Meet Our Staff
Jonathon Simmons
Principal
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Mexican Italian
2. Hobby: Fishing
3. Subject to Teach: English
4. Ballina Activity: Fishing
5. Bible Verse: John 10:10- “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Lisa Weingarth
Deputy Principal | Acting Head of Primary
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Chocolate
2. Hobby: Reading
3. Subject to Teach: I love teaching them all!
4. Ballina Activity: Going to a café with friends
5. Bible Verse: Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”
Adam Schouten
Head of Secondary
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Potato Chips or Lasagne
2. Hobby: Surfing
3. Subject to Teach: Science
4. Ballina Activity: Shellys Beach
5. Bible Verse: Matthew 6: 25-34 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
Peter Weingarth
Business Manager
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Anything sweet
2. Hobby: Golf
3. Subject to Teach: Sport
4. Ballina Activity: Anything with family
5. Bible Verse: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”. Mark 10:45
Megan Dawson
Pre-Kindy
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Chocolate
2. Hobby: Baking or watching a movie
3. Subject to Teach: I love helping students to do their best and learn new things
4. Ballina Activity: Picnics near the beach
5. Bible Verse: Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.”
Sheena Smith
Kindergarten
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: All seafood… also cupcakes!
2. Hobby: Tending my vegetable garden.
3. Subject to Teach: Drama, Art and Science.
4. Ballina Activity: Ballina Players Theatre - watching and performing!
5. Bible Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT ‘Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.'
Amanda Bottle
Year 1
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Thai Food
2. Hobby: Drawing
3. Subject to Teach: All
4. Ballina Activity: Markets
5. Bible Verse: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs." 1 Corinthians 13
Lisa Sawras
Year 2 | Leader Primary Student Welfare
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Italian especially seafood pasta
2. Hobby: Reading and going to the beach
3. Subject to Teach: English
4. Ballina Activity: Going out anywhere with family and friends especially if it involves eating yummy food.
5. Bible Verse: "The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving." Psalm 28:7
Sharlaine Ranger
Year 3
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Pizza
2. Hobby: Cross Stitch
3. Subject to Teach: Science
4. Ballina Activity: Beach
5. Bible Verse: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters" Colossians 3:23
Michele De Chalain
Year 4
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: French Food
2. Hobby: Surfing & Singing
3. Subject to Teach: English
4. Ballina Activity: Swimming at the beach
5. Bible Verse: "In you, Lord my God, I put my trust." Psalm 25:1
Debbie Simmons
Year 5
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Thai
2. Hobby: Going to the Beach
3. Subject to Teach: Maths
4. Ballina Activity: Walking on the beach
5. Bible Verse: Matthew 4:4 “Jesus answered, ‘It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Tiffany Chilcott
Year 6 | Leader Primary Teaching & Learning
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Mango & Raspberries
2. Hobby: Stand-Up Paddle Boarding
3. Subject to Teach: Reading
4. Ballina Activity: Boating on the River
5. Bible Verse: Hebrews 13:5 ” God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’.”
Leonie Bulmer
Secondary | Leader Secondary Teaching & Learning
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Fresh local produce.
2. Hobby: Horse riding and Pottery.
3. Subject to Teach: Japanese and Visual Arts.
4. Ballina Activity: Walks in our beautiful environment.
5. Bible Verse: Matt 17:20 He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you."
Rebecca Campbell
Secondary
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1.Food: Chocolate
2.Hobby: Reading, listening to music
3.Subject to Teach: English and Drama
4.Ballina Activity: Whale watching
5.Bible Verse: Isaiah 41:10 (The Passion Translation) “Do not yield to fear, for I am always near. Never turn your gaze from me, for I am your faithful God. I will infuse you with my strength and help you in every situation. I will hold you firmly with my victorious right hand.”
Josh Cave
Secondary
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food:
2. Hobby:
3. Subject to Teach:
4. Ballina Activity:
5. Bible Verse:
Chris Drew
Secondary
5 Favorite Fun Facts
Food: Japanese Curry
Hobby: Snake Relocation and Surfing
Favourite Subject: English and Bible Studies
Ballina Activity: Rock Pool Treasure Hunting with Family
Bible Verse: Psalm 34: 4-7 “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.”
Charlotte Fauchon
Secondary
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Roast Veggies
2. Hobby: Long distance running
3. Subject to Teach: English specifically literacy
4. Ballina Activity: Coffee at Shelly Beach
5. Bible Verse: "The eternal God is your refuge,
and underneath are the everlasting arms." Deuteronomy 33:27a
Amy Fear
Secondary
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food:
2. Hobby:
3. Subject to Teach:
4. Ballina Activity:
5. Bible Verse:
Fabiana Fox
Primary | Secondary
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food:Feijoada (Brazilian black bean stew)
2. Hobby: Sewing and baking.
3. Subject to Teach: Languages
4. Ballina Activity: A late afternoon picnic at South Ballina beach with my family.
5. Bible Verse: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Brad Gilmore
Secondary | Coordinator of Sport
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Chocolate
2. Hobby: Golf
3. Subject to Teach: Sport
4. Ballina Activity: Beach
5. Bible Verse: Romans 8:28- “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Erica Hales
Primary | Secondary
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Smoked Salmon
2. Hobby: Crochet
3. Subject to Teach: Music
4. Ballina Activity: Catching a plane at the airport
5. Bible Verse: "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
Bianca Henning
Secondary | Coordinator Student Leadership Development
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1.Food: Lamb chops and Boerewors (South African sausage)
2.Hobby: Running
3.Subject to teach: Science
4.Ballina Activity: Running on North Wall and surrounds
5.Bible verse: "I can do all this through Him who gives me strength" Philippians 4:13
Katie Mallam
Primary | Secondary
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Anything I don’t have to cook myself.
2. Hobby: Swimming, walking and running my kids around.
3. Subject to Teach: Bible and Maths.
4. Ballina Activity: Walking the headlands and beaches.
5. Bible Verse: Matthew 19:14 ‘Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”’
Sarah Marquet
Secondary
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Woodfired Pizza
2. Hobby: Sewing
3. Subject to Teach: Drama
4. Ballina Activity: Killen Falls
5. Bible Verse: Romans 8 & 2 Corinthians 12:9- “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
Nina Montalto
Secondary
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1.Food: My husband's homemade pizza. With toppings selected by him, because I usually put them all on and end up regretting it.
2.Hobby: Painting, sewing, reading, walking and playing the piano.
3.Subject to teach: History and Visual Art 🙂
4.Ballina Activity: Going to Bunnings (reluctantly) or getting on the ferry to South Wall (joyfully)
5.Bible verse: For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
Tabitha Pinnock
Secondary
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Watermelon
2. Hobby: Horse Riding
3. Subject to Teach: PDHPE
4. Ballina Activity: Walking my dog on the beach
5. Bible Verse: "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Chris Sami
Secondary
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Steak
2. Hobby: I love to sing and play my guitar
3. Subject to Teach: Mathematics!
4. Ballina Activity: Going to the beach.
5. Bible Verse: But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! Romans 8:8-9
Victoria Sami
Secondary | Leader Secondary Student Welfare
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Anything Italian
2. Hobby: Paddle boarding and baking sourdough bread
3. Subject to Teach: History & English
4. Ballina Activity: The beach!
5. Bible Verse: For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. John 1:16
Kimberley Schouten
Primary
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food:
2. Hobby:
3. Subject to Teach:
4. Ballina Activity:
5. Bible Verse:
Michelle Thompson
Secondary
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Roast Pork, Beef Nachos
2. Hobby: Netball, Bike Riding, Jigsaw Puzzles
3. Subject to Teach: PDHPE
4. Ballina Activity: Going to the beach
5. Bible Verse: Psalm 139 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
Belinda Bos
Learning Enrichment Teacher Secondary
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Indian
2. Hobby: No time for a hobby
3. Subject to Teach: Visual Arts
4. Ballina Activity: Laughing with friends & family
5. Bible Verse: Philippians 4:6-7 -“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Karina Smith
Learning Enrichment Teacher Primary
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Seafood (prawns)
2. Hobby: Walking along the beach and building puzzles
3. Subject to Teach: English
4. Ballina Activity: Family activities like ten pin bowling
5. Bible Verse: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5
Nicki Steevens
Learning Enrichment Teacher (Parental leave)
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Chocolate Brownies
2. Hobby: Going to the Beach
3. Subject to Teach: English
4. Ballina Activity: Walking Along the River
5. Bible Verse: Colossians 3:14 “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
David Henderson
IT & Careers Officer
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: An amazing burger
2. Hobby: Cycling
3. Subject to Teach: Sport
4. Ballina Activity: Golf, sometimes…..
5. Bible Verse: Ephesians 6:10-11 ESV
Danielle Kidd
School Counsellor
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Italian especially pasta
2. Hobby: Scooter riding & reading
3. Subject to Teach: Wellbeing
4. Ballina Activity: Walking around Shaws Bay
5. Bible Verse: "I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." Ezekiel 36:25-27
Matthias Stickl
School Chaplain
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1.Food: Mexican food
2.Hobby: Surfing
3.Subject to teach: Scripture classes
4.Ballina Activity: Surfing Boulders/North Wall
5.Bible verse: Romans 8:15 "So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him "Abba, Father."
Sonja Bailey
Student Learning Support
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Cardamon Scrolls
2. Hobby: Motocycling
3. Subject to Teach:
4. Ballina Activity: Bird watching
5. Bible Verse: "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths or his name’s sake...." Psalm 23
Kerry-Lee Drew
Student Learning Support | Coordinator of CAPA
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Cheese and fresh bakery bread
2. Hobby: Glass etching
3. Subject to Teach: Dance and Early Literacy
4. Ballina Activity: Walking along our gorgeous beaches and taking photos
5. Bible Verse: Jeremiah 1: 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Charlotte Goodwin
Student Learning Support
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food:
2. Hobby:
3. Subject to Teach:
4. Ballina Activity:
5. Bible Verse:
Caleb Hogbin
Student Learning Support
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Middle Eastern
2. Hobby: Reading
3. Subject to Teach: English
4. Ballina Activity: Park Run
5. Bible Verse: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
Tayla Parr
Student Learning Support
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Sushi
2. Hobby: Worship, Pottery & Painting
3. Subject to Teach: Early Learning & Art
4. Ballina Activity: Walking on our beautiful beaches
5. Bible Verse: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
Mark Pitt
Student Learning Support
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Jalepeno Poppers
2. Hobby: Surfing with the kids
3. Subject to Teach: Helping with Maths and anything to do with sports
4. Ballina Activity: Anything outside. Especially if it is near the beach. Salt water and sand is my happy place.
5. Bible Verse: I sought the Lord and he heard me, and he delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34-4 and Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
Alison Scott
Student Learning Support
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Roast Pork & Baked Vegies
2. Hobby: Sewing
3. Subject to Teach: Helping Kids
4. Ballina Activity: Swimming at Beach & Riding my Bike along the Bike Tracks.
5. Bible Passage: John 15:1-17
Freya Teale
Student Learning Support
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Chilli Prawn Linguine & anything with pork
2. Hobby: Singing Karaoke & Listening to Music
3. Subject to Teach: Love nurturing little people
4. Ballina Activity: Whale watching at Lennox Head Pat Moreton Lookout
5. Bible Passage: Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2
Janelle Clarke
Principal's Assistant
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Seafood
2. Hobby: Gardening
3. Subject to Teach: Kid’s Church
4. Ballina Activity: Walking on the Breakwall
5. Bible Verse: Isaiah 43:1 “But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.“
Amy Goodwin
Executive Assistant
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Chimichangas
2. Hobby: Craft and reading
3. Subject to Teach: Frisbee throwing
4. Ballina Activity: Cycling the awesome bike paths
5. Bible Verse: Psalm 23: 1 (The Passion Translation) “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack NOTHING!!!”
Rachael Henderson
Administration Officer
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Chocolate
2. Hobby: Swimming
3. Subject to Teach: Reading/Spelling
4. Ballina Activity: Eat out for lunch/dinner
5. Bible Verse: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7
Alison Parr
Administration Officer
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Falafel, Hummus Wraps
2. Hobby: Photography
3. Subject to Teach: Judo/ Worshipping Jesus
4. Ballina Activity: Soccer & Hockey
5. Bible Verse: Isaiah 26:3- “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
Laurel Trainor
Finance Officer
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Roast Lamb
2. Hobby: Crossfit
3. Subject to Teach: Finance skills
4. Ballina Activity: Run along North Wall
5. Bible Verse: Jeremiah 29:11- “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Joel Soper
Grounds & Maintenance Manager
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food:
2. Hobby:
3. Subject to Teach:
4. Ballina Activity:
5. Bible Verse:

School hours
Monday to Friday 8:50am — 2:55pm
Pre-kindy
Wednesday to Friday 8.50am to 2.55pm

Office hours
Monday to Friday 8:30am — 3:30pm

Book a Tour
To assist parents in the nurture of their children,
By providing a Christ-centred, biblically grounded, academically rigorous and culturally relevant education that instils a sense of identity, purpose and hope in students that equips them to live for God’s glory.
