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
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”
Rebecca Campbell
Head of Middle School
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.”
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
Julie Millar
Pre-Kindy Teacher
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Thai
2. Hobby: Gardening
3. Subject to Teach: Literacy
4. Ballina Activity: Walking on the beach
5. Bible Verse: Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Tiffany Chilcott
Kindergarten
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’.”
Clare Hickey
Year 1
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Thai
2. Hobby: Travelling to new places
3. Subject to Teach: English and Science
4. Ballina Activity: Walk along North Wall followed by a coffee
5. Bible Verse: Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Sheena Smith
Year 2
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.'
Lisa Donohoe
Year 3 Mon-Thu
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Berries and cheese
2. Hobby: Cooking
3. Subject to Teach: English
4. Ballina Activity: Early morning beach workouts
5. Bible Verse: Samuel 16:7 “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
Cal McDonald
Year 4
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Anything Thai!
2. Hobby: Cooking
3. Subject to Teach: Writing
4. Ballina Activity: Walking on the beach
5. Bible Verse: Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Katie Mallam
Junior and Middle School
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.”’
Debbie Simmons
Middle School
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.’”
Chris Drew
Middle School
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.”
Belinda Bos
Middle School | Senior School
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.”
Leonie Bulmer
Middle School | Senior School
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."
Brad Gilmore
Middle School | Senior School | Junior School PE
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.”
Col Jarrett
Middle School | Senior School
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Steak
2. Hobby: Woodworking
3. Subject to Teach: Woodwork
4. Ballina Activity: Lawn Bowls
5. Bible Verse: Psalm 23 "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 for his name’s sake."
Sarah Marquet
Senior School
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.”
Joe McDonald
Middle School | Senior School | Junior School PE
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Real Thai food or a good pizza or burger
2. Hobby: Surfing, Football, Surfskate
3. Subject to Teach: PDHPE & Business Studies
4. Ballina Activity: Enjoying the beaches and clean air
5. Bible Verse: Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Kaela McNamara
Middle School | Senior School
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Watermelon & dairy-free chocolate
2. Hobby: Playing sport, reading, anything creative
3. Subject to Teach: English, Bible & Art
4. Ballina Activity: Going to the beach
5. Bible Verse: Psalm 127: 1 "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain".
Michelle Robertson
Junior, Middle & Senior School Music
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Chocolate
2. Hobby: Songwriting
3. Subject to Teach: Music
4. Ballina Activity: Drinking coffee
5. Bible Verse: Ephesians 3:20-21 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.“
Adam Schouten
Senior School
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?
Michelle Thompson
Middle School | Senior School
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.
Nicki Steevens
Learning Support Teacher
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.”
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."
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
David Henderson
Student Learning Support
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
Megan Dawson
Student Learning Support
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.”
Kerry-Lee Drew
Student Learning Support | Pre-Kindy
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.”
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.“
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.”
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.”
Amy Goodwin
Administration 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!!!”
Martyn Parr
Grounds & Maintenance Officer
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Roast lamb with all the trimmings, especially when I am not cooking it.
2. Hobby: DIY things and anything to do with sport (watching or participating).
3. Subject to Teach: DIY things and anything to do with sport (watching or participating).
4. Ballina Activity: Hockey (playing and umpiring) and anything else to keep an ageing body from siezing up.
5. Bible Verse: For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Heb 4:12 NLT
Kimberley Schouten
Maternity Leave
5 Favorite Fun Facts
1. Food: Mango
2. Hobby: Surfing, swimming, anything outdoors!
3. Subject to Teach: Primary PE, Art & English
4. Ballina Activity: Surfing & fishing
5. Bible Verse: Matthew 6:25-34 “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

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

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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.