudi joins the College from Albany SHS where she taught Maths. Her skills in IT are put to good use, as she daily brings the network to a greater level of efficiency at the College. She is also one of our Maths teachers! Her aim at the College is to enjoy her Maths teaching, building in the agricultural context to her lessons.
Renae Tucci
A keen horsewoman, Renae joins us from WACOA – Narrogin where she was a Technical Officer, specialising in the care of livestock, inclusive of horses. With a background of running her own riding school, she has been warmly embraced by our equine students. Her aim at the College is to develop good horsemanship, able to be applied across a wide variety of equine pursuits.
Christopher Kirkwood
Joining us from Denmark SHS where he taught as a Maths and HPE specialist, Chris is taking on Maths, Plants and Autos. He is an extremely experienced long distance runner, participating in a 100 mile run this last weekend, flying the flag for the College, showing that teachers can do anything! His passion for educating teenagers is readily apparent, and his contribution to the College will be deeply valued.
Janine-Helen Daniel
Hailing from the Golden Outback (the fancy name for the Shire of Esperance), Janine-Helen is a farm girl through and through. At home in the sheep yards, on a horses’ back, or in a lab coat in the Science lab, she brings a wide experience from positions such as Head of Science and Teacher Consultant to her role as Head of Studies at WACOA – Denmark. With her own small sheep, cereal and horse breeding farm, she is a keen participant in rural communities, volunteering as a riding coach at her local Pony Club. She intends to use her passion for Agriculture, Science, and teaching teenagers to build upon the reputation of the College.
Phil Toon
Phil Toon will be teaching Maths this year as well as Automotives while Mr Kemp is enjoying some long-service leave. Phil has been a trainer at TAFE and has also taught at Albany and Manjimup Senior High Schools.
Phil is kept busy with a young family who enjoy their lifestyle property outside Albany.