Interview with Jo & Deb

Interview - Joanne Taylor & Deb Murnane

Assistant Principals

How long have you worked at BNPS?

Jo;  I started here in 1997 teaching Year 1 so this is my 24th year at BNPS!

Deb; I started teaching at BNPS in 1995, originally as the Art teacher. I then went on to be appointed the PYP Coordinator and  In 2010 I taught Year 6.  Following this I was the Curriculum Coordinator/PYP Coordinator & now I am in the role of Assistant Principal.

Who  inspires you?  

Jo: Lots of people inspire me – from my super fit neighbour who motivated me to start lots of walking to wonderful artists like our own Australian Impressionists.

Deb; The amazing Olympians and Para Olympians representing Australia. 

What is your favourite thing to do on the weekends? 

Jo; I love walking down to Charman Rd to collect a coffee and a delicious olive baguette from Bromleys.

Deb; I like to take my dogs for a walk and catch up with my family when I can. Lately we have been meeting on Zoom. 

Are you an early bird or a night owl?  

Jo; I have always been an early bird.  I’m very happy to be up and about very early in the morning and just as happy to be early to bed.

Deb; I am neither. I go to bed early and love a sleep in now and then. 

If you weren't a teacher, what do you think you might be doing?

Jo; If I wasn’t a teacher I think I would either be a linguist because I love words or an illustrator as I also like to draw.

Deb; At the moment I could be a baker because I have taken up bread making. It smells delicious! 

What might someone be surprised to know about you ?

Jo; I have my own art studio at the back of my house and when I’m not at school I am busy painting.

Deb: I have a daughter teaching at BNPS and I can play the piano! 

What’s something you saw recently that made you smile?  

Jo;  A neighbour sent us a wonderful photo of three Tawny Frogmouth Owls living in a tree on BNPS grounds – they were so cute, they made me smile.

Deb;   I loved watching the year ones cooking. They were smiling and keen to share their baked goods and their ideas! 

If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would you choose ?

Jo; Maybe I would like to trade places with a pastry chef for the day because I do have a soft spot for all those yummy Danish pastries and devour as many as I liked!

Deb;  I can’t think of anyone I’d like to trade places with at the moment but I am looking forward to travelling…….one day! 

What would you like to say to the students of BNPS? 

Jo; I’d like to tell them how wonderfully resilient and clever they all are. We are very proud of the way they have adapted to online learning but we also can’t wait to see them all back!

Deb; I congratulate the BNPS students for their participation in remote learning. Their technical ability, exceptional behaviour and focus on their learning combined with enthusiasm and positive attitudes are heart-warming.