Meet our new staff.......

Mrs Jenny Atkin and Mrs Meagan Vidler - Assistant Principal, Curriculum and Instruction

The Assistant Principal, Curriculum and Instruction position is a leadership role dedicated to ensuring that literacy and numeracy knowledge and skills are embedded in curriculum and assessment; high quality teaching practices are enhanced; and the capabilities of middle leaders are strengthened in literacy and numeracy instruction. It is similar to the existing Assistant Principal position but with an explicit focus on the leadership of effective, evidence-based literacy and numeracy teaching and assessment practices for improved student learning outcomes across the curriculum. Guyra Central School are extremely fortunate to have 2 Assistant Principal, Curriculum and Instruction teachers: Mrs Atkin (full time) and Mrs Vidler (part-time). They will be working closely together and are looking forward to this new challenge of further supporting the students and teachers at Guyra Central School specifically in the areas of literacy and numeracy.

Mrs Sjaan Mitchell - Assistant Principal K-6

After relieving as the Assistant Principal at Guyra Central School for over four years, I was appointed as the Permanent Assistant Principal at the end of 2021.  My role involves teaching Kindergarten and supporting the Principal, leadership team and staff. I also lead and supervise a group of teachers to support their professional growth and lead PBL. 

Ms Annette Callister-Deputy Principal Instructional Leader/Head Teacher English/HSIE

I'm really excited to join the teaching team at GCS for 2022. This year my role at the school is Deputy Principal /Instructional Leader, working with staff to develop Literacy outcomes in the Secondary school.

I will also be taking on the role of Head Teacher of HSIE and English and am enjoying teaching Year 7 and 11 English.

 My first few weeks at GCS have been great. Thank you to students, staff and the parents I have met, who have already made me feel very welcome.

Ms Lea-Anne Best - Head Teacher TAS/VET/BIG PICTURE/ALEC

I was born in Gunnedah, my tribe is Gamillaroi.

I am into my second decade of teaching TAS subjects, with my specialisation being Hospitality. 

I was the Head Teacher of TAS at Erina High School and Gunnedah High School in previous years. When the position came up at Guyra Central School, it was a perfect opportunity to reunite with my family who live in Armidale. 

Currently I am Head Teacher of TAS and VET subjects and am excited to continue my support for my mainstream subjects. I am passionate about my new roles as HT of the Big Picture Education Program and ALEC as I am able to connect with indigenous and Big Picture students to provide dedicated support in these areas. My vision is to equip students with skills and knowledge to succeed at post school vocational courses and higher education.

Miss Danni Peoples - Classroom Teacher, Stage 1 Lime  

Hello Guyra Central Community.

My name is Danni Peoples. I began my teaching career on the NSW Central Coast where I taught for a short time before moving to Moree. After a couple of years teaching in Moree we relocated to Darwin. Whilst teaching in Darwin I achieved my Highly Accomplished Teacher Certification. Although we thoroughly enjoyed the Northern Territory it was time for a sea change and move closer to family. Thank you for welcoming me with open arms. I look forward to becoming part of your beautiful community.

Mr Angus Goodwin Hill - Secondary Classroom Teacher, Science 

I am originally from Sydney and moved to Armidale to study a bachelor of Rural Science in 2016. While studying, I attended Duval college at UNE for 3 years. In late 2019 I moved to Toowoomba to work on a blueberry farm for a bit and then began my studies to become a teacher. I was lucky enough to do my first teaching placement in 2020 with Bec Smith, teaching agriculture at ASC. When Bec moved to Guyra Central School in 2021, she provided the connection to do my second placement at GCS later that year. I am lucky GCS was happy to take me back for 2022 and I am happily living in Armidale with my girlfriend and my dog Gilbert.

Miss Sarrah O'Hara - Classroom Teacher, Stage 3 Silver/Stage 2 Olive

Originally born in Glen Innes, I moved to Armidale 5 years ago for work. I have been working and volunteering with children in various different forms since I was about the age of 13, I started off helping with the younger ones in scouts and then started my childcare certificate which resulted in some babysitting work, work in a childcare centre and then finally to me becoming the out of school hours coordinator at PCYC in Armidale, while completing my degree before starting work this year at Guyra Central. 

Mr Mal Gaukroger - Secondary Classroom Teacher, PDHPE/Big Picture

Hi, my name is Mal Gaukroger. I am a PDHPE teacher who is re-joining the staff at Guyra Central School for 2022. I initially taught at Guyra Central from the year 2000 to 2005. I have gained experience being a Head Teacher of PDHPE and Sport over eight years at Armidale High School and Armidale Secondary College. I have lived in Guyra for the last 22 years and I am a former student of Guyra Central School previous to my University studies. I enjoy playing sport in Guyra which includes golf, tennis and cricket. I look forward to assisting students with their studies in PDHPE, The Big Picture Project and with developing sporting skills for school games and representative sport.

Mr Luke Hooper - Secondary Classroom Teacher, English/LOTE

My name is Mr Hooper. I have a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters in Secondary teaching from UNE. I teach English, English Studies and German here at the school 2022.  I also help out with Mrs Nicholson's Visual Art class. I like cooking and baking which are skills I improved over lockdown. I like my footy and go for Queensland in the origin which I know will annoy  kids and some teachers. (Don't care, Up the maroons!)

I have a keen interest in foreign languages and can speak German fluently. Looking forward to working with you all. Here's hoping for an awesome 2022!

Miss Kailyn Marsh - Secondary, Student Support Officer

Hello! My name is Kailyn Marsh and I'm the new Student Support Officer (SSO) at Guyra Central School. As SSO I work directly with our school community to offer individual support to students and to be a connection point for our students. My background is in Social Work and I work collaboratively with the GCS Wellbeing Team and local support services and organisations to ensure that our students have access to the support that they need to reach their goals. I will also be running small group programs on topics such as body image, mental health, managing emotions, resilience and much more. I'm always available, for both students and parents, to offer some guidance, connect you with supports or just to have a chat. Please don't hesitate to get in touch!

Ms Rebecca Wood - School Learning and Support Officer

I live in Armidale and am currently working as a School Learning and Support Officer in Stage 2 and 3.  I came to this role following my placement in the school as a mature age student social worker in 2021.  I am enjoying gardening with students through my involvement in the development of the junior school vegie patch.  This entails planting, maintenance, harvesting and cooking and sharing of our harvested vegetables.  I love to experience the joy, and sense of achievement, it brings the students