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Welcome to Kinma

Our Staff

Kinma staff are experienced, compassionate educators who guide each child’s learning with care, creativity, and respect.

kinma community staff

Hi, I'm Felicity – Head of School at Kinma

I’ve been part of the Kinma community since 2006, starting as the Preschool Director and teacher. From the very beginning, I felt a strong connection to Kinma’s values—respect for children, learning through real-life experiences, and the power of community. Over the years, I’ve grown alongside the children, families, and educators, and in 2023 I was honoured to take on the role of Head of School to ensure continuity of The Kinma Way.

What drew me to Kinma and keeps inspiring me every day, is our belief in children as capable, curious, and creative learners. I’m deeply passionate about children having choice, input and space to explore their individuality, especially in natural environments. I believe that when children feel respected and understood, they thrive—not just academically, also as their best selves.

My work is all about nurturing those respectful, trusting relationships between children, teachers, and families. I’m proud to work with a dedicated team and passionate families to keep Kinma’s vision alive: a place where children know themselves, understand how they learn best, and grow into confident, thoughtful individuals who can connect with a wide range of people and perspectives.

Felicity

kinma staff felicity
"Kinma is a community where children grow with a voice, understanding, and joy."

Our Staff

At Kinma, our team is more than just educators – they are passionate mentors, innovators, and enthusiastic learners who inspire our children every single day. With a beautiful blend of experience and fresh perspectives, our long-standing staff (some with decades of dedication) and our newer team members come together to create a dynamic, nurturing learning environment. United by a shared commitment to progressive education, every member of our staff actively engages in ongoing professional development and mentoring, ensuring that the learning journey at Kinma is ever-evolving, deeply personal, and profoundly impactful.

Our Staff: Preschool

Kinma’s preschool teachers are creative, caring, and deeply experienced, with many sharing decades of dedication to our community. They bring warmth, stability, and expertise to every child’s learning journey.

Our Staff: Preschool

Kinma’s preschool teachers are creative, caring, and deeply experienced, with many sharing decades of dedication to our community. They bring warmth, stability, and expertise to every child’s learning journey.

kinma staff Christine

Christine

Preschool Teacher

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kinma staff Grace

Grace

Preschool Educator

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kinma staff Lizzie

Lizzie

Preschool Educator

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kinma staff Mary

Mary

Preschool Educator

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kinma staff Nina

Nina

Nominated Supervisor and Teacher

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kinma staff pat

Pat

Preschool Educator

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Claudia

Preschool Educator

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Kara

Preschool Educator

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Our Staff: Primary

Kinma’s primary teachers are dynamic and flexible, shaping learning to suit each group. With creativity and insight, they nurture curiosity, encourage collaboration, and build a strong sense of community in every group.

Our Staff: Primary

Kinma’s primary teachers are dynamic and flexible, shaping learning to suit each group. With creativity and insight, they nurture curiosity, encourage collaboration, and build a strong sense of community in every group.

kinma staff Grace

Grace

Primary Educator

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kinma staff Kate

Kate

Primary Teacher

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kinma staff Kimberley

Kimberley

Primary Teacher

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kinma staff Priscila

Priscila

Primary Educator

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kinma staff Richie

Richie

Primary Teacher

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Tom testimonial

Tom

Primary Teacher

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Katy

Primary Teacher

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Mel

Primary Educator

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Kat

Primary Teacher

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Our Staff: Out of School Hours Care Team

Our educators are fun, caring, and full of energy. They create a safe, welcoming space where children feel at home and enjoy spending their time.

Our Staff: Out of School Hours Care Team

Our educators are fun, caring, and full of energy. They create a safe, welcoming space where children feel at home and enjoy spending their time.

kinma staff pat green umbrella

Pam

Education Leader

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kinma staff michelle green umbrella

Michelle

Coordinator

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Ness

Educator

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Our Staff: Admin Team

Kinma’s office staff keep the school running smoothly, balancing communication, organisation, and care. With warmth and efficiency, they support the daily flow of Kinma, connecting families, staff, and community.
Our Staff: Admin Team
Kinma’s office staff keep the school running smoothly, balancing communication, organisation, and care. With warmth and efficiency, they support the daily flow of Kinma, connecting families, staff, and community.
chrissie cavaliere kinma

Chrissie

Education Leader

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Lou

Education Leader

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kinma staff felicity

Felicity

Head of School

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kinma staff Melinda

Melinda

Office Co-ordinator

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kinma staff Nick

Nick

Accounts Manager

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kinma staff Tori

Tori

Office Manager

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We build collaborative learning environments without the pressure of comparison and competition – just real, meaningful growth.
Tom
TomPrimary Teacher
The heart of Kinma lies in its vibrant community – a supportive network of children, staff, and families who genuinely care for one another.
Chrissie
ChrissieEducation Leader
What sets the school apart from traditional schooling is the trust placed in us as educators to truly meet the children where they are.
Richie
RichiePrimary Teacher

Keep Exploring​

kinma history hero

Kinma History

kinma environment 3

Environment

Christine

  • Kinma is a community, making it possible for students, parents, their families and teachers to belong.
  • What a privilege to be surrounded by bush and to be able to invite children to explore and experience nature. I believe in educating children in a creative and holistic way by not rushing them and giving them choices. They are encouraged to become independent human beings. The programming is built on their interests and makes learning meaningful for them.
  • I enjoy working in a team of like-minded educators who respect and care about each other. Together we make it possible for children to feel safe and grow.

Grace

​What is it like being a teacher at Kinma?

  • Being a teacher at Kinma is, in many ways, like being a child at Kinma. As much as we are teachers, we are learners. ​
  • The learning that happens at Kinma is constant and multi-dimensional, occurring not just in the classroom but in every opportunity and experience. Children teach me about native Australian marine life while I help them learn to tie their shoes. I teach children how to navigate challenging reading materials while they unknowingly teach me how to slow down and find humour in small things. ​
  • Teaching at Kinma is like existing as part of the physical environment while being a part of something meaningful. ​
  • Teaching at Kinma means that I can teach with love, patience and intention. 

Lizzie

  • I have been fortunate enough to be part of the Kinma community for nearly 12 years as an educator and a parent. Every day brings something new as learning is inspired by the curious and imaginative minds of the children and the collaborative and meaningful teaching approaches of the educators.
  • At the heart of Kinma is the uniqueness of relationships between children, educators and families, where there are many opportunities for community connection. Preschool invites slow pedagogy, where children have ample time to play, relax and eat, and teachers spend time building connections rather than rushing children from one activity to the next. At Kinma, children are viewed as agentic, capable and confident in making decisions about their learning and play.

Mary

  • I’m inspired everyday working at Kinma, by the kind nurturing environment created by educators. The child educator relationship is unique, where children will often invite an educator to sit and eat with them. Conversations often lead to interests and ideas planned for the day ahead.
  • Kinma is situated in a natural bushland setting, this environment ensures freedom for children’s autonomy. The garden is a sensory wonderland, with chickens to feed and fruit to be picked. I particularly enjoy spending time there with the children and join them in their, joyful curious approach to there many new discoveries.

Nina

Kinma holds a special place in my heart – it feels like home. 

  • Children climbing trees, children skipping through the garden, children talking to the chickens, children explaining their perspective and telling us ‘thats not fair’, children asking ‘why?’, children enjoying their childhood; all these are possible at Kinma. These moments make my teacher-heart flutter.
  • These moments are all made possible by the boards, the leadership team and the team directly working with children. Decisions about: child ratio, collaborationwith families, group sizing, professional development, physical environment and resources all contribute to the educators and teachers facilitating high-qualityeducation and care. These fill me with a sense of pride.
  • ​I can be the teacher and learner I want to be.

Pat

  • What I love most about working at Kinma Preschool is the genuine joy that fills each day — joy in play, in discovery, and in the simple moments we share like eating when we are hungry with on a mat in the sunshine. Relationships are at the heart of everything we do, and I feel so lucky to work in a community where children are deeply known, respected, and celebrated. There’s a beautiful flow here: time to explore, space to wonder, and a strong connection to the natural world. Whether we’re climbing, creating, or looking after our garden and chickens, Kinma allows childhood to unfold in the most meaningful, magical ways.

Claudia

What I love most about working at Kinma is the sense of connection. Kinma is a place where relationships really matter — with the children, families and staff. Where every child is encouraged to be curious, capable and completely themselves. Being a teacher here feels like being part of a living, learning community. I love the freedom to follow children’s interests, to learn alongside them and to think creatively about what education can be. There is a wonderful sense of trust, collaboration and possibility at Kinma, and I feel incredibly lucky to work in a place where teaching is about so much more than the classroom.

Kara

I feel grateful to have found my way back to Kinma as a teacher after attending preschool in 1972. Warmth fills my heart when I recall my Kinma time – I connect to a magical sense of wonder, feeling open to all possibilities and happy in my own skin. I always felt cared for, teachers would speak with kindness and respect and listen to my choices. A loving community flourished; families participated at preschool and outside events, and many became lifelong friends. Every day was an adventure; spontaneous games with friends, creative craft and construction, bush walks, encounters with wildlife and horses. The colour green shines bright in my memories, giving deep feelings of peace, safety and belonging. More than half a century later, I am privileged to help caretake this special legacy. I love getting to know the beautiful Kinma children of today, and everyday I feel joy to be part of their unique preschool experience.

Kate

What makes Kinma unique?

  • At Kinma, children are given real agency. They take an active role in shaping what and how they learn and contribute ideas and decisions throughout Kinma. They lead personal interest projects that allow them to explore their curiosities and interests. Beyond the classroom, they initiate whole-school fundraising events, where they decide how funds are distributed between school needs and charities. Their voices are heard and genuinely valued.
  • Children reflect on group culture and navigate conflicts or challenges that arise both inside and outside the classroom. They also share their thinking around school policy and how it might be shaped to support the community. In Group 3, we run a parliament — inspired by their Canberra excursion — where they propose ideas, negotiate changes, and consider the needs of the wider group.
  • Choice is foundational here. Its how we show respect, nurture curiosity, and support a love of learning. Instead of relying on control or compliance, we focus on building a culture of thoughtfulness.

Kimberley

What is it like being a teacher at Kinma?

  • Being a teacher at Kinma is like stepping into a world where education is deeply human, joyful, and authentic. Here, teaching isn’t about ticking boxes— its about walking alongside children as they explore, question, and grow. The absence of bells, uniforms, and rigid hierarchies allows for genuine connections and spontaneous moments of wonder.
  • Each day brings the freedom to co-create learning experiences that are meaningful and child-led. Whether it’s a cross-curricular inquiry, a class meeting, or a bush play, the focus is on nurturing curiosity and fostering self-direction. The multi-age classrooms and high teacher-student ratios create a sense of family, where every voice matters and relationships are central.
  • What makes Kinma truly special is the warmth of its community. Parents, educators, and children collaborate in a space that values individuality, creativity, and emotional well-being.
  • Teaching at Kinma feels like a shared journey—one where you’re constantly learning, laughing, and growing right alongside the children.

Priscilla

How would you describe working at Kinma?

  • Have you ever thought about working in an environment where you feel loved and appreciated? Where your words are value and respected? I’ve found this workplace.
  • Besides being a learning institution, it is a place where love and respect are the main foundations. It is extensively surrounded by a rich biodiversity and it feels like a blessing to be able to share this land with native flora and fauna. In the core of this bushland, we find this calming aspect to the school day, where outdoor learning is encouraged and embedded into the curriculum.
  • There is a deep sense of belonging as we are all connected and active parts of the community. Everyone is treated equally with fairness and appreciation, regardless the background. I feel so much at home in this School and genuinely wish every School was like Kinma.

Richie

  • Being a teacher at Kinma is energising and deeply rewarding. What sets the school apart from traditional schooling is the trust placed in us as educators to truly meet the children where they are. Rather than following prescriptive, one-size-fits-all units of work, we have the professional autonomy to design learning experiences that respond to all children’s interests, needs and strengths, while still delivering the Australian Curriculum in rich and meaningful ways.
  • The flexibility here means that we can take the time to get to know each learner and bring learning outcomes to life through inquiry, play, and purposeful exploration. Instead of teaching for NAPLAN, we focus on nurturing learning attributes like curiosity, collaboration and critical thinking. Children are not ranked or compared; instead, they are supported to grow at their own pace in an environment that values depth of understanding.
  • Kinma encourages teachers who are creative, innovative, and reflective. It’s a space where I can try new approaches, learn from my colleagues, and be truly responsive to the learners in front of me. The result is a highly engaging classroom and school environment where children are learning how to be lifelong learners. It’s a privilege to teach in a place where such a thing is allowed to happen.

Tom

  • What I love most about teaching at Kinma is how it feels more like a community than a school. There’s a genuine gentleness here – a deep respect for children and how they move through the world. We take time to know each other, to listen, notice, and respond with care.
  • Learning at Kinma doesn’t follow a script. It grows from the children – their questions, wonderings, and play. We have the freedom to explore ideas meaningfully, to slow down when something matters, and to embrace the messy, beautiful parts of learning.
  • We create collaborative environments without pressure or competition – just authentic growth. The bushland becomes part of the classroom, and the relationships we build with children, families, and nature are honest and strong.
  • It’s not always easy, but it feels right. I see children becoming more themselves – confident, kind, curious – and that is the heart of education.

Katy

How would you describe working at Kinma?

  • Working at Kinma is fun and unhurried. There is lots of space for children to share their ideas and for us to build on them together, making learning hands on, immersive and interactive. 
  • It’s a refreshing place to work, one that speaks to my values. I love how much depth there is here around learning and connection, both to the students and to the natural world around us.
  • There’s no rush to fit kids into a mould. In Garraway you’ll find children outside, hands in the dirt, building something, working through an idea together, or lost in a story, with plenty of room for them to lead the way. I bring in movement, art, and books wherever I can, because I think children learn best when they’re part of shaping it. That sense of trust and community is what makes Kinma feel different. It’s a big part of why I love coming to work.

Mel

Working at Kinma is collaborative, purposeful, and inspiring.I have the opportunity to support children as they explore their curiosity, build confidence, and learn in ways that are meaningful to them. No two days are ever the same, and I enjoy being alongside the children as they discover new ideas and experiences. The strong sense of community makes Kinma a truly special place to work. Families, staff, and children build genuine relationships based on trust, respect, and kindness. It’s a collaborative environment where everyone’s voice is valued, and learning extends far beyond the classroom into nature and everyday experiences. Watching children grow in confidence, independence, and compassion is incredibly rewarding, and being part of that journey is what makes working at Kinma so fulfilling.

Kat

Being a teacher at Kinma means learning alongside children in a community where curiosity, creativity and connection are valued. I enjoy that learning extends beyond the classroom – into the bush, down at the creek and through discussions shaped by the children’s questions and interests. Each day is different and encourages me to be reflective, flexible and open-minded in my teaching. Kinma gives children opportunities to take meaningful ownership of their learning, explore ideas and develop confidence in themselves. It is a supportive place to teach, where strong relationships and a genuine understanding of each child are central to the way we learn together.

Ness

Working at Kinma over the last few months has been a joyful and unique experience. Whether it’s breathing in the crisp, fresh air or spending my afternoons alongside a wonderfully diverse community of children and adults, each moment has become part of the tapestry of wonder that is Kinma.

In my short time here, I have loved supporting the children of Green Umbrella to be their wonderfully authentic selves. It has been a privilege to witness their silliness and brilliance as we explore relationships, our connection to place, and our role in the world, while allowing them to captain the ship and shape the direction of our shared expeditions.

I know a younger version of me would have loved to attend a school like Kinma. Being part of an intentional educational community that cares so deeply about its people and the world around it feels deeply aligned with who I am. It has truly been a gift to be part of Kinma.

Chrissie

  • Working at Kinma offers the best of both worlds: a fulfilling career in education and the flexibility to nurture my own family. As an educator and parent, I find immense joy in a profession where I’m constantly learning and growing. The heart of Kinma lies in its vibrant community – a supportive network of children, staff, and families who genuinely care for one another.​
  • The Kinma daily life revolves around developing authentic relationships, which we believe are fundamental to real learning. Beyond crafting engaging, student-centered lessons, we understand that true education blossoms through play, enriching excursions, and whole-school events. I love seeing my young son participate in our many special gatherings, experiencing the unique delight of the Kinma spirit firsthand. It’s a place where professional passion and personal life harmoniously intertwine.

Lou

Kinma is a rare community, nestled into its bush surroundings and offering a unique learning experience for children and their families. It is immediately warm and welcoming, honouring the freedom to be a child whilst meeting individual children at point of need and supporting the development of their autonomy and their voice. The relationships here are rich and authentic as we seek to build human beings up and bring our collective self to making the world better.

Becoming part of Kinma is an exciting opportunity to continue to contribute to an educational climate that is centred on belonging, growth and making positive change in the world. Walking with children and families is a great privilege that also carries huge responsibility which I do not take lightly. Kinma is family and extends that familial connection to everyone we connect with.

Felicity

  • Working at Kinma allows me to be part of a learning environment that feels genuine, grounded, and alive. Here, children learn through play, exploration, and real connection—with each other, nature, and authentically with the adults around them. I’m continually inspired by the way they problem-solve, take risks, and grow together. What makes Kinma truly special is the sense of shared purpose between staff, families, and children, we work alongside one another to support each child in their own journey. Underpinning all of this is a deep care and love for the children, which makes the work not only meaningful, but joyful.

Melinda

How would you describe working at Kinma?

  • Working at Kinma is an absolute joy. From the moment I enter the grounds, a sense of calm washes over me – surrounded by birdsong, trees, and the laughter of children who are learning and having a great time doing it. Being able to watch children allowed to be themselves, grow in confidence, and develop a strong sense of empathy and acceptance toward their peers is incredibly rewarding. There’s a rare warmth here, a real sense of care and connection that flows through the entire community—staff, parents, and students. I love that Kinma values individuality and encourages creativity and independence, not just in the students but also in the staff. It’s a place that truly feels good to be a part of.

Nick

  • Kinma is unique in my opinion for its natural surroundings and the connection to nature you don’t get in the concrete environment of main-stream schools.
  • Couple this with the amazing teachers that bring a wealth of knowledge and creativity to round out a well balanced education through interactive learning via play & exploration.
  • Children are encouraged to voice ideas and develop critical thinking that is evident by the time the children are ready for high school.

Tori

What makes Kinma unique?

  • Kinma is truly unlike any other school. It’s a calm, nurturing environment that’s also full of energy, curiosity, and fun. It is a unique and inspiring space where children can grow, learn, and thrive. Working in this beautiful setting, surrounded by gum trees and the sounds of kookaburras and children playing is a privilege I really enjoy. Every day, I feel grateful to be part of this wonderful community where I can connect with children and their families in such a meaningful and supportive way.
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Saturday 7th March
9-11am

Saturday 7th March 9-11am

A bush Community Preschool and Primary School nested on 5 acres of bushland in Terrey Hills.

Come and see it for yourself.

Book here

127 Coolowie Road, Terrey Hills, 2084